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.

§ Go Eat, Go Drink, Go Out®

§ World AIDS Day

§ 25th Silver Anniversary Reception and Awards Presentation

§ Best In Drag Show®
§ Zulu Tattoo Calendar Launch

§ Spa Day®

§ Intimate Evening

 

Go Eat, Go Drink, Go Out - February 25, 2010

AFA's restaurant and business-supported fundraiser received a NEW NAME  for 2010. Thank you to our sponsors and the 65+ restaurants that generously participated in our February 26, 2009 event (Go Eat Los Angeles).  Los Angeles restaurants and patrons have supported AIDS assistance through AFA's 'going out to eat' event for 15 years.

Go Eat, Go Drink, Go Out is a 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 others. Many restaurants have returned every year and some have increased their donation percentages. 

See our list of participating businesses, including restaurants, places to pick up coffee or a cocktail, and places to go out for an evening, along with our sponsors and grand prize drawing details at GoEatLA.org.  Our new event website  GoEatGoDrinkGoOut.org will be up in early January 2010 with all the details. The lists will expand throughout January and February. Make your plans and reservations!

 

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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 on our 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.

 

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Best In Drag Show - October 18, 2009

PHOTO LINK BELOW.

Seven outrageous contestants joined Master of Ceremonies, Patrick Rush, and a bevy of "beautiful" showgirls at the Orpheum Theatre on Sunday night, October 18, 2009 to compete for the title of Miss Best In Show. The extravagant event, a benefit to help raise funds for Aid For AIDS (AFA), was in its seventh year as Best In Drag Show, however, the fundraiser, originally named Battle for the Tiara, began twenty years ago. The 2009 pageant played to a full house, and ten celebrity judges laughed all the way to the crowning of Miss Best In Show. This year, Miss District of Columbia, Sybil Rights, won the competition and also had the distinction of being the pageant's first African-American contestant. 

This year, the contestants were a combination of hilarious, touching and non-PC.  Every year, it is obvious how much time, work and investment go into creating the acts, costumes, props and back stories of the "girls" who compete, as well as the set and costumed showgirls.  This year was no exception. The "talent" portion of the show featured elaborate costumes, entertaining multi-media productions, and singing, as well as crutches, knife-throwing, a portable yellow brick road, and a super-condensed review of U.S. black history from slavery to the White House. The "blind" contestant actually took a tumble off the front of the stage, and for a moment, most of the audience gasped, thinking that it was not planned. The contestants were Miss California - Patrick Marks as Jan Brady, Miss D.C., - Johnathan Wallace as Sybil Rights, Miss Kansas - Glen Alen as Wendy Twister, Miss Louisiana - Bob Burnett as Ariel Vieux, Miss Nebraska - Jim Crane as Braille Senters, Miss Nevada - Marcos Bellet as Ivana Poker, and Miss Ohio - John Pascal as Marsha Dimes.  Although all contestants were wildly appreciated by the audience, Miss D.C., Sybil Rights, was crowned before a house that clearly agreed with the judges' choice.

2009 Judges included Jennifer Coolidge, Anna Faris, Camryn Manheim, Jayma Mays, Mary-Louise Parker, Chris Pratt, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Holland Taylor, and Jo Anne Worley. Following a red carpet entrance with press and media coverage, the judges were introduced individually at their seats to thunderous applause. Molly Shannon took the stage to read a message about the essential work done by Aid For AIDS.

Between contestant segments, the show's color commentators, Jeffrey Drew as Lotta Slots and Todd Sherry as Ida Dunham, ripped apart the contestants as only two divas can do - leaving the audience laughing and groaning with their outrageous remarks.

This year also featured a tribute to Master of Ceremonies, Patrick Rush, a long-time producer and show participant. After performing as emcee for 18 years, he is stepping down from that position. Patrick was one of the founders of the event, originally named Battle for the Tiara.

Many thanks are given to the show's underwriters, the volunteer contestants, crew, and Irish Setters (showgirls), the celebrity judges, the many supporters and sponsors,  the additional event volunteers, the Orpheum Theater, the donors at the show, and everyone who bought tickets. With your amazing support, Aid For AIDS received more than $300,000 to continue its work.

2009 Best In Drag Show photos here!

Best In Drag Show 2008    2008 PHOTOS: click here

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

 

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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.

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

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 continues to grow from its humble start in 2003.

To learn more, and for a list of participating spas and salons from our most-recent event, go to our event website: www.spaday.org.  Interested in becoming a sponsor or participant for next year? Contact Development at 323-656-1107, ext. 2111.

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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 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. 

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