GABA GOLD
Charity Auction & Dinner 2011

A Fundraiser for the GABA Charitable Trust
With thanks to Principal Sponsor ANZ

Sunday 6 November, 5pm
The Great Room, The Langham Hotel

Auckland’s leading business people, businesses and supporters in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities will gather in The Great Room at The Langham Hotel on Sunday 6 November for their premier charity event of the year!

The annual GABA Charity Auction & Dinner is the major fundraiser for the GABA Charitable Trust, which has given out community grants and tertiary scholarships totalling over $175,000 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.

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Last year’s GABA Charity Auction and Dinner was a grand success, raising over $18,500 for the Trust to distribute back to the community, and guaranteeing this year’s event as one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures on the kiwi LGBT calendar.

Returning as principal sponsor of the GABA GOLD Charity Auction & Dinner, ANZ continues to demonstrate its active support of GABA and the LGBT communities that it represents. GABA is also grateful for the support of associate sponsors, DNA Bar, The Langham, GayNZ.com, First Scene and Get It On!

GABA GOLD’s scintillating Master of Ceremonies has been confirmed as popular television personality Alison Mau, who says she’s delighted to be involved in the event for the first time.

“We all know how hard it is to fund these kinds of services, and how a lot of students can’t afford to pursue their dreams and go on to study at a tertiary level, so it’s great to be part of an event like this,” says Mau.

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

The evening’s programme of live entertainment provides a platform for high-achieving young musicians, with performances from tenor Cameron Barclay, a Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist for New Zealand Opera; duetting double bassists Darija Andzakovic and Adam McCoy; trumpeter Nick Hall, an APO Young Achiever; and APRA Award-winning composer and DJ Samuel Holloway.

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The GABA GOLD theme is in keeping with the gilded opulence of The Great Room at The Langham. In addition to the charity auction and classically-inclined line-up of live entertainment, the black tie (optional) occasion will include a superb three course meal and complimentary beverage on arrival.

GABA President Glenn Sims says the auction is the focus of the fundraising year for the busy LGBT business association.

“The GABA Charitable Trust is the only organisation dedicated solely to fundraising for LGBT causes,” says Sims. “We are eternally grateful for the ongoing support for GABA and the Trust from a vast range of donors and sponsors, including ANZ, South Pacific Pictures, Prime Minister John Key, the New Zealand Labour Party and The Topp Twins.”

Auction items already confirmed include, a work by contemporary New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai, donated by Michael Lett Gallery; a two-night getaway at Heritage Hotel’s Waterfront Suites in the Bay of Islands, complete with an Alfa Giulietta for the long weekend, courtesy of Andrew Simms Mitsubishi; a coveted walk-on role on Shortland Street; and dinner with MP Maryan Street. More auction donations will be announced closer to the event.

GABA Charitable Trust Chairman Gresham Bradley says the auction is the centrepiece of a spectacular evening of glamour and entertainment.

“The GABA Charity Auction has become the biggest night of our fundraising year,” says Bradley. “We are always incredibly grateful to the variety of businesses throughout New Zealand that generously donate these fabulous items, as well as all the wonderful people that don their glad rags and dig deep to bid!”

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, please contact GABA Event Manager Julian Cook, before Friday 28 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 6 November, 2011
Doors open at 5pm
Dining and Auction commence at 6pm
After-Party from 10pm at DNA Bar, 382 Karangahape Road

Ticketing Information:
GABA has minted a special Golden Ticket for this year’s Charity Auction & Dinner.

Tickets are $135 per person, which includes the charity auction and entertainment, a three course meal and a complementary beverage on arrival.

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

There are several easy options to secure your GABA Golden Ticket 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 Golden Tickets are available to purchase in person at the following LGBT outlets: DNA Bar, Lola Bar, Marvel Menswear, Social Café & Bar, The Women’s Bookshop and Urge Bar

ENDS

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