Race-equality group looks for new members
Men of All Colors Together-Philadelphia will be hosting its first monthly meeting to introduce its 37th year.
The racial-equality advocacy group will hold its first monthly meeting of the season 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the William Way LGBT Community Center. The grassroots organization is reintroducing itself to the community after leaning more toward social events and away from political activity for nearly a decade. The event is free and open to the public.
Gary Hines, MACT-Philadelphia’s membership chair, said that the meeting is the first step in engaging new members.
“This meeting will help kick off our fall-membership drive. We’re trying to engage young people and people in the community who want to get politically involved. We’ve reshaped our mission and vision and we’re looking to strengthen our membership as well,” Hines said.
GayBINGO launches a new season
The AIDS Fund’s GayBINGO returns this month at a new location for its 23rd season of raising emergency funds for those living with HIV in the Greater Philadelphia region.
The first GayBINGO of the season — with this month’s theme being “Dynasty”— takes place at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 N. Broad St. The event is hosted by the Bingo Verifying Divas, a group of drag queens who entertain the crowd.
Along with GayBINGO, AIDS Fund produces a variety of fundraising and awareness programs throughout the year, including AIDS Walk Philly, Black-Tie GayBINGO and Workplace Giving Campaigns.
Robb Reichard, the executive director of AIDS Fund, said the bingo event is a chance for the community to have fun while supporting a good cause.
“GayBINGO has always been a crowd favorite and this year we’re taking it to another level. Participants will still be in store for a fun night of drag queens, laughs and bingo all in an effort that continue to raise awareness and funds for those trying to live a long life with HIV,” said Reichard.
For more information on the new season of GayBINGO and to purchase tickets, visit www.aidsfundphilly.org/gaybingo.
Scholarship fund honors George Michael
Local fans of the late performer George Michael are commemorating his legacy with a fundraising event that will fund a scholarship in honor of the musician.
Roseann Tiralli-Giannone and Diane Kastner will host a meet-and-greet 12:30-4 p.m. Sept. 23 at Dave and Buster’s, 325 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd. Deon Estus, bass player for Michael and WHAM!, will be the event’s special guest. Proceeds from a silent auction will go to the Freedom Scholarship Fund at the Settlement Music School.
The school is one of the country’s largest and oldest community schools of the arts, having taught more than 300,000 students since it was founded in 1908.
Tiralli-Giannone, chairwomen of the event, has been a longtime supporter of the music school. She said that the scholarship is her way of keeping Michael’s legacy alive.
“As a longtime George Michael fan, I knew of his love of music and children and I thought it would be a great idea to start a scholarship fund in his memory. We wanted to reflect [Michael’s] giving nature and support an institution that truly values music education.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.reviewsandmorebyrosey.com/deon-estus-meet-greet-philadelphia/.
— Compiled by Adriana Fraser