By Ramy Eletreby

The White Party celebrates 17 Years of wild revelry

Every year, party promoter/ producer Jeffrey Sanker bites his lip and braves the cold, and sometimes wet wintry weeks in anticipation of that momentous day: the vernal equinox. Though all it symbolizes to most is blooming jasmine and stronger winds, to Sanker (and college Greeks), it means party season is here and it always begins appropriately draped in white. A prerequisite for any spring break party is taking a short journey to a warmer climate with water all around, and 17 years ago Sanker decided that place was in the middle of the desert. On April 14-17, Sanker's White Party 2006 takes over the Palm Springs community yet again with a series of pulsing pool parties, throbbing sunset dances, and bumping all-nighters. After 17 years, Palm Springs' residents still won't know what hit them.

Palm Springs notoriously boasts heated days and warm nights, and with thousands of chiseled, sun-kissed boys heading out to the desert every year, there's little doubt that the atmosphere will be hot, hot, hot. "This year's White Party begins where last year's left off ... beyond belief!" says producer Jeffrey Sanker. The host hotel for White Party 2006 is the fabulous Wyndham Palm Springs, where the weekend commences on Friday, April 14, with DJ Josh Peace's set launching the first official pool party from noon -6 p.m. All are welcome to join in the sleek wetness as admission is free.

Sanker also plans a few smaller events over the weekend for charitable causes, which he calls Pure White Weekend. "A Night in Rio" is a sophisticated evening of cocktails and entertainment benefiting the Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing Foundation on Friday, April 14.

Once opening night rolls around, it's time for the first all-night party of the weekend. The Inferno is set to blaze wildly on two separate dance floors in the Wyndham Ballroom from 9 p.m.-4 a.m. DJ Eddie X brings his deep, underground house beats to the main dance floor (Area A) for his first White Party appearance. Eddie X promises to start the weekend off right as he takes you on a journey of mixed tribal beats sure to result in a profusion of unique and delectable sounds. On the other dance floor, the Rascal/Tigerheat Room (Area B), DJ Chi Chi LaRue, a person of many talents, is set to spin from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. and DJ Ray Rhodes keeps it riding from 1 a.m.-4 a.m. This fiery night is set to feature a special live performance by duo Jason and deMarco, as well as an exclusive performance by Falcon Studios' Mark Dalton, making his final appearance in his "Super Soakin' America" tour. For some extra sweating and drooling, there will be a few special appearances by Rascal exclusive Tyler Riggz and Falcon exclusive Roman Heart, both winners of 2006 GayVN Awards. Advance $50 tickets are required for both areas.

Don't worry about it being 4 a.m. After-hours parties are as much a White Party tradition as the pools, and DJ Kio Kio is set to put it down from 3-8 a.m. at Heaven Nightclub. Kio Kio's underground vibes possess a sexy, funky, erotic sound that moves the body and stirs the soul ... where sexy music meets progressive house. Cover is $25 at the door.

With all that partying under your belt, what joy to realize that it's only Saturday, and the weekend has just begun! From 9 a.m.-6 p.m., the Wyndham pool is the place to be, as yet another world-famous pool party gets underway. This all-day event (to give those returning from Kio Kio's after-hours party time to sleep) will feature contests and non-stop entertainment with DJ Casey Alva from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and special guest DJ Phil B. The daytime pool party will also bring special performances by Kim English and Tiffany, so with so many divas, drag queens, and an estimated 3,000 of the hottest men, be sure to not stay asleep too long. Tickets are $30 general admission, $25 for hotel guests. Pure White Weekend comes around again with the Hawaiian Luau, a pool party featuring all the fixings of a fun-filled luau with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing Foundation.

Everyone who has ever attended the White Party will tell you that it's the Saturday night event that defines the weekend. Jeffrey Sanker and Finlandia Vodka present White Party: Revolution from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. at the Palm Springs Convention Center. This year, the biggest party of the weekend just got bigger. For the first time ever, White Party guests will get to experience the musical phenomenon that is Rosabel, the hottest DJ/producer duo in the United States, DJ Ralphi Rosario and DJ Abel. With a new dimension of lights and special effects, production and show designer Mark Baker, stage tech Ross Berger, Bryan Holcombe, and Laseronics will all come together and transform the newly remodeled Convention Center into an atmosphere that will propel the White Party extravaganza to astronomic heights. Tickets are $110 in advance, $120 at the door.

But wait! Another after-hours is now upon us and this time around it's Climax After Hours with DJ Paulo from 4-10 a.m. in the Wyndham Ballroom. This marks Paulo's first White Party after-hours event, and legend has it that his tribal-injected deep house rhythms mixed with soaring vocals tends to spark random bouts of euphoria. Cover is $50 advance.

Sunday is officially here, so it's the last hurrah! There is no reason for tears because the next 24 hours do not let up ... it literally goes out with a bang! Plus, let's face it, we're getting pretty tired. Of course, if it's daytime, it's another pool party at the Wyndham from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Today, DJ Kathy Valenti will spin the opening set making room for DJ Jose Luis, direct from his residency at Club Space in Ibiza, Spain. Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 for hotel guests.

Some helpful advice: If you've been partying up all night for the last two nights, take advantage of these six hours and get some shut-eye because you won't want to miss the Sunset T-Dance.

Curtain up on the gayest circus in town! Jeffrey Sanker and Finlandia Vodka present the Sunset T-Dance, under the big top at White Party Park from 3-10 p.m. DJ Manny Lehman returns to the White Party as the ringmaster for this day at the circus. With Manny's mixing of vocal anthems with classic sounds, and a special live performance by international number one pop/rock sensation Anastacia, including such hits as "I'm Outta Love" and "One Day in Your Life," this day is guaranteed to live on in your hearts and minds forever. The world's largest movable Ferris wheel will provide a stunning view of Palm Springs as the night culminates with a fireworks spectacle that will paint the sky with color and light. $90 advance.

Any weekend of such spectacle and splendor needs a proper send-off, so what better way to say goodbye to Palm Springs and the 17th White Party than an orgasmic 11-hour dance marathon? At Area 1 of the Wyndham Ballroom, DJ Kimberly S. takes you on her very own magical mystery tour from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. with a mix of soulful house, tribal beats, trance, and vocal anthems until handing it over to DJ Bret Henrichsen and his kinetic fusion from 3-8 a.m. DJ De León parties it up over in Area 2 from midnight - 7 a.m. $60 in advance.

White Party 2006 happens April 14-17 in Palm Springs. For more information, hotel rates, and tickets, go to www.jeffreysankerpresents.com.