The Pride Center, in partnership with the City of Wilton Manors and aided by sponsors Wells Fargo, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, and WFLC Hits 97.3, will be hosting a fundraising event called “Evening in Paradise: Carnaval!” This event will be held at the Manor House at the Richardson Historic Park and Nature Preserve (1937 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 22. The event benefits The Pride Center and the City of Wilton Manors’ Island City Foundation.
The theme of the evening is Brazilian Carnaval, and the Richardson Historic Park Manor House will be decorated for a special party that looks like it could have been taken straight from the streets of Rio de Janeiro; there will also be Samba dancers, festive food, and lively music. This party will be organized and created by Bobby Kyser of Panache Style!
“Evening in Paradise,” now in its third year, has grown from humble beginnings to become the designated spring fundraising event for The Pride Center, bringing in hundreds of people wanting to have a good time and help their community in the process. Over $100,000 has been raised by the community at this specific event in the last two years alone. Jim Walker, Lee Rubin, Joe Guerrero and Irwin Drucker return as event co-chairs this year.
The mission of The Pride Center is to “provide a welcoming, safe space–an inclusive home–that celebrates, nurtures and empowers the LGBTQ communities and our friends and neighbors in South Florida.” Over 55,000 people across South Florida are directly impacted by The Pride Center’s outreach activities each year.
Other event sponsors include the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Panache Style!, H&R Block, and Dunham Insurance. Food will be provided by Jae’s Sinful Delights, The Grateful Palate, Atlantic Surf Club, Hibiscus Cafe and South Beach Afters. Hotspots Magazine and Genre Latino are media sponsors for this event.
If you are interested in purchasing tickets, the cost is $125 and tickets can be purchased online by going to EveningInParadise.org.
