White Party facts for kids

Quick facts for kids White Party
A White Party at a waterfront home in Ocean City, Maryland, USA on 2018-07-14.
Location(s)	Worldwide
Years active	1970s–present
Founded by	Various

White Parties are special events, often large dance parties, where everyone is asked to wear mostly or all white clothing. These parties have been happening since the 1970s and are held in many places around the world.

History of White Parties

White Parties started in different cities for various reasons, often as celebrations or ways to raise money for important causes.

Chicago's First White Party

The very first White Party in Chicago was held on August 8, 1974. A man named Chuck Renslow organized it to celebrate his birthday and thank his friends and customers. This party became a yearly event for 36 years, ending in 2010. The biggest one took place in 1979 at Navy Pier, with about 5,000 people attending.

New York City's White Party Tradition

In New York City, the White Party first happened at a private club called "Flamingo." It was held during Presidents' Day weekend. The idea for the white theme came from the snow that often falls around that time of year. Later, another club called "The Saint" continued the tradition every February, usually when there was a full moon. Wearing white was always a must. After "The Saint" closed in 1988, other cities started their own White Party events.

Miami's White Party: Helping Others

The Miami White Party is a big yearly event that raises money for HIV/AIDS research. The idea for everyone to wear white was chosen by its founders, Frank Wager and Jorge Suarez. They started the party because they wanted to help people and raise money to fight HIV/AIDS in South Florida.

Frank Wager, Jorge Suarez, and their friends worked hard to promote the first party. They handed out flyers at local bars and asked businesses to donate food and drinks. On December 1, 1985, 1,600 guests, all dressed in white, attended the first event. Each person paid $10 to get in. The money raised helped an organization called Health Crisis Network, which is now known as Care Resource.

Over the years, many famous people have attended or performed at the Miami White Party, including Nell Carter, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, and Cyndi Lauper. In 2013, Estonian singer Kerli performed.

White Party Week in Miami

What started as a one-night event grew into a week of parties held every year around November 27 in Miami and Miami Beach. Most of these parties are for gay men, but there are also events for lesbians and mixed groups. In 1995, more events were added, like "White Dreams" and "Muscle Beach."

By 1998, the Miami White Party Week had raised over $2 million. It has become one of the largest fundraisers for HIV/AIDS in the world, with DJs, performers, and artists coming from many countries. Special music CDs with White Party remixes have also been produced since 1996. A Miami artist named Noel Suarez created a painting called "Sueño Blanco" (white dream), which became the main image for the event's posters and CDs. This helped raise funds and spread a positive message worldwide.

Care Resource, the group that organizes White Party Week, is a non-profit medical agency. They help people in Miami-Dade, Miami Beach, and Broward County by providing medical care, counseling, testing, and other services. The main White Party event often takes place at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a beautiful mansion in Coconut Grove. Other events are held at different places across South Florida.

The Miami White Party Week has even been featured in TV shows and documentaries, including ones on Bravo, The Travel Channel, and the BBC. It was also the setting for the 2001 documentary film When Boys Fly.

Palm Springs Annual White Party

Palm Springs, California, has hosted its own yearly White Party since 1990. This event has also appeared in movies and TV shows, such as the 2001 film Circuit, an episode of The L Word in 2004, and an episode of The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency in 2006.

Frommer's Travel Guide described the Palm Springs White Party as "one of the biggest and best on the US party circuit." It attracts over 20,000 gay men dressed in white. The Sunday Tea Dance at this party is famous for its Ferris Wheel and fireworks show. In 2004, The New York Times travel section wrote a detailed article about the Palm Springs White Party.

White Parties Around the World

The idea of White Parties has spread beyond the United States, with events happening in many other countries.

Montreal's Bal en Blanc

Every Easter Sunday in Montreal, Canada, a large White Party called "Bal en Blanc" (White Ball) is held. This party welcomes both straight and gay attendees and usually attracts over 16,000 people. Famous DJs like Armin Van Buuren, Tiësto, and David Guetta have performed there.

Pattaya, Thailand

In Pattaya, Thailand, a White Party was held on November 15, 2009, as part of their Pride event. All the staff in the gay bars were asked to wear white, and customers who also dressed in white received discounts. The event included street performers and activities in the Plaza.

Arosa, Switzerland

Every winter, a White Party is part of the Arosa Gay Ski Week in Arosa, Switzerland. This party, called "Snow White Ball," is the closing event of the festival. It takes place high up on the Aroser Weisshorn mountain, at 2,653 meters (8,704 feet) above sea level.

Hong Kong's White Party

Hong Kong has hosted a White Party every year since 2005. White Party Hong Kong was started by Makhssian Trajan. In recent years, thousands of people dressed in white have attended this event to celebrate friendship and love, making it the biggest annual event of its kind in Hong Kong.

Paris's Secret Diner en Blanc

Paris, France, has hosted a "diner secret en blanc" (secret dinner in white) since the 1980s. Thousands of people gather for pop-up dinners in public places around Paris. The location is kept secret until the last minute, adding to the excitement.

Dubai's Secret White Party

Dubai has hosted a Secret White Party every year since 2014. Like the Parisian event, the location for the Secret White Party Dubai is kept secret until just before the event. Past venues have included the Sofitel Palm (2014), La Cantine du faubourg (2015), Dubai Polo Club (2016), and Dubai Opera (2017).