Make room in your June calendar for the best BINGO event around.
Now in its 16th year, the Black-Tie Gay BINGO! fundraiser, hosted by AIDS Fund, will take place 6:30 p.m. June 6 in the Crystal Tea Room of the Wannamaker building, 100 Penn Square East.
This annual, more-formal version of AIDS Fund’s monthly BINGO event will feature a silent auction, dinner, dancing and your favorite drag queens.
“It’s always one of our favorite nights of the year,” said AIDS Fund executive director Robb Reichard. “We bring drag queens together with people all decked out in the fabulous formal attire. The historic space is absolutely gorgeous.”
According to Reichard, the decision to hold the event the weekend before Pride came down to scheduling, and it will move back to earlier in the spring next year.
“We’ll be back to the earlier time next year,” he said. “But there’s been no impact on ticket sales. We get a wide section of the community to attend the event, so everything going on with Pride hasn’t really affected us.”
The longtime tradition of honoring a “favorite straight person” will be bestowed upon the Preston and Steve Show this year.
“Their work in the community with AIDS Fund and our AIDS Walk has been incredible,” Reichard said. “We really wanted to highlight and acknowledge that longtime support. They also support Philabundance and Dining Out for Life.”
The Wistar Institute will be honored with the Founder’s Award.
“Most people don’t know that Wistar has been doing HIV/AIDS research for over 20 years,” Reichard said. “They are right here in the community working with Philadelphia FIGHT and Penn.”
And the Ferrara Family Volunteer Award will go to the Philadelphia Senior Center.
“Our lives are made so much easier by the group of seniors that come and volunteer for three or four hours every week,” Reichard said. “For over 10 years, between six-10 seniors come and stuff programs for our monthly Gay BINGO!. It’s behind-the-scenes work and we really wanted to let everyone know how much we value their time.”
Silent-auction items are still coming in but Reichard said the list will include gift certificates, artwork, hotel packages and more.
Proceeds raised from the event benefit AIDS Fund’s numerous public-awareness projects and grant-making program.
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.aidsfundphilly.org.