Category Archives: HIV
TPAN Up on The Roof BBQ – Almost Sold Out! Aug. 25
On Thursday, August 25, TPAN will present
Up On The Roof, Chicago’s premiere rooftop event.
In 2010, Greg O’ Neill and Ken Miller, owner’s of Pastoral, aware that public funding of social service agencies like TPAN was drying up, created Up On The Roof as a way to help pick up the slack from the shrinking federal dollars.
“We were huge fans of the way that TPAN works efficiently and without fanfare, so we wanted to help the organization continue to thrive despite an economic downturn,” said O’Neill. Through hard work and dedication, Greg and Ken were able to produce an event of the highest quality with virtually no cost to TPAN. The result of their labors was more money returned to TPAN to further its mission. O’Neill went on to say “Hopefully others will see that these types of events are relatively easy to organize, and will do similar events.”
We invite you to experience Up On The Roof, an event created out of a true desire to be of assistance, and fueled by a passion for helping those whose lives are most affected by HIV in the Chicago area.
About the event:
Up On The Roof, a gastronome’s delight, is a fundraising event benefiting TPAN that provides guests with an evening of amazing food prepared by some of Chicago’s star chefs from the top restaurants in the City, sumptuous sweets, and views of the city that are unmatched by any other event. In it’s inaugural year, Up On The Roof was a sell out and this year proves to be the same. The menu includes dishes from: The Bristol, HB Home Bistro and Old Town Social. Desserts will be provided by Cookie Bar, Sweet Margy, Salted Caramel, Rich Chocolates and Das Caramelini.
The only thing missing from the event is you. Space is limited and reservations are going quickly. If you have not already made a reservation, do so today by clicking here.
Dance for Life Chicago on PBS Wttw 11 on August 11
Brings Twenty Years
of Strength and Community
in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS
to the Big Screen
Moving Documentary on Two-Decade Journey Premieres on WTTW-11 on Aug. 11, 10 p.m.
In its 20-year journey, the original small grassroots dance performance event, Dance for Life, has evolved to support HIV/AIDS services in Chicago and financially assist those living with HIV/AIDS within the dance community into the Midwest’s largest, must-see performance, raising nearly $175,000 annually for the cause. Now, a new, riveting documentary, which debuts on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 10 p.m. on WTTW 11, follows the emotional journey and shares the passion of Dance for Life in a style that can best capture its essence: dance.
The hour-long film paints the story of Dance for Life through electrifying choreography and personal stories. Shared in one-on-one interviews with the dancers, founders and supporters, these narratives convey the significance and evolution of Dance for Life throughout the film. It will premiere only nine days before the twentieth anniversary performance in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway.
Produced by Emmy Award-winning HMS Media, the documentary is a poignant look at the need for renewed hope and for a cure. Chronicling the 30-year impact of HIV/AIDS in Chicago and its large dance community, the film illustrates the evolution of the fundraiser. Founders Harriet Ross, Keith Elliott, Danny Kopelson and Gail Kalver, as well as beneficiaries, choreographers and dancers recount the impact of HIV/AIDS and their desire for continued progress.
(Photographs by Sando)
“Dance for Life initially empowered the dance community in Chicago to take care of itself,” said Elliott, a former dancer with Joseph Chicago Holmes Dance Theater. “The documentary empowers Chicagoans to understand the power of the HIV/AIDS movement and offers a way to get involved while experiencing the best dance the city has to offer.”
From flamenco to Fosse-style jazz, performance excerpts serve as a backdrop for the emotional, yet triumphant story of Dance for Life’s origins and its future. Participants featured in the documentary include Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Thodos Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and River North Chicago Dance Company. Archival clips illustrate the event’s meteoric rise, having grown from the first sold-out performance at the former 400 seat Organic Theatre to this year’s event at the 4,000 seat Auditorium Theatre.
Dance for Life began as an effort to promote the art of dance in Chicago, while raising awareness of and supporting HIV/AIDS services in Chicago. Later, the Dance for Life Fund was formed as a program to ease the financial burden of Chicago dancers dying of complications of AIDS. As treatment for HIV/AIDS has evolved, so has the Dance for Life Fund. It now helps dancers battling any life-threatening condition to get back on their feet and continue to pursue their passion for dance. Proceeds from this year’s performance will exclusively benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Dance for Life Fund.
