Even if you missed the Winter Party Festival in Miami earlier this month, you still have time to travel to one of your favorite dance destinations.
For 32 years, a decadent dance party helped to define the New York spring-travel calendar. Next weekend, The Saint At Large will stage RITES XXXIV: THE BLACK PARTY. This year’s theme is “Rough Trade at Luna Park.” Held on the weekend closest to the vernal equinox, the party starts March 23 at the legendary Roseland Ballroom in New York City.
Get ready for an adventure. This dance party is set in the outskirts of Rome in an abandoned amusement park. Strange Live Acts will be played out as a five-act opera set in a cinematically inspired, immersive environment. The fantasy ends sometime Sunday.
If staying up all night dressed in your best leather is not for you, you might be interested in The BPX: The Black Party Expo, held March 22 and 23 at the Roseland Ballroom. The expo consists of a fashion show, art exhibition, concert, exhibitors and an awards program called “The Hookies.” Making appearances on Friday night are Sharon Needles, the reigning season-four winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and professor on “RuPaul’s Drag U,” ;gossip columnist Michael Musto; comedian Cole Escola; male burlesque star Go-Go Harder, directors Chi Chi LaRue, Michael Lucas and Mr. Pam; playwright David Leddick and the cast of “Rentboy the Musical” ; TV host Robin Byrd and author Mike Albo.
Matt Humphrey, director of the Black Party Expo, offered this insider’s tip: To avoid the long lines at RITES XXXIV: THE BLACK PARTY, get your tickets at the will-call window at the expo, which will help you skip the line at night. And show your party ticket for a special gift bag.
It is recommended that you buy tickets in advance online. There are two host hotels, The Out NYC and the Yotel. Visit epgn.com for previous stories on The Out NYC, which is sold out for the weekend. But close to The Out NYC is the Yotel. The stylish hotel has great deals, with rooms beginning at $189. Other hotels with Black Party deals include the Hudson Hotel and New Yorker Hotels. Visit www.blackpartyexpo.com/travel and www.saintatlarge.com/travel for more information.
White Party, Palm Springs
Billed as “the largest gay dance festival in the world,” Jeffrey Sanker presents The White Party Xtreme 2013 in Palm Springs, Calif., March 29-April 1.
Spinning poolside will be the top DJs in the business, including Lehman and Rauhofer. And making special appearances are Icona Pop, Carmen Electra, “Real Housewives of Miami” star Adriana Demoura and several “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestants.
Travel expert and ManAboutWorld editor-in-chief Ed Salvato offers this insider tip: Hit the daytime parties. And Palm Springs is part of the fun of the party, so take a few extra days to relax at one of the many great guesthouses.
Tickets, hotel accommodations and VIP passes are available at www.jeffreysanker.com.
Jeff Guaracino is the author of “Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing” and co-chair of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.