Red letter dates: World AIDS Day in Sydney

Exhibitions, gala dinners, Red Ribbons – show your support and help raise funds for HIV charities and organisations at events on, and around, World AIDS Day.

RED RIBBON APPEAL            
December 1-2, various locations

On World AIDS Day and the day after, volunteers will be selling red ribbons ($2) and red wristbands ($4) at selected locations throughout Sydney for ACON’s Red Ribbon Appeal. And in the lead-up to World AIDS Day, Red Ribbon merchandise can be purchased from businesses displaying Red Ribbon boxes. Donations can also be made via the official Red Ribbon Appeal website: www.redribbonday.org.au

WORLD AIDS DAY T-SHIRT
Ongoing, various locations

A special limited edition World AIDS Day t-shirt is available now from selected stores and business in Darlinghurst and the Sydney CBD. The t-shirts feature a bold and dynamic print designed by noted artist Martin Sharp. Fund raised from sales go towards the World AIDS Day Dinner fund which supports HIV/AIDS charities and organisations. For store locations, go to www.worldaidsdaydinner.com.au

WORLD AIDS DAY DINNER
Thursday, December 1, 7.30pm, Paddington Town Hall, Paddington

Singer and TV judge Guy Sebastian is the special guest at the second annual World AIDS Day Dinner. Held at Paddington Town Hall, this gala event is about raising awareness and support for HIV charities and organisations by bringing people together for a night of entertainment and scrumptious food. Featuring a 3-course menu designed by international chef Robert Oliver, auctions and live entertainment, this event is a great way of supporting World AIDS Day. For info, go to www.worldaidsdaydinner.com.au.

POSITIVE POTTERY: T4 12
December 1-8, St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst

Participants from Positive Pottery will be showcasing their works at this exhibition held at St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst. Positive Pottery is a local pottery and ceramics group held for people living with HIV. The exhibition opens on December 1 with a launch event at 6pm, featuring special guest Professor Andrew Carr, Director of HIV & Infectious Diseases Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital. The exhibition runs until December 8.

WORLD AIDS DAY MASS
Friday, December 2, 8pm, St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Newtown

Each year, Acceptance, Sydney’s gay Catholic group, holds a special service for World AIDS Day to remember all who have died from AIDS, to support people living with HIV/AIDS and to raise HIV awareness. This year's Mass will be at St Joseph's Catholic Church and is followed by light refreshments. "Everyone is welcome to join us for this special WAD Mass on Friday, December 2", Acceptance spokesperson Tim said. "We especially invite friends, families and gay and lesbian Catholic people who have felt excluded by the Church or others from their faith." For more information, go to www.gaycatholic.com.au

THE RED PARTY                
Friday, December 2, 9pm, Stonewall Hotel, Darlinghurst

Join Sydney’s leading DJs and showgirls as they come together for Stonewall Hotel’s annual World AIDS Day fundraiser, Red Party. Now in its 14th year, the Red Party features performance from a host of drag queens and sets by stacks of DJs, all of whom are donating their time and talents for raise funds and awareness for World AIDS Day. Punters are encouraged to wear something with a touch of red in support of World AIDS Day. $5 donation on the door with funds raised going towards ACON.

DRAG AT THE MIDNIGHT SHIFT        
Saturday, December 3, 10pm, Midnight Shift, Darlinghurst

On Saturday, December 3, the Midnight Shift will donate proceed to ACON as part of its contribution to World AIDS Day. There will be a $10 cover charge with $5 going towards funding vital ACON services and programs for people living with HIV. Featuring drag performances and DJs.

PortrAIDS
December 1-January 18, various locations

Bert Newton, Hugo Weaving, Ita Buttrose, Wendy Harmer, Paul Mercurio, Don Burke and Angry Anderson are among the dozens of high-profile celebrities featured in the exhibition, PortrAIDS. The exhibition, organised by the newly-formed charity AIDS Australia, is based on a stunning 1997 monograph of the same name, by noted photographer Alex Larumbe. PortrAIDS will be staged in three locations throughout December and January, with the first show running from December 1-31 at Giotto Café in East Sydney. For more information, go to www.aidsaustralia.org.au.

Positive Pedaller’s Day
Sunday, December 3, 10am, Taylor Square

The ride commences at Taylor Square (outside Kinselas) at 10am. The City of Sydney and the Sydney Spokes will have mechanics on hand from 9am to help out with minor repairs. Helmets essential. For more information, contact Steven Beverling on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Bert Newton, Hugo Weaving, Ita Buttrose, Wendy Harmer, Paul Mercurio, Don Burke and Angry Anderson are among the dozens of high-profile celebrities featured in the exhibition, PortrAIDS. The exhibition, organised by the newly-formed charity AIDS Australia, is based on a stunning 1997 monograph of the same name, by noted photographer Alex Larumbe. PortrAIDS will be staged in three locations throughout December and January, with the first show running from December 1-31 at Giotto Café in East Sydney. For more information, go to www.aidsaustralia.org.au.