“The dedication of staff, dance companies and volunteers is as astounding as the level of artistry,” said Harriet Ross, co-founder of Dance for Life. “Though its purpose is practical, the performance enlightens and educates. We sincerely hope that life will continue to mirror art as survival rates improve and as Dance for Life continues to flourish.”
Dance for Life the documentary will air on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 10 p.m. on WTTW 11.
The live, on-stage performance of Dance for Life will be held on Saturday, August 20 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, in Chicago. Tickets are $50-$75 for the 7:30 p.m. performance, with tickets for the 4:30 p.m. gala and performance ranging from $175-$500. Tickets are available at Danceforlifechicago.com or by calling 312-922-5812.
Since 1992, Dance for Life has raised more than $4 million in the fight against HIV/AIDS; showcased Chicago’s top professional dance companies; financially established a fund that provides assistance to dancers living with HIV/AIDS; helped to support and produce five spin-off pre-events; and helped raise money for many of Chicago’s leading AIDS organizations.
Birdhouse Art Auction and Cocktail Party for Chicago House
This year, Chicago House and our Co-Chairs Denise Antonucci, Jerry Sanfilippo and Spyros Petros are Branching Out with birdhouses and artwork for the masses!
Bring home the functional or funky birdhouse designs you’ve grown to love, plus traditional, modern, and contemporary art pieces, all auctioned off to benefit the men, women, and children of Chicago House!
Date: Thursday, June 23, 2011Time: 6 – 9PM
Where: Room & Board, 55 East Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Tickets online : $70 In Advance (ends June 22 at 5PM) $85 At the Door
Chicago House Residents Say IT GET’S BETTER
Do you ever stop and count your blessings?
Take a moment and think about how lucky you are?
Have a moment of gratitude?
I think many of us, rush through day to day life and forget there are a lot of people out there worse off. Just this past weekend, hundreds of men and women came out for a festive gala brunch, thousands of dollars was raised, and we all get so caught up in the moment and the fun of it all, some of us, sometimes forget what it’s all about, if we don’t see it. We know it’s a good cause, but we sometimes may forget the face, the real people, attached.
At the annual Chicago House brunch this past week, I was personally humbled by Stan Sloan’s speech. And I felt compelled to share it with everyone, in case you missed the event…..
Hi, my name is Stan Sloan, and I’m in my 11th year as the CEO of Chicago House. And I just wanted to start out my talk today by saying, “It gets better.”
It gets better. Hopefully everyone in here is aware of the importance of that phrase from Dan Savage and from the Trevor Project that has done so much great work with for the subject of LGBT youth and LGBT suicide. But last Sunday, Easter Sunday, I promised myself that I was going to work on this talk for today. And without a clue of what I was going to say, I decided to go and spend the day with the residents of our Supportive Living Program.
As many of you know, our Supportive Living Program is one of our five residential facilities for people who have HIV and AIDS and that have no where else to go. The Supportive Living Facility is the first step for our housing. The 16 residents who live there have come to us directly from the streets, from the shelters, from prison or detox centers, or directly from experiences of having been kicked out of the homes of their parents, friends or lovers…most often as a result of revealing that they have HIV.
Spending Easter with the residents of the Supportive Living Program may sound depressing, but nothing could be farther from the truth. If Easter is about springtime and moving from death of winter into the life of summer, then there is no better place to spend Easter than with these 16 men and women who, for perhaps the first time since they were diagnosed with HIV, have hope for moving from the death of their past lives to the life of what’s possible. Hope for moving beyond the perception that their life with HIV meant that there was no new life to follow.
As many of you know, our Supportive Living Program is one of our five residential facilities for people who have HIV and AIDS and that have no where else to go. The Supportive Living Facility is the first step for our housing. The 16 residents who live there have come to us directly from the streets, from the shelters, from prison or detox centers, or directly from experiences of having been kicked out of the homes of their parents, friends or lovers…most often as a result of revealing that they have HIV. Spending Easter with the residents of the Supportive Living Program may sound depressing, but nothing could be farther from the truth. If Easter is about springtime and moving from death of winter into the life of summer, then there is no better place to spend Easter than with these 16 men and women who, for perhaps the first time since they were diagnosed with HIV, have hope for moving from the death of their past lives to the life of what’s possible. Hope for moving beyond the perception that their life with HIV meant that there was no new life to follow.
