31st Annual White Party: Profiles of Celebrity DJs and Top Talent

November 25-30, 2015

The White Party in Miami Beach is one of the oldest HIV/AIDS fundraisers in the world: It started from humble beginnings in 1985, and has grown to become a powerhouse week-long event. The week of events raises a lot of money for Care Resource, which is a primary care provider helping the LGBT community impacted by HIV/AIDS in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

There are many events going on during the 31st annual White Party Week, which starts on Wednesday, November 25, and runs through Monday, November 30. Let me tell you a little bit about the different DJs who will be spinning for your enjoyment, plus three special entertainers who will be at this year’s White Party (held for the very first time this year on a yacht!).

DJ George Ferrero is originally from Venezuela. Shortly after moving to Miami in 1992, he received his big break, courtesy of Emilio Estefan. His music and remixes have been used on a number of television series and sanctioned by many hot artists, such as Juanes and Shakira. (White Heat, Wednesday, Nov. 25, Bailo Nightclub, 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.)

DJ Otto started DJing at the age of 16 back in his native Cuba. He cites DJs such as Tiesto, Eric Morillo and Taro as his inspirations to become a professional DJ in Miami. He has been seen in the DJ booth at many Miami nightclubs, such as Sandals, Bailo and Off the Hookaa. (White Heat, Wednesday, Nov. 25, Bailo Nightclub, 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.)

DJ Drew G is based in San Diego and his sound has been described as “SoCal House” (a mix of house, circuit and EDM). His “Dirty Pop” brand has brought his dance parties across the United States. (White Journey, Thursday, Nov. 26, Heart Nightclub, 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.)

DJ Manny Lehman insists performances at the White Party in Palm Springs and Montreal’s Black and Blue Recovery Party shot him to stardom sixteen years ago. He has since been a resident DJ at clubs all over the country and performed at events all over the world, including previous White Parties in Miami and Winter Party Festivals as well. (White Journey, Thursday, Nov. 26, Heart Nightclub, 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.)

DJ Alain Jackinsky is originally from Montreal, Quebec, and he has described his music as tribal house meets “old-school.” He has headlined Divers-Cité in Montreal as well as Toronto World Pride and parties across the United States, Brazil, and Europe. He has had residencies at a number of gay clubs across the country, including Score in Miami Beach. (White Dreams, Friday, Nov. 27, Club Space, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.)

DJ Joe Gauthreaux, originally from New Orleans, made a name for himself as the resident DJ of Oz on Bourbon Street. Ever since moving to New York City, he has headlined events across the United States and Canada. His long list of achievements include being named celebrity DJ at San Diego Pride, Black Party New York, and Black & Blue in Montreal. (White Dreams, Friday, Nov. 27, Club Space, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.)

DJ Rico Alexis started out as a DJ in New Jersey, eventually winning the #1 NJ DJ People’s Choice Award in 2013. From there, he decided to move to New York City and he has a number of residencies in the city, including Viva, No Strings Attached and Pacha. He was named Get Out! Magazine’s “DJ of the Year” for 2014. (White Splash, Saturday, Nov. 28, Aloft South Beach Hotel, 12 to 6 p.m.)

DJ Tomer Maizner, from Israel, has been head DJ at a number of Tel Aviv nightclubs, such as Oman 17, Galina, Clara, and many more. This past summer, his residency at Galina routinely packed in crowds of over 4,000 people each weekend. (White Splash, Saturday, Nov. 28, Aloft South Beach Hotel, 12 to 6 p.m.)

DJ Roland Belmares started his career nearly 20 years ago in his hometown of Austin, Texas, DJing at a club called The Forum. From there, he’s played nearly every top gay circuit party event in the United States, and has even played in Brazil, the Netherlands, Thailand and Hong Kong. He loves working with dance divas such as Pepper Mashay, Abigail and Kristine W. (White Party, Saturday, Nov. 28, board yacht at Bayfront Park – North Dock, 6 to 11 p.m.)

Kitty Meow is the drag persona of Shawn Palacious, who has performed in Miami Beach for nearly 25 years. Kitty has performed at many clubs throughout South Florida and across the country. Local crowds will recognize her from such venues as The Manor in Wilton Manors and Score in South Beach. (White Party, Saturday, Nov. 28, board yacht at Bayfront Park – North Dock, 6 to 11 p.m.)

