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

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