As many of you know, our Supportive Living Program is one of our five residential facilities for people who have HIV and AIDS and that have no where else to go. The Supportive Living Facility is the first step for our housing. The 16 residents who live there have come to us directly from the streets, from the shelters, from prison or detox centers, or directly from experiences of having been kicked out of the homes of their parents, friends or lovers…most often as a result of revealing that they have HIV. Spending Easter with the residents of the Supportive Living Program may sound depressing, but nothing could be farther from the truth. If Easter is about springtime and moving from death of winter into the life of summer, then there is no better place to spend Easter than with these 16 men and women who, for perhaps the first time since they were diagnosed with HIV, have hope for moving from the death of their past lives to the life of what’s possible. Hope for moving beyond the perception that their life with HIV meant that there was no new life to follow.
So I went to SLP to be with those 16 residents on Easter, only to find out that none of them were there. One of our donors, who shall remain anonymous, had beat me there that day, and had left our staff member with money to take them all out for Easter pizza at Leona’s just down the street on Augusta. So I got back in my car and went to Leona’s to find four tables pushed together with 17 of the most diverse people that you can imagine packed next to each other. The oldest was 72. The youngest was 20. They were black and white and brown. They were men and women. They were gay and straight and transgendered, they were drop outs from Jr. High School and downtown executives who had lost everything to crystal meth and HIV. And they were laughing and eating together like brothers and sisters.
At least until I walked up. Nothing can ruin a party quite like the CEO walking in unannounced. “Listen,” I said as they pulled up a chair for me, “next Sunday I am giving a talk to 400 donors of Chicago House. What do you think I should tell them?” Most of them shrugged their shoulders until one of the women spoke up. “Tell them,” she said, “tell them that it gets better.”
At least until I walked up. Nothing can ruin a party quite like the CEO walking in unannounced. “Listen,” I said as they pulled up a chair for me, “next Sunday I am giving a talk to 400 donors of Chicago House. What do you think I should tell them?” Most of them shrugged their shoulders until one of the women spoke up. “Tell them,” she said, “tell them that it gets better.”
What gets better?
“Living with HIV…” she said. “Tell them that at Chicago House, living with HIV gets better.” “Is that what I should tell them,” I asked the rest of the group, and different people spoke up. A young intern from Sweet Miss Giving’s bakery who is only 21 and who was born with HIV from a crack addicted mother said how she had stopped taking her medication because she thought it was hopeless before arriving at our door. In her short time with us she has gone from a viral load of over 2,000 to being undetectable.
A man spoke up about the death of his partner and of the depression and drug abuse that left him homeless that followed. One of the older men spoke about how he had lived at Chicago House ten years ago and left because he didn’t want to follow the rules. “It took me 10 years,” he said, “but I finally realized that the rules weren’t near as bad as the rest of my life, so I came back and…” “It gets better” the original woman chimed in, and the whole table went up for laughs.
Today Chicago House provides housing and support services to over 1,100 people a year. Over the last 11 years we have worked hard to change the dynamic of that housing and services from a system that helps people get on benefits and supports that will let them live the rest of their lives with HIV in comfort to one that helps them move from those benefits and supports to lives that are fully engaged in the world and independent.
Over 500 people city-wide have been through our Employment Program which is the only program specifically targeting those with HIV and AIDS who are unstably housed in the nation. Our placement rate for the employment program is over 60% even in this economy. Sweet Miss Giving’s Bakery, Unquestionably Kind, Unreasonably Good! has a 100% placement rate for those trained in baking, packaging, customer service, and delivery through its internship.
Our prevention and medication adherence programs are stopping the spread of HIV in the LGBT and other at-risk communities, and they are helping those who are already impacted live long healthy lives. And, of course, our housing programs which serve over 200 adults and 50 kids annually are helping people develop the skills they need to gain stability and eventually independence, so that they can move on to open a space for someone newly infected and in need of hope.
It gets better. For Dan Savage and the Trever project the simple message of “it gets better” only makes sense in the context of encouragement and support. A struggling LGBT kid may not be able to imagine a better life on his or her own, but now he or she doesn’t have to. Now they can simply go to Youtube and find people…from Lady Gaga and Ellen to President Obama…imagining it for the. The clients of Chicago House most often come to us…black and white, men and women, homeless and white collar executives, gay, straight and transgendered…but with one thing in common…they have lost their ability to imagine a hopeful life with HIV, but At Chicago House it gets better. It gets better because Chicago House believe in them, and that is possible because you are here and believe in us.
It gets better. With your help and support it gets better.
Chicago House. We were there at the beginning.
