Calgary Cares 2008 is kicking off this year’s celebration by delving into everything that makes you scream: candy and disco.
Themed Sweet 70’s, the event is set to be a night of absolute decadence. Guests are going to be treated to a night of music and entertainment, the costs all going to a good cause. There will be a diverse range of entertainment from dancers to local musical acts and DJs spinning in between. Come in costume or in formal wear, and come ready for a great show and an evening you won’t soon forget.
Over the years this event has grown into one of the biggest benefits in the calendar year for Calgary, even drawing international attention. The night will provide a silent auction featuring a variety of work from blown glass to sculpture and fine art photography, all courtesy of local artists and artisans; AIDS Calgary is always looking for donated works for this event.
Calgary Cares is going green this year working with bullfrog power to promote action against climate change. All of the electricity used by the event will be sourced exclusively from producers who exceed the federal government’s EcoLogo standard for renewable energy. The hope is that by choosing green renewable energy sources the event will promote environmentally positive alternatives in the larger community.
AIDS Calgary which serves to raise awareness surrounding HIV/AIDS, and caters to a contingent of the queer community. The AIDS epidemic will always be part of GLBT culture - from the first days of AIDS, to the sexual revolution of the sixties and seventies, moving through the activism of the eighties, when we lost so many of our friends, family members and heroes to a disease that it seemed no-one was paying attention to.
Today AIDS is a global epidemic, crossing all lines of colour, orientation, religion, and socio-economic background. Yet we are still faced with much of the same ignorance and social stigma of thirty years ago, making treatment difficult, and living with the disease a nightmare. This was echoed just recently in the recent decision regarding gay male organ and blood donation. Education and awareness is one of the most important tools we have to fight for a cure, or else the we may one day find ourselves back at square one.
Calgary Cares is just one opportunity to participate in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The GLBT community was the first to raise the call for action, and year to year we’ve been a major part in supporting this organization to save our own and others.
Go for the event, remember the cause.

Calgary Cares
March 29th, 2008
Jack Singer Concert Hall
Tickets: $150
Available at www.calgarycares.ca
To become a volunteer, contact volunteer@aidscalgary.org