Indianapolis-- Dancers, musicians, actors and vocalists from 19 of Indianapolis' most prominent performing arts organizations will join forces April 19 again to benefit the Indiana AIDS Fund. They'll perform in Spotlight 2004, an annual show that raises money for education, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. The event will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre.
Spotlight, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is the only event in Indianapolis that features performers from so many different organizations. It also has the support of Sir Elton John, whose AIDS foundation will match up to $75,000 of the proceeds raised by the event through the National AIDS Fund.
"In the early 90's, I asked the arts community to come together in support of the friends and colleagues who have been affected by HIV/AIDS," said David Hochoy, artistic director for Dance Kaleidoscope and Spotlight 2004. "I am honored by our premier arts organizations' continued and immediate agreement to perform each year."
Spotlight is the brainchild of Hochoy. While working in New York several years ago, he participated in an annual HIV/AIDS fund-raiser sponsored by numerous dance troupes. In 1993, he and Rob MacPherson, formerly of the Indiana Repertory Theatre, launched Spotlight to raise money for Indiana HIV/AIDS-related causes. Since then, it has been held every year but one.
The event raised $248,000 in 2003 and has raised nearly $600,000 since its inception. The Indiana AIDS Fund uses the money to provide grants to organizations across the state serving and/or advocating on behalf of HIV/AIDS patients. In 2003, 31 agencies received grants.
Since 1982 in Marion County, 1,545 people have been diagnosed with HIV, 3,065 have been diagnosed with AIDS and 1,604 have died of AIDS. Statewide, 4,034 people have been diagnosed with HIV, 7,415 have been diagnosed with AIDS, and 4,084 have died of AIDS since 1982.
Hochoy and Priscilla Lindsay, assistant artistic director at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, will serve as masters of ceremonies. Honorary Co-chairs are first ladies, Maggie Kernan and Amy Peterson. The national celebrity chairs are Randall and Mary Ann Tobias. President Bush named Mr. Tobias Global AIDS Coordinator last July.
The arts groups participating in Spotlight 2004 are:
Tickets for the event are $25, $50 and $110 and may be purchased at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre box office at 1200 W. 38th St., or by phone at 317.923.4597. Supporters who purchase a $110 ticket can attend a pre-event reception at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. All proceeds from tickets sales will benefit the Indiana AIDS Fund.
The Indiana AIDS Fund, founded in 1994, is co-convened by The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis and the Indiana State Department of Health. Since its inception, it has become the largest private funder of HIV/AIDS programs in the state, having granted more than $2 million to more than 60 organizations. The Indiana AIDS Fund also is a community partner of the National AIDS Fund. Additional information about the Indiana AIDS Fund can be found online at www.indianaaidsfund.org.