MIAMI BEACH — South Florida is preparing itself for an invasion by the most fun-loving army ever to storm a beach. Approximately 10,000 guests from the corners of the globe will pack their Speedos and cocktail party best as Winter Party Festival 2012, descends upon Miami Beach, Wednesday, Feb. 29 through Monday, March 5, with more than 20 pulse-raising events, including nine dance parties with worldclass DJs and entertainment. Beyond the dance parties, Winter Party Festival features shopping, art and culture, a jazz brunch and cocktail receptions, all dedicated to fundraising for local and national
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality efforts.

For 2012, the can’t-be-missed Beach Party will feature legendary DJ Joe Gauthreaux spinning on the sand along famed Ocean Drive. Additional highlights of this year’s Winter Party Festival include the Under One Sun Pool Party and Boiling Point, a Sunday night dance party at the legendary Cameo nightclub with entertainment by Gay Village, Italy’s largest award-winning public event.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), produces the annual Winter Party Festival to raise fund for building a political power base, taking positive action, and creating meaningful change for the LGBT community. A majority of the net proceeds generated from Winter Party Festival go to work in South Florida through grants administered by The Miami Foundation, while the remainder supports the Task Force’s efforts nationally. Since assuming responsibility for the events in 2004, the NGLTF has provided nearly $1.2 million from proceeds of Winter Party Festival and the Miami Recognition Dinner to LGBT organizations in South Florida.

OFFICIAL WELCOME CENTER:
Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel,
1717 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.
In addition to picking up tickets
and passes, the Welcome Center
offers displays, information and swag
from WPF’ 12 partners and LGBTfriendly
businesses.

Hours:

Wednesday, February 29
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Thursday, March 1
Noon – 10 p.m.
Friday, March 2
Noon – 10 p.m.
Saturday, March 3
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 4
tickets and passes can
be picked up at the Beach
Party entrance from:
Noon – 4 p.m.

The official Winter Party schedule of events is as follows:

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 29

SPARK!
Surfcomber Hotel,
1717 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
The Task Force and the Surfcomber
Hotel will greet Winter Party guests
at the newly renovated Surfcomber
for this Welcome Reception for the
entire community. Free.
SPARK! After Party
Lords South Beach Hotel,
1120 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
10:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
Opening day excitement continues at
the Lords Hotel, voted the “hottest
gay resort in Miami.” Free.

THURSDAY, MARCH 1
Haven-ly Happy Hour Haven,
1237 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Haven’s mixologists will shake up
special, Winter Party-themed
libations for this hotter-than-hot
happy hour. Or try one of their
signature liquid nitrogen cocktails as
you enjoy a tasting of Haven’s
signature specialty sushi rolls and
scrumptious sliders. No cover.

ArtScape:

A Women’s Winter Party Event
Miami Beach Botanical Garden,
2000 Convention Center Drive,
Miami Beach
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

The opening event of Women’s
Winter Party will be held at the
recently renovated Miami Beach
Botanical Garden. This urban greenspace
in the heart of South Beach is
the backdrop for an evening under
the stars featuring a women’s art
exhibition and auction, live acoustic
set by Cat  Shell and the sounds of
local DJ Run Sevim Run. Admission
includes open bar for selected
cocktails and wine and hors
d’oeuvres. Ticket Price (Advance):
$25; (Day of): $30.

“Nurse Jackie Presents”
Score,
727 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Syringe shots? We’re in. And
“playing doctor” was never as much
fun as Winter Party’s largest sponsor,
Showtime Networks, which Ignites
this pre-party complete with
nurses who can fix what ails ya.
Complimentary cocktails, hot
dancers and fabulous surprises round
out this prescription for fun. Free.
Ignite
Score,
727 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach
10 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Spinning at the first dance party of
the week: Italy’s superhot DJ Phil
Romano, with an opening set by DJ
Willy G. Ticket Price (Advance): $20;
(Day of): $25.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2
Hell & Heaven at the Pool Surfcomber Hotel,
1717 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Winter Party Festival brings a taste of
Brazil’s hottest circuit event, Hell &
Heaven, to South Beach. DJ Guga
Rahner returns to the DJ booth at
the event he helped launch last year,
joined by fellow H&H resident
DJ Rafael Calvente. Ticket Price
(Advance): $15; (Day of):
$20. Surfcomber guests receive
free admission.

