It is estimated that more than 33 million people are living with HIV and AIDS today. This year marks the 30^th 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.

Dallas Lesbian Festival returns this Sunday, May 15 at Sue Ellen’s. With festivities beginning at 2 p.m., this exciting outdoor event will feature plenty of live music and fun for everyone.

Taking place at the parking lot behind Sue’s, one of the largest (and probably nicest) lesbian bars in the world, Dallas Lesbian Festival brings popular bands and artists direct to you for an afternoon (and evening) of great music. Last year’s festival drew quite a crowd, so organizers this year are preparing for another successful event.

Live performances begin promptly at 3 p.m. with Rich and Rare, followed by Ciao Bella at 4 p.m., Leah Marr at 5 p.m., Lisa Marshall Band at 6:15 p.m., Anton Shaw and The Reason at 7:30 p.m., and Patrice Pike rounding things up at 8:45 p.m.

Dallas Lesbian Festival is a family-friendly event (we mean both “family” and the variety of family that includes parents and the kiddies), so feel free to bring everyone along—including your cute little puppies! You’re encouraged to bring lawn chairs to help your group get comfortable and enjoy the live performances.

The Dallas Lesbian Festival takes place outside Sue Ellen’s on Sunday, May 15 beginning at 2 p.m. The sooner you arrive, the better. Proceeds from this event will benefit Life Walk and AIDS Arms.

For more information, be sure to check out www.partyattheblock.com. See y’all there!

In only 11 years, Dallas Purple Party has evolved into one of the largest all-volunteer charity dance benefits in the United States. Purple Party is a three-day event that takes place April 29 through May 1 this year that brings non-stop entertainment for a good cause – proceeds benefit AIDS Services of Dallas.

Established in 2001, the Purple Foundation is a nonprofit organization comprised of volunteers who raise funds to improve the lives of Dallasites living with or are affect by HIV/AIDS. Over the years, the Purple Foundation has raised more than $350,000 through its flagship party to help the local service organizations. Purple Foundation has become an invaluable source of revenue for local charity organizations whose work reflects their mission.

Dallas Purple Party plans a weekend annually that includes dance events featuring electrifying visual performances and music by the world’s most popular DJs. Purple Party Weekend attracts dance-music lovers from all over the world. While in two, party-goers also have an opportunity to check out all that there’s to do and see in Dallas.

For 2011, Purple Party Weekend has quite the extravaganza planned. The UK’s biggest music duo, Freemasons, are opening the weekend at the world famous Lizard Lounge on Friday (April 29) night. An official Purple Party Weekend Pool Party with DJ Michael Tank is new this year and planned to take place at their host hotel, The Crowne Plaza in downtown Dallas.

On April 30, the main Saturday night event will take place at The Palladium Ballroom where you can catch identical twin brothers, The Perry Twins, do the thing they’re known for – DJ-ing. Directly following the main event, the party moves to Club One with DJ/Producer Alexander spinning for the popular after-hours party.

International superstar Alyson Calagna returns for her fourth appearance at Purple Party at the Sunday tea-dance on May 1 at Club Plush. The high-energy weekend will come to an end with Texas’ favorite DJ Bryan Konrad at The Brick.

Much has changed in Dallas, so if you haven’t visited lately, Dallas Purple Party Weekend is one fabulous time to do so. To learn more, please visit their website at www.dallaspurpleparty.org.

Super Bowl XLV is 1.5 months away and if you still haven’t found a way to attend the big game, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau (Dallas CVB) has your chance. For only $20, you can be entered for an opportunity to win a pair of tickets.

Entrants can purchase an unlimited number of raffle tickets at $20 each through midnight on January 20, 2011 for a chance to win two tickets and premium seats for the big game at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011. A random drawing is scheduled for January 21, 2011.

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As Haitians continue to face challenges in the aftermath of the devastating January earthquake, people from around the world remain committed to helping those in need. In Dallas, the Turtle Creek Chorale aims to aid in relief efforts with an emergency benefit concert marathon on February 19 at the Cathedral of Hope.

Haiti was devastated last month by a massive earthquake that measured a magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter scale that struck just 15 miles south of Port-au Prince, the country’s capital. Most of the region surrounding quake’s epicenter was flattened, including homes, schools, hospitals, the nation’s presidential palace and the National Cathedral.

“Voices for Haiti: An Emergency Benefit Concert Marathon” is a six-hour marathon of mini-concerts that features ENCORE!, The Women’s Chorus of Dallas, Cathedral of Hope Choir and Orchestra, Men’s Chorus of Hamilton Park Baptist Church, Resounding Harmony, Liz Mikel, Linda and Larry Petty, Anton Shaw, Gary Floyd, past winners of Dallas’ very own Voice of Pride, City Councilmember Pauline Medrano and many others.

All of the above groups and individuals will be donating their time to bring the community together through the power of song to inspire while helping our fellow man. A suggested $25 minimum donation will be taken upon entrance. All proceeds raised will benefit the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. All donations are 100 percent tax-deductable.

It’s truly amazing how every aspect of this program is done through in-kind donations of time and space to benefit those who need our help. This is what the LGBT community in Dallas is about!

For more information on “Voices for Haiti”, please call the Turtle Creek Chorale at 214-526-3214 or visit their Web site at www.turtlecreek.org. While you’re at their Web site, be sure to check out more information on their 30th season!