VisualAIDS

Karen Finley, Mistress of Ceremonies at STRIKE III

Visual AIDS is proud to announce a special appearance by Karen Finley as Mistress of Ceremonies for Strike III, its 4th Annual Vanguard Awards, and New York's original bowling throwdown art benefit.  

“This event has been and remains the original fun benefit of the season and I am hoping that we will see a large crowd of friends and newcomers throw on their bowling shoes and join us at STRIKE III. To all those who can hear me, please get your tickets today!” says Finley. Joining Karen Finley and a long line-up of artists, DJ Julia Jacquette will be entertaining the guests.

Monday, May 11, 2009
300 New York @ Chelsea Piers
Pier 60, 23rd Street and West Side Hwy

Tickets are available now:
Individual $250
Single Lane $2,500, up to 6 bowlers + limited edition print
Double Lanes $5,000, up to 12 bowlers + limited edition print
Artist Tickets $150 (limited number of tickets available)

To Order Tickets:
Click here to download RSVP form
Click here to purchase tickets via PayPal*
 Or call 212-627-9867 to purchase tickets by credit card*
(*credit card payments are subject to a 3% surcharge)

All proceeds benefit the programs of Visual AIDS.  Visual AIDS utilizes the visual arts to promote AIDS awareness and, through the Frank Moore Archive Project, historicizes the contributions of artists with HIV and the estates of artists lost to AIDS.  www.visualAIDS.org

Shady AIDS Charity With a Big Web Campaign

from ProPublica - March 24, 2009 11:44 am EDT, by Christopher Weaver

Peter Taback's first reaction to the Center for AIDS Prevention's prominent advertisement on the New York Times' Web site [2] was jealousy. Taback, communications director for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation [3], was impressed another organization had cast its reach so far.

But on closer inspection, his envy shifted to outrage.

The Beverly Hills-based Center for AIDS Prevention has mobilized a nationwide fundraising campaign, but members of the tight-knit AIDS community in California have never heard of the group. Its history is shrouded in mystery, and even people who have interacted with the group are uncertain of its purpose. The Web site [4] offers incorrect information about AIDS prevention and treatment -- such as the suggestion that birth control pills prevent the spread of HIV [5] (PDF). The charity's proprietor also has ties to a for-profit company that sold ineffective herbal AIDS remedies to replace antiretroviral drugs.

The center is committing "public health malpractice," Taback said. "To have misinformation like that on the Web site is profoundly disturbing."

As charitable giving constricts with the economy, many AIDS foundations and treatment facilities are struggling to stay afloat, and AIDS advocates were also concerned that funding could be diverted from urgently needed services.

Meanwhile, the center's own financial and legal history is, at best, questionable. So far, the ad campaign has fallen well short of its "six-figure" fundraising goals, according to Lomax Burnett [6], the Center for AIDS Prevention's chief fundraiser. The center's tax filings with the IRS were available for 2006 [7] (PDF) and 2007 [8] (PDF), and they show no revenues, expenses or assets. Steve Neely, the center's director, said those were the first he'd ever filed on behalf of the charity...

(continue reading here)