AEGiS-BAR: 25 years of caring: AIDS Emergency Fund celebrates

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

25 years of caring: AIDS Emergency Fund celebrates

Bay Area Reporter - July 26, 2007
Donna Sachet

Last Saturday, we celebrated 25 years of generosity with the AIDS Emergency Fund at the Marriott Hotel. Returning to the more formal celebrations of the past, the AEF hosted a lavish cocktail hour and silent auction followed by a seated dinner and program, including special recognition for one of the co-founders of this esteemed organization, Rick Booth , presented by Executive Director Mike Smith and Board President Cynthia Hester. The entire room sat transfixed as a videotaped interview with Rick described the remarkable foundation and early history of the AEF. Emceeing the evening was the comic genius of Bruce Vilanch, who has mastered the art of localizing universal humor.

Other entertainment included the musical trio SDK accompanied by Thaddeus Pinkston , and one of the earliest supporters of AEF, Sharon McNight, sharing personal musical selections in her own bawdy, irreverent way. Throughout dinner, guests were ushered down Memory Lane with a beautiful video history displayed on large screens, recapping 25 years of volunteering, fundraising, and selflessness. The program ended with an historic and hilarious musical trio from Bruce, Sharon, and this humble reporter.

The lively crowd included Assemblyman Mark Leno, Emperors Steven Rascher, T.J. Istvan, Jacques Michaels, John Carrillo and Jason Ladd, Empresses Marlena and Susie Wong, Tom Rodgers, Steve Gaynes, Keith Truitt, Jay Harcourt, Gary Virginia, Tony Koester, Jeff Anderson, Susan Fahey, Bob Emerson, James Carlson, Dan Bernal, Russell Kassman, Jan Wahl, Richard Sablatura, Dean D'Onofrio, Al Baum, Derek Barnes, Paul Moffett, Jerome Goldstein & Tommy Taylor, Mario Diaz, John Marez, Leslie Ewing, Ralph Hyman, Bella Farrow, and a host of B.A.R. folks led by publisher Thomas Horn. Then the high energy of Kristine W., complete with sexy flag dancers, beckoned attendees to the dance floor.

Earlier in the week, we made quick stops at the Capitol Club Happy Hour of EqualityCalifornia at Sterling Bank in the Pyramid Building with special guest Chair of the California Board of Equalization Betty Yee, the closing party of the Duane Cramer photography exhibit at Good Vibrations Gallery benefiting PFLAG, and a well-attended going-away party for Calvin Gipson . We deeply regret the loss of such a vibrant member of our community, but wish him the very best and invite him to return as soon as possible. True leaders of integrity and vision are rare; Calvin Gipson is undoubtedly one.

Celebrity sightings continue at Sunday's a Drag at Harry Denton's Starlight Room, including legendary chanteuse Andrea Marcovicci, Kristopher McDowell , Brett Ingram, and Miguel Guitierrez this past weekend.

Lots of activity this weekend is centered on the historic Castro Theatre as impresario Mark Huestis brings us the Bad Boys of Runway, and films with incredible fashion and campy events to celebrate them. Friday night, meet television's Project Runway's Jeffrey Sebelia and Santino Rice as they review a glamorous designer runway with San Francisco socialite Denise Hale, with entertainment by fashionista Juanita More! and Arturo Galster . The B.A.R.'s own Tavo Amador will then introduce the classic film The Women. The movies continue with Sunday night's My Fair Lady introduced by movie critic Jan Wahl and your local reporter with a fabulous hat contest, Monday's Grey Gardens hosted by Tony Award-nominated Justin Bond with entertainment by Connie Champagne, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, All About Eve, Dreamgirls, and more. Don't miss this festival, and don't dress down!

If you haven't secured your tickets yet to the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation's Help is on the Way Goes to the Movies on Sunday, August 5, at the Palace of Fine Arts, act before it is too late! Where else can you enjoy the talents of Susan Anton, Shaun Cassidy, Carole Cook, Kimberley Locke , Phoebe Snow, Paula West, B.D. Wong, and many more, all on one stage in one night? Throw in a fabulous silent auction and a cocktail reception with the stars, and you have an event not to be missed by any dedicated fan of music and comedy.

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