When it comes to demonstrations and other events for charity, noted decorator Mike Elder is no stranger to Newhouse, a women's shelter in Kansas City, MO. So when they called and asked him to go bigger, "The biggest thing I could think of was a cake expo and live challenge," he says.

And so it begins. Mark April 17 on your calendar, and plan to attend "Icing on the Cake for Newhouse" in Overland Park, KS, where you can show off your designs, check out the hottest trends in sugar arts or watch a live challenge from nationally recognized decorators and celebrity judges from shows including The Next Great Baker and Ultimate Cakeoff.

Elder's plan for Icing on the Cake is twofold. "We're just trying to promote the sugar arts and raise money for Newhouse," he says. He'd rather host an exhibition than a competition, so that all sugar artists of every skill level will feel welcome.

"We're basically having an artists' exhibition," he says. "It's going to be cake artists, sugar artists and chefs that can come exhibit their work...they can put their name on it, and if they want to have fliers on the tables, they're allowed to promote themselves - just like an artist would at an art exhibit."

Elder also plans to have a youth section at the expo, where kids can show off their work, as well.

The event will be open to the public, and 100 percent of the proceeds will support Newhouse. Visit www.mikeelderonline.com for more information, and be sure to check his website for the big announcement on live challenge competitors and judges. For more information on Newhouse, visit www.newhouseshelter.org.