Las Vegas Weekly

August 23, 2010 · 2:41 PM

Photos: AFAN’s Black and White Party at The Joint ‘bigger and better’

By Don Chareunsy

Greg London at the 2010 AFAN Black & White Party at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Aug. 21, 2010.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) hosted its 24th Annual Black & White Party for the second consecutive year at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday night, providing attendees an evening of entertainment, cuisine and cocktails. AFAN partnered with the Hard Rock, Baskow & Associates and Destinations by Design for the annual fundraiser, and contributing photographer Erik Kabik was on duty for the Vegas DeLuxe photo gallery.

Black and white furnishings and decor were accented with hot pink throughout the three-story music venue, and the entertainment lineup and guests included DJ Axis, Imperial Palace headliner Frank Marino and other celebrity impersonators, The Rio headliners and longtime AFAN supporters Penn & Teller, the hunks of The Men of X at Hooters Casino, the sexy X Burlesque from the Flamingo, MGM Grand’s seductive Crazy Horse Paris, Red Rock Resort headliners Chris Phillips and Marley Taylor of Zowie Bowie, Riviera headliner Greg London and Miss USA contestants.

KLAS anchor/reporter Chris Saldana served as host for the second consecutive year. “The party gets bigger and better every year since I have been attending,” said Saldana, who also has hosted AIDS Walk Las Vegas twice. “The energy was there, the food was amazing, as were the drinks -- key to any party. AFAN knows how to throw a party!”

One of the highlights of the evening was an award presentation to a dozen special attendees who were given the honor and “Right to Wear Red” for their support of AFAN and its work with HIV/AIDS. Attendees were treated to tastings from the Hard Rock’s Ago, Rare 120, Johnny Smalls and Pink Taco, Todd English P.U.B., BOA Steakhouse, Match Restaurant, P.F. Chang’s, Outback Steakhouse, Rubio’s and more. Jose Cuervo, Montecristo Rum, Moet Champagne, Ketel One, Belvedere Vodka and Ambhar Tequila hosted ice and cocktail bars.

Other sponsors included CDI Studios, The Apothecary Shops, Valley Press, The Cookie Zoo and QVegas. All proceeds benefit AFAN and the fight against HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada. The amount raised and total attendance will be announced soon.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

Penn and Teller at the 2010 AFAN Black & White Party at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Aug. 21, 2010.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

Chris Phillips and Marley Taylor of Zowie Bowie at the 2010 AFAN Black & White Party at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Aug. 21, 2010.

“For me, the most memorable moment was looking out into the crowd from up onstage and seeing thousands of people smiling, eating and dancing,” Saldana said. “It was a huge success. I can’t wait for next year, but we all have to remember, as big and fun of a party this is, I can’t wait for the day when we don’t have to have a party like this.”

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.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

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