Miami Beach, FL - February 17, 2010 --- The 17^th annual Winter Party Festival is set to commence on March 3-8, 2010 and this year will prove to be a bit different than past years. This year, Winter Party has brought in a multitude of new faces and musical styles that are not the typical household names one might expect. Winter Party Festival has infused some youth and fresh faces into their planning committee which may be one of the reasons for the introduction of new talent as well.

Alex Breitman, the 25-year-old Special Events Manager for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, knows that to keep people coming back year after year you have to change things around and spice things up. The coup this year was to snag DJ Ana Paula for the Beach Party.  After hearing this Brazilian bombshell’s debut in Montreal two years ago, she has been sought out to be part of the Winter Party family ever since. Playing major events like Montreal’s Black and Blue and Toronto Pride, Paula has skyrocketed to circuit notoriety in North America.  Watching her perform is electric and exhilarating.  

Continuing the “new faces” theme, Sunday night will be a marquee event with Tracy Young sharing the DJ duties with Winter Party newcomer DJ Boris, a resident at New York's famed Pacha. They will be spinning on the Space Terrace, an indoor/outdoor venue for Orbit: The Only Official Sunday Night Winter Party Event. A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Boris Inzhin took up deejaying while studying at the Institute of Audio Research in New York. The recipient of two Club World Award nods for "Best Resident DJ", one while at Crobar, and the other at Pacha.

I caught up with Alex Breitman to get an inside look at what to expect at this year’s dance events.

Sobegayinfo- You are injecting some fresh faces this year such as Ana Paula and Boris, how are they different than in years past?

AB- Our newcomers to Winter Party Festival may be new to the lineup but are not new to the House Music scene. Ana Paula's longtime residency in Brazil and recent catapult to fame has made her one of the most sought after DJs all over the world. Boris has long been a resident at New York’s famed Pacha NYC, as well as Space Miami. We’ve also got the Perry Twins, two HOT brothers that are huge on the West Coast. They differ because they each bring something different and new to the table, whether it’s energy in their set or energy from the DJ booth itself!

And speaking of the Perry Twins, as remix artists and producers, the Perry Twins have collaborated with dance music stars such as Kristine W., Gioia Bruno, Erin Hamilton, Jeanie Tracy, Ari Gold, Debby Holiday, and Niki Haris, whose "Bad, Bad Boy" is the follow-up to the Twins' chart-topping debut single "Activate My Body." With this dynamic duo, the Under One Sun Pool Party will sizzle like never before.

Sobegayinfo- Chus and Ceballos are returning this year.  Even with a competitive event last year; Winter Party was able to hold their own with the dynamic duo Chus and Ceballos.  Those that attended that event were shell-shocked with excitement from the duo's performance.  Is this why you asked them to return once again?

AB- Chus & Ceballos' performance at last year's Winter Party Festival was a memorable one for all guests. Since then, they have played numerous events catering to gay crowds and we are happy to have them spin our Saturday night event. 

We here at SOBEGAYINFO can concur.  It was an amazing night of music, smiles, and energy.  They were the injection of fresh talent that so many of us have longed for.

Sobegayinfo- Although there is a  for-profit competing event again this year for Sunday night, what do you think the freshness of Boris and Tracy Young brings to the table over the other event that has the same DeeJays as in the past?

AB-Tracy Young is a household name within the circuit and has fans all over the world. Boris brings something new to the table and will appeal to both the ‘circuit’ community as well as other house music lovers. It’s a powerhouse combination that is sure to bring the roof down on the Space Terrace. We’ve also got Therese, a singer from UK’s infamous SupermartXe party, thanks to Logan Presents. It’s going to be a wild night.

Sobegayinfo- Ana Paula has a very different style than past DJs that have played the Beach Party.  How do you think she will be received?

AB- Ana Paula's sets are full of energy, and so is she. Her background spinning for numerous parties in Brazil will be comparable to the amazing Latin flavor that South Florida emulates. This is her first outdoor event in the United States and it will give her a chance to breakthrough and show how diverse she can be.

Other newcomers to Winter Party Festival include DJ Alexander from L.A. and Charlmix from Miami and heart throb Hector Fonseca.

With so many newcomers, don’t fret because Winter Party Festival has some familiar faces returning.  Returning will be the dynamic team of Rosabel-Ralphi Rosario and Abel who’s hit "Cha Cha Heels" was featured on season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance.  Also returning is Alyson Calagna, Roland Belmares, Brett Henrichsen, DJ Pride, and Oren Nizri.  And for the ladies, DJ Saratonin (aka Sarah Alexander) will be making her Winter Party Festival debut.

This year’s event also includes cocktail receptions, Showtime’s Nurse Jackie celebration at Score, shopping sprees on Lincoln Road, and the Nadadores swimming competition.

Remember, funds raised by official Winter Party Festival events are returned to the local community and are distributed through a grant-making process administered by the Dade Community Foundation.

Some of the past recipients include:


• Center for Communications on HIV/AIDS (CECOSIDA)
• Equality Florida
• Miami Beach Gay Pride
• Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
• Pridelines Youth Services
• SAVE Foundation
• South Beach AIDS Project