Hearts for ARCS Valentine’s Charity Ball

View photos from this year's event!

The seventh annual “Hearts for ARCS” Valentine’s Charity Ball and Silent Auction took place on Saturday, February 14, 2009, from 7 pm to 12 midnight at the C. V. Rich Mansion in White Plains.

The most elegant and romantic evening for Westchester's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (and their friends and supporters), the ball featured an open bar reception, a cornucopia of hors d’ouevre, live piano music, dancing to DJ Jamie Villarie's crowd-pleasing music, a gourmet sit-down dinner, a silent auction, and a special performance by Rhythm Locura, a gay and lesbian dance troupe. This year's theme was "All You Need is Love" a celebration of 'Sixties rock 'n' roll.

The silent auction featured a "behind the scenes" experience with Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams, a week in Puerto Rico, once-in-a-lifetime private tours, fine art and collectibles, home décor, handmade jewelry, spa experiences, travel, theatre and more!

The First Annual Hearts for ARCS Award

ARCS presented the Annual Hearts for ARCS Award to our inaugural honoree, the Keith Haring Foundation for its support of the Hearts for ARCS Valentine’s Charity Ball and our Westchester food pantry for the past six years and counting. Keith Haring established the Foundation in 1989, one year before his death due to AIDS, to maintain and enhance his legacy of giving to children’s and AIDS organizations. The Foundation seeks to perpetuate and increase the public’s awareness and appreciation of works created by Keith Haring and to raise awareness of the social causes to which he was dedicated.

All photos by Alex Fischer

Catered by Caperberry Events

Hosted at the C.V. Rich Mansion, operated by the Women's Club of White Plains

About Rhythm Locura

Rhythm Locura is New York’s premier LGBT Latin dance group. Led by Artistic Director Simone Assboeck of Stepping Out Studios, the group won first place at the 5 Boro Dance Challenge in the spring of 2007. Rhythm Locura has performed at numerous Pride events and venues including Brooklyn Pride, SAGE Event at the China Club, S.O.B.’s LGBT Community Center, Queens Pride House, Big Apple Ranch, in addition to Charity Balls at ARCS and Lambda Peer Support Services. Their present repertoire of dances includes Salsa, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Hustle, and Merengue. The diversity of ages, cultures and dance backgrounds lends the group its unique strength and flavor. Rhythm Locura is a dynamic and vibrant group that aims to celebrate and to bring the joy of Latin dance to the LGBT community.

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