Prepare for take-off.

Wanderlust, now in its 9th year, has, over the years, raised $194,000.00 for The Brooks Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. These funds are awarded as grants to organizations which work to improve the quality of life for the gay community in Nashville and the middle Tennessee region.

The Brooks Fund was founded in 1995. It was established in the honor of Franklin Brooks, a professor French and English literature at Vanderbilt, who had a profound influence in changing policies of acceptance with regard to sexual orientation on the Vanderbilt campus. 

Nine years ago, when Mike Smith was the chairman of the board, he decided that to further the mission of the Brooks Fund, the community needed to know more about the fund. Wanderlust was founded as a community opportunity to talk about the Brooks fund and its future.

Wanderlust is a theme party based in travel and adventure.  One past event was titled "Hit the Road" and was "your way to travel (car, bus, train, plane, boat)" That event was supported by Bridgestone and other companies and was held at The Lane Motor Museum, which was turned into a party place with a transportation theme.

Last year’s theme was Rio Carnaval Unmasked. The audience was surrounded by screens with videos of Carnaval and were given the appropriate props to party Rio style.

This year's event, which will be held at Anthem in the Gulch, will transport partygoers to Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro, Paris and Honolulu via video and music. There will be an onsite travel raffle drawing for a $3,000.00 travel voucher (which can be used for airlines, hotels and car rentals), a location themed live auction, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and vibrant musical entertainment.

“In the spirit of H. Franklin Brooks’ legacy, Wanderlust celebrates diversity and allows The Brooks Fund to support nonprofit programs that enhance the quality of life for Middle Tennessee’s GLBT community,” said Roger Gore, event chair. “We couldn’t do it without the support of our gracious donors, sponsors, and, of course, Wanderlust attendees.”

First-class tickets, which will include access to First Class “Wanderlust Club” Lounge, unlimited destination cocktails and VIP valet parking (among other goodies) are $75. Coach tickets are available for $50. Tickets can be purchased here.

There are no baggage charges but for full effect, travel lightly.

Wanderlust 2013 will take place from 7:00 - 11:00 pm on Friday, August 16 at Anthem, 125 12th Avenue North in Nashville.