We will be here till the cure.
Chicago House can always use volunteers.
Maybe this is your year to lend a hand?
CHECK OUT ALL OF THE GREAT EVENT PHOTOS AND
FASHION MODELS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE and LIKE US!
BestGayChicago.com
Chicago Takes Off Raises Over $150,000 for TPAN
They started out fully clothed…..
and the clothes gradually came off!
The 5th annual Chicago Takes Off / Lido des Boyz was a HUGE SUCCESS.
More than $150,000 was raised for TPAN with 2 SOLD OUT back to back shows!
It was an AMAZING production produced by Todd Kiech and Keith Elliott. The annual burlesque revue-style show featured over 125 talented male and female dancers, who donate their time and energy to strut their stuff in support of TPAN. Colorful and energetic choreographed performances and entertainment engage audiences in this sexy celebration of life. It was so well done and some amazing costumes!
Much more photos on Facebook and some of the more risque shots are in a slide show.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR NEXT YEAR!
March 3rd, 2012
BestGayChicago.com
Red Dress Brunch at Cocktail Sunday December 12
is a national event dedicated to creating awareness and visibility for the HIV/AIDS movement and raising funds for organizations that provide vital community services.
The CHICAGO RED DRESS PARTY
will take place April 16th, 2011.
This Sunday, December 12th, join Best Gay Chicago.com as we help kick off a series of mini pre-parties and benefits! RED DRESSS BRUNCH takes place this Sunday at Cocktail, 3359 N. Halsted, from 12-3pm.
Come join us for brunch! Dine out and drink and help a great cause!
“Raise Your Glass” to end HIV/AIDS. Enjoy some fantastic brunch and drink specials will be – $1 Cocktails, $2 Mimosas and $3 Raspberry Long Islands.
20% of proceeds will be donated to Chicago Red Dress Party which supports AIDS Foundations of Chicago and Equality Project.
Join us on Facebook
Best Gay Chicago.com
Chicago Takes Off Kickoff Event on December 5
Chicago competed for the title
of “Chicago’s Sexiest,”
in Test Positive Aware Network’s (TPAN)
Bar-lesque fundraising event and online
strip-a-thon which took place throughout November.
Bars competing in the competition included Angelina Ristorante, Atmosphere, The Call, Cell Block, Cocktail, Hydrate, Jackhammer, Minibar, Roscoe’s, Sidetrack, Spin, Touche, and the Velvet Rope. In total, the bars and contestants raised a total of $21,305 to support TPAN’s HIV/AIDS programs and services.
The winner will be crowned at the official kickoff extravaganza for Chicago Takes Off to be held Sunday, December 5 at 4 p.m. at Scarlet Bar, located at 3320 N. Halsted.
“In its third year, we’re delighted to raise an amazing amount of money for TPAN,” said Dan Paterno, co-chair of the events. “We truly value the fundraising efforts of everyone who’s been involved with Bar-lesque this year and the volunteers who have put so much time and effort into the events.”
The online competition ended at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, November 30 with one winner cinching the title, a mere $360 more than the second place contestant. TPAN has announced that the Web site, BAR LESQUE , will re-launch on Monday, December 6 to give donors an opportunity to contribute end of the year donations and continue supporting their favorite bar staff.
Chicago Takes Off: Lido des Boyz
Sunday’s crowning and Chicago Takes Off kickoff event will feature statuesque performers in themed regalia to launch ticket and raffle sales for the main event, which will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2011 in two shows, 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., at the Park West.
In its fifth year, the Chicago Takes Off theme is “LIDO des Boyz,” which is sure to tease audiences with the enchantment and exhilaration of Paris’s famed Lido Cabaret, all in support of TPAN’s mission of providing HIV/AIDS programs and services. Macy’s has joined the 2011 spring event as the presenting sponsor.
For tickets and information about Chicago Takes Off, log on to Chicago Takes Off .
LIKE Howard Brown on Facebook and They Get $25!
Just to go the Howard Brown
Facebook page
and LIKE them.
And they get $25 from
an anonymous donor!
How easy is that?! And it costs you NOTHING! Tell all your friends! They need 1000 people to LIKE them and the get $25,000!
Best Gay Chicago.com
World of Chocolate is Back December 2nd!
World of Chocolate
Thursday, December 2, 2010
6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Hilton Chicago
(720 S. Michigan Ave.)
