The Largest Fundraiser for HIV in the State of Indiana -- Utterly Amazing!

The distress of anyone struggling with the impact of HIV/AIDS on themselves or their families, anywhere in the state of Indiana as I write this, touches all of us -- no matter where we read this.

In 1994 my friends David Hochoy and Rob MacPherson conceived "Partners Performing for Life" -- a brilliant idea to bring together, for the first time ever, each of the performing arts organizations in Indianapolis onto one stage for one night of music, dance, theater and singing performances. Ever since, this eclectic lineup of performers has only been seen one time each year -- and on only one Indianapolis stage.

This year, Clowes Memorial Hall is again home to the performance deal of the year!  On May 10th,  this stunning annual performing arts Gala, long ago renamed as SPOTLIGHT, will bring together more than 15 exciting performances -- all on one stage, at one event -- for $15.

Imagine, for one dollar each, you can see nearly every Indianapolis performing arts group including, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Dance Kaleidoscope, Gregory Hancock Dance Theater, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Brenda Williams and the Pride of Indy, the Indianapolis Children's Choir, the Indianapolis Civic Theatre, the Indianapolis Opera, Meridian Song Project, Actors Theatre of Indiana, Asia La Bouche of the Ladies of Legends, the Indiana Repertory Theatre, the Indianapolis Men's Chorus, the Phoenix Theatre, and the (Re)Collective Dance Company, along with much more!

Amazingly, and especially for this year, the Kenyetta Dance Company has created an original piece for SPOTLIGHT that is directly about HIV/AIDS and women. Never before seen, this powerful piece will deeply move you.

In addition, the exceptionally talented poet, Tasha Jones, will be returning with a new piece written specifically for this year's show.

Fifth-teen years ago, as the founding chairman of the Indiana AIDS Fund, I helped lead our board through the process of relieving David and Rob of the arduous task of organizing SPOTLIGHT by themselves each year. Subsequently, working together, David, Rob and the IAF have grown SPOTLIGHT into the largest fundraiser for HIV education in the state of Indiana. Remarkably, because of corporate underwriting, every ticket purchased goes straight toward grant-making!

This year, in honor of the Indiana AIDS Fund's 15th anniversary, tickets are $115 and $15. The $115 VIP ticket includes a pre-performance reception as well as a ticket to the now-famous AfterGlow party immediately following the performance.

And… get this!! The first terrace is already sold out! If you want a $15 seat, you'd better reserve one fast. Of course, because the money raised benefits HIV prevention, education and testing programs across the state of Indiana, I strongly encourage everyone to purchase a $115 seat. These special VIP tickets are the seats that truly make a difference, because of the grant dollars they provide. When you purchase a VIP ticket, you help make an even more massive impact on efforts to prevent the spread of HIV in our state. All proceeds from SPOTLIGHT 2010 will benefit Indiana AIDS Fund and the agencies and programs across the state that educate and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, and which also serve those living with the disease.

I want to personally thank all the performers, participants, and extraordinary patrons who come together each year to make SPOTLIGHT possible. I also want to thank the board and staff of the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis and the Indiana AIDS Fund for never giving up, and for undertaking the formidable process of organizing SPOTLIGHT -- so perfectly -- every year for the last 15 years.

And finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the foresight and brilliant creativity of David Hochoy and Rob MacPherson, the founders of SPOTLIGHT so many years ago, who continue every year to work as hard as they can in helping to stage this remarkable event that helps so many across our state. They are my heroes!

Tickets are $15 and $115, and are on sale at the Clowes Hall box office or by calling 1-800-982-2787, at all Ticketmaster locations or TicketMastercom.

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