Print Version
Indianapolis-- The 2003 Grande Masquerade will be held on Friday, October 31 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Beginning at 7:00 p.m., over 450 people will gather to raise nearly $100,000 that will provide direct services to 1,400+ Indianapolis-area men, women and children directly affected by HIV/AIDS. This event also allows The Damien Center to remain the premiere local agency for HIV prevention offering free testing, outreach and education.
With its Honorary Chair US Representative Julia Carson, the dinner gala begins with a VIP cocktail hour followed by the dinner gala, silent auctions and dancing with Tim Brickley Band. The gala will also showcase performances by Dance Kaleidoscope, the Indianapolis Men's and Women's Choruses and the LUV Family.
The Damien Center will also honor Judy O'Bannon at the Grande Masquerade with their Positive Voices Award. The award will be presented by Wayne Zink, a member of the Center's Board of Directors and friend of Mrs. O'Bannon.
Mrs. O'Bannon has been a longtime supporter of The Damien Center and other HIV/AIDS service organizations. Through public service announcements and appearances, she has lent her compassionate voice to help raise an awareness of the impact of the disease on communities, and served as the honorary chair for events including the Grande Masquerade; the Indiana AIDS Walk; and Spotlight, which benefits the Indiana AIDS Fund. Additionally, in October 2001 and March 2003, she led delegations to South Africa with a primary focus on strengthening ties between HIV/AIDS organizations in that country and Indiana.
New to the event this year, will be four days of events that are being planned, organized and hosted by area bars in the community. Over the summer, the bar owners of Club Cabaret, English Ivy's, Greg's, Industry, Metro, Talbott Street and The Ten came together, wanting to be a part of Grande Masquerade in a way that not only raises awareness in the community about the impact of HIV/AIDS, but makes a direct financial commitment to helping The Damien Center's mission as it relates to helping those affected by the disease.
As a result of this unique collaboration, participating bars will be donating all monies raised during this week of events at no cost to The Damien Center. Instead, 100% of proceeds will go directly to the Center's client services. Weekend passes can be purchased for $20 at The Wicked Monkey, Curly's Cleaners, Just Hair, Outword Bound, Vic's and Metropolis Gifts.
For additional information about Grande Masquerade, the weekend of events, please go www.damien.org or call (317) 632-0123.
