World AIDS Day Featured A Few Stories Of Tragedy, But Mostly Triumph

The education and support around HIV/AIDS has grown tremendously in Mecklenburg County in the last two decades. I remember when World AIDS Day would come and go with only recognition from Charlotte's gay communities. It's not like that anymore. Last week, a multitude of World AIDS Day celebrations drew a variety of people. I attended The Regional AIDS Interfaith Network's Voices Project Voices Project and Stronger Together luncheon. 

The Voices Project brought together community influencers to share the story of people impacted by HIV and AIDS. This year's storytellers included Power 98's No Limit Larry, 107.9 The Link's Matt Harris, Latina 102.3's Judy Barriga and others. They shared stories from people living with HIV/AIDS as well as from friends and family members of people living with HIV/AIDS. These weren't the Hollywood stories that always have a happy ending. They were real people, some of whom grappled with their poor choices, and others were testimonies of survival.




The celebration didn't stop with World AIDS Day. The remainder of the week included Stronger Together: A World AIDS Day Luncheon.  Lesa Kastanas and Walter Kearns received the Ribbon of Love Leadership Award. On Saturday, the 6th Annual Red Pump/Red Tie Affair featured a fashion show, a silent auction and local boutiques. RAIN's President and CEO Rev. Debbie Warren was this year's honoree.

ACC Fan Fest, art social and a new brunch

A big congratulations to the organizers of the Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade. Attendance reached an estimated 70,000 this year! The parade kicked off  the most wonderful time of the year when football and basketball collide with shopping and parties. Let's get started.

Thursday 

Country star - Brantley Gilbert most recently opened for Toby Keith and Tim McGraw, but now he's headlining his own arena show. 7 p.m. Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St.  $34.78-$47.89. Read Theoden Janes' article on Gilbert.





Family Fun - Head to The Square for Lights On the Square: The Uptown Tree Lighting. ACC mascots join the festivities to start the ACC Tournament weekend. Families can enjoy Santa Village in Polk Park (free photos!), and a performance by The Wonderettes! Food trucks will be there too. 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The Square, Trade and Tryon streets. Tree lighting starts shortly after 6:30pm. Parking tips.

Friday

It's Your Anniversary - Birdsong Brewery Third Year Anniversary features new brews each weekend night starting tonight with Puppies on Penguins and Nighthawk Postcard, Sour Stout with Raspberries. The three-day celebration begins at 4 p.m. Birdsong Brewery, 2315 N Davidson St. 











Cats! Cats! Cats! - Join the Queen City Cats, UK alumni group, when the #BBN takes over Sip Charlotte, 200 N. Tryon St. Suite 100 to watch Kentucky v. Texas. 7 p.m.

Saturday

Family fun - The ACC Football Championship is today so there's lots of free fun. It starts with the ACC Fan 5K and Kids Mascot Run at 8 a.m., Wells Fargo Plaza, Uptown Charlotte. Then enjoy free concerts, autograph sessions and watch ACC mascots square off during the ACC  Football Championship Fan Fest. Noon - 7 p.m., adjacent to Bank of America Stadium along Mint, Graham and Stonewall streets. Florida State vs. Georgia Tech starts at 8 p.m. Purchase tickets.

Party With Local Grassroots Artists - Cultural Initiative: An Art Social Fresh showcases 25 local and regional grassroots artists.  Their works will be on display and for sale, but this is more than an art show. The music will be ridiculous featuring: Miami Dice and Elonzo, and Charlotte's Justin Aswell along with vocals by Charleston's Jordan Igoe. 8:30 p.m. Neighborhood Theater. Limited free street parking. Bring cash for parking.

6th Annual Red Pump/Red Tie Affair - This is the signature event for the Red Pump Project which highlights HIV and AIDS impact on women and girls. The event will feature a fashion show, a silent auction and local boutiques. R.A.I.N. President and CEO Rev. Debbie Warren is this year's honoree.  7 - 10 p.m.,  Hart Witzen Gallery, 136 E 36th St. Tickets: $40. Driving Alert: Access via South Tryon Street instead of North Davidson Street because of road construction.

Sunday

New Brunch Spot - Restaurant critic Helen Schwab reports that Lumiere plans to start serving Sunday brunch today. More details on Helen's blog. Update 12/7! Lumiere says they are not serving brunch.

Read more here: http://helendining.blogspot.com/#storylink=cpy

Don't be shy: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

World AIDS Day events this week

On Monday, the world pauses to recognizes the people who've been impacted by HIV and AIDS. Mecklenburg County is severely and disproportionately affected by HIV disease. There are many stories of tragedy and hope to tell here. Below are a few key events to celebrate World AIDS Day. Find more events in Qnotes' special section.

Monday

The Voices Project -  The Regional AIDS Interfaith Network brings together community influencers to share the story of people impacted by HIV and AIDS. This year's storytellers include Power 98's No Limit Larry, 107.9 The Link's Matt Harris, Latina 102.3 Judy Barriga and more. 6 p.m. Wells Fargo Auditorium, Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. Free, but donations will be accepted. Parking available at the Duke Energy Center (Stonewall between Church and Tryon) and The Green (Tryon and Levine Avenue of the Arts). 

Thursday

Stronger Together: A World AIDS Day Luncheon - R.A.I.N  hosts this luncheon to raise awareness about AIDS. RAIN provides programs for HIV-positive youth, adults and senior adults in the community.  Ribbon of Love Leadership Award recipients for this year's luncheon are Lesa Kastanas and Walter Kearns. 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Marriott Charlotte City Center, 100 W. Trade St. $35. Updated: Onsite parking available. $7 flat rate. Other parking options.

Saturday

6th Annual Red Pump/Red Tie Affair - This is the signature event for the Red Pump Project which highlights HIV and AIDS impact on women and girls. The event will feature a fashion show, a silent auction and local boutiques. R.A.I.N. President and CEO Rev. Debbie Warren is this year's honoree.  7 - 10 p.m.,  Hart Witzen Gallery, 136 E 36th St. Tickets: $40. Driving Alert: Access via South Tryon Street instead of North Davidson Street because of road construction.



Don't be shy: sipandplayclt@gmail.com