Black & White Party raises $130,000 for AIDS group

“It was an extravaganza.” That’s how Antioco Carrillo, executive director of Aid for Aids of Nevada, popularly known as AFAN, describes the three days of parties last month that raised money for adults and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada.

AFAN, founded in 1984, is Nevada’s oldest and largest AIDS service organization. This year marks the organization’s 30th anniversary of providing support and advocacy. AFAN serves more than 3,500 people every year.

Festivities began with the kickoff party on Aug. 22 at the Liaison nightclub in Bally’s, followed by the Black &White Party on Aug. 23 at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, with an after-party at the Piranha nightclub on Aug. 24 and a final event later that day at the Encore Beach Club.

The main event was the Black &White Party, which attracted more than 3,000 guests and raised nearly $130,000 for client service programs. The organization also honored some of its original founders with the “Right to Wear Red.” Honorees included Wes Davis, Mel Pohl and state Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas.

“What attracts people is the visual stimulation,” Carrillo says. That included the attendees as well as the performers.

Guest Melisa Cohn wore white angel wings with a black corset, a black feather miniskirt and a mini hat made with bird feathers, a clock and crystal beads. Her necklace was made of lace, metal clip-on gears and a cameo. All this she wore with 6-inch platform lace-up black boots that also had metal clip-on gears. Her mother, Trish Ellis, designed her outfit and many others in the room.

Bryan Chan served as host. There were performances from the Jabbawockeez, Melody Sweets, Skye Dee Miles, Chase Brown, Lorena Peril, The Chippendales and “Jubilee!” showgirls, among others. Shangela (D.J. Pierce), star of TV’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” was a highlight of the night. Cirque du Soleil performers on poles, on stilts and in the air added to the atmosphere.

The Polaroid Fotobar and the Joy Squad Photo Booth had the longest lines. They provided wild accessories for guests to take pictures, and printed photos on the spot.

There were plenty of appetizers and desserts to snack on. Top chefs and mixologists from Culinary Dropout, Maggiano’s, Pink Taco, 35 Steaks + Martinis, Ferraro’s, Aliante Casino, among others, kept the food and drinks flowing. For those chocolate lovers, the Hard Rock chef stole the show with his midnight chocolate cake with caramel meringue crisp and its Black Forest banana panna cotta.

“People come because of the cause we represent,” Carrillo says.

AFAN offers comprehensive direct client service programs, including medical case management, housing and utility assistance, emergency food and transportation vouchers, prevention and education programs and community outreach.