Celebrate Pride at the Center's Garden Party 29

NEW YORK, NY - The only LGBT tasting festival in the country will feature nearly 40 restaurants at a new location. Garden Party started in 1984 as a backyard barbeque in the Center's garden. This year, more than 1,500 friends and supporters will flock to Hudson River Park's Pier 46 to celebrate Pride Week with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center and enjoy food and drink from a variety of restaurants, caterers and food trucks. The event includes a VIP SECTION from 6:00-7:00 PM that will be attended by Center supporters and elected officials.

Guests will dine "al fresco" on the pier and watch the sun set over the Hudson River while enjoying an open vodka bar and bidding on delicious dining packages at the fabulous "Foodies" Silent Auction, a popular activity at this culinary event.

This year's auction is an epicurean paradise, full of tasty treats from New York's finest restaurants. Guests will bid on wine pairings, champagne brunches, three-course dinners and more.

But it's not all food - there are more delightful items to bid on from John Barrett Salon, Gilt City and David Barton Gym, to name a few. Garden Party will also feature an exciting Raffle with items curated by THEATERMANIA.

As the only LGBT tasting festival in the country, Garden Party is a delicious start to Pride Week in NYC with nearly 40 participating restaurants and food companies, which include: 16 Handles, 508 Restaurant & Bar, Amy's Bread, Anejo Tequileria, Aria, Benny's Burritos, Brick Lane Curry House, Corner Shop Caf�, Dell' anima, Donatella, Dos Caminos, En Japanese Brasserie, Esca, Fonda, Good Restaurant, Grandaisy Bakery, L'Artusi, La Cremeria, Li-Lac Chocolates, Mappamondo, Mitchmallows, Murray's Cheese, North Square, Oceana, Peanut Butter & Co., Poco, Presidential Caterers, Redwood Kitchenette & Bar, Rickshaw Dumplings, Ron Ben-Israel Cakes, Sm�rg�s Chef, Sonnier & Castle, The Taco Shop, The Treats Truck, Tiffin and Thali, Uncle Paul's Pizza and Caf� and Zampa Winebar & Kitchen.

For a full listing of restaurants and food companies, auction participants and to purchase tickets, visit www.gaycenter.org/gardenparty29

Garden Party kicks off Pride Week in New York City and is the Center's largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds from Garden Party 29 will benefit the Center's life-affirming and life-changing programs and services, and allows the Center to keep its doors open 365 days a year.

A beacon of hope for 29 years, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center builds and supports our community through arts and culture, wellness and recovery, HIV/AIDS services, family services and life-saving youth programs designed to foster healthy development in a safe, affirming environment.

The Center envisions a world where LGBT people will no longer face discrimination or isolation because of who we are or who we love. We offer a welcoming home to 300,000 visitors each year and we are committed to serving all LGBT people through a variety of programs, services and activities that are designed to meet existing and emerging needs.

DETAILS:

WHAT: The only LGBT culinary festival in the country, benefiting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center

WHO: Visit www.gaycenter.org/gardenparty29 for a full listing of food participants

WHEN: Monday, June 18, 2012, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

WHERE: Hudson River Park's Pier 46, West Side Highway and Christopher Street, New York City

HOW: Tickets begin at $85 and will be $100 day of event

Tickets are on sale exclusively through www.gaycenter.org/gardenparty29

The Center is many things to many people. Visit the Center at its home at 208 West 13th Street in person and online at www.gaycenter.org

____________________________________________________________________________