2009 was the year dominated by the color purple.  As such, we felt it only appropriate to have 2 primary characters from the smash Broadway hit with his.  Fantasia of American-Idol fame as well as "Ms. Celie" was WE09's Headlining performer and boy was she ferocious!  After Patti LaBelle burned the stage to the ground with a blazing 2008 performance people are still talking about, we weren't sure what would follow.  Fantasia put all concerns to rest by delivering a rock-solid, vocally pristine, high-octane performance that had audience members stunned.  Even with a broken foot (diagnosed earlier that day by WE09 guest Dr. Richard Benson), she was like a lightning rod shooting around the room.  Perhaps the "moment" of the night was when she stood atop a table in the middle of the room, bathed in a single, warm spotlight and sang "Summertime" with such passion, control and ownership, our audience lost its collective mind!  The fact that she partied with the WE crowd for several hours after her performance (Yes, on a broken foot) is a testament to her tolerance for pain and her love for the WE Family.

What can we say about Ms. Elisabeth Withers, aka "Shug Avery" from the same Color Purple cast as Fantasia and actually the original Shug in the Broadway show...?  "Simply Marvelous" is one response that would be quite accurate.  Affectionately dubbed  "Queen Elisabeth" by WE-Host Extraordinaire Rayceen Pendaravis, Ms. Withers seemed to float down to Winter Explosion like an angel and spread her "goodness" all around the resort.  She too ROCKED the WE-Stage with a high-energy, gritty and 'mesmerizing' performance.  WE-Executive Producer, Don Johnson, later told Elisabeth and it's absolutely true: "You just earned yourself 500 new fans for life!"  With the stage transformed into "Liz's Juke Joint" replete with full bar and a bed (set designer Ray Dandridge did his thing!), Liz burst onto the stage with an incredible interpretation of Ms. Ross's "The Boss".  Her instant rapport with the audience beckoned her to share who she is, where she's been and she took her time getting to know us over the next 45 minutes.  Highlights include a special dedication of "Sista" (from the movie, not the musical) which she did upon request, musically re-enacting the scene from the film adaptation of "The Color Purple" with Rayceen who made his brilliant acting debut as "Ms Celie". Lis responded to a full 5-minute standing ovation at show's end with a gritty acapella encore.  She did "Push The Button", a song she made famous as "Shug". Amazingly, the audience knew it & exuberantly responded at precisely the right moments, giving Liz quite the pleasure jolt!  We'd be remiss is we didn't capture in our history the fact that Ms. Withers was also the guest Psalmist at one of WE's most spiritually powerful worship service.

During that worship experience the largest WE-Choir ever, under the direction of Chester Brooks, sang their hearts out.  No one could believe they were all WE-guests and had only had 2 rehearsals.  Bishop Rodney Brooks took the congregation (that's what it was) to another level.  Many gave their lives to Christ that day, while still others cried and purged past pains away for good.  A lot of hugging and drawing closer as a WE-Family happened that Sunday Morning.

Other WE09 highlights included an action-packed workshop series.  With just about every session filled, pleasing presenters such as motivational speaker Angela Harvey and the very Reverend Kenneth King (DC). There was a special film screening of Maurice Jamal's "FRIENDS & LOVERS: SKI TRIP 2".  Mr. Jamal was on-hand all weekend and actually presented the film, giving WE09 guests inside "insight" on the writing and filming of the movie as well as his experiences as an "out & proud" African-American gay filmmaker.  Good stuff...!

Other "hits" of the weekend?  Drag performer Sabrina Blue (DC)
turned the stage a molten, glowing red-gold with her very special rendition of Stephanie Mill's "Home".  She received so many dollars I believe her WE10 trip is paid for in-full from tips alone.  Another hit from the weekend was the guest-featured reenactment of the dinner scene from "The Color Purple" movie.  The lightly-prepped cast was amazing as they transitioned from the dinner scene to the stage to perform "God Is Trying To Tell You Something".  The audience showed their appreciation with exuberant applause.

