Sieber, Williams & Delaria Headline 23rd Annual Night of a Thousand Gowns 3/21

23rd Annual Night of a Thousand Gowns: The Imperial Court of New York hosts a benefit for LIFEbeat - The Music Industry Fights AIDS and MCCNY Homeless Youth Services (Sylvia's Place) on Saturday, March 21st.

Celebrating diversity and raising needed funds with humor, heart and humanitarianism, The Imperial Court of New York, led by Emperor XVII Rob Hunter de Woofs and Empress XXII Charlene Chivoe, will bring a palpable excitement and frenetic razzmatazz to Times Square, as majestic personages in jewels and gowns, white tie and tails, make their royal entrance to the Broadway Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

As the culmination of a year of fund-raising, the Court will host close to 1,000 people , some local and some traveling to the event from far and wide: Anchorage to Boston, Toronto to Tijuana.

The evening will include Broadway-caliber entertainment, a 5-hour open bar, full course dinner, a Viennese dessert buffet, dancing, a silent auction, and the midnight coronation of the new reigning monarchs.

Honorary co-chairs of the event are Sir Elton John CBE, Patti LuPone, Joan Rivers, Idina Menzel, John Cameron Mitchell and Dame Robin Strasser.

Grammy winner, Michelle Williams headlines the event with her hit dance tune "We Break the Dawn." Broadway's Christopher Sieber, currently starring in "Shrek, the Musical", will perform, as will comic icon and Broadway diva Lea Delaria. Cabaret star John DeMarco and trans-rocker Lucas Silveira of the Cliks, electro-soul artist Billie Ray Martin, Ari Gold and Kelly King will add their song stylings.

The event is sponsored by: Google, Quest Diagnostics, Absolut Vodka, Coca-Cola, Miller/Coors, Gay.com, Next Magazine, radio station Pulse 87 ..7, HX Magazine, The New York Blade, OURsceneTV.com, OUTimpact.com and 1-800-Postcards.

When: Saturday, March 21st
6:30 pm&nbs p;

Where: The Marriott Marquis
Times Square
1535 Broadway, Manhattan

Ticket Cost: $300 per person - Gala ticket
$125 General admission after 10:00pm (does not include dinner)

For Tickets: 1-866-533-4269; www.icny.org/tickets

The Imperial Court of New York, a 501(c)3 corporation, is New York's most regal fundraising organization serving the LGBT Community for the past 22 years. Part of a proud tradition, the Court has raised over a million dollars for charitable organizations including: ACRIA (AIDS Community Research Initiative of America) LIFEbeat (Music Industry Fights AID), Children's Hope Foundation, Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, Bailey House, AmFar's Treatment Register, Body Positive, and Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, among many others. www.icny.org

LIFEbeat - The Music Industry Fights AIDS
Founded in April 1992 by respected music manager Bob Caviano and record company executive Daniel Glass, LIFEbeat was created to provide the music industry with a unified voice of education and advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Dedicated to reaching America's youth with the message of HIV/AIDS prevention, LIFEbeat raises awareness and funds, and provides support to the AIDS community. LIFEbeat has carved out a unique niche by effectively using the power of music to reach this population. www.lifebeat.org

MCCNY Homeless Youth Services (Sylvia's Place)
Sylvia's Place offers emergency shelter and services to homeless self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual and questioning youth - 16 to 23 years of age in New York City. Its priMary Focus is to provide a safe space, a good meal, bathroom facilities and toiletries, a cot for the night and breakfast in the morning. The Care Workers provide a listening ear, affirmation, and a friendly voice of encouragement. www.homelessyouthservices.org