"The event seems like a nice way to create some lasting memories with my friends and to end my college career on a high note," says Cinderella Jing, a graduating Finance major from Shanghai University.

Some Chinese students have watched television shows and movies about American students and their high school proms - and have wanted their own special party.

"In middle and high schools, I always wanted to go to a prom, but Chinese schools didn't have anything like that," says Heidi Yu, a graduating senior majoring in English at the Shanghai International Studies University. "The Magna Ball gives me a chance to do something I've always wanted."

Young people in the West get all dressed up for their proms, often formally, and go to great pains to look perfect.

But for the Shanghai party there's no need to worry about getting all dressed up.

"We have made it more casual," says organizer Dong. "Boys only need to wear a suit and girls only need to wear a dress."

Live entertainment will be provided. There will be music to dance to and there will be dance teachers for those who don't know about ballroom dancing.

Some expat students also want to attend the prom, but they have to be seniors.

Kevin Ma, an American student majoring physics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, is curious. "This is different because of the performances," says Ma, from California, who remembers his high school prom. "It was simpler, there was dinner, a photographer who took pictures and a band.

"I think proms and formal dances are very basic to American culture," says Ma. "The Magna Graduation Ball is new for Shanghai and it's pretty cool someone thought of organizing it."

Date: June 13, 7-11pm

Address: Art Shaker, 800 Guoshun Rd E., Yangpu District

Admission: Free

Website: www.magnashanghai.com

(Shanghai Daily June 10, 2009)