Ascension's Rise to New Levels

The sun wasn't the only thing rising over Fire Island this weekend to mark the getaway island retreat's most spectacular event of the summer. Ascension 2011 will be a hard act to follow as hands were raised on the beach addled dance floor and elated smiles kept the clouds at bay. Eric von Kuersteiner and Hal Rubenstein, two of the event's producers, had promised that this year's Ascension was going to be an unforgettable affair celebrating the spirit of the community in The Pines. "This is a remarkable year -�with Marriage Equality passed in the state of New York -�we have a lot to celebrate," von Kuersteiner had commented in our previous interview leading up to the 3-day weekend event.

The big event held on Sunday, August 21 brought the beach on the Pines to life. Under the flowing blue and white flag waving arches, guests were greeted to a waiting oasis of festive fun with the sexiest crowd under the summer sun.

The Rain Couldn’t Dampen Spirits.

LA's infamously popular DJ Brett Henrichsen got the party spinning to a wonderful start while Lee Dagger of the remix production team Bimbo Jones waited in the wings taking the event into overtime (yes -- overtime) just as the first raindrops descended on the crowd of beat worshippers. Dragonette performed to the elated throngs of fans - their hit summer song "Hello" couldn't have been more appropriate. The band, including lead singer Martina Sorbara, took a moment backstage to pose with guests before making their break from the impending stormy weather.

The rain didn't keep anyone from hitting Closing Tea to marvel at the mix-mastery of Drew G who played into the setting sun and got the crowd ready with the necessary second wind for the legendary Tony Moran. Performing several of her hit track "Happiness" pop/dance princess Alexis Jordan earned herself a faithful new following among her gay fan base insisting on performing under the unsettling deluge that eventually brought the party to an early close...but not a single person was disappointed. Ascension delivered and raised the bar bringing much happiness to this most memorable year for our community.

Ready To Do It All Again...

And even as many of the Pines' residents prepare for the close of their summer shares, preparing to lock down for the fall and winter season, the team of organizers of the Ascension, including the Fund in the Sun Foundation, which is the benefactor of the charity event area, is already hard at work on next year's event. The Fund in the Sun Foundation is designed to distribute much needed support to various causes in our community - the arts, children in crisis, and individuals living with HIV/AIDS among other worthy charities that are in major need of financial assistance to keep fully effective.

To the more than 3,000 revelers that came out just to marvel at the Sunday main event, you now have 364 days to get yourself ready and in beach form for next year's Ascension - which is sure to rise to new heights!

Check out the full photo gallery capturing the fun in the sun and beach drenched bodies in our photo albums section.