(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) -- The 29th annual Exotic Erotic Ball and Expo, the internationally acclaimed Celebration of Flesh, Fetish, and Fantasy, and - according to E! Entertainment TV - ''the World's #1 Wildest and Sexiest Party,'' has renewed its longstanding commitment to promoting independent music by offering three prime-time, full-paying gigs exclusively to Independent artists. To be considered for the gigs, bands must request consideration by submitting their EPK - or ''electronic press kit'' - through Sonicbids at http://www.sonicbids.com/exoticerotic on or before September 5, 2008. All entries will be juried, rated and three winners will be chosen to play before thousands of elaborately attired fans at the 2008 Exotic Erotic Ball and Expo, October 24 and 25, 2008, at Treasure Island, San Francisco. The 2008 show marks the Ball's second annual collaboration with Sonicbids.

In 2007, the two winning bands were Black Betty and the Bad Habits who hail from Boston, and the Los Angeles-based Doxy. They performed on the same bill with Snoop Dogg, Peaches, Donald Glaude, the Spyderz and others. Black Betty and the Bad Habits lead vocalist, Jenny Langer, called the experience, ''a true highlight for us that we'll always remember. That's one fun and crazy crowd!'' Doxy's Ana Lovelis said: ''when I heard we won, I remember asking myself 'How does one prepare for performing at such a great event like the Exotic Erotic Ball?' First thing we did, is cut down on our mood stabilizing medications, because the anticipation alone was an aphrodisiac!''

''This is a natural collaboration,'' says Ball founder Perry Mann. ''The Ball is visible, and virtually any band with a sexy lead singer or provocative lyrics feels they are a great fit with the show. Many of them are. The problem for us is that we receive hundreds of DVD's, CD's, mp3s, emails, and links. We just don't have the time or manpower to sift through them. This has always bothered me, because I have a real commitment to Indie music. Our relationship with Sonicbids allows us to show that support. Every submission goes to the same place, they get heard and rated; we can see video and read bios, and it's all online, no switching between mediums. I look forward to shaking hands with the 2008 winners on stage at the Ball.''

''There is so much creative musical talent among today's independent and unsigned bands,'' says David Ellis of Sonicbids, an event sponsor, and collaborator on the Ball's Indie Music initiative. ''when a long-running event like the Exotic Erotic Ball acknowledges this by actively looking to the Indies to discover the right talent for their event - and then gives that talent VIP treatment and the chance to play before an audience size usually reserved for signed acts - this is something we can get behind. We heard great things from the bands they selected last year, and look forward to offering up our platform again for them to discover 3 new bands in 2008.'' ''The Ball'' is widely considered the world's #1 adult-themed party event with live headline entertainment on five stages - music, electronic, burlesque, circus, and fetish. Over its 29-year history, headline entertainment has included Joan Jett, Chris Isaak, Grace Jones, Greg Allman, Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, and Everclear, with untold numbers of celebrity guests, and over a thousand of the world's top burlesque, fetish, and novelty acts. The Genitorturers will be among those performing on the Ball's musical stage, and performance artist Mobius8 will be bringing his mind-altering musical multimedia stage show to the Ball's electronic stage. The Festival Hotline is: 1-415-567-Ball (2255). The website is www.exoticeroticball.com. The site for submission by artists is http://www.sonicbids.com/exoticerotic.

Perry Mann's Exotic Erotic Ball and Expo

Where: Treasure Island, San Francisco, Hangar #3. When: Friday and Saturday October 24 and 25, 2008. Expo Hours: Friday, October 24: 2PM - 10PM: $20 Saturday, October 25: Noon - 6PM: $20 Must be 18 and over to attend the Expo. Ball Hours: Saturday 8PM - 2AM: GA Tix from $59; VIP Tix from $125. Ball prices increase as event gets nearer. Expo is also open as part of the Ball, to Ball attendees only Must be 21 and over to attend the Ball.