AFAN’s Black & White Party Celebrates 40 Years of Art, Entertainment and Community

Las Vegas’ iconic fundraiser returns Sept. 19 with Morgan McMichaels, FANTASY, Piranha, Gipsy and a lineup of local talent

By Debbie Hall

For four decades, Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) has brought the Las Vegas community together through its annual Black & White Party, transforming a simple act of generosity into one of Southern Nevada’s most anticipated celebrations of entertainment, creativity and community.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, the tradition continues as the 40th Annual Black & White Party returns to KAOS Nightclub and SOAK Pool at Palms Casino Resort, bringing together performers, artists, nightlife personalities, advocates and supporters for a milestone celebration.

The event will feature a diverse lineup of Las Vegas entertainment, including Morgan McMichaels of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” FANTASY, Jennifer Romas and Sexxy the Show, Melody Sweets, Nicky Saturn, Vegas! The Show and DJ Lexto. The casts of Piranha Nightclub, Gipsy Nightclub, The Phoenix and Taste the Show! will also be part of the evening, along with Dale Blackheart Productions and the cast of Monday Mania.

Returning hosts Freddy Godinez and Alexander Stabler of Fredric Alexander

Returning hosts Freddy Godinez and Alexander Stabler of Fredric Alexander will guide the celebration.

Beyond the performances, the Black & White Party has always been an opportunity for Las Vegas’ creative community to come together. Guests can expect elaborate fashion, colorful personalities, photo opportunities, complimentary samples from local restaurants and vendors, and plenty of surprises throughout the evening.

This year’s 40th anniversary adds an extra pop of color to the traditional black-and-white aesthetic: ruby red.

Guests are encouraged to wear as much black and white as they want—or as little as they can get away with—with ruby jewelry and accessories encouraged to commemorate the milestone. The visual theme will be taken one step further with Larry Edwards, known as “Hot Chocolate,” appearing as a living ruby during the celebration.

The event will also recognize community leaders and advocates through AFAN’s “Right to Wear Red” honor. As the room fills with black and white, honorees are given the symbolic right to wear red in recognition of their contributions to AFAN and the Southern Nevada community.

This year’s honorees include Brett Pruneau, Christopher Melton, Collin Martin, Heather Smith, Jennifer Romas, Jessica Beesley, Maria Montes-Mendoza, Randee Stewart, Sean VanGorder and Tina Yan.

From a Small Food Drive to a Las Vegas Tradition

The history behind the Black & White Party is equally meaningful. During the height of the AIDS crisis in the late 1980s, a group of friends gathered for a birthday celebration in a Henderson apartment. Instead of asking guests to bring birthday presents, they were asked to bring canned goods to support AFAN’s food pantry.

About 25 people attended. The donations filled the back seats of several cars, with many of the cans featuring generic black-and-white labels. That humble collection of food helped inspire the name of what would eventually become the Black & White Party.

Nearly 40 years later, the event has grown dramatically while retaining the same spirit of people showing up for one another.

That spirit of chosen family is particularly evident in the event’s connection to Las Vegas’ entertainment and arts communities. Drag performers, dancers, musicians, DJs, production teams, entertainers and nightlife venues all contribute to creating an evening where performance becomes part of the fundraising experience.

Art With a Purpose

Founded in 1984, AFAN is Nevada’s oldest AIDS service organization. The organization provides support services including HIV testing, prevention education, housing assistance and medical case management for individuals living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada.

The Black & White Party remains one of AFAN’s major fundraising events, with proceeds supporting the organization’s year-round services.

The 40th anniversary celebration is presented in collaboration with Love! Live! U=U, highlighting the importance of HIV awareness, education and access to resources.

The Black & White Party represents another side of the city’s creative landscape—one where art and entertainment are not simply celebrations but tools for bringing people together and supporting the community.

Las Vegas has long been known for spectacular shows, nightlife and larger-than-life experiences. Events like AFAN’s Black & White Party demonstrate how those creative communities can also use their talents and platforms to make a difference.

The 40th Anniversary Celebration

The VIP Welcome Reception begins at 7 p.m. for VIP+ ticket holders, VIP table groups, sponsors and invited guests. General admission begins at 8 p.m., with the main event taking place at KAOS Nightclub and SOAK Pool. The celebration runs from 8 to 11 p.m.

The event is 21 and older, and attendees must present a valid physical government-issued photo ID.

Piranha Nightclub is hosting the official AFAN Black & White Party afterparty on Sept. 19, featuring Derek Daniels, Sunshine, Shannel and Paloma Makary.

From its beginnings as a small canned-food drive to its evolution into a major Las Vegas fundraising celebration, AFAN’s Black & White Party has always been about people coming together.

This year, the city will celebrate 40 years of that tradition with a little more sparkle, a lot of creativity and a ruby-red reminder that community remains at the heart of the party.

AFAN’s 40th Annual Black & White Party

When: Saturday, Sept. 19

VIP Reception: 7 p.m.

General Admission: 8 p.m.

Where: KAOS Nightclub and SOAK Pool, Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas

Age: 21+

Dress: Black and white, with ruby accessories encouraged

Tickets and information: AFAN Black & White Party tickets