Dallas Arts Community Joins in the Fight against AIDS
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 | admin
It is estimated that more than 33 million people are living with HIV and AIDS today. This year marks the 30th anniversary since AIDS was first discovered. Bringing light to this worldwide epidemic, the Dallas arts community is hosting a benefit performing featuring an unprecedented collaboration between some of the finest performing arts organizations in the city.
“A Gathering: The Dallas Arts Community Reflects on 30 Years of AIDS” will feature 12 Dallas cultural institutions with a cast of more than 200 performers. All organizations involved are donating their time and talent for this unique event. One hundred percent of the proceeds of this remarking event will directly benefit four of Dallas’ leading HIV/AIDS service organizations.
“This is the first time so many Dallas arts organizations, a dozen in total, are coming together for any single cause,” said Charles Santos, executive director of TITAS and producer of “A Gathering”. “It really is going to be a remarkable night of solidarity, song and dance.”
The beneficiaries of the performance include the AIDS Arms, AIDS Interfaith Network, AIDS Services of Dallas, and Resource Center Dallas. These organizations are in the forefront of the fight against AIDS, and for many years have provided services such as food banks, counseling and medical aid to thousands of people living with HIV and AIDS in North Texas.
“The funds that will be raised come at a critical time,” said Don Maison with AIDS Services of Dallas. “Many of our clients are low-income or unemployed, so our services quite literally are keeping them alive. The generosity of the artists and the audience is just overwhelming.”
“A Gathering” will feature a stunningly diverse range of theater, music, opera, video and dance. The evening will include original choreography created especially for “A Gathering” and an impressive roster of Dallas’ most accomplished vocalists, actors and dancers.
The arts organizations involved include the AT&T Performing Arts Center, Booker T. Washington High School of the Performing and Visual Arts, Bruce Wood Dance Project, CharlieUniformTango, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Wind Symphony, SMU Meadows School of the Arts, Texas Ballet Theater, TITAS, Turtle Creek Chorale, as well as many individual artists. Local community leaders and dignitaries will also participate in the program.
“A Gathering” will take place on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the benefit performance range from $12-$300 and can be purchased through the AT&T Performing Arts Center ticket office at www.attpac.org/gathering or 214-880-0202.