Miami Herald - Sunday, November 19, 1995
Elaine De Valle, Herald Staff Writer

The Beach is abuzz with preparations for the 11th annual White Party at Vizcaya and its many related events all over town.

Since the first fete in 1985, the White Party has become a conscientious socialite's November must -- if you can afford the $100 invitation and get one of the 2,500 tickets before everyone else.

The week of events makes up the Health Crisis Network's main fundraiser. HCN raised $285,000 last year. The money helps the agency offer counseling and educational programs on AIDS and HIV across the state.

This year, 2,000 tickets to the Nov. 26 event were gone by Oct. 3, two days after they went on sale. Five hundred more tickets issued Oct. 12 were also sold out Oct. 14.

But in Miami Beach -- where hundreds of gay tourists from all over the world will stay this week awaiting the dress-in-white-only ball -- scores of White-like parties, nightclub flings and contests will lead up to the big bash.

"The spirit of the community is really striking during the White Party Week because the clubs and the restaurants and the stores, everybody cooperates and comes together," said Keith Cromley, HCN's assistant director of development and White Party Week wizard.

Merchants on Lincoln Road, for example, have offered small gifts, discounts and freebies for their block party Saturday night. The winning coupons will be inserted into helium balloons that will then be sold to benefit HCN, Cromley said.

"White Party Week this year may actually net more money or has the potential of raising as much money as the AIDS walk last year, close to half a million dollars," Cromley said. "It takes a lot of money to do the job that we do in our community."

But the funds are only half the reward, he added. "One of the things we're excited about is that it's an opportunity to raise awareness on a large scale."

And the mere multitude of parties and events -- even some that are not affiliated with HCN at all -- help do that too, he said.

Body Positive is also having events, as well as other groups, he said. And the best part is that tourists will be bankrolling the needs of the community.

"People from outside Miami are able to enjoy events and support our activities, which in turn reduces the pressure on our local community," he said. "It kind of expands the donor base, which is a very positive side effect."

WHITE PARTY EVENTS

The following is a sample of some White Party week events. Admission costs vary. For prices and more information, call 532-9341 from 8 a.m. to midnight. Tickets for most events can be purchased at an information center at the Shore Club Hotel, 1901 Collins Ave. from noon to 8 p.m. through Thursday, rsday.

WEDNESDAY * Gala Kick-Off Party at Warsaw Ballroom, 1450 Collins Ave., 9:30 p.m.

THURSDAY * Club Night at Kremlin, 727 Lincoln Road, 10 p.m.

* The Butter Ball at Cheetah Club, 220 21st St., 11 p.m. Call 532-0042 from noon to 5 p.m.

FRIDAY * Beach Party at Penrod's, One Ocean Dr., noon.

* Tea Dance at Amnesia, 136 Collins Ave., 5 p.m.

* Club Night at Glam Slam, 1235 Washington Ave., 10 p.m.

SATURDAY * Comedy Central Block Party, Lincoln Road mall, noon

* Mr. South Beach contest, 10th Street Auditorium, 10th Street and Ocean Drive, 6 p.m.

* The Victory Party at the Victor Hotel, 1144 Ocean Dr., 10 p.m.

NOV. 26 * White Party at Vizcaya, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami, 6:30 p.m.

* The After White Party, "Phoenix Rising," at Cheetah Club, 220 21st St., midnight to 9 a.m. Call 532-0042 from noon to 5 p.m.

* The Swan Song or "recovery" party at Twist, 1057 Washington Ave., 9 p.m.
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