The WE09 Vendors Marketplace had a record number of vendors, all of whom left happy with sales.  HRC's trailblazer Donna Payne received the "Sami McKinney Triumphant Spirit Award" for her years of service and dedication to the African American LGBT Community.  The "Larry C. Harrod Community Service" Award was presented to Covenant Baptist Church (DC) for their progressive, radical inclusiveness of gays, lesbians, transgendered and questioning human beings "because God commands us to love and minister to all folks".  In the face of strong opposition from its denomination and the black church in general, Covenant remains on the cutting edge of inclusiveness and community service in DC.  DJ's Ironbound, Cameron and Calvin all brought heat to each snowy night and had WE-guests sleep-walking to breakfast, skiing and other offsite activities after only 2-3 hours sleep!  Dress themes for WE09 included "Snow White" Pajama Jammy Jam, "Strawberries & Creme" Valentine's Day Night and sizzling "Pink & Platinum" Finale attire.  Speaking of fashion, other-worldly designer   Karl Trogdon presented his Alek Risimnic Couture line that received numerous standing ovations.  Moving the fashion show to the Grand Lobby of the resort was something new and hugely successful.  Because the over-arching theme of the weekend was "The Color Purple", Raycene created a "Color Purple" Trivia Game where guests from the audience volunteered to compete against one another by reciting lines from various Color Purple movie scenes on demand.  Guest Allen Jeter won that contest and the crowd showed their admiration with a rousing applause.  Another popular annual contest is JT's Beach Party Hot Body Contest.  It was as "steamy" as ever.

A new element during WE09 was a "themed" skate party.  Guests pulled out there 70's Gear, boarded buses and turned the local skating rink OUT baby!  That event, now crowned "Tony's 70's Skate Party" will be back for an encore in 2010!  Not only did we bring 70s-clad guests, but Cameron Da DJ brought his bag (or shall we say "case") of tricks and had the skaters losing their minds on wheels!

There were many other special moments during WE09, but those are the true highlights. WE09 guests each take back special memories of the weekend and will hopefully return this year to create more.  We hope they bring friends & family.

2008 will go down in Winter Explosion (WE) history as the year it gushed “pure gold”.  For those of you who missed it, or if you were there and just want to stroll down memory lane one more time, here is a “Winter Explosion 2008 Year-in-Review” (also see Photo Gallery).  The sublime WE08 experience was punctuated by record a sell-out four months in advance, an amazing talent line-up to include a once-in-a-lifetime performance by the “Queen of Rock-n-Soul” Patti LaBelle! 

Patti’s performance can only be described as STUPENDOUS!!

Other electrifying performances were turned in by “house diva” Rochelle Fleming, “gospel house phenom” Kenny Bobien and even several talented guests during the opening night’s “WE Bandstand”, Saturday night’s Janet Jackson-sponsored “Urban Lounge” and the Sunday morning Worship Service.  Congratulations to “Ms. Wheezy” from NYC who won “WE-Idol”.  Her winnings include a spot as opening act for Patti LaBelle’s concert and tickets to Janet Jackson’s “Discipline” concert in October 2008.  Other WE08 highlights incude… Sexy and sculpted hunks De’Gradis White and Ramone G., who not only worked guests out in the gym, but also strutted their stuff on the runway and made the “Hot Body Contest” sizzle…  Notable speakers Angela Harvey (Las Vegas), Dr. Mignon Moore (Los Angeles) and the trailblazing (first!) out & proud African-American lesbian legislator, City Councilwoman Dana Rone (Newark, NJ).  Entertainment mogul Angello Ellerbee gave an impressive, riveting “dirt” session on who’s who and what’s what in the entertainment industry.  Talented author Rodney Lofton (“The Day I Stopped Being Pretty”) gave a powerful workshop line-up also accented the weekend.  Other hot features: a dream wedding between Kim Bowman and Angela Harvey, hot-pulsating theme parties (“Uniforms Night” was an especially HUGE hit; also “Topz and Bottoms” Pajama Night was wildly successful-see photo page) featuring DJ Fred Pierce (NYC), DJ Cameron (NYC, CHI), DJ One (LA) and DJ Ironbound (NJ).  The weekend was narrated by the legendary Raycene Pendaravis, emcee extraordinaire that just gets better with time.  ice with a stirring testimony and guest solo performance.  ButtaFlySoul brought his own special brand of wit and humor as emcee/co-host over the weekend and producer of the “Midnight Poetry Jam”.  Saturday night.   Also featured on Saturday night (and sponsored by Ms. Janet’s “Discipline”) was the crazy-hot “Fashion Explosion” which featured urban-wear designer Dylan (“Stylez by Dylan”, ATL/DC) and creative genius Alek Risimnic (Baltimore).  Fun was not just had during the nightly events… full buses rolling offsite each day to skiing, outlet shopping, casinos, horse-back riding and more.  Our WE08 offsite program this year was the strongest yet. 

