The Camelot Theater was filled to capacity with supporters of World AIDS day who gathered to honor the desert’s “Eveningeryday Heroes.”
David Brinkman, CEO of Desert AIDS Project (DAP) said that “while we have always looked back on World AIDS Day to honor those we have lost, it’s just as important to have our eye laser-focused on the goal we know we will soon achieve…erasing HIV infection from the face of the earth.”
The evening’s event, presented by NestEgg Group and co-chaired by Terri Ketover, Ann Sheffer, and Tom Truhe, shined the light on people who have made important contributions to DAP in the desert.
Honorees Larry Edwards, aka Pinkie Meringue Shimmer, JoAnn Morford, Linda Stevens, and Mike Thompson were introduced by campy videos. Their acceptance speeches were interspersed with performances by Broadway’s Jason Graae who has starred on and off-Broadway in show such as “A Grand Night for Singing”, “Faslettos”, Snoopy”, “Forever Plaid”, as well as “Forbidden Broadway”.
The impact of Broadway was also recognized by the display and raffle of the “Broadway Quilt” made by the “Quilting with Pinkie” group from DAP with remnants of costumes donated by current Broadway shows. The winner, Jeffrey Norman, generously donated the quilt back to DAP, “so it would remain where it was created with much hard work and love”.
The chilly evening was warmed by the loving acceptance speeches from each of the honorees as well as wine, champagne, hors d’oeuvres and a mélange of light dinner treats, all provided by LuLu’s Bistro.
Desert AIDS Projec
1695 N. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-323-2118
www.desertaidsproject.org
Photography by Loretta Vlach