World of Chocolate is the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s (AFC) annual holiday fundraising event held in commemoration of World AIDS Day. At this festive event, guests will sample scrumptious chocolate creations from more than 30 of Chicagoland’s finest restaurants, caterers, and chocolatiers. It is THE holiday event of the season, not to be missed!
Chocolate vendors creating the delicacies will compete for top honors in several categories as judged by local celebrities. Other components of the evening include entertainment, a raffle, an open bar, and a light buffet.
Chocolate Bliss Recipe Challenge
Event guests can submit their own original chocolate recipe for consideration in the first annual Chocolate Bliss Recipe Challenge, to recipes @ aidschicago.org.
A panel of professional chocolatiers and chefs from the event will select the top recipe of choice – which will be announced at World of Chocolate 2010.
Come and meet one of the most innovative chocolatiers of all time. Fritz Knipschildt, a native of Denmark, moved to the USA in 1996 and founded Knipschildt Chocolatier LLC in 1999 and café Chocopologie in 2005. (In Norwalk, Connecticut) His European background, the formal education as a Chef in Denmark along with his training in France and Spain, have blended with his American experiences to influence his chocolate & confections. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago is proud to welcome Fritz as the 2010 Honorary Chair and Celebrity Judge for World of Chocolate.
General Admission tickets $100 now, $125 at the door.
Best Gay Chicago
Cupcakes Cookies And Delicious Dessert Gifts to Benefit Chicago House
Nothing Says Happy Holidays
Like Sweet Miss Giving’s Bakery!
Have you started making your holiday gift list?
It’s just WEEKS AWAY!!
Whether you are shopping for a foodie, a party host, or coffee enthusiast, the perfect gift is waiting at Sweet Miss Giving’s Bakery.
This year, Sweet Miss Giving’s has created a wide array of gift boxes which include everything from spicy ginger and molasses cookies to red velvet cupcakes topped with creamy white icing. Are you attending a holiday party this year? Let Sweet Miss Giving’s deliver brownies, cheesecakes, or gourmet coffee right to the host’s door so you can effortlessly attend holiday parties while showing your gratitude.
Sweet Miss Giving’s Bakery and Gifting is a premier bakery and jobs program that offers rich, decadent baked goods while providing a new reason to feel good about sweet indulgences: over 50% of all profits go to help the formerly homeless and HIV/AIDS-affected men, women, and children of Chicago House.
Call 312-575-0212 to place your order or visit Sweet Miss Givings to purchase online.
Check out their holiday gift brochure .
Sweet Miss Giving’s Bakery-the Unquestionably Kind,
Unreasonably Good way to give this holiday season!
TPAN’s Bar Lesque Benefit Update
It is week #2 of Chicago’s favorite online charity event and thanks to your generosity, some of our contestants are wearing a little less than they were just one short week ago. Remember, for the entire month of November, contestants representing thirteen community businesses are “taking it all off” when you donate to TPAN.
Curious? Head to Bar-lesque.org and see what your favorite guy is not wearing today. While you’re at it, make sure to check out which contestant is sporting the hottest tattoo right above his…
AND…
After Rick from Cell Block pulled into an early lead over the weekend, he and Michael from Atmosphere are now neck and neck in a tie. Jason from Sidetrack and Scott from Cocktail are right behind. Word on the street is Rick is pulling in the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to help him raise coin for the cause next week. Seriously, who is going to say no to a SISTER! It is shaping up to be a heated contest, so watch out for flying clothes!
Thanks to all of you who attended last week’s kickoff event at SPIN! You helped catapult the event by raising $1,322 for TPAN.
What is Bar-lesque?
We canvassed the city far and wide to find charity-minded businesses to send over their sexiest guy or girl to take it all off in an online strip-a-thon to benefit the work of TPAN. Thirteen of Chicago’s sexiest from Angelina Ristorante, Atmosphere, CellBlock, The Call, Cocktail, Hydrate, Jackhammer, Minibar, Roscoe’s, Sidetrack, Spin, Touche and Velvet Rope are taking it off for charity…online! You participate by donating for your favorite contestant at www.bar-lesque.org.
Madeleine Albright Speaks at Chicago House Luncheon December 9th
Madeleine Korbel Albright
is the first woman to become a United States Secretary of State. She was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996, and was unanimously confirmed by a U.S. Senate vote of 99-0. She was sworn in on January 23, 1997.
