A Night In Paradise will return to Ministry of Sound on Sunday 27th November
On Thursday 8th of April 1982, what we think may have been the worlds first major HIV fundraiser was held at The Paradise Garage. The $50,000 that was raised went towards founding what we now call GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis). Upon his death in 2007 Mel Cheren, The Godfather of Disco and founder of West End Records left the Paradise Garage name and trademark to GMHC so it could continue its work in New York and across the globe.
Coinciding with World AIDS Day 2016 on Sunday the 27th of November, from 2pm – midnight we’re coming together again at Ministry of Sound for our second Night in Paradise. Celebrating the music and legacy that Larry Levan and The Paradise Garage left behind. Fitting, then, that the club playing host to this non-profit event was inspired, in large part by co-creator Justin Berkmann’s two year pilgrimage to No84 King Street.
Below, Krishna Stone, GMHC’s Assistant Director of Community relations, and avid Paradise Garage dancer tells us why these donations are so important and how they assist the worlds oldest HIV and AIDS service and organisation support people who are vulnerable to and living with HIV and AIDS.
‘We at Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) are immensely grateful for the generous donation from the 2014 dance party/fundraiser, A Night in Paradise, and are thrilled the party is happening again in November 2016. GMHC is the nation’s leading provider of HIV and AIDS care, prevention services and advocacy, serving nearly 10,000 people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS in New York City, the epicentre of the epidemic in the U.S. As the world’s first HIV and AIDS service organisation, GMHC is an expert in providing services that every person affected by the epidemic deserves.
Proceeds from both parties help to benefit our services for both HIV positive and negative people including: HIV testing and prevention education services, meals and nutrition programs, workforce development programs, as well as legal, mental health and substance use services. GMHC also advocates for stronger public policies at the local, state and federal level with the goal of ending AIDS as an epidemic in New York State by 2020.
We are so appreciative of these parties because they bring people together for incredibly joyful, musical experiences while raising much-needed funds for our life-sustaining services. Our thanks to the organisers and DJs for their wonderful work. End AIDS. Live Life. Dance.’ – Krishna Stone for GMHC.
A Night In Paradise is at Ministry of Sound on Sunday 27th November, tickets here.
