AFA
Signature Events
Successful fundraising events enable
AFA to provide critical assistance to those in need. Special
days of remembrance and recognition are important in several ways.
They remind many of the enormous impact HIV/AIDS has on communities
and individuals and also honor outstanding volunteers and
initiatives in the battle against HIV/AIDS and its devastating toll.
Please click on an event name for more
information
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Best In Drag Show
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Spa Day®
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Dine
Out Los Angeles
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Intimate Evening
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World AIDS Day
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Best & Brightest
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Sister
BINGO |
Best In Drag Show - October 14,
2007
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 Best
in Drag Show- - Viva La Diva!
For the fifth year
in a row, seven brave – some not so pretty divas broke out their
highest heels, finest evening gowns, and flashiest makeup, ready
to battle for the title of Miss Best in Show 2007. Best in Drag
Show is a hilarious beauty pageant, and Aid For AIDS largest
fundraiser – and with it’s sassy attitude and outrageous humor,
it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
This year, June
Cleavage (Miss Connecticut), Pearl Necklace (Miss Georgia),
Bella View (Miss New York), Hedda Hardahearin (Miss Oregon),
Marium Rich (Miss Texas), and Velveeta Fondue (Miss Wisconsin)
were all out to win with their swimsuits, evening gowns, and
unique talents, but there could only be one who topped them all
- Bindi Dundat (Miss Minnesota) won the judges hearts with her
Bollywood dance number, an evening gown which combined a
sparkling sari wrap complete with a headpiece modeled after the
Taj Mahal, and a swimsuit set for a six-armed glittered goddess.
Lotta Slotts and Ida Dunham, the shows color commentators, left
no sympathy for the contestants with their catty, but
side-splitting remarks between acts. 
Yet again,
director/choreographer Tom Pardoe and host/writer Patrick Rush,
along with an amazingly gifted and dedicated cast and crew,
created another record-breaking night. Because Best in Drag Show
has been so successful over the years and tickets have become
increasingly in-demand, this year the show moved from the
Wilshire-Ebell Theater to The Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Los
Angeles to allow for a bigger audience.
As always,
Hollywood showed its support with sixteen celebrity judges –
Kathy Griffin, Jennifer Coolidge, Martin Sheen, Charlie Sheen,
John Criar, Holland Taylor, John C. Reilly, Caroline Rhea, Perez
Hilton, Rebecca Gayheart, Eric Dane, Katey Segal, Dita Von Teese,
Jane Lynch, and James Van Der Beek not only donated their time,
but many made their own individual donations to Aid For AIDS.
In typical Best in
Drag Show fashion, audience members were encouraged to toss
dollar bills on stage for their favorite contestants, or send
donations up to the stage which are then read aloud.
With the
combination of audience and judge donations, underwriting, and
ticket sales, close to $350,000 was brought in to support Aid
For AIDS in its mission to provide financial assistance to those
disabled with HIV/AIDS living below the poverty line in Los
Angeles County.
A HUGE thank you to
our judges and volunteers, show underwriters, and our sponsors -
Frontiers Newsmagazine, Odyssey Magazine, and Mark’s Restaurant,
and of course the Best In Drag Show crew, Tom Pardoe, Patrick
Rush, and the wonderful contestants. With their incredible
enthusiasm, hard work, and loyalty, Aid For AIDS is able to
continue providing critical assistance to those in need. |
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Spa Day®
 The Spa Day®
concept is simple: On
Thursday, November 8, 2007,
50
spas and salons
in Northern California, Southern California, Arizona, Atlanta,
Chicago, New York City, and South Florida donated
20% or more of their proceeds from services and gift certificate
purchases to Aid for AIDS to benefit individuals and families living
with HIV/AIDS. A huge thank you to all the spas and salons who
participated, as well as those who made appointments and purchased
gift certificates on November 8th.
