Compass Community Center Fundraising Event
Halo, South Beach This Saturday at 9 PM

By JDH
sobegayinfo.com  

09/12/2007
Miami Beach, FL - Local dignitaries and DJs join forces for an event to support Compass Community Center, the largest gay and lesbian community center in the South East, and one of the largest in the nation.  Miami Beach commissioner Michael Gongora will join event producer George Coronado, DJ Oren Nizri, Halo team Babak Mohavedi and Jason Tamanini, and a host of others to raise money for the center on Saturday, September 15th at Halo Lounge in South Beach.

Compass Community Center aims to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the character of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.  Compass accomplishes its mission by emboldening our youth, promoting pride in our community, and acting as an educator, advocate, health service provider, and focal point for community organizing.  As good neighbors, effective partners, and respected participants in our civic responsibilities, Compass promotes awareness of the caring nature of our diverse community.

To find out more, SOBEGAYINFO.COM asked event producer, George Coronado, about the fundraiser.

SOBEGAYINFO.COM – Hi George.  So tell me, how did you get involved with Compass?

George - We have been working with Compass for two years now. Eric Miller, a Compass Community Counselor, heard my business partner, DJ Oren Nizri, during one of his club appearances two years ago, and immediately put us in contact with Compass.

Compass produces its Annual PrideFest of the Palm Beaches every March, and they decided to hire Oren to headline PrideFest in 2006 and then again this past March 2007. They were both very successful and well attended events.

As our company, Give Me A Beat Productions, started building a relationship with Compass and Eric Miller, we learned more about Compass’ work for the community and people with HIV in Florida. Over the past two years, we have met most of Compass’ staff and social workers and I totally admire and respect their energy, the sacrifices and the professional work that they put together to continuously help the community. This is the main reason why I decided to produce this event to benefit them and support their incredible work.

SOBEGAYINFO.COM - Why hold the event in South Beach and not West Palm Beach?

George - Eric Miller and I talked a few months ago about producing a few dance party benefits as well as a cocktail party event. We wanted to do different events in different counties. During August, we had two very successful dance party benefits – the first in West Palm Beach at Kashmir Dance Club and the second in Broward County at BOOM Nightclub. The concept for our third benefit is more of a cocktail party/networking event and I wanted to do it in South Beach this time. Halo Lounge fit the concept of my event very well.

SOBEGAYINFO.COM - What can we expect from the event?

George - You can expect to meet and network with many important people in our community and have a wonderful time. Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora will be representing the City of Miami Beach and DJ Oren Nizri will be in charge of the musical entertainment. I have a great lineup of sponsors, very successful businesses who are helping me to make this event a big success and a very special one. South Beach personalities, politicians, journalists, photographers, the press in general, our sponsors: Dale Stine Photography, Absolut Vodka, Latino Boys Magazine, Wire Magazine, 411 Magazine, Sister 8025 Records, Papi Underwear, Vix Restaurant of Hotel Victor, Kiehl's, Miami Beach Bruthaz 2008, Up All Nite Entertainment, New Concept Video, etc. They will all be there supporting the event, helping us to raise money and making it a fun night out for everyone!

SOBEGAYINFO.COM - What do you expect to accomplish with this event?

George – Our primary goal is to raise money for Compass. Compass will set up a booth at the door of Halo to receive voluntary donations and its representatives will be on hand to explain to guests exactly what Compass does. They will also sell tickets for the raffles; we have great prizes donated by all our sponsors. 
I also hope the event will serve as an example for other event planners, activists and people in general to work toward creating more benefits to help organizations like Compass. There is a big need for that.

After three successful years in business, Arnold Matteson, Oren and George are working on many exciting projects.  George is hosting a birthday party for DJ Oren Nizri on October 6th at Score in South Beach. Oren will also be headlining the “White Journey” party during White Party week at Discotekka in November.  And finally, Oren has recently been signed to Miami-based record label Sister 8025 Records and will be releasing some of his original productions through them.

George wants to thank everyone for their support over the last three years and hopes to see you all this Saturday at Halo in South Beach.

SOBEGAYINFO.COM wants to thank George for taking time out of his busy schedule for us and for working so hard for the community that we all live in.  SOBEGAYINFO.COM is wishing you all a very successful event.

Don’t forget-
Saturday, September 15th
9:00 pm
Halo Lounge, 1625 Michigan Ave