Will Gorges , recipient of the 2002 Weho Award for"Event Producer" of the Year. Red Eye Afterhours voted "Best Nightclub Event" WeHo Awards 2001

Partying Hard for a Cause

The Morning Party is taking the Circuit Scene to a New Level

By Suzie Harrison Coastline Pilot

For the past five years Laguna Beach has been the home of a circuit party like none other. They call it the "Morning Party" and it turns a wild time into a time to give back.

The circuit scene is a quintessential experience for gays around the world. There's even a magazine called Circuit Noize, a web site called the Party List and a news group called CPI with information about the events and their locations. The parties take place in cities like San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Amsterdam and of course Laguna Beach. Each Circuit party has a theme and they can last a day, an evening, or through an entire holiday weekend. Just pick up a copy of Odyssey or IN at the Koffee Klatch and you'll see a host of parties advertised.

What they are best known for is attracting the best looking, most fit men as well as the best DJs around the globe. They offer a lot of fun with some of the best light shows available in the electronic music scene. Held at West Street Beach, the Morning Party is a little different than most other circuit parties. This one is also a fund raiser for the Laguna Beach Community Clinic. Along with grooving to the sounds of MasterBEAT DJ Brett Henrichsen spinning House, the party goers get to give to a cause most of them feel is invaluable not only to the gay community but the rest of Laguna Beach. Local promoter Will Gorges started the Morrning Party about five years ago.

 "I live in Laguna and I just love the beach. I investigated to see if I could do it. I thought it would be impossible." Gorges said. In the past some of the proceeds from the event have gone toward supporting Laguna Shanti.

"This year I decided to go with another foundation that goes toward the crisis and goes directly to the kids that have nothing. I came from nothing and it's nice to give back," he said.

The entrance fee to the Morning Party is $45 and there is also a raffle to help raise additional funds.

"I think it's wonderful. All the groups need as much help as possible. Times are tight, people who come are in total agreement, especially those that affect our community," said attendee Scott Judy. "Plus it's a lot of fun. The outdoor parties are absolutely the best. The music, the crowd couldn't be better."

The dance floor had no problem being filled, as the circuit boys enjoyed some of the old popular gay anthems the DJ was spinning along with some new house mixes.

Ron Colvin, who is a staple on the circuit scene, attended the Leather party in San Francisco and the White Party in Palm Springs among others. he has made an appearance at the

Morning Party for several years and said he enjoys having an event that supports his community in his own backyard."I think it's great to have this here, and I'm having alot of fun too," said Colvin who, like most spent the majority of his time dancing.The Laguna Beach Community Clinic emphasizes the community in Laguna and really brings out what the community is about in Laguna Beach," said party-goer Ryan Lenhart.

Gorges expressed how the neighborhood has been so supportive and cooperative in embracing the community and the event."There's absolutely no prejudice at all. They've made the event that much more easy to produce," he said.

Gorges said the police and park rangers have been particularly helpful. he aslo appreciates the support of the hundreds of people who purchased tickets. But most of all, Gorges appreciates all the support the clinic offers the community of Laguna Beach. They take care of us, have TLC and compassion for the feelings and well being," he said. "When other people turn a blind eye they don't--they're around."

Suzie Harrison is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot.