Bars join forces for AIDS Walk A-Go-Go fundraiser
By Cait Brennan Dee
LGBT bars in Phoenix are go-going all out for charity on Sept. 11 in a one-night-only community-wide event to raise money for AIDS Walk Phoenix.
AIDS Walk A-Go-Go is similar to the concept of Dining Out For Life, according to Gary Guerin of Sway Events, which is organizing the fundraiser. “Only it’s more geared toward a bar atmosphere,” he said.
Participating bars come up with their own fundraisers for AIDS Walk A-Go-Go. “Some of them do a percentage of bar sales for the day for a specific amount of time. Some of them have drag shows or other performances and collect tips,” said Helena Grayson, Sway’s artistic director. “Some will do a special shot for the day or Jell-O shots, and some do a combination of things.”
Grayson said the last year’s first AIDS Walk A-Go-Go was developed as Sway worked with Aunt Rita’s Foundation, the organization behind AIDS Walk. “We wanted to create more of an awareness about AIDS Walk, and to get people excited about it while they’re out there being social,” she said. “We came up with the idea to get as many bars as possible on board.”
“It’s really easy for guests to give back just by showing up to their favorite watering hole,” Guerin said.
Mike Jacobs, co-owner of The Rock, said his establishment is participating in AIDS Walk A-Go-Go for the second year. “Helping our community is one of the things we want to do,” he said. “This year we’re doing a little bit more. Our Miss Rock is doing a drag show, and all the girls that are involved are donating the money from one of their numbers. We’re doing 10 percent of the sales for the night, Jell-O shots, and a 50/50 raffle, and all that money will go to AIDS Walk.”
Kirk Baxter, chair of AIDS Walk Phoenix, said bars “create a win/win formula for encouraging their patrons to donate toward this amazing cause, while simultaneously being introduced to the concept of registering to walk. We hope to expand A-Go-Go this year, with even more of our bars continuing on to create their own AIDS Walk teams.”
AIDS Walk Phoenix will be held on Oct. 3 in downtown Phoenix and raises funds for 19 local HIV/AIDS service organizations supported by Aunt Rita’s Foundation. The event includes a walk, 5K run and Paws for the Cause walk with dogs.
Echo Magazine is among the sponsors for AIDS Walk A-Go-Go and AIDS Walk Phoenix.
