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.

§ Best In Drag Show
§ Spa Day®

§ GO Eat Los Angeles
§ Intimate Evening
§ World AIDS Day

 Go Eat Los Angeles - February 26, 2009 

AFA's restaurant-supported fundraiser received a NEW NAME and a NEW DATE in 2009. "Thank you" goes to the 65  restaurants who generously participated in our February 26, 2009 event.  Thanks also go to our sponsors. For more than 14 years, Los Angeles restaurants and patrons have supported AIDS assistance through AFA's restaurant event.

Go Eat Los Angeles is a one-day fundraising event where Los Angeles area restaurants donate 15% or MORE of their day's revenue to Aid for AIDS to help prevent homelessness and hunger for individuals and families impoverished and disabled by HIV/AIDS. Many restaurants return every year and some have increased their donation percentages - THANK YOU!  See our list of restaurants, our sponsors and grand prize drawing details at www.GoEatLA.org.

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Zulu Tattoo Calendar Launch Party - December 3, 2008 - link here for press release and details

Zulu Tattoo, one of the 2008 Best In Drag Show underwriters, wanted to do more for AFA's clients, so they created a gorgeous 2009 calendar featuring 12 tattoo clients and local photographers that provides revenue to AFA with each sale.  The Zulu Tattoo Calendar Launch Party was held at the sexy, Goth-inspired Medusa Lounge on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles/Silver Lake. In addition to a packed house and silent auction of prints by the photographers, the attendees enjoyed a crowd-pleasing performance of "Rebel Yell" by 2008 Miss Best In Drag Show, Shelby Free (Stacy Johnson).  Guests included numerous celebs, AFA supporters, Zulu Tattoo clients, and press. Thank you to Zulu Tattoo and the event organizers - we enjoyed working with you: Zulu Tattoo team; PR firm Luthier Society, Inc; Mitch DuRette and Medusa Lounge; and Tom Pardoe. The Zulu Tattoo Calendars are available through the Zulu Tattoo website (link to Zulu EVENTS or online store and scroll to bottom of page). Check back next week for photos!

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Best In Drag Show - October 19, 2008.  $350,000 was raised for AFA - Thank you !   2008 PHOTOS: click here

The Orpheum Theatre was completely sold out on Sunday night, October 19th, and the crowd roared their approval as Shelby Free, Miss West Virginia, was crowned as the 2008 winner.  This year's event brought to AFA the highest amount of money ever raised at this annual fundraiser- $350,000!

For the sixth year in a row, seven brave (some not so pretty) divas broke out their highest platform heels, finest evening gowns, and flashiest makeup, to battle for the title of Miss Best in Show 2008. Best in Drag Show is a hilarious beauty pageant, and Aid For AIDS' largest fundraiser. With it’s sassy attitude and outrageous humor, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.   In 2008,  there were eight "girls" in the show because conjoined twins, Karen and Sharon Livers, were competing as one contestant.

The 2008 Credits:  Contestants: Holli Daye, Miss Alabama - Mark W. Smith; Cherry Blossom, Miss District of Columbia - Danny Bodenmiller;  Coco Lopez, Miss Florida - Daniel Rivera;  Phiddle-de Dee, Miss Kentucky - Victor Montoya;  Tara Ligament, Miss Missouri - Brian Sharp;  Karen and Sharon Livers, Miss Tennessee - Jim Crane and Patrick Marks;  Shelby Free, Miss West Virginia - Stacy Johnson. MISS BEST IN SHOW 2007: Bindi Dundat - Jeff Sumner. COLOR COMMENTATORS: Lotta Slots - Jeffrey Drew, Ida Dunham - Todd Sherry. AFGHANETTES: Christian Satrustegui, Scott Fowler, Anil Patel, Greg Howell, Jonathan Wallace, Jason Boegh, Stephen Beebe, Brian Zimmer, Donato Crowley, Vincent Castellanos, Marcos Bellet, Johnny Chaillot, Rusty Hamrick, Karl Padilla, Paul Wintner, and Stephen Molinaro as Check Puppy.  Master of Ceremonies and Producer: Patrick Rush.  Producer/Director and Choreographer: Tom Pardoe.  Writers: Patrick Rush, Todd Sherry, Christoph Babka. 

With the combination of audience and judge donations, underwriting, and ticket sales, more than $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, sponsors - Frontiers Newsmagazine, Michael Hollingsworth Catering, Inc., and Mark’s Restaurant, Best In Drag Show crew, Tom Pardoe, Patrick Rush, and the wonderful contestants. With their incredible enthusiasm, hard work, creativity and loyalty, Aid For AIDS is able to continue providing critical assistance to those in need.

 

To see more pictures from 2007: click here.
To see more pictures from 2006: click here.

2008 Best In Drag Show PHOTOS: click here

Spa Day® - November 20, 2008  www.spaday.org

Thank you!

The Spa Day® concept is simple: On Thursday, November 20, 2008, spas and salons coast to coast 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.  Supported by media sponsors like Spa Magazine, and Official Mineral Make-up Sponsor jane iredale,  this event grows every year.

To learn more, and for a list of participating spas and salons,  go to our event website,   Spa Day®: www.spaday.org.  Interested in sponsoring for next year? Contact Development at 323-656-2111.

 

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World AIDS Day - December 1, 2008

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

This year, a candlelight vigil was held at West Hollywood Park on San Vicente. AFA Board Member Tim Sullivan addressed the crowd along with WeHo Mayor John Duran, Rev. Neil Thomas of MCCLA Church and Bradley Estrin, LA Gay & Lesbian Center. The City gave the 2008 Paul Starke Warrior Awards to four individuals, including Jeffrey Drew, AFA's outstanding volunteer nominee. CONGRATULATIONS, JEFFREY!. 

To order a plaque along the West Hollywood Memorial Walk for a loved one, click here.

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An Intimate Evening With...

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 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. 

Aid For AIDS hosted An Intimate Evening With Diane Schuur in 2008, pictured above, with the support of David Bohnett and Tom Gregory. Watch the AFA homepage for announcements of upcoming Intimate Evenings.


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