Las Vegas Weekly

August 24, 2009 · 8:52 AM

Photo Gallery: AFAN raises $100,000 with Black & White Party at The Joint

By Don Chareunsy

Penn Jillette, second from right, with Men of X's Jalles, Bebe and Jay Boogie at AFAN's Black & White Party at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel.

Photo: Angela Stabile

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) hosted its 23rd Annual Black & White Party in The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday night. The party was moved from the outdoor pool inside to The Joint due to the weather, but that didn’t stop more than 2,800 people from showing up dressed in black and white, and the lively and fun fundraiser raised more than $100,000.

The evening’s nonstop entertainment lineup included DJ Axis and his mash-ups, Cher and Tina Turner impersonators, Riviera headliner Charo, singer Pepper MaShay of “Dive in the Pool” fame and the sexy dancers of Men of X at Hooters and X Burlesque at the Flamingo.

Celebrity appearances included Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, celebrity impersonator and former Riviera headliner Frank Marino, magician comedian Nathan Burton and longtime AFAN supporters Penn & Teller.

Hard Rock Hotel’s Rare 120, Ago and Pink Taco provided food, as did The Cupcakery, PF Chang’s, Sushi Roku, BOA Steakhouse, The Cookie Zoo and others. Sponsors including Ketel One, Tyku and Montecristo Rum hosted cocktails.

Other notes:

*This was my first non-concert event at The Joint and my first AFAN Black & White Party, and the Gay Pride Festival-esque fundraiser seemed to go seamlessly from outdoor to indoor.

*The Joint security staff was the friendliest yet, and it was slightly odd to walk in the empty balcony area. Why have it opened?

*The Banana Republic representative handing out postcards in a white cap and white pants was largely ignored by revelers, surprising because he of dark brown hair was totally dreamy and had a sincere, sweet smile.

*I never knew Penn Jillette’s hair was so long. It’s usually pulled back in a ponytail.

*The Cupcakery’s red velvet and cream cheese frosting mini cupcakes were memorable, as were the superhero clad in only a cape and bulge-enhancing briefs and the energetic Men of X and X Burlesque.

*My co-worker and friend commented that he was probably one of two heterosexual men in the crowd of 2,800. I think there were at least three or four, Nathan Burton being another.

Heartiest congratulations to AFAN on another successful fundraiser!

Click HERE for our straight-but-not-narrow Senior Editor John Katsilometes’ rundown of the evening.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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