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Events Posts

Sex Toy Talk, How To Do It Safely at Tou …

by Desert AIDS

If you thought you knew everything about sex toys, you’re in for a surprise. When Joey Valenzuela, co-owner of Not So Innocent adult store presents to the crowd at Toucan’s, it will be about more than latex. He will explore the benefits of role-play for sexual health, as well as the potential for human disconnection due to online porn, and how we can avoid isolation.

“I want people to be OK with sex, with what’s in their mind, and then go have a safe experience.”

To get to that place, however, sometimes it takes self-exploration. “It’s OK to admit you don’t know what you want or like,” he says. “Once you decide what’s realistic in your own mind, we want you to then be safe with what you do.”

While the latest sex toys and supplies will be explored, the underlying theme will be how we humans approach sex. Clay Sales, Mr. Leather Washington 2016 will be onstage to help with the conversation.

Valenzuela is concerned about our digital world and the prevalence of people accessing sex and pornography online, but not for the reasons one might think.

“We have access to sex all the time, but we don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes with the actors.”

When people attempt to mimic what they see in porn, especially with sex toys or BDSM scenarios, without knowing the proper techniques, they could experience physical injuries.

The actors in videos he says, “They are either educated on what they’re doing, or they’re likely hurting themselves.”

Valenzuela has a lot of experience counseling people on sex toys and BDSM. He and his husband opened up Not So Innocent on North Palm Canyon Drive in 2014

“It’s hard to talk about sex,” says Joey Valenzuela, but he and his husband Bill Freyer encourage people to do so daily at their shop.

Sometimes he feels like a private counselor, and he’s just fine with that.

“There’s times after a long day that we’re so tired after all the conversations, but it’s really rejuvenating.”

2018 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards En …

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
[email protected]
(760) 656-8401

PALM SPRINGS, CA (December 29, 2017) – Co-chairs  Patrick Jordan and Lauri Kibby will join Senator Barbara Boxer on February 10 when they welcome more than 1,500 D.A.P. supporters at the 2018 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards benefitting Desert AIDS Project. The party begins with red carpet arrivals at the Palm Springs Convention Center at 5:30pm.

To reserve your place at the party for the 24th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, go to https://stevechasehumanitarianawards2018.eventbrite.com or call (760) 992-0445.

Now in its 24th year, the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards gala has raised millions of dollars to care for people living with HIV. First organized by and named for famed interior designer Steve Chase – a former D.A.P. donor, volunteer, and board member – the gala is a highlight of the desert social season and preceded the night prior by an exclusive VIP pre-party honoring major donors and celebrity guests.

“Your compassionate support empowers Desert AIDS Project to think globally and act locally,” said David Brinkman, CEO.  “By joining us at the Steve Chase, you join us in our commitment to 90-90-90, the ambitious treatment target to help end the AIDS epidemic.”

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), many strategies will be needed to close the book on the AIDS epidemic, and one thing is certain. It will be impossible to end the epidemic without bringing HIV treatment to all who need it. By 2020, the goal is that 90 percent of all people who have HIV/AIDS know their status, are on treatment and will have viral suppression.

Kibby is raising the bar on this year’s red carpet arrivals. “The red carpet has become a party in its own right and we’re looking for ways to include all attendees this year.”

Palm Springs Life Magazine had this to say about last year’s gala: “The Chase has a reputation among trendsetters as one of the few gala events where attendees are encouraged to have fun and take risks with fashion … and the guests did not disappoint. Black sequins and Mr. Turk dinner jackets were de rigueur for many men, as were well-fitted and accessorized tuxedos (which held their own alongside long gowns and sexy short dresses).”

This year’s Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards will be hosted by Ross Mathews. Mathews has established himself as one of the most in-demand television personalities hosts and pop culture experts in the entertainment arena today. Endearing and witty, Mathews has won the hearts of millions of Americans since his television debut – as a correspondent for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Mathews can be seen as a judge on the smash hit LOGO series “RuPaul’s Drag Race”. Mathews is also a fixture on “E! News” and E! Network’s live red carpet award show coverage year round. He was most recently seen hosting E!’s “Live From E!”. He was also the host of “Hello Ross”, a weekly fan destination where the intersections of celebrity gossip and pop culture collide, giving a unique viewpoint into the latest Hollywood news. Mathews can also be heard weekly on his top-rated, PodcastOne show “Straight Talk with Ross Mathews”.

