A sea of pink and purple will wash over Nashville on June 22, as a new event will make its debut this year as part of this year’s Pride Week activities. The Pink and Purple Pre-Pride Party, to be held in the courtyard of Center 615, is a new event benefiting Tennessee Equality Project Foundation.
The event is the brainchild of Christopher Ott, a Nashville physician, and his partner Jeremy Simons. What started out as a small party for One Colorado at their home when living in Denver, Colorado, grew into one of Denver’s largest fundraisers for equality. That event is now in its 13th year.
“We started it as a small house party and it just grew from there,” Ott said. “People came and they danced the night away and enjoyed the free cocktails with their tickets which benefitted the statewide LGBT advocacy organization.”
(photo - Ott & Simmons with Colorodo Governor Hickenlooper)
A few board members from the Tennessee Equality Project heard of Ott’s success and approached him about recreating the event in Nashville. Ott and Simons moved to Nashville a few years ago when Ott took a job with HCA Corporate office.
“So, we’ve modified the theme a bit by adding a touch of purple,” Ott said. “We love being a part of the Nashville community, and we are excited to help build a new annual event that will bring money in to fight for our rights.”
Nashville’s VJ Stretch (Todd Zeh) will provide music at the party. Zeh has been a resident VJ at Play Dance Club since 2006.
Food will be provided under the direction of Chef Jay Kill and the culinary students at The Art Institute of Tennessee -Nashville. Chef Kill, who serves as interim director and long-time instructor at the culinary school, said he was working on a special Pink and Purple Pride Menu that would reflect the summer event.
“The Art Institute of Tennessee –Nashville is very proud to participate in this great event and provide our culinary expertise,” Chef Kill said.
“We are so excited to see the Middle Tennessee LGBT community come together in solidarity and enjoy an event that will help the Tennessee Equality Project Foundation (TEPF) continue to fight those outside of our community who wish to do us harm,” said Ginger Leonard, TEPF board chair and president. “We want to see a sea of Pink and Purple in Nashville on June 22.”
The party is 21-and-up because the general admission ticket includes an open bar. All attendees must present a valid ID at the door. Pickers Vodka, a brand of Pennington Distilling Company, is donating all of the alcohol for the event.
“Pennington Distilling Company is very excited to be able to showcase our Pickers Vodka brand and help support the Pink and Purple Party,” said Liz Foster McGillis, marketing director for Pennington Distilling. “Pickers is Tennessee's first craft vodka made in a state-of-the-art column still resulting in a product with a superior level of purity and smoothness. We are looking forward to offering some special pink and purple cocktails.”
Pickers Vodka, made in Nashville, comes in three flavors, pineapple, blueberry and blood orange, in addition to its traditional unflavored vodka.
Nashville’s first Pink and Purple Pride Pre-Party will take place on Friday, June 22, 2018 from 6–10:00 p.m. in the courtyard at Center 615, 615 Main Street, Nashville, Tennessee. Dress in your most festive pink or purple (or both) to show your true colors. Ticket price includes bar, noshes, music, and entry to the week’s signature pre-party that paints the town pink and purple. General admission is $50, and tickets may be purchased here!