Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Washington Blade - April 10, 2009
James Worsdale
But with a economy in recession and a demographic with a wider array of interests, Cherry Weekend board members are diversifying their approaches to fundraising, outreach and programming.
Cherry Weekend is an annual event facilitated by Cherry Fund, a Washington-based non-profit whose mission is to raise funds for the HIV/AIDS youth service community.
This year's weekend is themed "Taste 4 Life," to represent how the event is aimed at those with diverse interests but a shared desire to help the community.
The 14th annual Cherry Weekend kicks off at 10 p.m. on Thursday with "Taste 4 Life: Sinful Fashion," a fashion show at Town showcasing local designers and retail looks, as well as featuring stylists and personal trainers who will provide professional tips.
Three-year board member Kat Danaher cites this as an example of the "branching out" that the Fund is doing with Cherry Weekend's programming. She says that this branching out is a necessity for most non-profits today given the state of the economy.
"The No. 1 goal of Cherry is to raise money, not to be a party," Danaher says. "All non-profits are looking to move to find new sources of income and by us adding a couple of different events, we're hoping to look out to more mainstream sponsors and patrons that wouldn't have necessarily signed up for a dance event."
That said, Cherry Weekend attendees can still look forward to the quality nightlife the board facilitates.
Board member Allen Sexton has been instrumental in the logistical planning of the nightlife, dance-focused events of this year's Cherry Weekend.
He anticipates the fundraiser to do "very well" this year. Several Washington venues are cooperating with Cherry Fund and Sexton in lowering rates and keeping costs low for the organization.
Some of the venues hosting dance nights have big-name DJs spinning including DJ Randy White at Apex for Cherry's college party and DJ Rosie at lesbian Lure party at Cobalt.
Sexton says that as Cherry Fund is trying new programs, it is also expanding its typical venues.
"We've really started trying to put ourselves in a totally new market" he says, citing never-before-used by Cherry Fund venues like Town and Secrets.
Danaher says the board has tried to schedule events on nights where there is already traffic, citing Apex's popular Thursday night college night and Town's Saturday night drag show as examples.
Cherry Fund recently has also tried to expand its outreach beyond just Cherry Weekend. Sexton refers to this outreach as striving for "brand recognition," educating the community of what Cherry is doing throughout the year to motivate people to engage in political work and become active.
This year's event has a heightened degree of significance, organizers say, because of the recent report that 3 percent of D.C. residents are infected with HIV. Cherry board members say it's helped motivate them this year.
"With the HIV rate climbing to the level that it has in the last year à the numbers are just out of control" Sexton says. "We're definitely out there to raise awareness but we're more so out there to try and raise funds for our friends with HIV/AIDS."
The recent reports have also influenced Cherry planners to administer profits differently than before. Rather than naming organizations that will receive proceeds before the event occurs, groups will apply through a voucher system, telling Cherry what they need and receiving funds after winning Cherry's approval.
"Given the situation with HIV/AIDS in the D.C. area, we want to focus on local groups' projects" Danaher says. Groups will apply for grants after the money is raised.
DJ Sin Morera is one of the veteran DJs returning to this event, having spun for the past four years.
"Its purpose in bringing people together is something that I really truly back and believe because I have friends that are HIV-positive and I'm all for the cause, which makes a big difference" he says. "There's a purpose behind it, to raise money and give back to the community."
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