AFA 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.

§ Best In Drag Show®
§
Go Eat LA! and Go Eat, Go Drink, Go Out®

§ World AIDS Day
§ 25th Silver Anniversary Reception and Awards Presentation
§ Intimate Evening Cabaret Series
§ Spa Day®___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Best In Drag Show tickets go on sale September 1st!

See our 2011 SIZZLE REEL here!
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhCmv9ZF4nw)

Stay up-to-date with videos, photos, news and get tickets -- see the Best In Drag Show website! (www.BestInDragShow.org)

Best In Drag Show® - Our 2011 fundraiser was held on October 9, 2011 at The Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles
This legendary fundraiser is an outrageous beauty pageant farce that is supported by a large group of talented volunteers and executive produced by Aid For AIDS. It began in 1993 as "Battle for the Tiara" with a small group of friends wanting to see how much they could raise for AIDS assistance while having fun and spending as little as possible. It grew from a tiny apartment to succesively larger venues due to increasing popularity. In 2002, it became the current version, "Best In Drag Show" and now raises between $275,000 and $350,000 each year with a collective total of more than $2 million. It is supported by a changing roster of celebrity judges and covered extensively by press and media.

Best In Drag Show® 2011 is directed by Jeffrey Drew, long-time show star as Lotta Slots. Jeffrey has performed professionally in more than 25 musicals. He has been one of the recipients of AFA's Best and Brighest Awards several times. He also received the Paul J. Starke Warrior Award in 2008 from the City of West Hollywood for his outstanding support in the community.

BEST IN DRAG SHOW ON FACEBOOK - Join the latest "Best In Drag Show, Aid For AIDS" posts and photos - Please click that you "LIKE" our page.

ET/The Insider interviews Kathy Griffin and "Lotta Slots" about Best In Drag Show at Aid For AIDS Silver Anniversary Reception.

ReelGayTV coverage: Laughing judges on red carpet reveal how they select a winner; Lotta's 2009 opening number; and several contestants sparkle onstage.

CELEBRITY JUDGES (serve as volunteers without any compensation)
 from all versions of this famous fundraiser -  Battle for the Tiara, Quest for the Crown®, and Best In Drag Show®


Aisha Tyler, Camryn Manheim, Caroline Rhea, Cassandra Peterson (Elvira), Charlene Tilton, Charlie Sheen, Chris Kattan, Christina Ricci, Debbie Reynolds, Dita Von Teese, Eric Dane, Holland Taylor, Jane Lynch, Jason Alexander, Jennifer Coolidge, Jennifer Tilly, Jeri Ryan, Jo Anne Worley, John C. Reilly, Jon Cryer, Judy Tenuta, Katey Sagal, Kathy Griffin, Kathy Kinney, Kathy Najimy, Kelly Rowan, Kim Coles, Leeza Gibbons, Loni Anderson, Lori Laughlin, Marcia Cross, Maria Menounous, Martin Sheen, Melinda Clarke, Molly Shannon, Nell Carter, Nicole Sullivan, Niecy Nash, Parker Posey, Perez Hilton, Peter Gallagher, Rachel Bilson, Rachel True, Rebecca Gayheart, Sarah Chalke, Steve Kmetko, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Terri Garr, and Tori Spelling

Photos:
Aid For AIDS Best In Drag Show 2010.
Photos:
Aid For AIDS Best In Drag Show 2009.

Photos:
 
Aid For AIDS Best In Drag Show® 2008.
Photos
: Aid For AIDS Best In Drag Show® 2007.
Photos:
Aid For AIDS Best In Drag Show® 2006.

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Go Eat, Go Drink, Go Out®
Go Eat, Go Drink, Go Out® is an annual, one-day fundraising event where Los Angeles area restaurants and businesses donate 15% or MORE of their day's revenue to Aid for AIDS and The Serra Project to help prevent homelessness and hunger for individuals and families impoverished and disabled by HIV/AIDS. This year, support includes entertainment venues, among other, from downtown and the beaches to the San Gabriel Valley and the San Fernando Valley. Many restaurants have returned every year, and some increased their donation percentages. 

