A number of local agencies and organization are gearing up for World AIDS Day, which takes place Monday, Dec. 1. A number of events will take place throughout the week, however. As of publication, the following observances have been scheduled for the Chicago area.
Nov. 30:
Project VIDA is supporting "Strut," the sixth annual World AIDS Day fashion show, at Castle, 632 N. Dearborn St. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the show begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit projectvida.org .
Dec. 1:
Chicago Department of Public Health will, on Dec. 1, host condom distributions at five CTA rail stations around the city in partnership with volunteers from Step Up Get Tested. The stops include Roosevelt, 95th and Howard along the Red line; Halsted at the Green line; and Illinois Medical District at the Blue line.
Rush University Medical Center CEO Larry Goodman, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and other guests kick off the Chicagoland World AIDS Day Collaborative program with a presentation from 10-10:30 a.m. at Rush University Medical Center, 1623 W. Harrison St. The program will be followed by a presentation, "HIV across the Continuum of Care," at 1630 W. Harrison St., at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit stepupgettested.com .
CALOR ( ComprensiÃ"n y Apoyo a Latinos en OposiciÃ"n al Retrovirus ) observes World AIDS Day at Latin Rhythms Dance Studio, 210 N. Racine Ave., from 4-9 p.m. The Miguel A. Morales Spirit of Excellence Award will be awarded to Iliana Gilliland, director of care at AIDS Foundation of Chicago. This is a free event, but RSVP is required at 773-385-9080.
Vida/SIDA will hold a candlelight vigil at La Casita de Don Pedro, 2625 W. Division Ave., at 5 p.m. A fundraising dinner follows at Nellie's Restaurant, 2458 W. Division Ave., from 6-8:30 p.m. For more information, call 773-394-4935.
Chicago-area Italian restaurant group Francesca's will donate 15 percent of net bills presented with a special flier to AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) in honor of those living with HIV. The flier, which lists participating locations, is at www.aidschicago.org/francescas_slip.pdf. AFC on Dec. 1 will also launch its website redesign and announce its Challenge Grant awardees.
Dec. 2:
Austin CBC Collaborative will hold a commemoration from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Austin Health Center, 4800 W. Chicago Ave. Keynote speakers will include state Rep. LaShawn Ford and Dr. Maya Green. For more information, visit austincbc.org .
Dec. 4:
AIDS Foundation of Chicago hosts its annual World of Chocolate fundraising celebration at 6 p.m. at Union Station Great Hall, 225 S. Canal St. For more information, visit aidschicago.org .
Dec. 6:
Clergy & Lay Leadership Summit X, billed as a "faith-based response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic," takes place at 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at McCormick Theological Seminary, 5460 S. University Ave. Among the speakers during the summit will be Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. A worship service and panel discussion, "Peacemaking in the City: A Faithful Response to Urban Violence," follows at 6 p.m. For more information, call 773-947-6310.
Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., hosts "Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-Free Generation," at 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Michelle Anderson, Ms. Plus America 2011, will be the keynote speaker at 11 a.m. She was the first HIV-positive woman to become a beauty queen. For more information, visit centeronhalsted.org .
Dec. 7:
South Suburban AIDS Regional Coalition hosts "Stepping Out Against AIDS" at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 West 115th St., Merrionette Park, at 3-8 p.m. For more information, call 708-753-5835 or visit eventbrite.com
The benefit concert "Celebrating the Holiday with Friends" begins at 8 p.m. at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. Among the featured performers will be Tweet, Donald Lawrence, Pauletta Washington, E. Faye Butler and Felicia Fields. Buy tickets at worldaidsdaychicago.org . Another concert will be held Dec. 8.
