In their 25 year history, HIV Edmonton has continually partnered with local businesses and organizations, many of whom have a focus on the arts. This precedent makes the new partnership between HIV Edmonton and JTMF West seem only natural.

JTMF West is an arts-based group organized with the mandate of raising funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS. Started in New Jersey as the James Tolin Memorial Fund, the group was formed by Joyce LaBriola, Tracy Antozzeski, David Maurio and Melissa Abrahams when their dear friend, James Tolin, died from AIDS-related complications. Tolin was an openly gay actor that was passionate about the arts – he loved the theatre, books, movies, paintings and visual art; he was an amazingly creative man.

When Joyce LaBriola moved to Edmonton, she quickly felt a remarkable sense of community. She began performing regularly; getting cast in multiple Fringe productions and singing for the Edmonton Opera. This further inspired her appreciation for the vast talents of the Edmonton arts community and in January of 2009, LaBriola decided to bring her passion project, JTMF, to Canada. Thus, the JTMF West was born.

LaBriola then met with Debra Jakubec, HIV Edmonton’s Executive Director, about an event that she envisioned; an event that celebrated the artistry of Edmonton, while raising funds for HIV Edmonton. While Tolin had never visited Edmonton, the need for HIV Edmonton’s work is a global one and the message is universal: we are all entitled to a life of dignity and love.

“This is not a fundraiser for a man from New Jersey,” says LaBriola, “but rather inspired by this man to help the Edmonton community. We can all be James’ friend as we come together to raise awareness.”

“We are thrilled to embark on this journey with JTMF West,” adds Jakubec. “The arts have been intertwined with the HIV/AIDS movement since the beginning. HIV Edmonton has been committed to serving the Edmonton community for 25 years. JTMF West celebrates the wealth of talent in Edmonton while raising funds for HIV/AIDS. This is a perfect partnership.”

This inaugural event, 2010 Artists for Life: Edmonton, will be hosted by much beloved Edmontonian, Michael Phair. Phair, along with a group of his friends, founded HIV Edmonton in 1984, just like LaBriola and her friends began JTMF. A five-term City of Edmonton Councillor and founder of Exposure: Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival, Phair’s passion for the arts is well known and it seems fitting for him to introduce this new event to the city. 

Artists for Life will feature a reading of Addition: An Unconventional Love Story, by Edmonton playwright, Justen Bennett. Addition had an exceptionally successful run at the Edmonton Fringe Festival last summer and will again be helmed by Bennett, who recently directed Beautiful Thing at the Walterdale Theatre, to great acclaim.

The play centers around a couple, Ben and Logan, who become a little bored with their sex life. The same-old same-old just isn’t cutting it anymore, so they decide to experiment. The pair ends up inviting Daren, a boy they find at the club, back to their place for a threesome. From there, the relationship between these three men goes to a place that none of them expect.

“My inspiration was simply to tell a story that could make me laugh and expand my world-view to be a little more inclusive,” says Bennett. “And if my play did that for others, it served its purpose. I’m very excited to be a part of Artists for Life and that I get to reunite with (most of) the cast and crew from our original Fringe production.”

After a reading of this unique play, the attendees will be privy to a reception catered by Accent European Lounge, wine donated by Devine Wines, a silent auction, and a very special post-show concert by the Big Breakfast Boogie Band. This local favourite has reunited specifically for this event, for one night only.