Posted: November 6, 2003

Bloomington Bands Contribute Talent to HIV/AIDS Benefit

Bloomington-- Bloomington area bands will take the stage on Nov. 7 to show their support for those in the community living with HIV/AIDS. The live music and drag show, which starts at 9 p.m. at Second Story Nightclub, promises to be an entertaining evening for all who attend.

Three bands from the area will lend their musical talent to the concert benefiting POSITIVE-LINK, a service offered by the Bloomington Hospital that provides health assistance, outreach programs, and HIV testing and counseling for community members living with HIV/AIDS.

Punk rock band Johnny Fallout and the Radiation will kick off the show at 9 p.m. Other bands appearing are punk rock ensemble the Nicotones and Indianapolis native Black soil Project. All three bands are donating their time and talent to the cause at no charge.

Other events planned for the evening include a drag show prepared by Joey Reasoner. This will begin at around midnight. DJ Raphael AKA Mike Digs, will be donating his time to the cause at 12:45 spinning until the close of the night.

Jason Davis, event creator and coordinator of the concert, was motivated to produce the show in order to support his relative, who is living with HIV. "This special being has been a role model all my life-he's been like a third parent-and I just want to help support him and others who are living with the disease," Davis said.

Davis, a 24 year-old student and devoted musician, decided a concert was the way to go to raise money for POSITIVE-LINK. However, initially, he did not think long and hard about how he was going to do it. "I just thought, 'hey, I'm going to put on a concert.' And miraculously things have just fallen into place. Everyone involved has been so supportive and charitable," he said.

Second Story Nightclub, located above Bullwinkle's Cocktail Lounge on South College Avenue, has been a popular venue for showcasing local talent. The owner, agreed to open the bar and host the event after hearing about the cause it was supporting.

There will be handouts and brochures at the event for those who want to learn more about Bloomington Hospital's POSITIVE-LINK services and information about HIV/AIDS. Jo Ratkovich, co-owner of Mondo Delgado Salon and Spa in Bloomington, has agreed to donate products and services for raffle drawings taking place throughout the evening.

"I've lost friends to AIDS, I don't want to lose more," Ratkovich said. The concert will go from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. at Second Story Nightclub. Tickets will be available at the door as well as Tracks music store located on Kirkwood. Discount given to those with a student ID.