Hip-hop star to headline Mazzoni event
Gay rapper Big Freedia will host and perform at an HIV-testing and awareness-raising event next week.
Mazzoni Center’s The Real Impact Project is staging Hard Candy Bash at 9 p.m. June 3 at Solmssen Court at the University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St. The event will include performances, food and drinks, raffles and contests, while connecting guests with information about PrEP and PEP, transgender-health resources and more.
TRIP Program Coordinator Vernon Brown said Big Freedia was a natural fit as the event’s headliner.
“She continues to break barriers with her unique style and voice, and so much of her presence resonates perfectly with The Real Impact Project and our mission, which is to celebrate the resilience, community building and unity between LGBTQ people of color, while working to promote community health,” Brown said.
Tickets are $10 or $5 with an HIV/STI test at the Washington West Project, Colours Organization, GALAEI or Access Matters before the end of May.
For more information or tickets, visit www.mazzonicenter.org/hardcandy.
Bradbury-Sullivan launches HIV programming
An LGBT community center in Allentown announced last week that it is starting programming for people with HIV.
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is now offering non-medical supportive services for people with HIV in the Lehigh Valley. The resources are free to those who meet income qualifications and include counseling and support groups.
“We are committed to supporting the needs of people in our community living with HIV, especially those living with low and moderate incomes who may not have access to care in other spaces,” said Bradbury-Sullivan Executive Director Adrian Shanker. “These programs ensure that services are available to people who need it the most.”
For more information, visit www.bradburysullivancenter.org or email Health Programs & Supportive Services Manager Atticus Ranck at [email protected].
LGBT social group to meet in Point Breeze
OUT in Point Breeze will host its first event next week.
The LGBT social group is debuting 5:30 p.m. June 1 at American Sardine Bar, 1800 Federal St. The space includes both indoor and outdoor areas, with food and drinks available. The venue’s happy hour ends at 6 p.m., so guests are encouraged to come early.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/outpointbreeze/.
— Jen Colletta
COLOURS to hold Painting with a Twist fundraiser
A local LGBT organization will host a fundraising event next week in which attendees can paint while enjoying beverages and food.
“A Night of COLOURS — Painting with a Twist” will raise funds for the The COLOURS Organization, which provides services to LGBT people of color in Philadelphia.
The $45 ticket price includes wine, non-alcoholic refreshments and light appetizers. Attendees will receive a canvas and paint and will follow step-by-step instructions from an experienced local artist.
The event will take place 9-11 p.m. June 2 in Suite 300 at 1520 Locust St. Visit http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/events/viewevent.aspx?eventID=1115804 to register and use the code “COLOURS” for the passcode.
—Jeremy Rodriguez