To learn more, and for a list of
2007 participating spas and salons, go to our event website, Spa
Day®:
www.spaday.org. |
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Dine Out Los Angeles
- April 17, 2008
Dine Out
Los Angeles is a one day fundraising event where Los Angeles area
restaurants donate 20% or more of their day's proceeds to Aid for
AIDS to help prevent homelessness and hunger for individuals and
families impoverished and disabled by HIV/AIDS.
This year,
Dine Out Los Angeles will take place on April 17, 2008. Restaurants
will be announced soon, so get ready to make your reservations!
Find out more information at
www.dineoutla.org.
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 An Intimate Evening With
Diane Schuur
In 1995, Aid For AIDS created a Cabaret
series known as “Life is a Cabaret,” a truly unique event that
raised funds for the vital services of Aid For AIDS. The event,
renamed in 2001, “An Intimate Evening with” has always been
hosted in a lavish private home with incredible performers
including Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Cook, Jerry Herman, Sam
Harris and Michael Feinstein, donating their talent and time. AFA Intimate Evenings have provided Aid For AIDS supporters with
an evening of fantastic entertainment and most importantly the
opportunity to raise much needed funds for those living with
HIV/AIDS.
This month, Aid For AIDS is hosting An
Intimate Evening With Diane Schuur. Seats are limited. For information on AFA’s
Intimate Evening, please contact Yesenia at 323-656-1107
x 2116 or
events@aidforaids.net.
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World AIDS Day - Observed on November
30, 2007
Aid For AIDS
was proud to partner with the City of West Hollywood on World AIDS
Day. A candlelight vigil took place along the West Hollywood
Memorial Walk from West Hollywood City Hall to the Metropolitan
Community Church, decorated with flowers to honor those affected by
HIV/AIDS. For more information on West Hollywood and Aid For AIDS'
World AIDS Day events, click here.
To order a plaque along the Walk for a loved one,
click here.
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Best & Brightest
What
better way to start off the beginning of a new year than with a
big thank you to all of Aid For AIDS wonderful volunteers,
sponsors, staff, and board members? This year’s annual Best and
Brightest party was held on January 18th in Westwood, at the
home of Paul Verdon and Michael Haight, who generously donated
their beautiful house for the evening’s celebration.
The cocktails
were provided by Smirnoff and the delicious food from Jimmy
Smith Catering was partially covered by Mike Waskom of Auxiliam
Pharmaceuticals, Testim 1%.
The
party was thrown to show everyone involved how much their
efforts truly are appreciated, and although everyone in
attendance was an extremely valuable part in helping Aid for
AIDS throughout the past year, there were a select few who went
above and beyond in their generosity and loyalty to the
organization. These individuals were recognized with a brief
awards ceremony presented by staff members Danny Levy,
Development Manager and Vikki Krekler, Special Events
Coordinator alongside Board President, Brenda Goodman. Awards
were presented to Michael Niemeyer, owner of Mickey’s in West
Hollywood – Best Supporter, Leslie Barclay from Diageo/Smirnoff
– Best Sponsor, pro-bono graphic designer Ken Williams – Best
PAC Member, Van King and Jim Crane, two wonderful volunteers –
Best Volunteers, and Tom Pardoe, representing Best in Show, Aid
For AIDS largest fundraiser – Best Event. Without the help and
support of the individuals and businesses who have donated their
time, money, and skills to the organization, Aid For AIDS
service to the community would not be possible.
Click
here for pictures.
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 Win
a major trip or cruise each month at
SISTER BINGO!
It's a wild afternoon of BINGO and fun hosted by the
Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Sister BINGO is currently held at Fubar in West Hollywood while Micky's undergoes renovations/
repair. Join us on the second Sunday of every month
from 3 to 6 P.M. 100% of all proceeds benefit Aid For AIDS!
Interactive Male is the founding sponsor and provides the
monthly grand prize trip or cruise. For details, contact
Fubar, 7994 Santa Monica Blvd. at 310-654-0396.
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