(light upbeat music) - Utah Arts Alliance kicks off the new year with its signature gala, the SLC White Party, a night of art, music, and immersive experiences.

Executive director Derek Dyer is here to share the details.

Hi, Derek.

- Hi.

- I didn't plan this, but I'm wearing white and- - (laughs) Oh, you're in theme.

- I'm halfway ready for the party.

- Excellent.

(both laughing) - So tell us, why a White Party?

Tell us about that.

- So a lot of people probably are familiar with the White Party.

You basically wear all white, it's kind of a fun event.

Normally they're very fancy or kind of over-the-top with all the decorations and performances and things like that.

This is the 26th annual SLC White Party.

- [Laura] Wow.

- And so this is a fundraiser for Utah Arts Alliance.

So one of the things that makes this unique over other similar types of parties is that we have an additional theme every year that kind of informs the costumes and the decorations and the performances and the music and everything like that.

So this year's theme is A Voyage Through Time.

And so we have these four different areas with different theming, DJs.

You can go to ancient Egypt, you can go to sort of the Moulin Rouge Caberet Royale, you can go to ancient Greek and Atlantis type of period.

So it's just a really fun event.

It's been called the Best Party in Salt Lake City.

And I wouldn't argue with that.

- Oh, gosh, yeah.

I was telling you, I've seen photos of it.

So not only does it look fun, like the white theme makes for great photos.

And I see those photos, I'm like, "Oh, I wanna be part of that."

I wanna be part of that landscape.

And it's at the Masonic Temple.

Like, what a building to do a party like this.

(Derek laughs) - Well, the building really led into the theming a little bit because they have all these different lodge rooms, you know, and so one of them is an Egyptian theme, and so we kind of went with that.

And so we're building these portals that will like transport you through these different time periods.

But you'll have a lot of great performances, a lot of great music, food, drinks, and just a really good time.

- Yeah, and all this to support your amazing mission of connecting people and being inclusive through the arts.

- Yes.

- Thank you so much for what the Utah Arts Alliance does, and for providing this great opportunity for people to have that immersive experience.

- Yeah, thanks for having us out.

- If you'd like to learn more about the White Party, the SLC White Party, sponsored by, well, put on by the Utah Arts Alliance, it's called A Voyage Through Time.

It's happening January 10th at 8:00 PM at the Salt Lake Masonic Temple.

Visit utaharts.org to get your tickets.

Utaharts.org.

(light upbeat music) I'm Laura, thanks for watching "Contact."

(light upbeat music continues) - Local events, arts, culture.

It's what brings us together.

Hi, I'm Mary Dickson.

Here on Contact, we introduce you to local events and organizations that serve your neighborhood.

If you work for a nonprofit and would like to appear on our show, please visit pbsutah.org/contact.