Neon Nights at Val-O-Ween

February hasn’t been the same for several years since the Millennial League, a fundraising and education arm of the AIDS Service Foundation of greater Kansas City, launched an alternative to traditional Valentine’s Day romantic dinners and created a festive party called Val-O-Ween.

This year, the event will be at 8 p.m. Feb. 8, at a new location -- The Foundation event and gallery space, 1221 Union Ave., Kansas City, Mo., in the historic West Bottoms neighborhood.

“This will be the fifth year of Val-O-Ween,” reports Joshua Minnis, president of the Millennial League.

The theme is “Neon Nights”, or as Minnis joked, “It’s black light, bitch!”

Organizers are encouraging a creative dress code — clothes that look good in black light, black with neon or white.

The emcee for the evening will be Daisy Buckët, a well-known entertainer who has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the AIDS Service Foundation through AIDS Walk, her annual print calendar, and other means.

The party will have dancing with DJ M. Scott, a photo op area, free HIV testing, and more. Admission is $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and $15 for those under 21. Included in the price of admission for those over 21 is a bottomless “Signature Glowing Cocktail” all evening.

Minnis describes the Millennial League as a “training ground for those under the age of 30.” The league hosts events not only to raise funds for the AIDS Service Foundation, but more important, to raise awareness and educate people about HIV/AIDS. The theme for the Millennial League is “Wrap it Up” and the group has really creative T-shirts with that logo available on their website.

Other officers are Matt Anderson, vice president for communications; Adam Merando, vice president for education; and Birju Solanki, vice president for finance.

To purchase tickets or sponsor Val-O-Ween, go to their Eventbrite page, which also features a map to the location: valoween2013.eventbrite.com.

For more information on the Millennial League, visit their website: www.millennialleaguekc.org.
Tea Dance Graffiti Party
Even before Val-O-Ween, though, the Millennial League Tea Dance is hosting a Graffiti Party from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 27. Although their Tea Dances have previously been held at Bistro 303, this event will be held at Hamburger Mary’s, 101 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.

Here’s what they’re asking you to do: “Find your best white T-shirt. Wear it. Bring a marker, pen, charcoal, anything that writes. Write on your friends. Or people you don’t know. Write funny things. Leave your number on that certain someone you’ve had your eye on. It’s OK. We brought condoms. Oh, and you will dance.”

After the Graffiti Party, the league encourages people to wear their graffiti-decorated T-shirts to “The M Factor” that evening. It’s Kansas City’s own variety show, with all kinds of talent represented. This fundraiser for the league is held on the last Sunday of every month at Missie B’s, 805 W. 39th St., Kansas City, Mo. As with all M Factor shows, all tips are donated to the Millennial League.

Admission to the Graffiti Tea Dance is a requested $5 donation to the AIDS Service Foundation of Kansas City.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

Keep readingShow less

Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

Keep readingShow less