Chief Development Officer, Darrell Tucci is excited about this year’s entertainment. “I think we’re going to see a room full of friends singing along to the hits of headline entertainment En Vogue.”

The group has never been afraid to break the mold and step ‘outside’ the norm. From “Free Your Mind” to “My Lovin”, they have been trendsetters in music and style. Today, affectionately known as the “original funky divas”, they are redefining the idea of beauty and what it means, beyond the traditional sense, with their distinctive fusion of music and style.

Recognized as one of the top five highest selling American female music groups in history, En Vogue has sold more than 20 million albums and effortlessly transitioned into the digital age, amassing more than 30 million streams and more than 26 million YouTube views on their top six hit singles alone: the R&B and Pop smash hits Hold On, Free Your Mind, Never Gonna Get It, Giving Him Something He Can Feel, and Don’t Let Go.

Contrary to popular belief, En Vogue has never disbanded. As true music veterans who have withstood ever-changing music industry fads and trends, the group continues to record and perform worldwide with original members Cindy Herron-Braggs, Terry Ellis, and newest member, Rhona Bennett.

“We find total freedom and fulfillment when we hit the stage,” Cindy Herron-Braggs says. “It’s the ultimate connection with our fans. It’s about the energy you receive, the love, and the reciprocation from the message in the music.”

Attendees of The Chase know to pace themselves during the evening so they have energy left for its famous after-party, which will feature a DJ, a performance by Thelma Houston, and a series of tightly guarded surprises revealed as guests dance the night away in a lounge created inside the Palm Springs Convention Center. Guests of the after party can expect her signature blend of high- energy dance classics and soulful ballads.

Thelma Houston may be best known for the worldwide success of her disco anthem “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, but her support of AIDS Services organizations is also legendary. She is known for her dedication to humanitarian causes, including tireless efforts in the battle against AIDS and deep commitments to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). In 2013, the City of West Hollywood named January 29th “Thelma Houston Day” in recognition of her many charitable activities.

Powerful momentum is now building towards a new narrative on HIV treatment and a new, final, ambitious, but achievable target: 90-90-90: Treatment for All.

By 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status.

People can carry the HIV virus for years and not know it.  The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.  Your support enables D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley program to provide free and confidential HIV testing at hundreds of community events and dozens of test sites – from health fairs and food banks to Walgreens and D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK.

By 2020, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy.

Thanks to attendance at the Steve Chase and other fundraising events, Desert AIDS Project ensures that newly-diagnosed HIV positive patients receive the medications they need to survive and thrive, and regular follow-ups to safeguard their well-being.  D.A.P.’s Patient Assistance Program secures critical HIV and other medications at reduced cost.

By 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

To suppress the virus to an undetectable level, an individual must start on medication as early as possible and stay on it for a lifetime. This can be challenging when facing other serious challenges.  That’s the driving force behind D.A.P. Total Care – the comprehensive combination of health and wellness services which are uniquely tailored to each individual – including medical, dental, mental health, social services, support groups, substance abuse counseling, and much more – all conveniently provided under one roof at D.A.P.’s Palm Springs location.

Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards 2018 Schedule of Events February 10, 2018

5:30 PM
Red Carpet Arrivals
Cocktails
Silent Auction

7:00 PM
Dinner
Awards
Entertainment
En Vogue

9:30 PM
After Party featuring Thelma Houston

2018 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Sponsors

PRODUCING: Harold Matzner, Walgreens

MAJOR: Desert Regional Medical Center, Eisenhower Medical Center, Grace Helen Spearman Foundation, Reaction Marketing, The Desert Sun, Wells Fargo Foundation

STAR: Annette Bloch, Elgart Aster & Paul Swerdlove, KMIR, Renova Energy

SUPPORTING: Mark Adams, AFR Furniture Rentals, Desert Oasis Healthcare, Wade & Henry Bull Foundation, ITEX of the Desert Empire, Patrick Jordan, Lauri Kibby, Kaiser Permanente, Barbara & Jerry Keller, Lyft, Renaissance Hotel, Savoury’s, Gregory E. Seller, Bruce Strohm, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine

BENEFACTOR: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Karen & Tony Barone, Diageo, Gilead, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, Laboratory Corporation of America, Loan Depot, Ann Sheffer & Bill Scheffler, Spectrum, Bruce & Ann Strohm, Sysco-Riverside, Union Bank of California Foundation

MEDIA: CV Independent, Gay Desert Guide, Palm Springs Life, The Standard, Here Media, The Hollywood Times

About Desert AIDS Project

Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services.  D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide free HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future.  D.A.P. has earned a “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year – landing D.A.P. in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. The distinction recognizes that we exceed industry standards in terms of our financial health, accountability, and transparency. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

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Damon Jacobs on Dating and Relationships …

by Desert AIDS

Join us in person for a complimentary drink or two plus passed hors d’oeuvres, or watch our Facebook Livestream during the event to ask this nationally recognized PrEP advocate your questions.

