You’re on the dance floor working up a good sweat. A throbbing hip-hop beat thumps from the speakers and colored lights flash and spin in sync with the music. You’re having a great time with your friends at one of the many San Diego LGBT Pride Parties.
Chances are good that while you’re working up a lather with your friends on the dance floor, you’re not thinking about how you’re also supporting local LGBT organizations. I didn’t think about it either until I had the opportunity to interview Bill Hardt, executive producer with Bill Hardt Presents.
World-class DJs and first-rate venues are hallmarks of a Bill Hardt production. BIll Hardt began producing the San Diego LGBT Pride Parties in 1996. Since then, he and his companies have “given back” to the community in a number of ways. According to his webpage, more than $463,000 has been raised for local programs.
San Diego LGBT Weekly: You’ve produced hundreds of events over many years. Tell us about yourself and how did you get started in the business?
Bill Hardt: I used to work in the fashion industry, first as talent then as an agent. During the time as an agent, one of my signed artists introduced me to a woman in the corporate event industry, and she and I went into business together. I started by pitching and producing corporate events. In 1993 we landed the Zoological Society account and delivered floral arrangements for their meetings and social events.
We developed a wonderful relationship with the Society, to the point that when the previous producer of the Pride Parties defaulted, they came to me and asked me if I would take over the Zoo Party. After investigating the organizational levels and financials required to produce the Zoo Party, I agreed. That is pretty much how I ended up where I am today.
From an attendee’s perspective, your service is flawless and seems effortless. What goes on behind the scenes? How many hours from concept to execution are involved with a typical event?
Thank you for the compliment. I have a great team that helps me coordinate the events from inception to completion. I am very grateful for their commitment to our community in producing the best events possible.
What I will say is that corporate events are easier and quicker to organize and produce than the Gay Pride Parties. The corporate events involve someone hiring you to do what they want – they ask, I produce, they pay.
The Gay Pride Parties are actually funded by myself. Every year there are many twists and turns that have made each one unique in its production details and organization. The one thing that has always been consistent is that I begin producing the lineup and events a year in advance, sometimes even more.
In San Diego, the venues are the most difficult item to secure. Fortunately, through the years the DJs I work with are always ready and willing to take any spot they are offered. They are absolutely the best to work with. Because I do so many corporate, association and incentive events throughout the year, my lighting, sound and staging suppliers are always ready and willing to handle anything I throw at them. They are consummate professionals who can turn on a dime and produce exactly what I want and need to ensure my patrons satisfaction.
With so many different events over the course of your career, are there any that stand out as a particularly memorable experience, and if so, why?
There are many, but the one I am the most proud of is The Zoo Party, but not for the reasons you might think. That first year I produced, 1996, I had to advance pay the entire event to the Zoo to ensure the event would continue. I was extremely nervous about it, as everything I had was on the line. When I saw the attendees come into the event and the pure jubilation in their eyes, I was hooked. Win, lose or draw, I was in for life.
The experience I felt at that first Zoo Party, seeing my fellow community members being able to celebrate the beauty of themselves in a mainstream venue, brought more joy to my soul than I ever thought possible.
That is the most memorable experience, seeing my gay brothers and sisters celebrating with complete freedom.
Let’s talk about your charity work. Philanthropy is one of your company’s core values. How do you “give back” and why is it important?
Some people may be uncomfortable with this answer, but I am a gay Christian. I believe the true spirit of any religious belief is to honor your brothers and sisters, be they young, old, any ethnic background, gay, straight or questioning. I was raised that we should tithe back to the church. Well, as I grew up, I had a challenge with the church not believing in me as a gay man, so I took my tithe and time and put it where I felt the universe would best like it invested; in my gay brothers and sisters. So I now look for worthwhile places to contribute and support our community directly.
What would you want San Diego LGBT Weekly readers to know about the charities you have donated to through the years?
Having donated to many different non-profits, from the San Diego Pride committee to Ordinary Miracles, from Aids Walk San Diego to the San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative and Stepping Stone, it was last year’s donations that touched my soul the deepest.
My dear friend Big Mike arranged a meeting with me, himself and Nicole Murray Ramirez to discuss a potential placement for my donations. At that lunch, Nicole educated me on the Benjamin F. Dillingham III Community Grant. I was not aware, even being a gay man in this community for more than 20 years, that there are still members of our community that have been disowned by their families, have no friends and pass away with no one to tend to their burials with dignity and grace. So instead of feeling sad about it, I decided to do something. Last year I began donating to the Benjamin F. Dillingham III Community Grant for the burials of our community members who die alone. I urge everyone to donate if you can.
What can San Diego LGBT Weekly readers expect in the future? What’s on the horizon for Bill Hardt Presents?
The Pride Parties 2013 are on the immediate horizon and I am excited!
Friday night begins at Spin night club with local DJ Marcel Hetu opening for new to the BHP lineup, DJ Grind. We are very happy about DJ Grind’s addition to our lineup as he is the No. 1 DJ podcast download on iTunes. We return to the Hall of Champions for the Saturday night party with Grammy Award nominee DJ Rosabel. The Zoo Party see’s the return of Andy Wetson and the incomparable Wayne G, both from 7th Heaven Studios in London. Their performance last year was truly legendary, and I just had to invite them back one more time. The House of Blues is a new venue for our closing party with the return of Lady Gaga’s remix boy, Danny Verde from Italy, and our very own DJ Luis Perez for the opening set. It is going to be an epic year!
I also look forward to the Hillcrest Mardi Gras in 2014, in conjunction with the Greater San Diego Business Association Charitable Foundation. The foundation raises money for our community in the form of scholarships. This is another worthwhile cause I am proud to be associated with.
For more information about Pride events and tickets, please visit billhardtpresents.com
For more about the Benjamin F. Dillingham, III Community Grant, please visit imperialcourtsandiego.com/About/Programs.aspx
For more information about the Greater San Diego Business Association Charitable Foundation, please visit gsdbafoundation.com