Albright endorsed and supported Hillary Clinton in her 2008 campaign for U.S. President. Albright has been a close friend of Clinton and serves as her top informal advisor on foreign policy matters. She is currently[clarification needed] serving as a top advisor for U.S. President Barack Obama in a working group on national security. On December 1, 2008, then-President-elect Obama nominated then-Senator Clinton for Albright’s former post of Secretary of State.
CHICAGO HOUSE PRESENTS
The 2nd Annual Speaker Series Luncheon
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Addressing HIV and Homelessness
Featuring Keynote Speaker, Madeleine K. Albright
When: Thursday, December 9, 2010
Where: Palmer House Hilton, 17 East Monroe St., Chicago, IL
Time: 11:30AM-2:00PM
Please call (773) 248-5200 x304 to inquire about corporate tables and sponsorship opportunities.
Ticket Levels : Premium: $150 Preferred: $300 VIP: $750
BEHIV’s 5th Annual Exhibition of Artwork – Opens November 19
“Resilience”
BEHIV’s 5th Annual Exhibition of Artwork
from Art Therapy Clients and Supportive Artists
Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV ) will host its fifth annual exhibition of artwork created by clients in its Art Therapy program, as well as supportive community artists, at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, from November 19 through January 4.
The exhibition will be preceded by a fundraising reception on November 19,
from 6:00-7:30pm, in the Center’s Irving Harris Family Foundation Reception Hall.
Tickets to the reception can be purchased on BEHIV’s website
The exhibition itself is free to the public.
Art Therapy helps people explore issues related to HIV/AIDS, assisting them in coping with a range of emotions. Permission to create and learning to respect one’s own creations are cornerstones of the program. Verbal expression has its limitations, but acquiring a visual language offers powerful energy for change and healing. Most of BEHIV’s clients have no formal art training, but their ability to work through difficult emotional issues through their art helps them lead more productive, healthier lives.
In the past, Art Therapy was funded by federal Ryan White CARE Act funds, but Art Therapy funding has been eliminated from that program. BEHIV is committed to continuing the beneficial service and hosts the exhibition and reception annually to support the program, with reception proceeds and art sales benefiting the program.
Sponsors of the 2010 exhibition (to date) include BestGayChicago.com, Boi Magazine, Canon Solutions, Center on Halsted, Chicago Department of Public Health, ChicagoPride.com, GRAB Magazine, MTMChicago.com, Northwest Speech and Hearing Center, Tibotec Therapeutics.
BEHIV annually educates more than 5,000 young people throughout Chicagoland about how to protect themselves, because HIV increasingly affects our youth houses more than 190 men, women and children impacted by HIV, who might otherwise be homeless
delivers case management, mental health counseling, art therapy and massage therapy services to more than 300 adults who need a lifeline to supportive services provides approximately 1,000 free HIV and sexually transmitted infection tests to our most vulnerable populations.
Chicago LGBT Howard Brown Heath Center in Serious Financial Troubles
Chicago’s Howard Brown Center , which provides health services to the city’s LGBT community, is facing a potential shut down of its services over alleged financial mismanagement by the organization’s top officers. The Center provides primary health services to over 6000 LGBT Citizens in the Chicago area, many of whom with HIV and AIDS.
The Chicago Tribune reports, that Jamal Edwards, who was appointed president and CEO of the organization in June when two top executives were dismissed after an National Institutes of Health audit found they had mishandled the Centers funds, said Howard Brown will need to raise
$500,000 over 50 days and an additional $500,000 next year or risk closing its doors!
.
A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ office of inspector general report found more than $3 million in grant funds, part of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, or MACS, which has tracked thousands of men both infected with HIV and not infected with HIV since the mid-1980s, was used between 2006 and March of this year to cover general operating expenses at Howard Brown.
Staff members have agreed to sacrifice paychecks if necessary, and he’s confident the community will rally behind Howard Brown.
MAKE A GIFT TO HOWARD BROWN TODAY.
Masquerade Ball at Crimson to Benefit AIDS Foundation Chicago October 16th
Be sexy,
be mysterious,
be anything you desire as premier special event marketing and media firm, K Dock Media, hosts Chicago’s tastemakers and movemakers
at The Masquerade Ball on Saturday, October 16th,
at the ultra chic Crimson Lounge,
333 N. Dearborn, from 10p – 3a in Chicago.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Formal attire and masks are required.
