Gay Auckland Business Association Charity Auction & Dinner

26 September 2012

GABA Deluxe Charity Auction & Dinner 2012

A Fundraiser for the GABA Charitable Trust
Proudly supported by the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust

Sunday 14 October, 4.30pm
The Great Room, The Langham Hotel

The Gay Auckland Business Association’s glittering signature charity event is back for 2012 – and more glamorous than ever!

Auckland’s leading business people, businesses and supporters in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities will gather in The Great Room of The Langham Hotel on Sunday 14 October for their premier charity event of the year.

The annual GABA Charity Auction & Dinner is the primary fundraiser for the GABA Charitable Trust, which has given out community grants and scholarships totalling well over $200,000 throughout the last decade.

In the current economic climate, the real need for GABA grants amongst the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities has never been greater. Last year’s GABA Charity Auction & Dinner was a record-breaking success, raising close to $30,000 for the Trust to distribute back to the community.

This year’s GABA Deluxe Charity Auction & Dinner is proud to be produced with the support of the Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Trust, an organisation which encourages diversity by promoting the recruitment and development of people on the basis of merit and generates awareness of the business benefits and rewards of an inclusive workplace.

GABA is also grateful for the ongoing support of associate sponsors, The Langham, Switch Bar, Express magazine, GayNZ.com, First Scene and Get It On!

GABA Deluxe’s Master of Ceremonies has been confirmed as star of stage and screen, Andrew Laing, who says he’s “thrilled to be associated with such a worthwhile and important event!”

“I’m excited to lend my support to an organisation that gives so very much to the LGBT peoples of Auckland,” says Laing, who is perhaps best known for his role as Dr Geoff Greenlaw on Shortland Street and is currently singing up a storm in The Red Chair at Auckland’s Q Theatre.

Laing’s troupe of glamorous assistants for the night will include Pacific drag icons Buckwheat and Tess Tickle, contemporary dancer Christopher Olwage (recently seen on New Zealand’s Got Talent), and New Zealand’s Queen of Burlesque, Miss Leda Petit. Back again as GABA Auctioneer is Michelle Maitland from George Walkers Auctions.

GABA Deluxe’s programme of Vegas-style live entertainment features multi-talented contemporary dancer, singer and burlesque performer Will Barling (also currently appearing in The Red Chair), accompanied by showgirls Maria Munkowits and Amanda Macfarlane from La Belle Follies and Mary Jane O’Reilly’s In Flagrante burlesque productions.

The GABA Deluxe theme is in keeping with the gilded opulence of The Great Room at The Langham. In addition to the charity auction and live entertainment, the black-tie-optional occasion will include champagne on arrival and a superb, three-course, silver service dinner.

“The GABA Charity Auction is a fantastic opportunity for fun and fabulosity,” says GABA President Michael Richardson. “But most importantly, it gives participants the opportunity to contribute to the GABA Charitable Trust. Donations from this event enable the Trust to provide funds to individuals and institutions for the explicit purpose of health, welfare and support services for the benefit of the LGBT community of New Zealand.”

Auction items already confirmed include, a four-person personal tour of the TVNZ newsroom and private viewing of Fair Go’s taping with Alison Mau; artworks by Reuben Paterson and Graeme Hitchcock; a walk-on-role experience for two people on Shortland Street; and dinner-for-two at the home of Labour MP and same-sex marriage champion Louisa Wall! More auction donations will be announced closer to the event.

“The GABA Charity Auction is the biggest night of the fundraising year for the Trust,” says GABA Charitable Trust Chair Gresham Bradley. “Every year, individuals and businesses throughout New Zealand generously donate a huge variety of increasingly unique items and activities that simply can’t be purchased. Of course, the much needed money cannot be raised without all the wonderful people that come on the night, dress up and dig deep to bid!”

“This year, the Trust is very pleased to announce that it is opening up a third category of grants, in addition to the GABA Tertiary Scholarships and Community Grants,” adds Bradley. “These new Pride Festival Grants will support organisations and groups wishing to participate in the inaugural Auckland Pride Festival in February 2013.”

GABA is currently seeking the donation of auction items. Donating to the GABA Charity Auction & Dinner is a fun and philanthropic way to support and strengthen New Zealand’s LGBT communities.

To donate an auction item for this year’s charity fundraiser, please contact Event Manager Julian Cook, before Sunday 7 October, by emailing: juju25@xtra.co.nz.

Ticketing and Event Information:

Where: The Great Room, The Langham Hotel
83 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland

When: Sunday 14 October, 2012
Doors open at 4.30pm
Dining and Auction commence at 6pm
After-Party from 10pm at Switch Bar (upstairs, 309 Karangahape Road)

Ticketing Information:

GABA has minted a special Platinum Pass for this year’s Charity Auction & Dinner.

Tickets are $135 per person, which includes the charity auction and live entertainment, champagne on arrival and a superb, three-course, silver service dinner.

A special group booking rate of $125 per person is available for tables of 10.

There are several easy options to secure your GABA Deluxe Platinum Passes for this year’s LGBT charity event of the year:

1. Email tickets@gaba.org.nz to arrange payment by credit card, or direct credit into the GABA bank account: ANZ 01 0249 0194883 00

2. GABA Deluxe Platinum Passes are available to purchase in person at the following LGBT outlets: Urge Bar, Marvel Menswear and The Women’s Bookshop

Auction Donation Information:

To donate an auction item for the GABA Deluxe Charity Auction & Dinner 2012, please contact GABA Event Manager Julian Cook, before Sunday 7 October, by emailing: juju25@xtra.co.nz

ENDS

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