They say we have more fun. If the annual White Party is any indication, the adage certainly has the ring of truth. Jeffrey Sanker’s renowned bash celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend in Palm Springs, April 10-12. This means you can expect the best White Party yet, complete with pop sensation Lady GaGa, TV’s Candis Cayne, massive pool festival and all-out superheroic dance party.
Holy spandex, Batman!
But even for party superhuman gay men, the great recession has cut into our entertainment dollars–if not our sense of fun. So this year Sanker slashed hotel prices twenty percent, shortened the night stay minimum and offered a weekend pass with free friday admission. Sanker and Palm Springs have incentive to pack in the 30,000-plus boys: The party generates more than $1 million in revenue for the cash-strapped town.
Sanker also has plenty of reason to celebrate. Over the years the party has faced down local right-wing backlash, potential finacial ruin and the wrath of a certain now-deceased celebrity-turned-mayor to become an international phenomenon. Check out this LA Times timeline:
1987-Sanker moves from New York to LA
1989-The first White Party draws thousands but loses money anyway
1991-Mayor Sonny Bono cracks down on spring break parties, causing logistical nightmares for the White Party
1992-White Party breaks out of LA gay party scene niche to become cultural phemomenon
1993-Elite party crowd from across the globe descends on the resort town for the big party
2005-Surprise performance by J Lo thrills party-goers
2009-20th anniversary
To enhance your party experience, check out our guide to Palm Springs
photo credit: Jeffrey Sanker Presents
