Date: Mon, 17 Feb 1997 15:16:51 -0800 From: "Howard R. Miller Communications" Subject: winter party 1997 expands events & salutes south beach Contact: Howard R. Miller (305) 573-0882 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/6/97 WINTER PARTY 1997 EXPANDS EVENTS & SALUTES SOUTH BEACH SOUTH BEACH, Florida =96 Winter Party 1997, one of the largest and most=20 successful lesbian and gay fund-raisers in the United States, has added=20 new weekend-long special events, and will begin Thursday, March 6th,=20 coming to a close with an "all-out" dance party on the beach at 14th=20 street on South Beach, on Sunday March 9th from noon to sunset. This=20 year over 5000 patrons are expected to celebrate in Winter Party 1997's=20 "Salute to Miami Beach," with all proceeds benefiting the Dade Human=20 Rights Foundation (DHRF). "Every year when Winter Party is over we breathe a deep sigh of=20 relief at pulling off such an incredible event, and then we wonder how=20 we can top it next time," says DHRF's President and Winter Party=20 Co-chair, Stewart Stein. "Well, this year's party promises to be the=20 most amazing one yet and we're looking forward to hosting a really=20 international crowd!" =09 Major events taking place during Winter Party Weekend include=20 South Beach Club Nights, the South Beach Tea Dances and of course, the=20 1997 Winter Party Dance Party on the Beach with non-stop music by=20 Circuit DJ Buc. Due to the success of the previous three Winter Party=20 Weekends, the Dade Human Rights Foundation (DHRF) has decided to=20 dramatically expand this year's weekend event program to include the=20 first annual DHRF Recognition Dinner (acknowledging South Florida=20 Leaders who have had a significant impact in the life of our gay and=20 lesbian community), a Saturday afternoon volleyball tournament "Winter=20 Party Smash" and a 50's Havana themed cocktail party, " Winter Party's=20 Club Tropicana" at a bayfront Miami Beach home.=20 =09 The Dade Human Rights Foundation, is a not-for-profit=20 organization which was created after the first Winter Party, as a=20 vehicle to raise money to fund projects important to gays and lesbians=20 in Dade County. The Winter Party continues to build on its initial=20 success since its inception in 1994, and it attracted over 4000=20 party-goers last year.=20 "The DHRF provides the South Florida community with a dedicated=20 organization that responds year-round to specific funding needs for gay,=20 lesbian and bisexual organizations," according to DHRF's secretary and=20 Winter Party Co-chair Ignacio Martinez-Ybor. "In less than three years,=20 the DHRF has had an economic impact of over $250,000 in the gay, lesbian=20 and bisexual community in Dade County through its =09 - more -=0CWinter Party=20 1997 =96 Page 2 direct grant-making process and through support for the Gay and Lesbian=20 Initiative, providing funds for such organizations as Project Y.E.S.,=20 Alliance Film/Video Co-op for a gay and lesbian film school and film=20 festival, Miami Light Project, Art Fusion, North Miami Beach Senior High=20 School, and the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Educators Group of South=20 Florida among others," added Martinez-Ybor. =09 Winter Party 1997 is presented by Captain Morgan Original Spiced=20 Rum. Other sponsors include: Perrier, Coors Brewing Company, Out=20 Magazine, American Airlines, Confide, HX Magazine. Additionally, The=20 Raleigh Hotel and Penrod's are sponsoring Winter Party Smash - the=20 volleyball tournament at 12th street. Participating clubs hosting their=20 own events include: Amnesia, Liquid, Salvation and Warsaw, (they will=20 honor Winter Party Club or VIP passes on any gay night Thursday, March 6=20 through Sunday March 9) and 821, Hombre, Loading Zone, Swirl and Twist=20 (who will provide two free drinks during the same period Thursday=20 through Sunday) to any individual who has purchased a Winter Party Club=20 or VIP pass. Ticket Information Hotel reservations and advance tickets for Winter Party can be=20 purchased through Advance/Damron Vacations by calling 1-800-695-0880. =20 Only hotel and airline reservations made through Advance/Damron benefit=20 the Dade Human Rights Foundation. Tickets for the Winter Party Dance=20 are only $60 (or $70 at the door), with all drinks included.=20 Furthermore, there are special South Beach Nights Club Passes available.=20 The VIP Pass includes entry to all participating clubs Thursday through=20 Sunday plus entry to the Winter Party and VIP Cocktail Party at a cost=20 of $150. The Club Pass includes entry to all participating clubs=20 Thursday through Sunday, plus entry to the Winter Party at a cost of=20 $99. =20 =09 Winter Party tickets can also be picked up at the following=20 locations: Whitall & Shon, on Washington Avenue, Miami Beach GW, on=20 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, and Audace, on Las Olas Blvd., Fort=20 Lauderdale. =20 =09 Tickets for the DHRF Recognition Dinner are $50, and seating is=20 limited. Tickets to the Cocktail Party, "Winter Party Club Tropicana",=20 are $75. For tickets to both events call (305) 372-2442. For further=20 information on the Winter Party visit their website at=20 http://www.winterparty.com, or call (305) 460-3115. All proceeds go to=20 benefit the Dade Human Rights Foundation. # # # Editorial Note: For more press information on Winter Party Weekend 1997=20 "Salute=20 to South Beach" please contact Howard R. Miller=20 at=20 (305) 573-0882. Local-WPREL