World AIDS Museum and Educational Center & Hunters Nightclub proudly present Red Dress, Dress Red Gala on February 4, at the beautiful Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA). This historic, national dance party comes to South Florida for the first time: Red Dress, Dress Red Gala brings awareness to the HIV epidemic, raises funds for the Museum, and fosters community. WAM is excited to continue this rich tradition as a signature fundraiser in support of its Florida AIDS Walk team.
Leading up to Pride of the Americas 2023 festivities, this party includes live music and dancing, hors d’oeuvres, a meet & greet with RuPaul’s Drag Race Star, Trinity K. Bonet, complimentary beverages, live entertainment, and tons of surprises! The night concludes with an after party at Hunters Nightclub.
I thought it a good time to sit down with the Executive Director of the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center, Terry Dyer, for this exclusive Hotspots interview:
You moved to South Florida 3 ½ years ago, what made you relocate here?
I relocated here for with one of my previous employers in the private aviation field. We purchased another company here in Fort Lauderdale and moved our offices to South Florida.
Nine months ago, you became the ED of WAM. How did that happen and are you excited about this new position?
I am extremely excited. The organization and the mission align with my personal story and my advocacy work for HIV/AIDS education. I was one of the keynote speakers at the 2021 World AIDS Day event, and based on that speech the board president approached me about the ED position at WAM, which I was very honored to accept.
How has your first nine months been?
It’s been incredible, exciting, and absolutely overwhelming all at the same time. The role has me very busy and there are so many new projects to expand our work and to collaborate with other organizations on a national scale. I really feel as though the sky is the limit for our work and where we want to go as an organization.
Other than the gala, which we will get to in a minute, what is new at WAM?
We are working on educational programming with different organizations across the country, as well as a documentary project with a global organization based in London. We are also working on a project to take our exhibits on the road; essentially our exhibits will go on tour. This is projected to start in Provincetown in the summer.
How did you decide to bring the Red Gala to South Florida?
Our organization did not traditionally produce an annual gala. I thought changing this would be crucial to the success of our organization. It also made sense since as the event is deeply rooted in the LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS space. This gala will also take the visibility of our organization to a national level.
What should South Florida expect from the Red Gala?
Attendees should expect a massive dance party with incredible music by DJ Edtalks. The VIP experience will include upscale food provided by famous caterers The Two Todd’s (formerly of the White House) and beverage provided by Hunters Nightclub and Tito’s. It will also include live entertainment from Broadway star Anne Steele, Season 10 American Idol contestant Matthew Darren, South Florida legend LeNora Jaye, and the famous Synergy Twins. The event will be hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race and All-Stars contestant Trinity K. Bonet. VIP guests will have the opportunity for a meet and greet along with a pic with Trinity. The overall event will also include live art, and exhibitions, fashions by Project Runway designers and many more surprises.
To purchase tickets to Red Dress, Dress Red Gala on Saturday, February 4, go to rddrgala.eventbrite.com. General admission tickets, which starts at 8pm, are $100 and include live entertainment, dancing, complimentary beverages, and valet or self-parking. VIP tickets, which are $250, starts at 6:30pm, include all the above plus an exclusive reception to include meet and greet with Trinity, Hors d’oeuvres, access to VIP seating and specialty beverage, Valet parking, and an optional shuttle bus from Hunters.