Getting our heads around how PrEP and PEP works likely is less of an undertaking than the emotional implications it will have for how we connect with our partner/s in this new era.

According to Bruce Weiss, Desert AIDS Project’s Director of Community Health, “Before PrEP and PEP, the only way of protecting each other and ourselves from contracting HIV was abstinence and condom use. Abstinence was frustrating, and relying solely on condoms proved challenging for many.  Not only did new infections still occur at a destructive pace, many felt a sense of fear around sex, as well as worry when getting regular HIV tests. We have heard consistently from gay men that it was hard to really enjoy sex without this fear and anxiety, even when consistently using condoms.”

Old ways of thinking, like other habits, die hard. But with PrEP, this fear surrounding sex is no longer necessary for us to protect each other and ourselves. Damon Jacobs, LMFT, is determined to help us grasp this, and even go deeper.

According to Jacobs, we are still not discussing how we cognitively and emotionally connect. The puzzle he wants to help each of us solve is “how can sexual connections be experienced as meaningful whether they last an hour, a year, or five decades.”

If anyone should know, it’s Damon Jacobs. He’s a licensed marriage and family therapist, HIV prevention specialist, and nationally-recognized PrEP advocate.

“Integrating PrEP education into a private psychotherapy practice was a natural fit for me, given my work for most of the past 20 years has centered on enhancing serenity in individuals, increasing pleasure in relationships, and challenging oppressive structures in society.”

Everyday Heroes Honors Local Community M …

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
[email protected]
(760) 656-8401

2017 World AIDS Day Celebration
Everyday Heroes Honors Local Community Members In Action

PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 1, 2017) On World AIDS Day 2017, Desert AIDS Project will honor four community members who’ve made it their mission to get into action by supporting its mission to enhance and promote the health and well-being of our community. This year marks the fourth year that D.A.P. will celebrate World AIDS Day by shining a spotlight on unsung local heroes. The event will be hosted by Bruce Vilanch and feature a special performance by Broadway’s James Snyder.

“World AIDS Day is a day many of us take time to remember those lost and to renew our resolve to take action moving forward,” says Darrell Tucci, our Chief Development Officer. “Everyday Heroes is meant to remember and honor the everyday person going to extraordinary lengths to support those living with HIV and to bring an end to the epidemic. We’ll be honoring people who contribute their time and talent to supporting the mission of Desert AIDS Project.”

This year, attendees will applaud Art Hall, Lynn Hammond, Mathew Stocker and Tom Oliver and the recipient of the First Annual State Farm Good Neighbor Award.

Nominations for the First Annual State Farm Good Neighbor Award can be made until November 3 at www.desertaidsproject.org/everyday-heroes-nomination

The evening of Champagne toasts, awards and entertainment, starts at 5:30 p.m. at Camelot Theatres on Baristo Road in Palm Springs.  This year’s event welcome’s back Event Co-Chairs, Terri Ketover, Ann Sheffer, and Tom Truhe. Michael Childers is Honorary Chair. The event will be produced by Frank Goldstin of Momentous Events and catered by LULU California Bistro.

Art Hall, most well known as the proprietor of First Gallery in Rancho Mirage has been on the front lines of the AIDS epidemic since the early 1980’s when he would volunteer at the hospital to feed AIDS patients. Over time he brought his love of art to Desert AIDS Project, curating both D.A.P.’s original offices and our current ones with the magical art collection from Steve Chase. Ever since, Art has framed every piece of donated art to D.A.P. for free, helping the organization raise countless thousands of dollars to serve our clients.

Lynn Hammond, of Palm Springs, is often the quiet person in the kitchen donating delicious food for countless fundraising, staff and client events for Desert AIDS Project and many other local and national non-profit organizations. Lynn also serves on the leadership committee for our Partners for Life giving program and currently serves as Co-Chair of the annual Palm Springs HRC Garden Party.

