Although RSVPs have ended online, you can still come to the event tonight! And feel free to donate money. All proceeds of donations made are going to Chicago House, the first organization in the Midwest to provide housing for people with HIV/AIDS.

On the evening of December 3, 2010, in commemoration of the 22nd annual World AIDS Day, Rush University Medical Center’s Section of Infectious Diseases and The Red Pump Project invite you to “Behind the Red Curtains: Monologues on HIV.” Happening at at Room 43, 1041 East 43rd Street in the Bronzeville community of Chicago, this event is to address the impact of HIV/AIDS—on individual lives, as well as the overall community—through performance art.

Rush and the Red Pump Project hope to improve HIV awareness; to underscore the need to link disease prevention, diagnosis and care; to reduce stigma and discrimination; and to encourage clinical trial participation as another option for care among women and minorities living with HIV. 

“Behind the RED Curtains” performances will feature singing and HIV monologues ( spoken-word and storytelling). Confirmed performers include well-known Chicago natives: nationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Maggie Brown, two-time featured HBO Def Poetry Jam Chicago artist and social activist “Mama Brenda” Matthews, HIV/AIDS activist and motivational speaker David Robertson, Sanford Gaylord, Yaa Simpson. In addition, Dana Divine—composer, vocalist, and host of “Music of Love and Inspiration” Sunday mornings on 107.5 FM WGC—will serve as mistress of ceremonies for the evening. There'll also be other performers besides those mentioned above.

Event Information

Behind the RED Curtains

December 3, 2010 6pm-7pm (Networking Reception) | 7pm-8:30pm Program

Room 43 (1041 E. 43rd St.) Chicago, IL 60653

Women, Rock your Red Pumps. Fellas, Rock your Red Ties!

“Behind the RED Curtains” is open to the public. (A donation of $10 is suggested.) Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. Any proceeds will benefit a nonprofit, Chicago-area HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, or service organization (to be announced). 21 and over.

Space is limited. RSVP, TODAY!

Join us as we take the stigma behind the RED curtains and talk about HIV from creative standpoints!

Direct inquiries to Craig Johnson, Community Health Promoter, Rush University Medical Center at craig_johnson@rush.edu or Luvvie Ajayi, Co-Founder, The Red Pump Project at luvvie@theredpumpproject.com.

About The Red Pump Project

The Red Pump Project is a national initiative that is doing work on the ground and online to ensure that women are empowered with knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the issues surrounding it. Inspired by the National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in March 2009, The Red Pump Project was born out of a desire to start online conversations (blogs) on the issue of HIV/AIDS and encourage others to do the same. Today, the organization has 30 ambassadors in 20 states "Rocking the Red Pump" to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women & girls. To learn more, visit www.theredpumpproject.com.

About Rush University Medical Center (Section of Infectious Diseases)

The Section of Infectious Diseases at Rush University Medical Center brings together world-class specialists dedicated to developing and providing the latest treatments for its patients. The HIV Treatment Program at Rush serves more than 700 patients annually and has lead the way in delivering comprehensive patient care, including investigation, prevention, diagnoses and treatment. HIV research includes immune reconstitution, immunologic and virologic studies of progressive HIV infection, as well as effective treatment of HIV and co-infections. Doctors and scientists at Rush set the standard for excellence in patient care. For more information, visit www.rush.edu.