Sunday morning brought the sunshine, praise and much love to WE08!  Rev. Kenneth King, Rev. Dyan McCrae and the “Winter Explosion Choir” led by Chester Brooks created a truly ‘mountain-top’ experience during the Sunday Morning Worship Service.  Recording artist Kenny Bobien also added to that special service.  Also during the day Sunday, perhaps the hottest “Hot Body Contest” ever (during “JT’s Annual Beach Party”) was full of energy and bodies-beautiful!  Winners of the contest are Darlene Wilson and Kevin Nelson.  Lest you forget, amidst all the fun and fan-fair, Winter Explosion also contains a strong philanthropic (giving) arm as well.  The 2008 Recipient of the “Sami McKinney TRIUMPHANT SPIRIT AWARD” was presented to  accomplished, faithfully supportive (to WE over many years and the Black Gay Community) ‘quiet giant’, producer and booking agent extraordinaire Brian K. Dickens.  Other prestigious awards presented during Sunday Night’s Black & White Masquerade Charity Ball (w/ Patti Concert) included the “Larry C. Harrod COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD” presented to GMAD (NYC), The Colours Org (PHL) and The Mautner Project (DC).  Beyond the award presentation, each awardee was presented with a donation from the night’s proceeds.  The overall success of the  WE08 Weekend would not have been possibly were it not for the generous sponsors, ad purchasers and vendors, each of whom showed-up in a very powerful way:

Nubian Dreams Cruise, Philadelphia Black Gay Pride Day, Inc., AppraiseItMD, Carolyn Whigham & Terry Fort Fields, Janet Jackson’s “Discipline” project, the Human Rights Campaign, Pulse Magazine, Club Langstons (Brooklyn, NY), Ebony Pyramid Entertainment (“Caribbean Cruisin”), Elegant Eyes, Verizon, Anderson Sisters (“Gifts and More”), “Da Crib” Grown & Sexy Saturdays, Chaz Accessories, Anderson Sisters Travel, DJ Cameron, Rodney Lofton (“The Day I Stopped Being Pretty”), and Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD/NYC).  A very special and sincere THANK YOU to each of these who made the weekend’s success possible.  We love you!!!

Two very special guests of WE08 that made the weekend extra special were WE Executive Producer’s Mom, Glenda A. Rhodeman, and Aunt, Cindy Souder.  Other WE guests showed them much love and, by the end of the weekend, everyone was calling them “Mom” and “Auntie”!

Graphics and Photography Talents on this site and throughout Winter Explosion 2008 (and 2009) flyers, posters and the Souvenir Journal are that of the amazing graphic artist Mario Sessions and photographer extraordinaire Valerie Phillips. Thank you both for your lending your special gifts & talents!  We'd also like to thank Susu Stewart for that special "pick-up" and for your photo contributions.

“The Hotttnesss!!!” of 2008 was just that… hot, and nicely propelled us into our 15 Year Anniversary, aptly entitled: “WE09: Fifteen Feelin' Fabulous”!!