With the focus of this issue being the Circuit Party, we are going to look at some of the Circuit parties in depth. In a random order, we will start with the Winter Party Festival in South Beach Florida. This week long festival will begin on March 1st and continue through the 6th, and has been in existence for 13 years reaching a record attendance of 10,000.

As mentioned in a previous article, Circuit Parties were formed to raise funds for LGBT and AIDS organizations. The Winter Party takes 2/3 of their funds raised and donates them to Miami LGBT organizations and the other 1/3 to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

As times change so must everything else, including the Circuit Party. The Winter Party is no longer identified as a "Circuit Party" and has changed to a LGBT Festival with sporting and cultural events all over the Miami area. The Circuit scene will continue to change as the gay community is always looking for new and exciting activities. Patrons are much more particular about their environment and outdoor events and gay cruises will continue to increase in popularity. There will also be a shift to include specific events for women.

Of course music is a major factor in any event and we asked these venues who they felt was this years top DJ. The Winter Party told us that DJ Phil B was their pick.

Finally, the events should be making a difference in the community and every year the Winter Party Festival engages the services of over 500 volunteers who are the heart and soul of the Winter Party. Because of their efforts, over 1 Million dollars has been raised and distributed to the LGBT community over the past 13 years.

Black and Blue Montreal held in Montreal, Canada is another week long event, held this year from October 4­October 10 celebrating their 16th year! They are hoping to beat their record attendance of 17,000 people at the 1999 event.

The BBCM is a non profit organization which provides donations throughout the year to several Direct AIDS Care organizations and to gay community groups.

The Black and Blue event has evolved through the various themes & ideas explored during the events. Also, the fact that the BBCM has to reach a wide and very varied clientele made the team think of ways to attract the participants at its events. The novelty, the shows, the DJs, the set-up and the logistics have been a big chunk of the success of the BBCM events. The Black& Blue Party is an event in its own category.

Even though the BBCM events are part of the Circuit and proud to be, some of the events like the Black & Blue offer something for everyone! So it's not your typical Circuit Party. By working with a variety of artists or groups such as, for instance, Cirque du Soleil, or a group of young skateboarders and break dancers (at last year's event), the event will attract all sorts of people. Then again, Montreal is used to having a mixed clientele at its events. A lot of guys are just stunned when they see that at the main event of the Black & Blue; almost half of the crowd is straight, and very gay-friendly. So yes, if you are looking for a Circuit feel, you will get it, but you'll get even more! The Circuit has to evolve to survive: it's like anything else. I think they will be there for a while because all the promoters try to find ways to make their clientele love their event! It's either the location, the event itself, the DJs, the shows there will always be new ways to make a great party and some promoters have proved it.

Asking the BBCM who they thought was the top DJ of the year was came to them as a very difficult question to answer for a promoter! They couldn't name just one! There are so many DJs that are great ones and they love to work with a lot of them. Each DJ has his or her special touch.

The Cherry Event in Washington DC is a weekend event. This spring event is April 21-23rd 2006 and has been raising funds for 10 years.

Throughout the years Cherry has given to a myriad of LGBT organizations from funds generated from their event. This year their selected beneficiaries are Lambda Legal, a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and related forms of intolerance. Another beneficiary is Mautner Project is an organization that improves the health of lesbians and their families through advocacy, education, research, and direct service. We envision a healthcare system that is guided social justice and responsive to the needs of all people and lastly, The Center-Home for LGBT in Metro DC.

With the ever changing Circuit Party, this spring, Cherry is charging towards its decade mark with a renewed spirit. From its humble roots, The Cherry Fund has grown to rival other, longer tenured and more established fundraisers.

With each passing year, their renowned events are defined by their superior production, and striking settings, while showcasing world-class talent. At the heart of this all remains a dedication to the GLBT community and the organizations which serve them. Cherry honors the memory of their predecessors as they rededicate themselves to celebratory spirit of all things Cherry.

The Black Party in New York City has been going on for 26 years and is a one night event on March 25th 2006, with record attendance of 5000 people.

Facing changes in the changing Circuit scene, The Black Party is creating a larger emphasis on production of their event, concentrating on a more theatrical approach. Promoters see their event making a difference in the community by exposing people to new artists, DJ's and new technology.

Circuit Asia is in their 2nd year and has proven to give 100% to the Circuit Party scene. This event will take place from April 28th to May 1st, dubbed A Taste of Boracay, named after the #1 tourist destination in the islands of the Philippines. The Gift Foundation, the main beneficiary, believes in the immeasurable value of human life and achievement. They believe that, beyond deterioration of health, the AIDS virus has intrinsically deeper impacts; the curtailing of human talent and stalling of social development. Thus, the foundation is firm in its drive to give people in need the opportunity to excel, by giving them the chance to enhance the lives of others and to serve as inspiration to all.

Circuit Asia takes pride by being one of the very few circuit parties in the world that welcomes a truly friendly vibe and a family atmosphere setting in a country widely known for its hospitality. Part cause celebration and part meeting new friends, Circuit Asia brings together in the forefront a diverse pool of attendees- teens, young and old, rich and poor united to honor life.

This unique event, new this year for Circuit Asia, features wholesome and fun activities that will surely tests everyone's endurance, vitality and pure sportsmanship. Non-stop energetic pace and top-notch production values guarantees Circuit Asia attendees and experience they would never forget!

White Party in Palm Springs, CA is held April 14-17, 2006 with a record attendance of 30,000+ people and has been raising funds and rocking for 17 years. Throughout the years White Party PS has distributed funds to many organizations this year they are doing something I think is ahead of the times and just in time. They are donating to Pure White, Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing and their gala events will all be held during White Party Palm Springs.

Seeing the Circuit scene change over the years, party promoter Jeffrey Sanker tells me that "White Party Palm Springs has now become the ultimate Spring Break getaway.I don't even like to use the word 'circuit' any more, it seems old, like 'disco.' As for seeing his events change over the next several years, Jeffery told me "Crowds are becoming more inter-generational. We've got younger guys coming out along with guys who were part of the original scene. I'm going back to grass roots with events that appeal to everyone."

With Palm Springs being one of the most popular gay vacation destinations in the US, White Party Palm Springs is the largest tourist revenue generating event for the City of Palm Springs. I'm proud that this event is considered a boost for the local economy and that a gay-oriented event is welcomed by the wonderful Palm Springs residents and businesses, who view it as something positive for the City. For more information about the White Party Palm Springs, go to www.jeffreysankerpresents.com.

With all that is being done in the gay community for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the generosity of great organizations all over the world, it seems that each event in their own way is helping to make the world a better place to live. The millions o dollars being distributed to different agencies to house, educate, feed, clothe, supply medicine, research and all the many other wonderful things that are done by benefiting from the funds raised at these events, our hats go off to these volunteers and promoters. BOI Magazine is happy to select just a few of these events at random to go in depth to let you know that these are not just parties that are thrown together, they take many months of planning and many man/woman hours to achieve the final product to be able to have a successful event. So the next time you have the chance to go to one of these parties, think about what all goes into it and by all means, have a ball!

See you there!