Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 03:13:23 -0700
From: Electric Dreams 
Subject: Electric Dreams

ELECTRIC DREAMS
The Wide World of Parties
July 1998

If this newsletter was forwarded to you, register for your own free
membership at .

CONTENTS
Dispute Erupts Over Chicago Party
Phoenix Rising Regenerates
Amsterdam Party Update

DISPUTE ERUPTS OVER CHICAGO PARTY

A dispute has erupted in Chicago over the future of the Hearts Party,
the annual benefit event that raises money for the Test Positive Aware
Network (TPAN) and other non-profit agencies.  The future of the event
was thrown into question several weeks after the February 13-15
fundraiser, when members of the Bringing Our Hearts Together (BOHT)
organizing committee alleged that TPAN had failed to provide a credible
accounting for the weekend's receipts.

Since the Hearts Party was founded eleven years ago, it has grown into
Chicago’s signature party weekend.  Prior to this year’s event, BOHT had
distributed over $830,000 to TPAN and other organizations.  But instead
of thank you letters, the five BOHT committee co-chairs received
termination letters from TPAN in May, ostensibly relieving them of their
volunteer duties.

The dispute calls into question the ownership of the event, and
illustrates the volatile and interdependent relationships which can
develop between non-profit AIDS agencies and volunteer committees.

TPAN was founded in 1987 to provide education and emotional support for
people affected by all states of HIV infection.  The agency’s total
budget last year was $1.8 million, with programs including a health
library, an HIV drug guide, and a range of support group services and
on-line resources.  TPAN first received funds from the second BOHT event
in 1989.   Later, the agency assumed fiduciary responsibility for the
event and provided logistical support to the Committee--such as office
space, a part-time event coordinator, and ticketing services.

A letter sent to the Illinois Attorney General's office and signed by
BOHT Committee co-chairs Michael L. Jackson, David Demeny, and Thomas
Meyer requests an investigation of the matter.  The letter details a
list of alleged irregularities, including a $60,000 discrepancy in
ticket sales, missing raffle tickets, and poor cash control.  “Shame on
us--we let them count the cookies in the cookie jar,” said Jackson, a
C.P.A.  TPAN published an attendance figure of 2,500 in its Positively
Aware newsletter shortly after the party, but then accounted for only
1,697 tickets.   “We had 1,680 coats checked this year,” said Jackson,
adding that the number of coats checked equaled about 65% of total
attendance last year.

Phillip Matthews, Executive Director of TPAN, declined to comment on the
allegations, saying that he was not at liberty to discuss pending legal
matters.

Proceeds from the Hearts Party event have grown significantly over the
past few years.  TPAN received over $130,000 from the 1997 event--about
75% of net proceeds.  This year, the agency was allocated 60% of the
proceeds, with the remaining 40% distributed to three other groups--the
AIDS Project of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Lesbian
Community Cancer Project, and Open Hand Chicago.

In 1996, TPAN trademarked the “Bringing Our Hearts Together” committee
name.  But committee members were surprised to learn yesterday that TPAN
had also reserved a trademark on the “Hearts Party” name just within the
last six months.

According to Matthews, TPAN has asserted ownership of the event by
virtue of its trademark on the BOHT name, and because “the volunteers
work for TPAN, and they are not a legitimate legal entity.”   He added,
“they tried to take the party away from us--to buy us out of it,”
referring to a proposal made by the committee co-chairs, after the
allegations arose, to fund TPAN for at least another two years while
distributing a larger share of funds to other organizations.

Jackson suggests that TPAN’s ownership of the BOHT trademark may be
challenged, given that the committee can claim prior use.  Schiff,
Hardin, & Waite, a Chicago law firm, has agreed to provide counsel to
former committee members in the trademark dispute.

In terms of format and execution, the Hearts Party event closely
resembles the Blue Ball weekend produced by the AIDS Information Network
of Philadelphia.  But while the Philadelphia agency conceived the Blue
Ball as a self-funding activity, the Chicago agency had a beneficiary
relationship with an autonomous volunteer group which had its own
funding priorities.

Only last year, Matthews wrote to Jackson to appeal for funds from the
1998 Heart Party.  In a letter dated July 11, 1997, he wrote:  “Thank
you for the opportunity to present this proposal to continue our
relationship with the BOHT Committee.  I am confident that by working
together we will build from the amazing success of BOHT X and make BOHT
XI even more spectacular, while continuing to provide expanding support
to all community [sic] impacted by HIV and AIDS.”