K Dock Media’s not-for-profit partner for The Masquerade Ball is the AIDS Foundation of Chicago . Founded in 1985 by community activists and physicians, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago is a local and national leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We collaborate with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services; fund and coordinate prevention, care, and advocacy projects; and champion effective, compassionate HIV/AIDS policy. Proceeds from the event will benefit the organization.
“We are proud to support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, states David Dodd, director of public relations for K Media. “They have been an incredible force in Illinois and in the nation to eradicate the disease as well as support thousands of people who have been affected by HIV/AIDS.”
Dress to impress, mingle and groove to the sounds of music provided by guest DJs for the night all for a good cause. To purchase tickets and for more information about The Masquerade Ball, please visit K Dock Media .
Reverend Stan J.Sloan Receives Two Top Honors
On Thursday, September 16th, Stan Sloan, CEO of Chicago House, was honored at the “Who IS Chicago ” event hosted by Cece & Melinda with Raymi Productions . The “Who IS Chicago” event recognized influential Chicagoans active in the philanthropic community.
On Wednesday, November 10th, Stan will be inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame . The induction will take place at the Chicago Cultural Center at 77 E. Randolph. The reception begins at 5:30pm, is free, and open to the public.
BestGayChicago.com, The Chicago House staff, Associate Board, and Board of Trustees, feel these awards are well deserved for the the outstanding leadership that Stan continues to provide for Chicago House and the HIV and homeless communities. Way to go, Stan!
THIS WEEK – is Macy’s Men’s Designer Event !
Macy’s and OUT invite you to celebrate the latest designer collections.
When: Thursday, September 30th
Where: Macy’s on State Street, 111 North State Street, 2nd Floor Time: 5:30-7:30PM
Enjoy amazing fashion from Hugo Boss, Armani Jeans, Elie Tahari, and more!
Featuring informal modeling, music by DJ Chris Spinazzola, cocktails by Appleton Estate Rum, and hors d’oeuvres. Plus, meet special guest Micah Cohen, designer and creater for Shades of Grey. Spend $250 on Men’s Designer Deptartment and take $50* off your purchase. Plus receive a special gift bag** RSVP to (800) 329-8667. Door donations to benefit Chicago House.
TPAN Presents Aware Affair: Totally ’80s Ultra Lounge September 11th
Test Positive Aware Network’s
signature fall event,
Aware Affair: Totally ’80s Ultra Lounge,
will be on
Saturday, September 11, 2010
at the Ravenswood Billboard Factory.
When the doors open to the spectacular Totally ’80s Ultra Lounge, guests will enjoy a tableau of fine cuisine, peruse an array of unparalleled silent auction selections, take their chance at high-end raffle prizes, and watch an eclectic variety of performance art and entertainment.
Schedule –
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Mile High Club/VIP Reception
($250/per person*)
~Private Cocktail Lounge with
Adjacent Outdoor Terrace
~Champagne and Premium Libations
~Hors D’oeuvres
~Exclusive VIP Lounge Access with
Cocktail Service
~Buffet Dinner and Dessert
~Silent Auction
~Raffle
7:30 p.m.-Midnight–Ultra Lounge with Dinner and Libations
($150/per person*)
~Cocktails ~Buffet Dinner and Dessert ~Silent Auction ~Raffle
*Purchase nine reservations; get the tenth reservation for free.
Where? Ravenswood Billboard Factory
4011 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Attire: Your favorite ’80s fashions
For more information about reservation details and pricing, the menu, silent auction items, raffle prizes, our honorees, or to download the official invitation, please log on to TPAN , or call Rhett Lindsay at (773) 989-9400 ext. 233.
You may also purchase your reservations directly at EVENTS AWARE AFFAIR
Dance For Life Chicago August 21
Six of Chicago’s most renowned and talented top dance companies will come together for one spectacular, celebratory evening of dance – on one stage! Currently celebrating its 19th year, Dance for Life is the largest performance-based AIDS fundraising event in the Midwest and has raised nearly $4 million since 1992.
This highly anticipated event is held annually to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs and is hosted by Dean Richards, Entertainment Critic and Reporter for WGN-TV (CW), Chicago; National Cable Channel, WGN America and News Talk 720, WGN Radio.
Proceeds benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Brothers Health Collective, Chicago Child Care Society – Safe Life Program, Centro Romero – HIV/AIDS Outreach and Education Project, Tongabezi Trust School, Young Women’s Empowerment Project, and the Dance for Life Fund.
