Black Tie Bingo a glamorous success

Black Tie Bingo a glamorous success

by David Luc Nguyen - SGN Contributing Writer Champagne and generosity flowed freely at Lifelong AIDS Alliance's Black Tie Bingo event this past weekend at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Seattle. Close to 300 socially conscious socialites and fashionistas came together to raise more than $100,000 for the local HIV/AIDS non-profit service organization. The fourth annual event was hosted by local drag personality Sylvia O'Stayformore with the assistance of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The glamorous evening went off without a hitch and lived up to its reputation as a formal affair, minus the stuffiness. Project Runway designer and Seattle native Jack Mackenroth was the evening's special guest ball caller. When asked why he chose to support Lifelong among the many deserving non-profits, Mackenroth said, "It was a no-brainer. Obviously, HIV/AIDS education is a cause that is close and dear to my heart." Mackenroth - who is openly HIV-positive - hopes to use his new found celebrity to raise awareness and education efforts. Other notable guests included domestic partnership rights champion and State Senator Ed Murray, City Council member Sally Clark, and KOMO 4's Steve Wilson. The evening's festivities began with a reception and cocktail hour in the grandeur of the ballroom foyer. Guests mingled and networked amidst a backdrop of acrobats and contortionists. Seattle Paparazzi, the official photographers for all Lifelong events, illuminated the room with their flashbulbs, while adding a certain prestige to the evening by documenting the social butterflies at work. Later, inside of the Leonesa Grand Ballroom, guests were seated at round tables covered with white linen and enjoyed a three-course meal consisting of a garden salad with cranberry vinaigrette, goat cheese and walnuts accented by touches of raspberries and mint leaves. The main course included two medallions of filet mignon accompanied by oversized shrimp and potato shallots. Finally, guests cleansed their palates with a choice of a chocolate mousse confection or an assorted berry cobbler. Following dinner, Lifelong Executive David Reichert and Board President Frank Percival welcomed everyone and highlighted the accomplishments during the agency's 25-year history. Reichert also talked about his future goals for the Lifelong and promised "fiscal responsibility." By far the most moving moment of the evening was when Michael Callahan, a Lifelong client, shared his very personal story about the trials he has faced as an HIV-positive man and not being able to forgive himself for allowing it to happen. He then spoke of how Lifelong gave him new hope and helped him deal with his illness and how he, in turn, has helped others. His story had a profound impact on those who heard and it many were moved to tears. He reminded everyone the real reason why people were there. Following Michael's speech many were compelled to express their support of Lifelong with financial pledges. Within 10 minutes, attendees promised more than $60,000 to support Lifelong's services. After the serious portion of the evening, it was time to kick back and have fun. Everyone pulled out their daubers and tried to win one of the fabulous prizes, which included first-class travel packages donated by Alaska Airlines. The grand prize was a five-day trip to Hawaii including lodging. As guests left they were treated to bags of swag including gift certificates, Mac lip-gloss, seasoning from El Gaucho, cupcakes and other little treats. Following Black Tie Bingo, everyone migrated to a glammed-up Baltic Room for the official afterparty, sponsored by MOMS Pharmacy and produced by Gemini Events. The ambiance couldn't have been more perfect to let your hair down and enjoy the company of others who know how to have a good time and make a difference. Lifelong AIDS Alliance's Black Tie Bingo has established itself as a formal, yet not stuffy affair that is a must-do on the Queer and non-Queer Seattle social scene. If you couldn't afford the $200 Black Tie Bingo tickets, try checking out regular Gay Bingo the second Saturday of every month at the South Lake Union Armory. March's theme is "Revenge of the Nerds" and will be hosted by legendary Seattle drag queen Gaysha Starr. Log on to www.llaa.org to find out more information about The Gay Bingo Season. For more pictures from Black Tie Bingo or The Official Afterparty, log on to www.seattlepaparazzi.com and see what the fuss was about.

Lizz Wright hits all the right notes at Century Ballroom

by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A&E Writer LIZZ WRIGHT MARCH 5 CENTURY BALLROOM It's a shame Lizz Wright hasn't been discovered by a mass audience. Though, it's actually a blessing, come to think of it. This way, her fans can relish a penetrating performance in an intimate setting instead of a thousand-seat theater - like the one Wednesday night at Century Ballroom. Dressed in black pants, thigh-length charcoal top and color-matching boots, Wright opened with "Trouble" from 2005's Dreaming Wide Awake. She followed with the funky "My Heart" off her newest release The Orchard. A short-term resident of Seattle, around the time she began making a name for herself on the tour circuit, Wright welcomed many friends on Wednesday that she'd made during her brief stint in the Emerald City. She recalled her previous appearance in Seattle, when all she did was walk down Pine Street to the Century Ballroom and go onstage. Wright now lives in Brooklyn. Sounding like a pre-famed India.Arie with a sprinkling of present-day Jill Scott and a drop of late '90s Meshell Ndegeocello, Wright is that organic jazzy-soul artist who brings an eccentric, earthy, and sensuous vibe to the R&B scene - the kind most commercial divas can barely pull out of their overproduced and often-unoriginal resumes. Wright continued her set with the smoky, bluesy "I Idolize You," as concertgoers whistled and cheered in delight. There were moments when she pointed her index finger out to the audience while hitting a high note, and at times she just closed her eyes and slithered in slow motion by her microphone, letting her hips sway to the rhythm. There were moments she appeared to be channeling someone, standing in perfect posture, eyes closed, and arms slightly lifted - perhaps she was reconnecting with the song's unique, inspirational journey. A marvelous rendition of "Speak Your Heart" - a ballad from The Orchard - showcased Wright's softer, smoother pipes. Otherwise, they were firm and muscular as on "Where I Fall" and "Walk With Me, Lord." The latter number was met with enthusiastic claps and woo-hoos from the crowd. The Georgia-born singer-songwriter, a minister's daughter, snuck in a saucy cover version of Neil Young's "Old Man" and shined on two more standouts from the new CD, "Coming Home" and "Song for Mia." This pretty much wrapped up the night's main set. The encore was the most memorable part of the concert, featuring a jaw-dropping acappella version of "Amazing Grace." When Wright paused between verses, the room turned into a Sunday service with people shouting "alright!" and "uh-huh!" and "that's right!" Sadly, no one proclaimed "amen!" Lots of Gay folks were in attendance, including a worthy turnout of African-American Lesbians - a demographic rarely clustered under one roof in Seattle. At one point a woman in front of me shouted, "I'm Confessin'!" - a signature Wright number from her Dreaming Wide Awake album. Seconds later, another woman yelled out "Anything!" - which got a nice chuckle from everyone, and Wright. Things came to close with a slick performance of "Salt," the title track from Wright's debut recording. Fans, on foot and cheering thunderously, awaited a second encore. However, within minutes the artist ran out to the microphone, saying she indeed felt the love in the room but was still recovering from a cough and thought it best to retire for some much-needed rest. Wednesday's show at the Century Ballroom was the first on Wright's spring tour.