Winter Party 2010

By Juan Lopez3/2/2010

Winter Party 2010 officially starts Wednesday March 3. Launched in 1994 as a one-time charity dance event on the sands of South Beach, Winter Party Festival has evolved into a week-long series of events benefiting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community nationally and locally.

To date, the Festival and its sister event, the Miami Recognition Dinner, have raised over $2 million.

More than just a day at the beach, Winter Party Festival creates an experience for LGBT people and their friends and supporters. In addition to being an important fundraiser, the Festival is also a major contributor to Miami and Miami Beach's economy by attracting over 10,000 people from around the world to South Florida each year.

Here is a quick look at our favorites for each day's events, including our pick for best of the day. For a full schedule of events go to www.winterparty.com For ticket information, please scroll down.

Wednesday, March 3

Departure Lounge After Party
10:00 PM - 5:00 AM
Bar 721, 721 N. Lincoln Lane, Miami Beach
Owner Dan Sehres invites you to a night of music and dancing at this brand-new South Beach venue in the perfect "Soho-loft-gone-rec-room" style. All Festival pass-holders will receive one free drink per day from Wednesday, March 3, through Monday, March 8.

Thursday, March 4

OUR PICK - Rip Current
10:00 PM - 5:00 AM
Score, 727 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
No need to test the waters — just dive right in to the first of the Winter Party's dance events, featuring DJ Roland Belmares. DJ Pride opens.

Women's Art Exhibit
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Dot Fifty-one, 51 NE 36th Street, Miami
The L Word's Pam Grier appears at this showcase of eco-friendly works by local artists at an environmentally conscious reception featuring cocktails and hors d'oeuvres presented by The L Word Season 6 DVD. Enjoy complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres while viewing the works of Mary Larson, Kathy Kiss and Lucinda Linderman.

Friday, March 5

OUR PICK - Rising Tide
10:00 PM - 5:00 AM
Dolce, 1500 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
The temperature will be rising at our not-to-be-missed Friday night dance party with dynamic duo Rosabel (Ralphi Rosario & Abel) at the helm.

Passport to Lincoln Road — BASE @ Winter Party
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
BASE, 939 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
You'll find Ruffskin swimwear on models who are a perfect "10," while Base offers 10% off on Ruffskin and a 20% donation of all sales for the evening to Winter Party Festival. With an open Grey Goose bar and the chance to win amazing raffle prizes.

Passport to Lincoln Road — Kiehl's 20/20
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Kiehl's Since 1851, 832 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
The store that added this fabulous event to the Festival line-up is the final destination of our 2010 shopping spree. Don't miss the chance to purchase the best in hair and skincare products and support the Festival while enjoying Grey Goose cocktails and the music of DJ RaffeLo. Kiehl's Since 1851 offers Winter Party guests 20% off on all items in the store and will donate 20% of sales for the evening to the Festival.

Saturday, March 6

OUR PICK - Under One Sun Pool Party
NOON - 6:00 PM
Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel, 1717 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
DJs/Producers The Perry Twins (Los Angeles) spin at the hottest pool party under the sun with DJ Charlmix to open! Last year's party was recognized by EDGE as "Best Pool Party of 2009!" This year's event, presented by Gaydar.net, features the debut of our exclusive VIP deck. You will not want to miss it!

VIP Cocktail Reception
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
The Betsy South Beach, 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Something special for our special guests. Join Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey and the most fabulous of Winter Party guests for drinks and hors d'oeuvres atop the one of Ocean Drive's most beautiful hotels. David Bromstad of HGTV's Color Splash hosts the event.

Industry
10:00 PM - 4:00 AM
China Grill, 404 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
Pandora Events produces this popular women's dance party with DJ Saratonin — Winter Party's version of "Women Gone Wild." Purchase VIP tickets and enjoy free Grey Goose cocktails and the opportunity to meet The L Word star Pam Grier.

Sunday, March 7

OUR PICK - Winter Party Beach Party
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
12th Street Beach off Ocean Drive on the Atlantic Ocean, Miami Beach
The piece de resistance of The Winter Party Festival—one of the biggest and best outdoor dance parties in the world. Brett Henrichsen opens for Brazilian DJ Ana Paula (Rio) as she makes her Winter Party debut while you dance under the sun on one of the world's most beautiful beaches. This is not to be missed! Showtime Networks' Nurse Jackie and The Tudors Season 3 DVD present this not-to-be-missed event.

Preparing to Orbit
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
The Palace Bar, 1200 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Join us for the official Orbit Kick-off Party, with special drinks and entertainment leading up to the ONLY official Sunday night dance party, Orbit.

Orbit: The Only Official Sunday Night Winter Party Event
9:00 PM - 6:00 AM
The Terrace at Club Space, 34 NE 11th Street, Miami
Amazing lights, thousands of hot bodies, and mind-blowing music come together to form the perfect outdoor dance party. Tracy Young opens for Boris, making his debut at Winter Party Festival. You'll be heaven bound! (If the weather truly is stormy, the party will move indoors to the Space Loft.) Complimentary party huttle buses run from the host hotel to The Terrace at Club Space until 6:30 AM.

WHERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS:

All tickets purchased online must be picked up at the Winter Party Welcome Center, located at the Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel, 1717 Collins Avenue in South Beach. Additional passes and tickets can also be purchased there. The Welcome Center phone number is 305.604.8500. Hours of operation are:

• Wednesday, March 3 – 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• Thursday, March 4 – 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• Friday, March 5 – 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• Saturday, March 6 – 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Sunday, March 7 – The Welcome Center moves to the site of the Beach Party at the 12th Street Beach and is open 12 NOON - 2:00 PM. ALL tickets for Sunday and Monday events MUST be picked up by 2 PM.

Tickets and passes can be purchased at the Welcome Center during the hours listed above. Individual event tickets* are available at the following South Florida outlets:

Miami Beach

Kiehl's Since 1851
832 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
305.531.0404

Crunch
1259 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
305.674.8222

Fort Lauderdale

Pride Factory
850 NE 13th Street, Fort Lauderdale
954.463.6600

Bottoms & Tops
Shoppes of Wilton Manors
2246 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
954.563.8677

* Passes are not sold at outlets.

If you're interested in volunteering for the events contact Ted Nigro
Director of Volunteer Relations
305.576.6435
tnigro@theTaskForce.org

Speak up!