On the eve of World AIDS Day and the opening of the groundbreaking Art AIDS America exhibit at Chicago’s Alphawood Gallery, the Center on Halsted, Victory Gardens Theater, Art AIDS America Chicago and Queer, ILL + OKAY joined forces Nov. 30 at the Center to declare We’re Still Here and to look at HIV/AIDS Then and Now.
The evening not only examined the cultural impact of HIV/AIDS with a panel discussion but illustrated it through a series of contemporary performances.
The panel included Victory Gardens Theater Director of New Play Development Isaac Gomez, First Floor Theatre Artistic Director Hutch Pimentel, celebrated Chicago artist and Art AIDS America curatorial consultant John Neff and Alphawood Gallery Director of Exhibitions Tony Hirschel. Alphawood Foundation program officer Christopher M.M. Audain served as moderator.
Meanwhile, the Center’s HIV staff was on hand to conduct HIV Testing while offering attendees red ribbons commemorating World AIDS Day.
QUEER, ILL, + OKAY followed up the panel with performances by Phillip Lambert X Blacknbrilliant and Joseph Varisco as well as a short film by Xena Ellison + Elizabeth Mputu.
For more information about HIV testing at the Center on Halsted, visit CenterOnHalsted.org/HIV.html.