This October, sailing out of Miami, Florida, the eighth annual "Kiss Kruise" will take to the high seas with over 3,000 KISS fans aboard and ready to rock. Each year, in true KISS Army style, various fan-organized pre-Kruise parties and reunions are held in the city of departure. This year, eight-time kruisers Joe D'Angelo and Andy Moyen are teaming up to present "The Gathering 3": a party so big it needs two days! The event begins on Monday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 30 with a special opportunity to meet former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent. This meet-and-greet experience will provide fans with a professional photo of themselves and Vinnie, a commemorative poster, the opportunity to have two personal items signed (no guitars, please) and a swag bag loaded with KISS and Vinnie Vincent items. Both days of meet-and-greets are being held at the Holiday Inn Miami Downtown. (The Tuesday meet-and-greet is sold out; tickets for the Monday session are still available). Tuesday night, after the Holiday Inn event, is a pre-Kruise party at the Hangar Nightclub (60 NE 11th Street in Miami) which features live performances from Florida's 1984 (VAN HALEN tribute band out of Orlando) and KISS AMERICA (Florida's ultimate KISS tribute band). It will also feature national recording act FOUR BY FATE featuring members of FREHLEY'S COMET, CHEAP TRICK and SKID ROW. FOUR BY FATE will perform a full electric set, with Vinnie Vincent joining them live on stage to perform a few songs; the first electric performance from Vinnie Vincent in over 20 years. Fans need only a general admission ticket ($20) to experience these live bands and witness this piece of KISStory. Other special guests in attendance Tuesday night will be supergroup THE DEAD DAISIES, Ace Frehley bandmate Richie Scarlet, author and photographer Lydia Criss, former KISS security Big John Harte, actor James DeBello ("Trip" from KISS-centric movie "Detroit Rock City"), KISS costume designer Maria Contessa, author and musician Ken Sharp as well as several KISS podcast representatives. Fans will have the chance to meet and interact with all special guests throughout the evening. This two-day event will also feature several raffles, with all proceeds to be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). The BCRF provides critical funding for cancer research worldwide to fuel advances in tumor biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, metastasis and survivorship. The BCRF is recognized as one of the most financially efficient nonprofits in the country, and is the highest rated breast cancer charity in the U.S. Prizes include a Vinnie Vincent-signed pink Jackson "V" guitar, a "Gene Simmons Vault Experience", and drumheads signed by KISS drummer and breast cancer survivor Peter Criss (aforementioned raffles are just $10 each; winners need not be present to win.) Musicians from all over the globe have also signed several drumheads, including Lita Ford, Bob Kulick, Mark Slaughter, Anton Fig, Bruce Kulick, Carmine Appice, Frank DiMino, and Mark Mendoza, which will also be raffled off that night with tickets available for purchase on-site. For more information, visit www.thekisskruisepreparty.com.
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