Paradise Garage Reunion / GMHC Benefit @ Pacha New York - January 21st January 19, 2007

The friends of DJ Larry Levan, GMHC, West End Records and Pacha New York are pleased to announce the Paradise Garage Reunion to benefit Gay Men’s Health Crisis on the front lines in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and the celebration of West End Records CEO Mel Cheren’s birthday.

The Paradise Garage, a dance haven that operated from 1976 until 1987 in New York City, was immortalized by DJ Larry Levan. It was housed in a parking garage and is responsible for the evolution of the modern dance club, by being the first to have a “DJ” as the central focal point of a party. It was here that Mel Cheren and DJ Larry Levan forged their connection, with Cheren as the financier and Levan as the musical maestro. During the Garage years, their musical collaborations led to the creation of some of the most memorable dance anthems of the 1970’s and 1980’s for Cheren’s West End Records including Sessa Matto "Sessomatto," New York City Peech Boys’ "Don't Make Me Wait," and one of the most successful 12 inch releases in record history Taana Gardner’s “Heartbeat.”

More than anyone else, Cheren has kept the Garage legend alive. After Larry Levan passed away in 1992, Mel Cheren continued to sponsor Larry Levan/Paradise Garage tribute parties featuring DJs spinning music in the Garage tradition. With a music career spanning almost five decades, Mel Cheren’s many accomplishments over the years have clearly proven him to be one of the most important and passionate figures in Dance Music history. He has long-since demonstrated the same commitment and dedication to his AIDS charity work from the early days of the crisis. His countless contributions to the fight against AIDS have become as legendary as his music industry landmarks and his iconic status within the evolution of New York City nightlife. Now together again for one night, the forces of the Paradise Garage are being reunited to help support the all-important work of Gay Men’s Health Crisis.

“Mel Cheren and West End Records will always have a very special place in the heart and history of GMHC. Mel provided GMHC with our first home in 1982, and hosted GMHC’s first successful fundraiser at the Paradise Garage -- one of the first anywhere to raise money for AIDS. Twenty-five years later, Mel and GMHC are coming together again to celebrate each other, and recommit ourselves to the challenges ahead of us. We are grateful to Martha Wash and the DJs who have all donated their amazing talents and to Pacha New York for their outstanding generosity in hosting this event.” - Marjorie J. Hill, PhD – CEO Gay Men’s Health Crisis

Sunday, January 21st, 2007
The Friends of DJ Larry Levan present:
Together in Paradise
Celebrating the music from the legendary
Paradise Garage (1976–1987) spun by Guest DJs:

David DePino · Kevin Hedge ·
Danny Krivit · Joey Llanos

Special Performance by Martha Wash
(Hit Songs “It’s Raining Men,” “Everybody Dance Now”)

CEO of West End Records Mel Cheren's birthday!
All proceeds will go to Gay Men's Health Crisis.

PACHA NEW YORK
618 West 46th Street
New York City
Info 212.209.7500
Doors 4 PM to 12AM, 21+ with Valid I.D.
www.pachanyc.com

Ticket Levels: General Admission: $35
With Garage ID: $15
VIP Admission / Open Bar: $100 at www.GMHC.org
Special Gift CD to the first 100 guests

ABOUT PACHA NEW YORK
Pacha New York is the newest member of the international nightlife consortium and the first North American branch of the club. Pacha, the international brand was founded by Ricardo Urgell in 1967 with a single club in Sitges, Spain and the family-run business has since evolved into a global lifestyle brand that encompasses more than 21 nightclubs, a hotel, restaurants, a record label, radio station, lifestyle magazine and a full-scale merchandising division.

ABOUT GMHC
Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians. We provide services and programs to over 15,000 men, women and families that are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City.

For more info on GMHC, please contact:
HOTLINE: 1-800-AIDS-NYC (1-800-243-7692)
TTY: 212-645-7470
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.gmhc.org

Official Website: http://www.gmhc.org