St. Petersburg – This year’s Metro Wellness Center promises to be a wild time.
The Sept. 13 gala is from 7-11 p.m. at One Progress Plaza at 200 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete. And it’s turning the city into a more primordial, but nonetheless glamorous, setting.
“The entire space at One Progress Plaza will be transformed into an incredible display—you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a fantastical jungle.” said Chris Rudisill, the Director of the Center’s LGBT Community Center Services. “There’s exotic food and drink, live music by Brazilian Jazz band O Som Do Jazz, and performance artists that will be transformed by Body Art by Keegan.” (Oh yes, even the body art will be ‘bioluminescent’, thanks to the LED props that will illuminate the space).
Even the dress code will be wild; attendees are invited to where either wild attire to “show your wild side” or simply “dress to impress.” Add in host Matthew McGee, music by DJ Kody and an awards ceremony honoring Nadine Smith and US Rep. Kathy Castor and you’ve got yourself a gala that certainly will be one for the record books.
The funds raised at the event will go to opening the new LGBT Welcome Center in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District.
“We’ll likely host an official open house closer to the holidays,” Rudisill said, “but we’ll be opening up the doors to the community in a matter of weeks. The Welcome Center will really be a new home for the LGBT community. Through this location, we’ll offer visitors and residents alike resources on what’s going on in the community, additional social and entertaining programs, support services, more hours for free HIV testing, a coffee shop, a youth safe-space and more.
“Most importantly, it will serve as a new place for the community to gather, in a safe, welcoming environment right in the heart of the LGBT community of St. Pete.”
Funds raised from the Gala will go directly to the center, which has been a boon for the LGBT community since its inception. The Metro Center started over 20 years ago in King of Peace MCC as an answer to those affected and infected with HIV/AIDS in the community. It is a comprehensive social service agency that meets the needs of the HIV-infected, the LGBT community as well as offering counseling, youth programs, social activities, substance abuse treatment and prevention, case management, HIV medical care, HIV prevention and free testing services, a thrift store, fitness and wellness programs, and programs for older adults in our community.
“What started as an effort to assist those suffering from HIV/AIDS in Pinellas County has grown into a thriving beacon of service and education to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and a hub of activity for the LGBT community across the Tampa Bay area.” Rudisill said. “At its founding, Metro was serving five clients. Today the organization serves an average of 9,500 each year.”
Outside of St. Pete, the Center also has locations in Ybor City and New Port Richey and serves a four county area Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough.
“We always have a ton of new things going on at the Community Centers,” Rudisill said. “We hope that everyone will attend the Gala and support our programs and services—and most importantly come get to know us at your local LGBT Community Center.”
Tickets are $100 and include an open bar, exotic foods and entertainment. For details, visit MetroTampaBay.org/Donate-To-Metro/Wild-Gala.
