Gancho Tampa Gasparilla Weekend

TAMPA - GayTally is proud to announce that we'll be covering the first circuit party during Gasparilla Weekend. Check back soon for all of the events photos!

From the official press release:

This January 28-30, 2011, Ybor City (home of the GaYBOR District) will host Tampa’s first circuit weekend. Gancho Tampa Gasparilla Weekend is being held in combination with Florida’s version of Mardi Gras, the 107 year old Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Festival and will headline world famous DJ Abel. A portion of proceeds will benefit local non-profit Metro Wellness and Community Centers, Inc which will soon open its doors in Ybor City.

The main event, featuring DJ Abel, is the EL GANCHO Party on Saturday, January 29 from 10 pm till 3 am at the Historic Ritz Ybor Theater. An amalgam of heavy tribal beats and diva anthems, spectacular lighting, and eccentric performances, will make the event unlike anything Tampa has ever seen.

DJ Power Infiniti will start the weekend off on Friday, January 28 as Gancho Tampa Gasparilla Weekend takes over the Castle Ybor. The mecca of the Goth world will send partygoers back to medieval times to a fetish inferno with the Whips & Chains Party from 10 pm to 3 am.

Other Gancho Tampa Gasparilla Weekend events include Friday and Saturday afternoon happy hour receptions at the Historic Don Vicente Inn and a VIP Pre- party on Saturday evening prior to EL GANCHO at the Ritz Ybor Theater with a DJ ABEL and Power Infiniti meet and greet, fashion show, food from Ybor City restaurants, and music. A Farewell Brunch will wrap up Gancho Tampa Gasparilla Weekend on Sunday, January 30 from 10 am to 3 pm.

Event promoter, Manny Alvarez, from Manny Alvarez Presents, said, “It’s time for Tampa to take its place as a circuit destination and what better time of year to make that happen than during Gasparilla. This circuit event will help promote Ybor City nationwide, benefit a local non-profit vested in Ybor City, and provide a party unlike any other.” He went on to say, “With DJ Abel, the best circuit DJ in the country, there is no other place to be than Tampa over Gasparilla weekend.”

The Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Festival is one of the longest running events of its kind in the country and features one of the largest parades in the United States with over 500,000 people along a 3.5 mile parade route. The celebration begins when the world's only fully-rigged pirate ship sails into the heart of Tampa flanked by hundreds of pleasure craft and vessels. The history and name of this Tampa tradition traces its roots back to the legendary antics of Jose Gaspar who reputedly patrolled the waters of West Florida during the late 18th century.

One of the best known and most respected deejays on the circuit, DJ Abel has worked with Cher, Donna Summer, and Gloria Estefan, while churning out numerous #1 Billboard dance hits, including Jennifer Holliday's "And I'm Telling You (I'm Not Going)", Jeannie Tracy's "The Power" and their signature anthem "Don't You want My Love," featuring Debbie Jacobs. Abel has headlined nearly every circuit weekend and party, and regularly showcases his legendary prowess with residencies at Alegria, Salvation Saturdays, One Mighty Weekend and Atlantis Cruises.

Metro Wellness and Community Centers, Inc., is a 501(c)3 organization serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Providing premier HIV services, social networking, and other health and wellness programs that enhance the quality of life Metro Wellness strives to promote a healthy environment for all and to foster diversity within the community as a whole, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or economic status.

For more information on Gancho Tampa Gasparilla Weekend visit: www.ganchotampa.com.