Courtesy AFAN
The AFAN Black & White party returns to Virgin Hotels Las Vegas this month.
Monday, Oct. 17, 2022 | 2 a.m.
The glamorous, often outrageous Black & White Party thrown by Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) every year in Las Vegas is always stacked with exciting live entertainment. This year seems like a particularly heavy-hitting lineup.
The party returns to Virgin Hotels Las Vegas for the second year on October 22 and tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available, with information at afanlv.org. The fun starts at 8 p.m. with a VIP reception at the Manor, then really gets going at 9 p.m. at Virgin’s Event Lawn. Norm Llyaman and Ricky Cornish will emcee and usher in performances and appearances from Kameron Michaels of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fame, Skye Dee Miles, Chadwick Johnson, Chase Brown, Kyle Khou, and artists from shows including “Chippendales,” “WOW,” “Rouge” and “Stars-N-Stilettos.”
“From our point of view, the Black & White Party is the place to be seen, and if you’re involved, it’s a big deal,” said Kenneth Blake, star and producer of “Stars-N-Stilettos,” a celebrity female impersonation tribute at Hamburger Mary’s. “We always enjoy doing the party and a lot of entertainers support AFAN. It’s an honor to be invited.”
The organization’s executive director Antioco Carrillo said last year’s comeback party was successful, but this year’s event “feels like we’re getting back to where we were before the pandemic,” especially in regards to the generous support of the Vegas entertainment community, which has always been closely connected to AFAN’s mission to provide health and human services to Southern Nevadans living with or affected by HIV and AIDS.
“We don’t talk about it enough, how wonderful the industry is in terms of supporting causes that are dear to them in Las Vegas,” Carrillo said. “We are lucky here that we get to know these artists and performers, and we are really thankful they find those causes and support them in a way that benefits the community.”
The Black & White Party has expanded its food and beverage offerings this year as well, as guests will sample dishes and libations from several Virgin venues like Kassi Beach House and Night + Market as well as other favorite local restaurants like El Luchador, Bad Ass Coffee, Locale and celebrity chef Buddy Valastro’s new Boss Café at the Linq.
The event also returns to its habit of honoring some extra-special supporters and advocates by granting them the “Right to Wear Red.” These community members will literally be allowed to wear red among other attendees clad in black and white, so that “the entire event gets to celebrate them,” Carrillo said.
“The last two years have been the most challenging ones I have seen for nonprofits, and especially for us,” he said. “COVID clouded everything and in the meantime, we were struggling, our clients were struggling, and it clouded our ability to provide those services. So when you start looking at all the supporters and people that have made sure this organization survives, we want to be able to show them how much we care about what they’ve done.”
The Black & White Party will also stand out because it’s so close to Halloween, and spooky season will play into the performances.
“Anybody who has the opportunity should go, because it’s an experience from the time the doors open until they close,” Blake said. “It’s not only a great way to support the organization and to sample many different foods and drinks, it’s also a chance to see some shows you might not get to see. You won’t be disappointed.”
