1986 was a particularly memorable year. The UN designated 1986 as the International Year of Peace. “Baby Doc” Duvalier and Ferdinand Marcos were out of Haiti and the Philippines, respectively. And while major disasters and scandals rocked countries near and far (Space Shuttle Challenger, Iran-Contra, Chernobyl, etc.); some good things happened too. Elie Wiesel won the Nobel Peace Prize; Desmond Tutu became the first black Anglican bishop in South Africa; a ground ball hit by Mookie Wilson is credited for allowing the NY Mets to eventually take the World Series; The Oprah Winfrey Show debuted in syndication; and Microsoft held its IPO (five shares of which I received for my bar mitzvah, the next month; and held on to, until selling the-now 200 shares toward the end of my senior year in college; a week before the announcement of Windows ’95 – forever putting me off the market). 

Staring at the nearly 25,000 deaths from AIDS-related illness, President Ronald Reagan still would not publicly mention the disease for another year. And yet, despite El Presidente having his Bob’s Big Boy head stuck up his ultra-conservative ass, U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop began a campaign of urging for widespread condom-use, and sex- and disease-education in schools; the first panel of the AIDS Memorial Quilt was created in San Francisco; and Elizabeth Taylor took to the airwaves in a series of televised commercials, urging for compassion for those with AIDS. 

Meanwhile, a then two-year old local organization, AFAN (Aid for AIDS of Nevada) whipped together a little to do – under the auspices of gathering canned foods for those living with HIV/AIDS. As these things have a tendency to do, this casual get-together blossomed into AFAN’s annual Black & White Party, now in its 27th year. 

More than a third of those parties have been held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and this year’s (held inside The Joint) will feature nearly 20 unique food & beverage vendors, exciting raffle prizes, fashion contests and live entertainment. 

This year, the Black & White Party is actually the centerpiece in a weekend that includes a poolside pre-party, after-parties at two nightclubs, and a Sunday brunch. So as to best accommodate all guests, Hard Rock Hotel is offering an exclusive room package, with a portion of the room rate being donated to AFAN (see link at bottom of page).

So, dive into your closets, find your grooviest (and most revealing) black and white garb, and get over to the Hard Rock for the 27th annual Black & White Ball. Hit it! 

AFAN’s Black & White Weekend
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Click HERE for rooms and info

Get into it!