Mathew Stocker and Tom Oliver are voracious volunteers for Desert AIDS Project and other local non-profits. Their volunteerism has become so prolific that it is not unusual to find Matt and Tom volunteering at multiple events in the same evening. From serving food and beverage, to checking in guests, they help D.A.P. and dozens of other organizations by being the good will ambassadors who greet everyone with their signature smile and welcoming demeanor.

We invite you to join us, not just today as we commemorate World AIDS Day, but every day. Let’s End It. End Isolation. End Stigma. End HIV Transmission.

WHAT: EVERYDAY HEROES
WHEN: DECEMBER 1, 2017 5:30pm
WHERE: CAMELOT THEATRES, PALM SPRINGS
WHY: A WORLD AIDS DAY CELEBRATION SALUTING THE VALLEY’S EVERYDAY HEROES
TICKETS: $40 General, $75 Preferred, $150 VIP www.desertaidsproject.org/event

Schedule of Events
5:30 Champagne Reception
6:30 Awards Show and Entertainment featuring James Snyder and Bruce Vilanch
8:10 Cocktail & Hors d’oeuvres Reception

2017 Everyday Heroes Sponsors

Major Sponsors:   Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation, Momentous Events, Lulu California Bistro, Trick Dog Films, Sanctuary Palm Springs, The Desert Sun, AFR Event Furnishings, Compass Rose Financial, Gilead

Award Sponsors:   Eight 4 Nine Restaurant & Lounge, Contempo Lending, Canyon Pacific Insurance

Media Sponsors:   The Standard Magazine, Outrageous City, CV Independent, Gay Desert Guide, Promo Homo TV, GED Magazine, Hollywood Times

About Desert AIDS Project
Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services.  D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide free HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future.  D.A.P. has earned a “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year – landing D.A.P. in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. The distinction recognizes that we exceed industry standards in terms of our financial health, accountability, and transparency. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

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Walk with D.A.P. in the Palm Springs Pri …

by Desert AIDS

For the Palm Springs Pride Parade this year, Desert AIDS Project will be celebrating our Community In Action. This includes clients, volunteers, community groups, individuals, and especially you, who help Desert AIDS Project continue our mission to promote the health and well-being of our community.

We invite you to join our celebration and walk with us in the parade. We will be holding signs, streamers, giving away beads and generally thanking the community. All walkers will get a Community in Action t-shirt to wear in the parade and to keep with our gratitude for joining us.

If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP below by October 30th. If you have any special considerations, please call Hudson at (760) 992-0441.

When: Sunday, November 5th
Where: 1200 block of N. Palm Canyon near Denny’s (between W Veredasur & N Via Las Palmas) look for the Revivals truck
Time: Arrive no later than 9:30 am, please allow time for parking.
RSVP: To Hudson Alling by completing the form below or call (760) 992-0441

Complete the form below to walk with D.A.P. in the Palm Springs Pride Parade

Enter to Win a Living Room by Scott Livi …

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
[email protected]
(760) 656-8401

Revivals Stores Grand Re-Opening Event October 14

Enter to win a Living Room by Scott Living

PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 2, 2017) – Revivals Stores Palm Springs location will be hosting a Grand Re-Modeling event on October 14 to introduce its store redesign to the community. “We wanted the store to be a place where families of every income level could shop for affordable furniture and home goods in an environment that created positive memories” said Dane Koch, Director of Retail, Revivals Stores. “It is possible to look incredible without being expensive.”

The Palm Springs location cleared its contents and shut-down completely in August to prepare for the renovation which includes a new store layout adding 5,000 square feet of shopping space, lighting fixtures, flooring, paint and the introduction of a new collection of Scott Living furniture by Drew and Jonathan Scott of the HGTV show Property Brothers.

Revivals will be celebrating the grand re-modeling by giving away a new Living Room by Scott Living.

The Palm Springs store is located at 611 South Palm Canyon Drive and will open at 9am on Saturday, October 14. The first 200 shoppers will receive complimentary coffee and pastries from Ristretto for Coffee Lovers. Continuing the celebration, Revivals will be hosting a taco lunch for shoppers between 12 pm – 2 pm.During the event, DJ Baz will be playing inside the store where shoppers will find a variety of in-store specials, including special pricing on designer shirts generously donated by Wil Stiles, the energetic clothing store located in the design district of Palm Springs.