Passport to Lincoln Road Noon to midnight
Rosa Mexicano Restaurant,
1111 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Babalu,
1111 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Macy’s, 1675 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach
8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Kiehl’s Since 1851,
832 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach

Enjoy the scenery, people watching
and shops of Lincoln Road while
supporting the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force. Participating
stores will offer one-day discounts to
Winter Party guests and will provide
complimentary beverages. A
percentage of the proceeds from
the evening benefit Winter Party
Festival. Free.

Pa’Ella:

A Women’s Winter Party Event The Stage,
170 NE 38th St., Miami 10 p.m. – 4 a.m.

Feel the heat at one of Miami’s
coolest live music venues for a special
performance by Jesse, Angie &
Nicolle of The Chirino Sisters and
their band. DJ GiGi will also spin a
musical mix of classic salsa &
merengue, sexy reggaeton and pulsating
Latin house. The Women’s
Winter Party signature Latin event is
co-produced by Icandee Events and
sponsored in part by Tampico. Ticket
Price (Advance): $12; (Day of): $15.

MATINÉE: Mercury Rising Space Terrace,
34 NE 11th St., Miami
10 p.m. – Dawn

VIP Upgrades will be available at
the door for $39

After an electrifying debut at last
year’s Festival, Circuit giant MATINÉE
returns to the Winter Party line-up
for another mind-blowing event. DJ
Javier Medina will be joined by DJ
Hector Fonseca, with an opening set
by DJ Billy Lace, for an unforgettable
night of music and over-the-top
production. VIP includes open Grey
Goose bar from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.,
express entry and Private VIP area.

Ticket Price (Advance): $75 / $99 VIP;
(Day of): $85 / $139 VIP.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3
Under One Sun Pool Party Surfcomber Hotel, 1717 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Noon – 6 p.m. The Showtime Networks original
series The Borgias presents Brazil’s
Felipe Lira and Masterbeat maestro
Brett Henrichsen for a sizzling afternoon.
Guests staying at the
Surfcomber will receive two complimentary
admissions per room.

Ticket Price (Advance): $45 / $80 VIP; (Day
of): $50 / $100 VIP.

VIP Cocktail Reception
Dream South Beach,
1111 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
From the dramatic rooftop of his
new hotel, mingle and enjoy an elegant
evening of complimentary cocktails
and hors d’oeuvres with VIPs,
special guests, Winter Party sponsors
and Task Force representatives while
gazing at South Beach below. Ticket
Price (Advance): $85; (Day of): $100.

Sweat – A Leather Event
Bill’s Filling Station,
2209 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
9 p.m. – 3 a.m.

Winter Party Festival’s leatherthemed
event promises a night of
hot and sweaty fun with DJ Herbie
James. Ticket Price (Advance): $10;
(Day of): $15.

Industry: A Women’s Winter Party Event Trio on the Bay,
1601 79th St. Cswy., Miami Beach
10 p.m. – 4 a.m.

The dancing continues at the annual
Industry party, co-produced by
Pandora Events, and featuring the
sounds of DJ Whitney Day from New
York City. With her passion for funky
and soulful dance, Hip-Hop, house
and electro-pop music, Whitney is a
staple in the NYC LGBTQ nightlife
scene. Check your inhibitions at the
door and come play with hundreds
of women. Ticket Price (Advance):
$15; (Day of): $20.

