Rainbow Youth has this morning announced the abandonment of its 20th anniversary Gala Event, but has confirmed its Alternative Ball for youth will still go ahead. The LGBT youth organisation's board agreed the cancel the Gala - which had been scheduled for Auckland's Galatos venue on Friday 18 September - at their meeting on Tuesday afternoon after it appeared ticket sales were too low to risk going ahead with the event. "The board apologises to guests intending to attend, those who have booked and VIPs who have made themselves available to attend," says Rainbow Youth Chairperson Toni Reid. "The board also would like to acknowledge the sponsors involved, the support from Galatos and MIC gallery staff as well as community members that have supported Rainbow Youth to develop this event and all the performers who were willing to give up their time to perform on the night. "This is an unfortunate situation - the potential financial loss to the organisation may have been detrimental to the allocation of services to our current membership. Our planning committee will be reviewing this and looking at alternative ways to include the community in our celebrations," she adds. Any tickets already purchased will be fully refunded by the ticketing agent, TICKETUS, and if there are any questions the Rainbow Youth contact is Thomas Hamilton at 09 376 4155. YOUTH BALL'S STILL ON Rainbow Youth's annual youth event the Alternative Ball will still go ahead on Saturday 19 September at the Galatos venue, featuring guests Ramon Te Wake, Miss Phloss, Jay Tewake, young drag diva Mimi Boyz, DJ Starli, DJ Dee and DJ Karl. Host for the evening Bray Croft will give away prizes on the night and there'll an opportunity to be crowned Kings and Queens of the Ball. "The Alternative Ball is an opportunity to come to the ball with your partner, dress up or down, though the better your outfit the more chance you have of winning a great prize," say the Rainbow Youth crew. Tickets are $20 + booking fee and are available online via email, ticketus@gmail.com, or purchase them by cash at the following outlets, DJ Station, Women's Bookshop, KAMO and the Rainbow Youth Centre. "And if you feel your dancing is a little worse for wear then come along to our Rainbow Youth Dance Workshop this weekend with Jay from the Mika Haka Foundation at Galatos," says Rainbow Youth. Classes run Saturday 12 September from 10am-noon and 1–3pm. To confirm attendance email jay@mika.co.nz or phone 09 620 6111.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Thursday, 10th September 2009 - 11:20am