The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will do the official ribbon cutting at 9am with Palm Springs Mayor Rob Moon, D.A.P. Board Chair, Steve Kaufer, and Desert AIDS Project CEO, David Brinkman.

The Palm Springs Revivals store remains a thrift-store with seventy percent of its floor space devoted to resale product.  Thirty percent of the store is dedicated to affordable new indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting, rugs, wall art, and home goods.

Schedule of Events:

8:30 am – Complimentary Coffee and Pastry to first 200 shoppers
9:00 am – Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Doors Open
12:00 – Hosted Taco Lunch for Shoppers
All Day – In-Store Specials Enter for a chance to win free Living Room by Scott Living

About Revivals Stores

Revivals has three locations – Palm Springs, Cathedral City, and Palm Desert.  The stores are largely staffed by volunteers who support our mission, which enables Revivals to make a significant financial contribution to the Desert AIDS Project.

Revivals stores have become a destination for bargain hunters, designers, and style influencers looking for unique items and creative inspiration.   Each store features the Mode at Revivals collection of new furniture, lighting, rugs, wall art and décor along with resale thrift, enabling shoppers to create their own personal space inspired by the stores Mixed-Century Modern vibe.

Revivals Stores won Best Furniture Store and Best Consignment / Resale Store in Desert Outlook Magazine’s 2017 Ultimate Pride Contest, Best Consignment / Resale Store in Desert Magazine’s 2017 Best of the Valley Contest and Best Consignment / Resale and Best Vintage Clothing Store in Palm Springs Life’s 2017 Best of the Best Contest.

Visit revivalsstores.com and desertaidsproject.org to learn more.

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France Joli will Perform Disco Classics …

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
[email protected]
(760) 656-8401

2017 Desert AIDS Walk – Our Community in Action

France Joli will perform Disco Classics

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 27, 2017) Entertaining the troops at the Desert AIDS Walk will be disco diva France Joli, who in 1979, at the age of 16, unveiled her dance now-classic “Come To Me” before a crowd of 5,000 gay men (and their loved ones) during Fire Island’s legendary midnight seaside benefit Beach ’79. In addition to singing “Come To Me” live following the Walk, Joli will perform her smash hit “Gonna Get Over You” and her famous disco medley, a compilation of 11 solid golden oldies made popular by other artists.

No stranger to Palm Springs, Joli filmed the video for her 2012 single “Hallelujah” in the High Desert, and appeared at that year’s Jeffrey Sanker’s The White Party. In 2014 she appeared as part of the First Ladies of Disco at Evening Under the Stars. “I never pass up an opportunity to spend quality time in Palm Springs,” says the vocalist, “and I can’t wait to be there at the finish line to congratulate all walkers for a job well-done.”

Here are video links to both “ComeTo Me” (in the day) and “Hallelujah” (shot in the High Desert in 2014, as I mention).


Joli is available for pre-event media interviews by phone from her home in Montreal, and will fulfill in-person and on-camera requests on Friday, October 20.

On October 21 over 2,000 community members will unite in Ruth Hardy Park to walk in the 31st Desert AIDS Walk in support of Desert AIDS Project, presented by Desert Regional Medical Center.  This year’s walk, with the theme of ‘Our Community In Action’, will follow a 2.5 mile route through downtown Palm Springs and is notable for the diversity of community members who come together as teams each year to support Desert AIDS Project and our twelve community partners – including LGBT Center of the Desert, Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, One Palm Springs Neighborhood Organization, Palm Springs Unified School System’s Gay Straight Alliances and United Way of the Desert, who will be making Desert AIDS Walk the final walk in its annual Nine Weekly Walks as they prepare for their annual Tram Road Challenge event.

Desert AIDS Walk 2017 begins at 8 am and will feature live entertainment, a Health & Wellness Festival, sponsored by Walgreen’s, featuring over 40 vendor booths, and a kid’s activity zone. Desert AIDS Project CEO, David Brinkman is expected to update the community on the progress D.A.P. has made in eliminating HIV AIDS and the work that remains to be done to ensure community health becomes a reality for every resident of the Coachella Valley.

Schedule of Events

8:00 Health & Wellness Festival Opens LIVE DJ Breakfast courtesy of Koffi
8:30 Community Leaders Welcome Walkers
9:00 France Joli Performs
9:30 Walk Steps Off on 2.5 Mile Route
10:30 Walkers return to Ruth Hardy Park Health & Wellness Festival Continues Complimentary lunch and snacks courtesy of multiple sponsors.