In a last ditch salvage effort, deposed committee members approached
TPAN again several weeks ago to ask for an independent financial review
and to discuss their future relationship.   “We have worked very hard to
raise these moneys and want to be assured that every dollar has been
properly account for,” said Jackson.  But big six accounting firms are
nowhere on the horizon, and Matthews says that the prospects of an
amicable resolution are dim:  “I’m open to discussion, but I cannot
imagine a situation where we could reconcile.”  

Both groups plan parties next February.  Jackson, Demeny, and Meyer have
incorporated as the Hearts Foundation, and plan to continue producing
events and raising funds for a range of community organizations. 
Details were not available, although they plan a promotional effort
during the upcoming Halstead Street Fair, August 15-16.

For its part, TPAN has designated Brian DeRue, a fundraising consultant
and developer of the  web site, as the general
chairman for next year’s event.  “We are finalizing the arrangements
now, “ said DeRue in a e-mail on Tuesday.

Each group faces difficulties in producing an event next year without
the other. TPAN must start over with new leadership, and must deal with
the fallout from serious questions about accountability, while the new
Hearts Foundation faces the challenge of organizing and financing a
major event without the logistical support afforded them by TPAN.  

Since the proliferation of benefit dance parties began ten years ago, it
has not been uncommon for non-profit AIDS agencies to have problems with
volunteer party organizers or commercial promoters.  However, this may
be the first time that a volunteer committee has aired allegations
against a non-profit beneficiary.

PHOENIX RISING REGENERATES

Three of the six board members of the Phoenix Rising Foundation have
resigned, while one of its members, Darren Bondy, has formed a new
production company called Rising Rhythm.  Bondy, who remains on the
Foundation board along with Jack Jubran and Edwin Saar, characterized
the changes as an amicable transition.  The South Beach group plans to
announce new Board members later this summer, and will continue to
produce benefit parties over the White Party and Winter Party weekends,
although the New Year’s event will be dropped.

“We got together to throw a great party,” said Bondy, referring to the
Foundation’s origins in 1994 as a group of friends with fundraising
aspirations.  “And out of that came the non-profit, and a more ambitious
schedule.  It’s amazing we stayed together as long as we did.”   Jim
Moses, Carlos Marrero, and Mark Kuritzky are the departing Board
members.

The group tapped into a deep vein of social allure with its first party
in 1994, which immediately followed the White Party at Vizcaya over
Thanksgiving Weekend.  In 1995, the group added an event adjunct to the
Winter Party in March and a larger New Year’s event.  

Tickets to Phoenix Rising parties are pre-sold through a network of
hosts who are personal friends of the organizers.  Last year, the
group’s bronze/silver/gold/platinum VIP ticket pricing structure sparked
an e-mail debate about exclusivity and social hierarchies at gay
parties.  Until recently, the group mailed out four-color announcements
of parties that were already sold out, not unlike the venerable
“tombstone ads” in the Wall Street Journal announcing multi-million
dollar bond placements.

Rhythm Rising is an off-shoot of the Phoenix Rising group, although it
is a not a non-profit.  Bondy and partner Jorge Gonzalez plan to produce
non-competitive events--including daytime pool parties and black tie
dinners--to benefit HIV/AIDS service agencies including Body Positive,
the Miami Beach AIDS service organization which has benefited from the
Phoenix Rising events.  Last month, Bondy and Gonzalez announced plans
for a new Black Ball event on October 10th, with DJ Neil Lewis.  Bondy
said his goal for the event is to establish a continuing source of
revenue for Body Positive.  For information about Rhythm Rising events,
call 305-532-1232.

AMSTERDAM PARTY UPDATE

If the litany of parties announced during the upcoming Gay Games in
Amsterdam is any indication, the event will double as an international
party festival, with DJs from all over Europe and the U.S. competing in
an entirely different set of Night Games, from July 31 to August 8.  For
connoisseurs of dance music, it will be a rare opportunity to hear top
talent across a broad spectrum of styles. Many of the major DJs in the
U.S., Europe, and Australia will perform.  No less than three pairs of
opening and closing parties are planned, and competition is fierce.  The
typical pre-Games hype would have events selling out in advance, but in
reality, tickets should be available to most events at least several
days beforehand.  As usual, the Gay Games Committee has sanctioned only
a fraction of the events planned, and the lion’s share of party action
will be produced by independent promoters.  Late news is that Amsterdam
police are banning after-hours events at all clubs.