2010 was our 16th year. The fundraiser was held on Thursday, February 25th. Thank you to everyone. See the website for our supporters and sponsors. Keep them in mind when making plans to go out this year.  GoEatGoDrinkGoOut.org

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World AIDS Day - December 1st

Aid For AIDS is proud to annually partner with the City of West Hollywood on World AIDS Day.

In 2010, a presentation and reception were held at 'Gallery 825' in West Hollywood on December first, World AIDS Day. AFA Board President Brenda Goodman addressed the crowd along with Maria Da Silva of the Jacaranda Foundation, CNN Hero 2008,  who was introduced by Ricki Lake. The City gave the 2009 Paul Starke Warrior Awards to several individuals, including Brenda Goodman. See details: World AIDS Day - Aid For AIDS homepage.

To order a plaque along the West Hollywood Memorial Walk for a loved one, contact the Development staff: 323-656-1107.

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AFA 25th Silver Anniversary Reception and Award Presentation - November 5, 2009

On November 5, 2009, Aid For AIDS celebrated its 25 years of service at a reception and awards presentation at the beautiful SLS Hotel on the edge of Beverly Hills.  The event was attended by many major donors and supporters and was covered by TV's The Insider, featuring interviews with long-time AFA supporter Kathy Griffin and others.

 

AFA Angel Awards were presented in several categories. Foundation Honoree: The David Bohnett Foundation; Bridges-Larson Foundation, Jack Larson; Entertainment AIDS Alliance; QueensCare and its President and CEO, Barbara Hines. Event Honoree: John Bowab; Alexis Pitman, posthumously, and the Founders and Producers of Battle the Tiara and Best In Drag Show. Community Honoree: Mayor Abby Land; Stephen Simon. Entertainer Honoree: Kathy Griffin; Kathy Kinney; Charlie Sheen. Individual Honoree: Dr. Mark Honzel. Corporate Honoree: Squire, Sanders and Dempsey, LLC. Board Honoree: J. Alexander Strautman and Kevin Spier.

Read more and see photos of Aid For AIDS Silver Anniversary here.

See ET/The Insider TV video interviews at Aid For AIDS Silver Anniversary Reception, including Kathy Griffin.

 

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An Intimate Evening With...

The next Intimate Evening cabaret is in the planning stages.. Watch the website for an announcement about our two artists and the date.

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 the late 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 evenings of fantastic entertainment in a small, intimate setting and, most importantly, the opportunity to raise needed funds for those impoverished and living with HIV/AIDS. 

Benefit performances have always been a part of Aid For AIDS fundraising. Whether through the musical performances for the "Intimate Evening" series, special comedy nights, or donated portions of shows in venues such as The Hollywood Bowl, notable talents have been major supporters. Since the mid-1980s, the list of benefit performers has included, among others:

Andrea Marcovicci

B.J. Ward

Barbara Cook

Belinda Montgomery

Bernadette Peters (Hollywood Bowl donation)

Brenda Taylor-Moore

Bruce Vilanch

Caroline Rhea

Chita Rivera (Westwood Playhouse benefit)

Debbie Gibson

 

Deborah Tranelli

Diahann Carroll

Diane Schuur

Don Woods

Ellen Degeneres

Jim Bailey

Judith Ivey

Judy Tenuta

Julie Wilson

 

 

Kathy Griffin

Kaye Ballard

Lainie Kazan

Linda Purl

Liz Torres

Loretta Divine

Maureen McGovern

Michael Feinstein

Michael Kearns

 

Natalie Cole (Hollywood Bowl donation - 750 seats)

Nell Carter (Hollywood Bowl donation)

Peter Matz & Marilynn Lovell

Richard Simmons

Rosemary Clooney

Sam Harris

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Sting/The Bangles  (Hollywood Bowl donation)

Suzanne Westenhoefer

Tyne Daly

 

 If you would like to donate your services as a potential performer in our event series, contact the AFA Development staff.

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Spa Day®   www.spaday.org

The Spa Day® concept is simple:  spas and salons coast to coast donate 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. 

To learn more,  go to our event website: www.spadayla.org.  Interested in becoming a sponsor or participant? Contact Development at 323-344-4880.

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