‘Metro’ Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Tampa Bay Gala
(Tampa Bay, FL) May 2, 2013 – Metro Wellness and Community Centers was founded as Metropolitan Charities by King of Peace MCC in 1993. This year the organization celebrates its 20th year of service in the Tampa Bay community. What started as an effort to assist those suffering from HIV/AIDS in Pinellas County has grown into a thriving beacon of service and education to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and a hub of activity for the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community across the Tampa Bay area.
At its founding, Metro was serving five clients. Today, the organization serves an average of 8,000 each year, with an outreach to many more. To celebrate that 20 years of service in St. Petersburg, Tampa and New Port Richey – Metro will present its inaugural Tampa Bay Gala on Saturday, September 14, 2013 from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the Tampa Bay Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa. The event will feature live entertainment, a silent auction, elegant edibles, cocktails and plenty of surprises.
Special guests for the event already include Jack Mackenroth, model, HIV Activist and Project Runway Season 4 star. In addition to appearing on Project Runway, Mackenroth has been a professional designer, nationally recognized competitive swimmer and fitness and fashion model. He has appeared in numerous magazines including a cover story feature in the May/June 2013 issue of HIV Plus Magazine. Mackenroth has always been very open about his positive HIV status. Since his diagnosis in 1990, he has tried to combat the stigma of HIV by living honestly and being a role model through professional and athletic achievements.
Entertainment at the Gala will also include a special performance by comic Karen Williams. Curve Magazinecalls Williams “a laugh riot!” She delights fan-filled audiences from San Francisco to South Beach to Sidney and now makes her way to the Tampa Bay area. Williams is a featured comic in “We’re Funny That Way,” the internationally-acclaimed film shown regularly on HBO, is host of the New York variety show, “In the Life”, and her humor writings appear in numerous anthologies. Williams has worked with numerous HIV/AIDS charities and uses her celebrity status to raise awareness and to work for social justice using humor and healing.
Tickets are available online atwww.metrotampabay.org and start at $100.
Additional sponsorships are also available. For more information email Kathie Michael at
KathieM@metrotampabay.org.
Metropolitan Charities, Inc. d/b/a Metro Wellness and Community Centers is a 501(c)3 organization committed to providing premier HIV services, social networking, and other health and wellness programs that enhance the quality of life. The organization strives to promote a healthy environment for all and to foster diversity within the community as a whole regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or economic status.
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Media Contact:
Metro Wellness & Community Centers
Chris Rudisill
Director of LGBT Community Center Services
Phone: 727-321-3854 ext. 238
Email: chrisr@metrotampabay.org
www.MetroTampaBay.org
Media Contact:
Nancy Seijas-Kipnis
813.817.6731
PRIDE & PASSION 2013 AT THE TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART
KICKS OFF PRIDE FESTIVITIES ACROSS TAMPA BAY
Tampa, FL (May 7, 2013) – The Tampa Museum of Art will host the 8th annual Pride & Passion 2013 event on Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 8 p.m. to midnight, celebrating diversity in the local community as the official kick-off to the month-long Pride festivities across Tampa Bay.
“Pride & Passion celebrates its 8th year as one of the Museum’s signature events,” said Todd D. Smith, the Museum’s Executive Director. “The leadership and committee behind Pride & Passion 2013 continue to delight current and new members by producing a stellar evening that celebrates the Museum’s commitment to diversity while also raising funds for our education and exhibition programs. We are proud to be the home of this significant LGBT event.”
The first Pride & Passion was held in 2005 and the event has significantly grown each year, bringing in over 1000 new memberships and raising funds to support the Museum’s exhibitions and educational programs. Last year’s Pride & Passion raised over $103,000.00 for the Museum, surpassing the previous year’s record as being the most successful event to date.
A second year in a row sell-out is expected when over 800 hundred guests join Pride & Passion 2013 for an evening of art, entertainment, culture, food, and drinks. Tickets are $85 after and available for purchase online at www.prideandpassion.org. Tickets include a fabulous evening where guests will be treated to delicious dishes from Timpano Italian Chophouse, complimentary wine, beer and champagne, open top –shelf bar featuring specialty cocktails, mouth-watering desserts from Piquant Epicure & Cuisine, mind-blowing live entertainment by Penguin Entertainment from Orlando, Florida, music by DJ Dino Bonetti, and gallery access to the Museum’s exhibitions Faded Elegance: Photographs of Havana by Michael Eastman and Miradas: Ancient Roots in Modern Mexican Art. All Pride & Passion 2013 ticket purchasers will also receive an annual membership to the Museum. Current Museum members who purchase tickets to Pride & Passion 2013 will receive a gift voucher for an individual membership that can be given as a gift. All Pride & Passion 2013 guests are encouraged to wear black and white to the event.
About Pride & Passion 2013
Pride & Passion has been nominated for a 2012 Urban Excellence Award by the Tampa Downtown Partnership. The awards honor businesses, organizations, individuals, events and projects that have significantly contributed towards a unique, vibrant and diverse downtown environment for Tampa with both a positive and lasting impact.
Pride & Passion 2013 is produced by a volunteer steering committee in partnership with the Tampa Museum of Art. Pride & Passion 2013 steering committee members are Marc Retzlaff (Chair), Kelley Cato Juneau (Vice-Chair), Dennis Wolfe, Don Kiceina Jr., James Ratliffe, Jess Hille, Jose Garboza, Mariruth Kennedy, Mishou, Okesene “Okie” Tilo, Portia Weiss and Ruslana Panov.
Pride & Passion 2013 is promoted through a volunteer host committee responsible for spreading word about the event and encouraging ticket sales. The committee members are Anthony Moncrief, Bobbie Kingsbury, Brent Baltzer & Alexis Perry, Bryan Farris & Andy Johnson, Cody Conklin, Janet Smith, Jonathan Myers, Mark Nash, Mike Hammonds, Raven Song, Ray Johnson and Vince Anello with the Tampa Bay Social Club.
About the Tampa Museum of Art
The Tampa Museum of Art opened its new award-winning home in 2010 with a commitment to providing innovative public programs with a strong focus on modern and contemporary art. The Museum balances a growing collection with a dynamic annual schedule of special exhibitions. It is the region’s largest museum devoted to art of our time and has built a reputation for embracing contemporary photography and new media. Leo Villareal’s Sky (Tampa) (the Museum’s 14,000-square-foot LED installation on its façade) has become an iconic image for Tampa. Since its founding in 1979, the Museum has been dedicated to providing quality education to students and adults, with more than half of its programs offered free of charge. The Museum is home to Sono Cafe, a Slow Food movement café overlooking the Hillsborough River, and has emerged as Tampa’s premiere venue for special events.
General Hours and Admission
The Museum opens daily at 11 a.m. Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission prices are: adult $10.00; seniors, groups, military plus one guest $7.50; students $5; and children ages 6 and under free-of-charge. A-pay-what-you-will fee structure is offered every Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Museum’s address is 120 Gasparilla Plaza. Tampa, FL 33602.
Please visit www.tampamuseum.org and www.prideandpassion.org for more information. Be sure to LIKE Pride & Passion on Facebook/PridePassion and FOLLOW Pride & Passion on Twitter @PridePassionTpa
For Sponsorship information, contact: Brooke Melendi at (813) 421-8368
Brooke.melendi@tampamuseum.org
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