The Manor Hosts April 8 Benefit for HIV Fitness Charity

The Manor Restaurant and Entertainment Complex will be the scene for an evening of music, merriment, and tripping-the-light-fantastic on Monday, April 8, as Dancing with the South Florida Stars (DWTSFS) returns to the popular venue to benefit the Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation, a Greater Fort Lauderdale-based service organization that supports fitness and nutrition programs for individuals with HIV and non-HIV-related life-threatening conditions.

The Foundation assists financially-challenged people living with HIV/AIDS through free group workouts and ongoing lifestyle education classes which cover all aspects of living a healthy, balanced lifestyle: from diet and exercise, to physical and emotional well-being, including making productive life choices, and providing mentoring and life coaching services.

Using a format familiar to fans of the hit television program “Dancing with the Stars,” teams comprised of local business and community leaders and other celebrities partnered with drag performers will train for over a month to ensure their peak performance for the event.

According to Foundation founder Brian Neal, the teams—culled from a Who’s Who of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s LGBT A-Listers—will include local business and community leaders competing for the crown previously held by Bruce Bogan and his partner, celebrity drag entertainer Electra (DWTSFS, Season 1), and winning partners Gary Santis and 2001 Miss Gay USofA Erika Norell (DWTSFS, Season 2).

More than 300 guests enjoyed special live performances from the “Dreamgirls” ensemble of Nicole T. Philips, Déjà Devonier, and Velvet Lenore, as well as by Special Guest Pepper MaShay, R&B performer Philip Alexander, and others.

This year, Reigning Champion Gary Santis will take his place on the Judges Dais, joined by local business legend Reece Darham, who will be honored for his contributions to advancing Greater Fort Lauderdale’s LGBT community, and panelist Misty Eyez, who, like Darham, is a DWTSFS/S1 contestant.

Hosting “Dancing with the South Florida Stars/Season 3” is Miss State of Florida Continental Elite, the fabulous Diva, and at press time the producers are waiting for confirmation from the scheduled co-host, drag performing legend Tiffany Arieagus.

The red carpet event is the premier annual fundraising gala for the Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation, which this year revised the curriculum of services offered to its clients, a group that exceeded 200 in number last year.

“This is something we all look forward to every year,” said Felix DeBruin, Executive Director of the Foundation. “It is not only a chance for the best and brightest of our community to show their stuff and reconnect with old friends and associates, it’s an opportunity for the Foundation to show just how much the support of our benefactors means to so many people who are affected by HIVAIDS and other life threatening conditions.

Richard Hack, New York Times best-selling author and longtime fitness and wellness advocate, agreed. “All of my years working for publications and writing in Hollywood there was always a huge excitement and buzz around Oscar-time and whenever important community gatherings were called. ‘Dancing with the South Florida Stars’ has become a local tradition where business superstars and local entrepreneurs can let their hair down and their talent fly, and help out a cause that is putting its contributors’ money where it is doing a great deal of good.”

DeBruin added that a complete list of financial information for the Foundation, including where and how contributions are utilized, is available online at briannealfitness.org.

He also noted that while an air of festivity and celebration always attends DWTSFS, the Season 3 gala holds a poignant place for the Foundation, since it will mark the passing of board member Patrick Campbell, who died earlier this year of complications related to HIV/AIDS.

“There wasn’t a person who was more diligent or passionate about the work of the Foundation,” DeBruin said of Campbell, a native of the Republic of Ireland and an early inspiration for the Foundation’s namesake, Brian Neal.

“Patrick was among those who most motivated me to take my passion for personal fitness and wellness and turn it into a non-profit organization that benefits some of the most challenged members of our community,” Neal recalled. “He was always available with sound advice and to provide inspiration and motivation.”

“I can’t remember a time when Patrick wasn’t close by me,” added Bobby Blair, Publisher of the Florida Agenda and Guy Magazine. “It was a pleasure for him to serve others, and the work of the Foundation is a tribute to his spirit and the legacy of better lives he leaves behind.”

Interested applicants for the Foundation’s program are invited to contact the Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation about enrollment. To qualify, individuals must be HIV positive and/or living with a potentially life-threatening illness. Applicants must be able to show they cannot afford to pay for the Foundation’s services without assistance. A physician’s letter must also be provided to clear all approved recipients to participate in an exercise program. To contact Brian Neal: BrianNealFitness@me.com or call (954) 816-0237.

Tickets for Dancing with the South Florida Stars/Season 3 at The Manor are $10 for General Admission, $40 for VIP and dance floor seating. Tickets can be purchased online at guymag.net.