2017 Desert AIDS Walk Sponsors

Presented by Desert Regional Medical Center.

Major sponsors to date: Walgreens, Grace Helen Spearman Foundation, Gilead, The Desert Sun, and KMIR-KPSE, Desert Oasis Healthcare, Wintec Energy, Southern California Gas-a Sempra Energy Utility, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians

Other Sponsors include: Revivals Stores, Jus Chillin, Koffi, MD VIP, William J. Grimm, DO, SYSCO Riverside, The Standard Magazine, Gay Desert Guide, and CV Independent

About Desert AIDS Project
Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services.  D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide free HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future.  D.A.P. has earned a “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year – landing D.A.P. in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. The distinction recognizes that we exceed industry standards in terms of our financial health, accountability, and transparency. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

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Wine and Design Event Benefitting D.A.P. …

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
[email protected]
(760) 656-8401

Wine and Design Event September 16
Benefitting Desert AIDS Project’s Artist Program

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 1, 2017) For their first event of the season on September 16, Wine & Design will feature Desert AIDS Project’s Client Artist Program. Initiated by D.A.P.’s Valerio Iovino, Associate Director of Personal Development and Wellness, the Artist Program provides exhibition opportunities for local artists by partnering with local organizations and businesses, including Gallery500 on South Palm Canyon Drive. These opportunities bolster sales and income for the participating artists who often rely on these sales for income.

WHAT: Wine & Design Event
WHERE: Tippers Gourmet Marketplace 276 N Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs CA
WHEN: Saturday, September 16 3PM – 5PM
WHY: Benefiting Desert AIDS Project’s Artist Program

The community is invited to learn more about D.A.P.’s Client Artist Program during a Q&A and discussion with Valerio Iovino during the event that will feature presentations from local artists.

Co-produced by Felix Tipper (Tipper’s Gourmet Marketplace) and Scott Holman (Scott Holman Creative), Wine & Design is a monthly, informal social and networking event that aims to provide opportunities for mini-fundraising, advocacy and awareness that reflect the two business industries they represent: design and food/wine. Both producers, being Palm Springs residents and business owners, want to support the community, city and region they love. Events will take place each month on a Saturday afternoon from September through May.

About Felix Tipper and Tipper’s Gourmet Marketplace:

TGM is an artisan deli and caterer that offers custom, made-to-order breakfast and lunch items as well as market products such as cheeses, olives and wines. The shop opened in Palm Springs in the summer of 2016 and has built a steady following ever since.

For more information about Tipper’s Gourmet Marketplace – www.tippersgourmetmarketplace.com

About Scott Holman Creative

Based in Palm Springs, Scott Homan Creative (SHC) provides creative direction, graphic design and visual brand development for clients ranging from small businesses to global corporations. Holman’s more than 25 years of diverse experience includes both print and digital projects in a variety industries such as travel/hospitality, retail, food and entertainment, finance, tech, small business and non-profit.

About From Zero to 500: Desert AIDS Project’s Client Art Program

Sometimes conventional goals take unconventional paths. In late 2015, Valerio Iovino, Associate Director of Personal Development and Wellness for Desert AIDS Project, assumed leadership of the agency’s effort to help clients find work—many of whom are HIV+ men who have been on disability and have not worked in years.

“I noticed that many clients were actually artists who were seeking to make a living from their artwork. And I knew that the skills and experiences of artists can make it more difficult to place them in conventional jobs,” said Iovino.  “So I began researching the local art market and how artists get into galleries so they could sell their work.”

“Partnering with another local non-profit organization, we organized the first art show in November 2015 in a community venue. For thirty days, sixteen clients exhibited their artwork, resulting in sales of          $6, 000,” recalled Iovino. “ Building on the outcomes of this show, we organized a second show in March 2016, attracting thirty exhibitors and hundreds of visitors, resulting in sales of $22,000, along with an additional show in December 2016 held at Desert Patio furniture store in Rancho Mirage,” he continued.

Spurred by their success, the D.A.P. client artist collaborated to launch a gallery program beginning in the fall of 2016 at Gallery500. This exhibition of D.A.P. client art at Gallery500, located in the Five Hundred on South Palm Canyon, was inspired by collaboration between the building’s owner, John Monahan and Iovino.

“I was thrilled to work with Valerio and the client artists at D.A.P. as part of the launch of Gallery 500 in our newly renovated building,” said Monahan. “Having their work featured in this iconic landmark provides a sophisticated environment for professionals, clients, and guests.