Flare Ice Palace Film Studios West,
(formerly Karu & Y),
59 NW 14th St., Miami
10 p.m. – Dawn

The unstoppable DJ team of ROSABEL,
now GRAMMY-nominated
for their hit remix of Rihanna’s Only
Girl (in the World), return to
Winter Party to set Saturday night
on fire at the fantastic Ice Palace
Studios. Opening the night: Italy’s
DJ Danny Verde, one of the
hottest DJ/Producers in the world
today, makes his Winter Party debut.
Ticket Price (Advance): $65;
(Day of): $85.

SUNDAY, MARCH 4

Sunday Brunch: A Women’s
Winter Party Event

The Tudor House,
1111 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Relax, mix and mingle on South
Beach for a fab soirée featuring
Sunday Brunch favorites plus a
choice of two bloody Marys or
mimosas. And don’t be surprised if
you feel the need to tap into your
inner Brazilian and sway to the tantalizing
Bossa Nova sounds of Monica
Da Silva. Ticket Price (Advance): $40;
(Day of): $45.

Palace Winter Party Brunchic Palace Food Bar,
1200 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Noon – 3 p.m.

Grab a mimosa and fasten your
seatbelts for the always over-the-top
performances by Noel Leon and the
Palace’s resident drag queens.
$31.95 price-fixe brunch menu.

Winter Party Beach Party
Lummus Park,
Miami Beach
Noon – 6 p.m.

The Hottest Winter in the World
lands on the Beach at Winter Party
Festival’s award-winning main event,
the Winter Party Beach Party. Join
more than 5,000 Winter Party guests
as DJ Joe Gauthreaux takes guests on
a six–hour journey in one of the most
beautiful settings on earth. VIPs
enjoy a premium open bar all afternoon,
or for the ultimate VIP experience,
the Beach Party Cabana Club
adds access to an ultra-exclusive elevated
deck overlooking the dance
floor. Cabana Club members also
enjoy complimentary bag check,
snacks and an air-conditioned restroom
trailer. Ticket Price (Advance):
$80 / $130 VIP / $275 Cabana Club;
(Day of): $100 / $160 VIP / $375
Cabana Club.

Women’s T-Dance:

A Women’s Winter Party Event
Lords South Beach Hotel,
1120 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
After Brunch, stroll across the street
and keep the party going at Winter
Party Festival’s Women’s T-Dance.
Free.

Super Nova T-Dance
Palace Food Bar,
1200 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
4 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Nobody does a T-Dance like the
Palace. Come as you are. Come
from the Beach Party. Featuring DJ
Paulie in the Main Room and DJs
Oliver and Jalil Z on the stage. You
might just bump into Latrice Royale
from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

Boiling Point:

Rome Is Burning
Cameo,
1445 Washington Ave.,
Miami Beach
10 p.m. – 5 a.m.

Break out the gladiator gear as
Winter Party partners with Italy’s Gay
Village to transform Winter Party’s
Sunday night home, Cameo
Nightclub, into Ancient Rome. Gay
Village is THE Summer event in
Rome, with a weekly turnout of more
than 10,000 guests each night from
all over Europe (and the world). Hot
Italian dancers in gladiator garb
flown in just for this event. In addition
to the spectacle of sights, DJ
Alyson Calagna will join Gay Village
resident DJ Giangi Cappai for this
special night of ancient Roman revelry,
sponsored by Grindr. Ticket Price
(Advance): $65; (Day of): $85.

MONDAY, MARCH 5

Afterglow
Mekka Miami,
950 NE 2nd Ave., Miami
5 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Continue the party from dawn until
dusk at Winter Party Festival’s final
dance event. Afterglow will shine
with the sexy tribal beats of DJ Paulo
and joining him for the first half of
the event is Montreal DJ Alain
Jackinsky, making his U.S. debut.
Ticket Price (Advance): $50; (Day of):
$70.

For tickets, passes or more information, visit:WinterParty.com