Participating companies include:
· Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theatre
· Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago
· Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
· The Joffrey Ballet
· River North Chicago Dance Company
· Thodos Dance Chicago
This year, Dance for Life will host one world premiere performance by renowned choreographer Harrison McEldowney, who is best known for his theatrical work and his involvement in the closing ceremonies of the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010
5:00 p.m. Gala Reception – Millennium Park Rooftop Terrace (located above the Harris Theater), featuring a light buffet dinner and a complimentary ABSOULT martini bar.
7:30 p.m. Dance for Life performance – Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Tickets are $75 (performance only) or range from $150-$500 (includes admission to 5 p.m. gala reception and premiere seating at the performance.)
To purchase tickets, please call 312-922-5812 or visit DANCE FOR LIFE
Chicago House Presents Birdhouse: Unleashed! Art Auction and Cocktail Party June 24
IT’S BACK!
It’s your chance to bring home unique works of art, functional and funky birdhouses, plus ALL NEW additions for your furry friends!
The annual Birdhouse Auction and cocktail party to benefit Chicago House will be held at Room & Board’s downtown Chicago store on Thursday, June 24th. Local Chicago artists, designers and architects will participate in this unique event, an annual tradition for art enthusiasts and Chicago House supporters.
Room & Board AND Chicago House Invite You To
BIRDHOUSE: Unleashed! The 2010 Birdhouse Art Auction & Cocktail Party
One-of-a-kind birdhouses will be auctioned off to benefit Chicago House, and for the first time in the event’s 14 year history, artists will be unleashing a new style of artwork; supplies and dwellings for dogs, cats, and other furry friends! Bidders can get a sneak peek this year, as artwork will be on display in the Room & Board showroom starting on June 18th.
Kick off your Pride Weekend with Cocktails on the terrace by GREY GOOSE and delicious hors d’oeuvres by J&L Catering.
Proceeds of course will support the housing programs and supportive services Chicago House provides to men, women, and children living with HIV & AIDS.
Date: Thursday, June 24, 2010 Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Room & Board Chicago Downtown Store 55 East Ohio Street
Call the Chicago House Ticket line at (773) 248-5200 x. 303, or book online at Chicago House
Richard Cordova and Richards Riders Host Benefit at Wild Pug Wednesday April 21st
3 HOUR OPEN BAR
and BENEFIT!
Such a deal!
This Wednesday April 21st from 6:30 to 9:30 at Wild Pug (4810 N Broadway)
Richards Riders / Ride for AIDS Team will be having a fundraising party.
This is Richard’s third year in the Ride for AIDS and this year he plans to set new records! He is returning with a 21 person team this year and a goal of $30,000, which would be the highest amount ever raised by a team.
“Raising $30,000 is a lofty goal, but with so many people on the team I’m hoping we can rally enough support for such a great cause and make our goal,” said Cordova. He has also run five marathons and three half-marathons. Richard is a health educator at the Center on Halsted and he also is a spinning instructor at the Lakeview Athletic Club.
“The 2009 Ride was great because two of my closest friends, Zak and Andrea, did the ride with me, which really made it a lot of fun,” Cordova said. “I decided to start my own team this year because I knew I was going to do the Ride again and it just seemed like the logical thing to do.” The Ride for AIDS is July 10-11, but fundraising is underway now and the Wild Pug event will be the first in a series.
The Ride For AIDS is a 190-mile bicycle trek from Northwestern University’s Evanston campus to Lake Geneva and back. “The ride is tough. It’s fun, but tough,” Cordova said. “The winds can be brutal while the hills and long flat stretches in Wisconsin are mentally and physically draining. The camaraderie among the riders and the crew helps of course.”
“As someone living with HIV for over eight years now, I’ve come to look at physical challenges as my way of sticking it to the man, as they say, and ‘the man’ being HIV. It’s important that I prove to myself that even though I live with this virus every day that I must continue to stay positive and that having HIV doesn’t stop me from living my best life. Honestly, having this virus in some ways has helped me live an even better one because I’ve come to realize how destructive behaviors in my life were leading me to an early grave.”
Cordova added, “My team would love it if the kind and benevolent LGBTQ community could find it in their hearts and their wallets by helping us support Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ) through a donation. No matter how big or small; every bit counts. Whether it be information dissemination, outreach, testing and prevention, and positive living support groups and more, TPAN is on the front lines every day helping those, myself included, who are living their best life possible with HIV/AIDS. We ride to do our part and when you make a decision to support our ride you are doing yours. Thank You!”