About Desert AIDS Project

Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services.  D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide free HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future.  D.A.P. has earned a “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year – landing D.A.P. in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. The distinction recognizes that we exceed industry standards in terms of our financial health, accountability, and transparency. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

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‘Walking Out’ Film Screening October …

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
[email protected]
(760) 656-8401

PALM SPRINGS, CA (August 30, 2017) Local film producers Jim Burba and Bob Hayes are proudly presenting a screening of the new film ‘Walking Out’ on October 12 to benefit Desert AIDS Project. The film premiered at Sundance and stars Matt Bomer and Josh Wiggins.

Watch New Trailer 

WHAT: Walking Out Film Screening
WHERE: Camelot Theaters 2300 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
WHEN: Thursday, October 12 7PM
WHY: Benefiting Desert AIDS Project
TICKETS: $20 via EventBrite

Watch The Hollywood Reporter Interview

ABOUT THE FILM

Short Synopsis

A teenager, David, journeys to Montana to hunt big game with his estranged father, Cal. Father and son struggle to connect until a brutal encounter in the heart of the wilderness changes everything.

Walking Out is based on the masterpiece American short story by David Quammen. The film is a searing portrait of a teen, David (Josh Wiggins) and his unwavering will to survive and save his estranged father, Cal (Matt Bomer) from the harsh Montana wilderness after an encounter with wildlife. David’s life is forever changed during the annual hunting trip that becomes an extraordinary quest for him to truly know his father. At the heart of this story is the unspoken, fragile bond between a father and a son. The film is set against the visually stunning, unforgiving landscape of the vast Montana wilderness. The wild and unruly landscape juxtaposed against the harmonious habitat of animals living freely, symbolically represents the complex relationship between David and his father. His father’s deep, but flawed, spiritual connection to the severe, yet peaceful terrain drives this poetic story forward.

This adventure, drama, mystery stars, Matt Bomer (White Collar, American Horror Story, Magic Mike), Bill Pullman (Independence Day, Lost Highway, While You Were Sleeping), and Josh Wiggins (Max, Hellion, Lost in the Sun). Walking Out exposes the tortured past of an avid hunter and his courageous son and their dramatic journey towards redemption and forgiveness.

About Executive Producers Jim Burba and Bob Hayes

The two are Palm Springs home owners and have been life partners for more than 27 years and business partners for more than 17 years. They were married in 2014 on the stage of the Nokia Theatre (now Microsoft Theatre) in Los Angeles. As co-founders of the Burba Hotel Network (BHN), the enterprising couple develop and produce the world’s most prominent annual gatherings of the hotel and tourism investment community in such far-flung locales as Hong Kong, Delhi, Singapore, Los Angeles, and London. BHN is now a division of Northstar Travel Group. They were honored with a Partners for Life Award at the 2017 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards for their commitment to Desert AIDS Project.

Their events, including the world’s largest hotel investment conference, the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), have attracted such high-profile speakers as Sir Richard Branson, Steve Forbes, Michael Eisner, Ivanka Trump, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, California’s Lt Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Kamala Harris, and Mexico’s former President Vicente Fox.

In 2013, the duo formed Burba Hayes LLC, an entertainment production company. In 2014, they co-produced their first film, “Space Station 76,” which debuted to rave reviews at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas. Directed by Jack Plotnick, the film stars Matt Bomer, Patrick Wilson, and Liv Tyler.

“Disaster!,” is a 1970s Tony Award-nominated musical that Burba Hayes co-produced and which opened on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre in early 2016. The show is represented by Music Theatre International, with productions appearing in numerous regional theater markets.

Burba and Hayes are the authors of Smart Partners, a business book published by SelectBooks, New York, in September 2016. Smart Partners focuses on how to create and maintain successful partnerships—in business and in life.

When Burba and Hayes aren’t writing books and producing events, films, and Broadway musicals, they are involved in a number of global initiatives and charitable causes. Their company BHN was founded on the principle of sharing success with the communities it serves. Through BHN events and their community involvement, Burba and Hayes have contributed more than $15 million for scholarships, education, and social services organizations.

About Desert AIDS Project

Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services.  D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide free HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future.  D.A.P. has earned a “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year – landing D.A.P. in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. The distinction recognizes that we exceed industry standards in terms of our financial health, accountability, and transparency. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

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