Tag: Jeffrey Sanker

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Circuit Party Producer Jeffrey Sanker Dead At 65

Circuit party producer Jeffrey Sanker

Circuit party producer Jeffrey Sanker
Jeffrey Sanker (image via White Party Palm Springs)
Jeffrey Sanker, the producer behind several long-running gay circuit parties, has died at the age of 65 after a lengthy battle with liver cancer. From the Washington Blade:

The 65 year old West Hollywood resident had built his company and reputation on hosting large scale parties in exotic places, including Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, Mexico, Las Vegas, Nevada and Miami, Florida although his trademark extravaganza, White Party Palm Springs, had evolved into the nation’s largest gay dance music festival, attracting more than 30,000 attendees from every corner of the globe.

As word of his death spread on social media late Friday, tributes to Sanker flowed in.

In a text to the Blade, former West Hollywood City Councilmember John Duran noted, “Jeffrey was a long time friend. He was an iconic figure in gay history with his creation of the White Party. For many gay men, he created a space for them to find their tribe and sexuality. While he had his critics – he loved his gay community and left a lasting mark. So many of us found a place to belong because of his vision.“

Throughout the years, Sanker not only presented entertainment superstars like Lady Gaga, but also featured top-shelf DJs/producers like Dave Aude, Junior Vasquez, Victor Calderone, Manny Lehman, and Tony Moran at his events.

I have never been a circuit party kind of guy. But I can respect that along with creating a place for gays to celebrate themselves in their own space, many of his events often benefited local organizations and charities including The Trevor Project, Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing (GLEH), and Desert AIDS Project.

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White Party Puerto Vallarta Moving Ahead As COVID Surges

Poster for White Party Puerto Vallarta 20/21

Poster for White Party Puerto Vallarta 20/21
(image via jeffreysanker.com)
As we come to the end of the deadliest month of the coronavirus pandemic, circuit party impresario Jeffrey Sanker is prepping White Party Puerto Vallarta to begin a week of New Year’s celebrations super spreader events nicknamed WPPV20/21. This might be a bad time to get infected with COVID-19. Vallarta Daily News reported on Christmas Day the Puerto Vallarta Regional Hospital is at 100% occupancy with COVID-19 patients. Additionally, the state of Jalisco has reached a 65% positivity rate in testing. Sanker’s official website states health and safety guidelines will be practiced including limited event capacity, temperature checks, and masks required for entry (bolding is mine). Does anyone have a feeling the masks will come off after entering the events? The promotional materials also read: “All state guidelines will be enforced for all guests.”
(image via jeffreysanker.com)
Speaking of guidelines, VisitPuertoVallarta.com recently announced that NEW guidelines are being implemented from December 25 – January 10, 2021 that include: • Suspension of bars and clubs in Puerto Vallarta at 19:00 hours (7 pm) • New Year’s parties and events will be suspended That last bit of information might come as a surprise to Sanker and company as his 10 pm event at Industry Nightclub (which Sanker apparently owns) on January 1 is already sold out. The other three events are being held at Mantamar Beach Club, which is at least outdoors. However, the December 30 event is announced to begin at 6 pm, so…an hour of party time? Some folks chimed in on Sanker’s Facebook page regarding the possibility of the events spreading the virus even more.
(screen capture via Facebook)
Sanker canceled the 2020 edition of his White Party Palm Springs earlier this year. I reached out to Sanker for any updates or changes being considered for White Party Puerto Vallarta in light of the new guidelines. No word back at this time.

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COVID Cancels Mega Circuit Party AGAIN

A moment from White Party Palm Springs 2019 (photo: Iggy Perez)
Jeffrey Sanker, the promoter and producer of White Party Palm Springs, has announced his mega circuit party will not be happening this year. The 2020 edition of White Party Palm Springs was originally scheduled for April. But, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Sanker postponed his event to October hoping the health threat would be under control by then. But an announcement has been posted on the White Party’s official website explaining that after trying “everything in our power to try to produce our event with all safety measures in place,” Sanker and his team have decided “it’s just not possible to move forward, given the unpredictability of COVID-19.” The announcement adds that all current ticket holders will have their passes automatically transferred to the 2021 festival taking place April 23rd to 26th. The largest gay circuit party in the United States, White Party Palm Springs often draws up to 30,000 attendees to its dances, mixers, and concerts. In addition to helping fundraise for various LGBTQ charities, the multi-day festival has provided an annual economic boost to the Southern California city for 30 years.