Elaine Lancaster is the drag persona of performer James Davis. Lancaster first stepped foot on South Beach seventeen years ago, and she has been a South Florida fixture ever since. She can be seen at galas, benefits and nightclubs all over town, looking as glamorous as a character out of “Hollywood Wives”. (White Party, Saturday, Nov. 28, board yacht at Bayfront Park – North Dock, 6 to 11 p.m.)

Cory Van Valin is an accomplished magician, having sold out shows ever since he was 21, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. A Florida native, he was named Tampa Bay’s up-and-coming musician by the radio station 93.3 FLZ. (White Party, Saturday, Nov. 28, board yacht at Bayfront Park – North Dock, 6 to 11 p.m.)

Jane “Jei” Castro, a Miami native, gained local and national attention when she released her first demo at the age of 15, and went on to place second in MTV’s Spring Break American Idol competition. Since then, she has performed in the hottest clubs in Miami and across the country, and has also been seen in VH1’s series Tough Love: Miami. (White Party, Saturday, Nov. 28, board yacht at Bayfront Park – North Dock, 6 to 11 p.m.)

WildChild (Sean Fountain) is a performance artist who calls South Beach his home. He has been producing special events for nightclubs for over 20 years. A WildChild show is noted for its theatrical improvisation, body painting, glamorous and inventive makeup and costuming, and even street theater (when possible). (White Party, Saturday, Nov. 28, board yacht at Bayfront Park – North Dock, 6 to 11 p.m.)

DJ Dawson is a newer face on the DJ scene, and his work is varied: You can find him DJing at Space Ibiza in New York City and also at galas for The Clinton Foundation. He has been a featured performer in Fire Island, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, and many other locales across the United States. (White Starz, Saturday, Nov. 28, Score Nightclub, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.)

DJ Isaac Escalante is one of the best-known DJs in the Mexican LGBT club scene; he has been a resident DJ of Mexico City’s Club Living for many years. His profile was raised in Latin America when he earned a residency at The Week in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Since then he has been the top talent for events stretching from Israel to Hawaii. (White Starz, Saturday, Nov. 28, Score Nightclub, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.)

DJ Paulo calls Portugal his home, but he has been so in-demand worldwide that he doesn’t get to spend much time back there. Paulo has held residencies at clubs across Europe and in the United States, including but not limited to Score in Miami Beach. Many of his remixes have topped the Billboard dance charts, including Christina Aguilera’s “Not Myself Tonight” and Inaya Day’s “Lift It Up.” (White Starz, Saturday, Nov. 28, Score Nightclub, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.)

DJ Eddie Martinez is well-known for his “tribal house” sound, and it has been a hit for years in clubs all over the world. A protege of the late Peter Rauhofer, Eddie Martinez has performed with many of the world’s top DJs, and has headlined many parties in his own right. (Muscle Beach Party, Sunday, Nov. 29, Miami Beach, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

DJ Phil B is originally from San Francisco, but he started his DJ career in Australia. He made a positive reputation for himself there before moving back home and becoming well-known here as well. He has played some of the hottest clubs on both coasts, from Miami to Los Angeles to Fire Island. (Muscle Beach Party, Sunday, Nov. 29, Miami Beach, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

DJ Abel was born in Brooklyn, but he calls Miami home now. Clubgoers in South Florida will know his past DJing work as resident at clubs such as Paragon and Salvation. All of his sets have this “special something” he likes to call his “cha-cha.” (Noche Blanca, Sunday, Nov. 29, Story Nightclub, 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.)

DJ Eddie Elias has been a working DJ for the past 15 years. His first residency was at the Pavilion in Fire Island, and he also performed the final DJ set there when it closed. He has held residencies at over half a dozen New York City clubs, and has performed to packed crowds at Score, Space and Twilo in Miami. (White Horizons, Monday, Nov. 30, Heart Nightclub, 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

DJ Deanne (Stephanie Swanson) started her DJing career in Indianapolis before making the move to South Florida two years ago. Since then, she’s been invited to DJ parties at White Party (2014 and 2015), Winter Party, Gay Days, and Miami Beach Gay Pride. (Swan Song, Monday, Nov. 30, Twist, 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.)

To read more about the DJs and talent, and to learn more about how you can purchase tickets to White Party events, go to their website at whiteparty.org.