Web sites with information about Amsterdam parties:

http://www.gaygames.nl (official Gay Games site)
http://www.euronet.nl/~coleman/ (CoMo Night Games - the major schedule
of unsanctioned parties)
http://www.mte.com (parties at the historic Beurs van Berlage facility)
http://www.geocities.com/~alboy/amsterdam/parties.html (an unofficial
party directory)
http://gayamsterdam.com (general information)

**Events noted with a double asterisk are sanctioned by the Gay Games
Committee.

**July 31, Out of Towners Ball, the unofficial opening party at Escape.
**July 31, Will Gorges & Rob Reidijk present the White Party at Mercanti
Plaza (DJ Billy Carroll). Tickets $30.  Info: 213-464-5388.  See
.
**Aug. 1, Opening Party, sanctioned by the Gay Games, at the Amsterdam
Docklands.
Aug. 1, Amsterdam Pride/The Canal Parade, 2-5PM.
Aug. 1, CoMo Night Games Opening Party at The Warehouse (Partycentrum
2000), with DJs Robert Owens, David Harness, and Mousse-T. Tickets $40. 
Call 800-494-TIXS.
**Aug. 2, Havana Party at The Three Sisters.
**Aug. 2, Snow Party at Marcanti Plaza (women only).
**Aug. 3, The Rainbow Party at Odeon (women only).
**Aug. 3, The Downtown Party at The Three Sisters (at theme party of
some sort).
Aug. 3, Euro Madness at Escape Theatre/Kroon (DJs Paul Anderson/UK,
Dimitri/Holland, Crazy Shaun/Holland (CoMo Entertainment). Tickets
$32.50.  Call 800-494-TIXS.
Aug. 3, Will Gorges & Rob Reidijk present the Cruising Party at Mercanti
Plaza (DJ Seth from Los Angeles), $20.
Aug. 3-5, nightly parties at Club Roxie, produced by Steve Malenka, with
a special Men On Vacation party on Monday night.
**Aug. 4, Apocalypse Night at Marcanti Plaza (women only)
**Aug. 4. Meet and Greet the Athletes at The Cock Ring, 10PM-4AM (men
only)
Aug. 4, The American Circuit at Escape Theatre/Kroon, features DJs Buc,
Brian Norwood, and Michael Fierman, followed by an afterhours party with
DJ Susan Morabito at Time.  (CoMo Entertainment).  For tickets, call
800-494-TIXS.
**Aug. 5, Will Gorges & Rob Reidijk present the Black Party at Mercanti
Plaza (DJ Billy Carroll).  Tickets $30.  Info: 213-464-5388.  See
.
Aug. 5, Garage Fever party at Escape Theatre/Kroon, features DJ Frankie
Knuckles and Brian Norwood/U.S. (CoMo Entertainment)  Tickets $32.50,
call 800-494-TIXS.
**Aug. 6, Women’s Western Party at Marcanti Plaza (women only).
Aug. 6, The Dazzle Network, party at Escape Theatre/Kroon, features DJs
Peter Rauhofer/Austria, Sneak/U.S. (CoMo Entertainment)  Tickets $32.50,
call 800-494-TIXS.
**Aug. 6, The Wedding Party at Kransnapolsky Hotel, 10PM-5AM (esp. for
couples).
**Aug. 7, Time Machine/Melkweg’s women’s festival (women only).
**Aug. 7, Disco Classics party at Escape, 10PM-5AM.
**Aug. 8, The Grand Finale, sanctioned by the Gay Games, at the
Amsterdam Docklands.
Aug. 8, The Unofficial Sleeze Ball Closing Party, at The Warehouse
(Partycentrum 2000), near closing ceremonies (DJ Kate Monroe from
Sydney, and a major NYC talent is rumored to be on-line).  Tickets $40. 
Call 800-494-TIXS.
Aug. 9, Pre-Black & Blue Montreal party at Club Cockring, co-presented
by Team Montreal & Amsterdam Gay News, 4PM-4AM (special appearance by DJ
Brent Nicholls).  

Descend From Heaven parties are planned each night from 11PM-5AM at the
historic Beurs van Berlage facility, at 243 Damrak.  Tickets $40.  See
 for more info.

Copyright 1998 by Party Planet, Inc., All Rights Reserved
Alan Brown, Publisher

    Source: geocities.com/glamourcom/party

               ( geocities.com/glamourcom)