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The GLBT Center Announces the Second Annual Black and White Gala

October 9, 2013

The GLBT Center Announces the Second Annual Black and White Gala

October 19 at Quantum Leap Winery

by: Mike Halterman

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Central Florida (The Center) is proud to announce the Second Annual Black and White Gala to be will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Quantum Leap Winery (1312 Wilfred Dr., Orlando). This is The Center’s premier signature event of the year and follows last year’s successful inaugural affair.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a VIP dinner prepared by one the event sponsors, John Michael Events. During the five course meal and wine pairings, a vocalist will entertain with piano accompaniment, along with live auction items featuring several “big ticket” items. After dinner guests will move to the large winery chamber where the main Event will feature a four piece band and dancing for the rest of the evening. The event will also feature a Silent Auction with a wide variety of items ranging from gift baskets to exotic getaways.

Attire will range from formal to casual but we ask that the guests keep with the theme of black and white when making their selections! Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar will be available during the main event.

All proceeds from the Black and White Gala will benefit The Center. The Center, located at 946 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando, is a non-profit organization dedicated to informing, educating, supporting and advocating on behalf of the LGBT community and its allies. It has been in operation for over 32 years, and currently serves more than 15,000 individuals a year through its doors and over 8,000 a month online.

For more questions, you can contact The Center at (407) 492-1647. Regular admission costs $50, and the VIP dinner package costs $150. Tickets are on sale at centergala.eventbrite.com.

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Randy Stephens, Executive Director of The Center, talked to Hotspots Editor Mike Halterman in an exclusive interview about the Gala.

Have you been happy with the way the community has embraced the Black and White Gala?

At our Inaugural Gala, we were more than pleased and quite surprised at the turnout for a new event. The vast majority of attendees dressed up in their best Black and White wardrobe, including Black and White boas for many men and women. We are also very satisfied with the response to our silent auction.

Which things about the Gala are changing this year as opposed to last year?

First, we changed the date and the location. As it turned out, several other fundraising events were scheduled immediately preceding our event, so we had to move it up one month. The rescheduling also affected moving our location from The Mezz to Quantum Leap Winery, which is a larger, very avant garde venue, and a showcase venue for large events. We are also very excited that John Michael Events has joined as a major sponsor and will be presenting his culinary delights as part of the VIP package. To coincide with the location in a winery, VIPs will be served a five course meal prepared by John Michael Catering to coincide with five separate servings of wine as presented by the owners of the Winery itself. In addition , a live auction of various items will be conducted upon the conclusion of dinner. Afterwards, dancing will occur in the main room, and additional guests will join the VIP party.

For someone who has never attended, what would you like them to know about the Gala, and what should they expect once they arrive?

Be prepared for a night of exemplary food, fine wines and musical performances that everyone can dance to, regardless of your age or background. For many people, this gives them to opportunity to show off their classy wardrobe of black, white or mixture thereof. For others, it’s a time to socialize with old and new friends in a very comfortable and relaxed setting.

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Mike Halterman

Mike Halterman has been the editor of Hotspots Central since its launch in July 2016. He joined the Hotspots Media Group family as editor of Hotspots' South Florida magazine in June 2013. A former "40 Under 40" honoree in The Advocate magazine, Mike lives in the Tampa Bay area.

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