Better Than Ever!
The first Sundance was a small affair, designed to raise money to help fight the AIDS epidemic. It was so successful, that the event was repeated the following year. And the year after that.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly 30 years since that first dance. Sundance is now a two-day extravaganza, featuring nationally known music and lighting professionals, hundreds of incredible auction items, dozens of sponsors, and nearly a thousand participants. Sundance has even inspired new events such as the Land and Sea Racing Festival, a 5K run, 1-mile walk (and sashay), ½-mile swim, and biathlon (1/2-mile swim/5K run), to be held August 30. Best of all, the event has raised more than two million dollars for AIDS services and CAMP Rehoboth since that first dance.
Sundance 2015: The Super Magic Rainbow Glitter Ball will be held September 5–6 at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. Each year, organizers run out of superlatives to describe the event. Yet each year, the event does seem to get even bigger and better somehow.
For the first part of the Sundance event, which will take place Saturday, September 5, 7-10 p.m., the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center will be transformed into a spot-lighted high-style auction event. Long-time Sundance auctioneer Lorne Crawford will again wield the gavel, while Stephen Strasser will provide music to bid by. Participants will dine on a picnic themed buffet from Plate Catering while surveying a seemingly limitless array of gift items, vacation packages, dining opportunities, pieces of fine art, and one-of-a-kind experiences up for bid. This year, a fantastic, all inclusive, European river boat cruise from Accent on Travel and Uniworld is up for bid (with shore excursions as well), as is an Olivia Caribbean Escape cruise for early January 2016. “Each year the auction items get more exciting,” says Murray Archibald, CAMP Rehoboth Board President. “It’s great to see residents, visitors, community leaders, and business owners, all getting together to have a fantastic time, snap up some fabulous bargains, and support a great cause.”
Then on Sunday, September 6, the Convention Center will be transformed again, this time into the region’s wildest and best dance club. One of the best DJs in the industry, DJ/Remixer Joe Gauthreaux will take the stage at the Convention Center, playing fresh beats and classics for a progressive house sound. This is the high-energy party the event is named for. The Sundance fun starts at 8 p.m., with dancing until 2 a.m., and an open bar all night. Hailed as one of the “Hottest DJs” by Out magazine, Gauthreaux (pronounced “go trow”) is a well-known American house music DJ and producer who hails from New Orleans but plays all over the country. As one of the most popular DJs in the industry, Gauthreaux has a resume full of club appearances and main events that span the last 15 years. He has remixed the likes of Frenchie Davis, Kristine W., Bimbo Jones, Ne-Yo, and Justin Bieber. His 2014 debut single “Bye Felicia,” featuring Mitch Amtrak, reached number five on the Billboard Dance Chart. Gauthreaux has played many well-known gigs, including San Francisco Gay Pride and Florida Gay Days.
The lighting for Sundance will again be provided by renowned lighting designer Paul Turner. Turner is a touring entertainment lighting director and moving light programmer, who has handled lighting design for theatre, concerts, television, holiday spectaculars, military shows, and sporting events. He is currently lighting director for Robin Thicke.
Top level Sponsors for this year’s Sundance include Diamond Sponsors: Accent On Travel, Dos Locos Fajita & Stonegrill Restaurant, The Sea Bova Associates, and Move2Rehoboth.com, Karen Gustafson, Realtor; Gold Sponsors are: CIO Federal IT, Ketel One Vodka, Maplewood Dental Associates, Morris James LLP—Mary Culley & Mark Olson, Outlet Liquors, and Signarama. In addition, many companies, individuals (over 450), and families have stepped up to serve as sponsors or hosts for the event.
Participants can choose to attend the dance, or the auction, or both. Tickets are $45 for one night or $80 for both events.