March 2018 Issue #15 March 2018 Issue #15, 4GUYS | Page 50

RC: Which events are you most looking forward to, and why?
SS: As the keystone event, The Beach Party is always my favorite event of the
week. We’re extending The Beach Party by an hour so we can dance from the
afternoon into the night with some of my favorite DJs – Rosabel and Grind. The
Beach Party takes place at Lummus Park on Sunday, March 4 from 12-8 p.m.
Also, we re-imagined ArtScape, our art event, which aims to bridge the gap be-
tween LGBTQ artists and mainstream artists. The committee has brought a new
life to this hidden gem of an event. In addition to showing work from talented
artists, we will be unveiling “Winter’s Rainbow,” a collaboration of LGBTQ artists
representing a different color of Gilbert Baker’s iconic Rainbow Flag. Artscape
takes place at FIU CARTA on Friday, March 2 from 7-10 p.m.
RC: What do you want festival-goers to take away from the WPF 25 year anni-
versary?
SS: New friends! I’ve met some of my best friends on the dance floor at Winter
Party. More importantly, I want guests to leave happier than when they arrived,
with memories and friends that will last a lifetime.
RC: What do you think sets WPF apart from other community events?
SS: Winter Party Festival is the direct result of thousands of volunteers’ contribu-
tions and efforts over the past 25 years. As chair, I’ve had the opportunity to meet
many of the volunteers this year. We have volunteers who work and fly in from
all over the world to be a part of creating an experience the LGBTQ community
loves and cares about. Even my mom is flying in to be part of this historic event.
RC: How much money was raised at last year’s Winter Party Festival and how
were the funds distributed to help our community?
SS: In addition to supporting the National LGBTQ Task Force’s fight for free-
dom, justice, and equality, The Task Force donates a significant portion of the
proceeds to LGBTQ advocacy and community groups in South Florida through
a grant-making process administered by the GLBT Community Projects Fund
of The Miami Foundation. In 2017, the Task Force donated a record-breaking
$300,000, for a grand total of $2.7 million given back since Winter Party was
founded.
RC: Is there anything else you would like to share with 4GUYS Magazine read-
ers?
SS: I invite you to take the week of Winter Party Festival to live free, be you and
enjoy this momentous occasion. Hold hands, kiss your partner, kiss a stranger,
make new friends, wear costumes, wear a speedo, wear what makes you feel
like you. Experience a space where invincibility seems possible and love seems
endless. See you there!
50