Winter Party Festival 2016 DJ Line-Up

Mike Halterman READ TIME: 3 MIN.

The Winter Party Festival is one of the hottest yearly events Miami Beach has ever seen -- and that hasn't changed in the 23 years of the much-anticipated week of events, which has raised over $2 million for local LGBT projects, overseen by and donated by the National LGBTQ Task Force. When people go to the Winter Party Festival, they go for the non-stop dance parties, headlined by some of the world's most popular club DJs. Thirty-one different DJs will be providing the hottest beats for you to dance to between March 2 and March 7. Here are mini-profiles on all the DJs you'll be seeing in Miami Beach very soon.

The first party this year is the launch party, called Spark!, which will be held at the Shelborne Wyndham Grand Resort South Beach on Wednesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. Spark!'s headlining DJ is AJ Reddy, who is a Miami Beach Gay Pride fan favorite and well-known not just in South Florida but also in New York City and Fire Island. Afterwards, a new Latin party called Fever will take place at Bailo Nightclub from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The celebrity DJs headlining this party are Otto and Carlos G. DJ Otto started DJing at the age of 16 back in his native Cuba. He has been seen in the DJ booth at many Miami nightclubs, such as Sandals, Bailo and Off the Hookaa. DJ Carlos G is one of the most recognizable names in the Miami House music scene, and he's been an in-demand DJ at nightclubs across South Florida since 2003.

Two parties will be held on Thursday, March 3, the VIP Cocktail Reception (7:30 p.m., New World Symphony, 500 17th St.) and Ignite (10 p.m., Score). DJ Rafael Barreto, well-known in his native Brazil as well as across Latin America and South Florida, will set the mood at the VIP Cocktail Reception. The DJs at Ignite will be Alex Acosta, Alain Jackinsky and BPozzo. Alex Acosta, "the Mexican Sensation," has had over 20 years of DJ experience, and has performed at numerous festivals worldwide in addition to his lucrative DJ residencies, which include Score here in Miami Beach and the mega-club Living in Mexico City. Alain Jackinsky became famous by playing to crowds at every gay venue and event in Montreal, such as the Black & Blue Ball and Divers-Cit�. Now he has residencies at Apollon in Montreal and in four U.S. cities.

On Friday, March 4, there will be two parties: Elevate (5 p.m., High Bar at the Dream Hotel South Beach) and Pulse (10 p.m., Club Space). There will also be an ArtScape art showing at Pridelines (6360 NE 4th Ct., Miami) featuring the music of DJ Zehno, one of the most popular young DJs in the South Florida scene today.

The DJs at Elevate will be Chris Tavi and Seth Cooper. Chris Tavi became famous for his work in New York City, mixing New York house, tribal and progressive together in wildly popular and fun DJ sets. Now hrking with Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, and George Michael. In 2009, guided by the late Peter Rauhofer, Marco da Silva debuted as a DJ, and he debuted at the Matinee Circuit Festival in Barcelona. He made his North American debut at the 25th annual White Party Festival.

To find out more about the Winter Party Festival, including more information on each event, visit winterparty.com. Be sure to read our calendar of events in next week's Hotspots!


by Mike Halterman

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