A look back at 2014 at The Damien Center

It's officially the last day of 2014, and we're officially running on adrenaline from all the exciting things that happened here over the past year! It was a busy one, and in the spirit of looking back in order to look forward, we put together this little Storify to help us out.

It's populated by photos from our Instagram, so if you like what you're seeing, hop on over and follow along for our 2015 adventures. Enjoy!

Support Hoosiers living with HIV this weekend

This time of year, we're busy. Our 27th Annual Grande Masquerade is just around the corner on October 18, the United Way of Central Indiana is at full throttle with their wonderful fall giving campaign, fairs and festivals abound on weekends, and we're busier than ever supporting those living with HIV in our community with Care Coordination, counseling, housing support, and more.

But right now is precisely when we need to slow down and remember why we're doing what we're doing. Who are we serving, what is the difference that we're making? The Annual Indiana AIDS Walk is one of our favorite weekends of the year because it reminds us of the answers to these questions.

The Indiana AIDS Fund, a program of The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis, raises money through the annual Indiana AIDS Walk for the Gregory R. Powers Direct Emergency Financial Assistance (DEFA) Fund. AIDS service organizations (like us) and other grantees of the Indiana AIDS Fund use DEFA funds to provide emergency financial assistance and direct care for Hoosiers affected by HIV/AIDS. DEFA helps pay for utility payments, rent and other housing costs, medical expenses, prescription drug costs, transportation expenses, and food, clothing and other basic needs.

The coolest thing about it? More than 1,000 people walk in the Indiana AIDS Walk every year, and last year, the event raised more than $235,000. Families, groups of friends, businesses, civic leaders, youth, fraternities, sororities, churches, educators, volunteers, corporations, children, pets, concerned citizens, clubs, and associations – anyone interested in helping Hoosiers with HIV in emergency situations can participate and make a difference.

You can join the walk as an individual, join an existing team (like ours, Team Damien), or make a financial contribution to the walk. Here are the important details:

2014 Indiana AIDS Walk
Saturday, September 27
Herron Morton Place Neighborhood
(At the corner of 22nd and Talbott Streets)
4 – 6 p.m., registration opens at 3:30 p.m.
The Walk steps off at 5 p.m.

We hope to see you there!

We're having an open house, and we want you to join us!

When The Damien Center purchased our historic building at 26 N. Arsenal Ave. a few years ago, an exciting new chapter began in the life of this building. This year, the former school turns 100, and we're celebrating with an open house! 

On Thursday, September 4 (that's two weeks from today), we invite you join us for a casual, come-one-come-all open house at our home just East of downtown at Washington St. and Arsenal Ave. Tour The Damien Center, meet our hard-working staff members, spin the prize wheel to win some Damien Center swag, and say "Happy Birthday" to our historic headquarters.

See some of the new things happening around the Center as well as learn more about our established programs. As we work toward lowering our patients' HIV viral loads and in turn improving the health of our community, we innovate, always working to find the most effective ways to meet the needs of HIV+ individuals in Central Indiana. We hope you'll stop by our open house to learn more about HIV and AIDS, what we do, who we are, and what our work means for our community. 

Here are the key details: 

What: Damien Center Open House
When: Thursday, September 4, 5:30-7:30pm
Where: The Damien Center, 26 N. Arsenal Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46203
Who: You and anyone you'd like to bring along!

Let us know you're coming by visiting our Facebook page, or just drop by on September 4!

Circle City IN Pride Week starts Saturday!

This Saturday, the 26th Annual Circle City IN Pride celebration kicks off with the Rainbow 5K Run/Walk - but that's only just the beginning! The whole week is packed with events, activities, and more throughout the entire for everyone (even your pets!), all leading up to the Cadillac Barbie Pride Parade and Circle City IN Pride Festival.

Come join us on Saturday, June 14, for these two wonderful Pride events! We'll be there starting in the morning with a unit in the Cadillac Barbie Pride Parade, then we'll be setting up shop in the health fair in the main festival. Stop by our booth, which is number 235 by the main stage, to spin our prize wheel and chat with Damien Center staff and volunteers! Spend the day at the festival enjoying vendors, food, entertainment, and what's sure to be an outstanding festival once again.

Circle City IN Pride Festival
Saturday, June 14
American Legion Mall, Downtown Indianapolis
All Ages
Parade at 10am; Festival gates at 10am

Visit circlecityinpride.org for all the details!

Drumroll please ... Announcing Dining Out for Life 2014 restaurants!

Where will YOU be dining out on April 24? Each of every one of the incredible restaurants below will be giving 25, 50, or 100% of your bill to The Damien Center and the local fight against HIV/AIDS, so pick a place, or two or three places, and get ready to EAT! It's as easy as it gets - no special menus, no flyers to present. All you have to do is eat, drink, and have a great time to help make our community healthier through what we do at The Damien Center. Read on for some great eats. Questions? Visit diningoutforlife.com/indianapolis for more info.

2014 Participating Restaurants

Champion Restaurants (Giving 100%)

135 N. Pennsylvania St., 2nd Floor | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 672-7591 | Breakfast, Lunch


1043 Virginia Ave. #6 | Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 822-4764 | Lunch, Dinner, Late Night

Premier Restaurants (Giving 50%)

110 E. Washington St. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 822-9990 | Lunch, Dinner


822 N. Illinois St. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 636-5597 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night


765 Massachusetts Ave | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 634-4545 | Lunch, Dinner, Late Night


906 S. Meridian St. | Indianapolis, IN 46225
(317) 636-0700 | Lunch, Dinner


707 Massachusetts Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 639-6022 | Dinner, Late Night


1 N. Pennsylvania St. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 829-PITA (7482) | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner



2442 N. Central Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46205
(317) 441-1047 | Lunch, Dinner



137 E. Ohio St. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 426-5280 | Lunch, Dinner


1417 Prospect St. | Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 917-1117 | Lunch, Dinner


755 Massachusetts Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 634-4545 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Partner restaurants (Giving 25%)
Arni's Restaurant Indianapolis
4705 E. 96th St. | Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 571-0077 | Lunch, Dinner

Arni's Restaurant Greenwood
1691 W. Curry Rd. | Greenwood, IN 46143
(317) 881-0500 | Lunch, Dinner

Athens on 86th
2284 W. 86th St. | Indianapolis, IN 46260
(317) 879-8644 | Lunch, Dinner

Beefcake Burgers
1642 Olive Branch Parke Ln. | Greenwood, IN 46143
(317) 215-4192 | Lunch, Dinner

BRU Burger Bar
410 Massachusetts Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 635-4278 | Lunch, Dinner, Late Night

Café Patachou
8697 River Crossing Blvd. | Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 815-0765 | Breakfast, Lunch

Café Patachou
4901 N. Pennsylvania St. | Indianapolis, IN 46205
(317) 925-2823 | Breakfast, Lunch

Café Patachou
225 W. Washington St. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 632-0765 | Breakfast, Lunch

Canal Bistro
6349 Guilford Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 254-8700 | Lunch, Dinner

Cerulean
339 S. Delaware St. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 870-1320 | Lunch, Dinner

Chef Joseph's at the Connoisseur Room
115 E. Ohio St. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 600-3577 | Lunch, Dinner

The Columbia Club
121 Monument Circle | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 767-1361 | Lunch, Dinner

End of the Line Public House
1105 Shelby St. | Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 687-4857 | Lunch, Dinner

English Ivy's
944 N. Alabama St. | Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 822-5070 | Lunch, Dinner, Late Night

Greek's Pizzeria Zionsville
30 N. Main St. | Zionsville, IN 46077
(317) 344-2999 | Lunch, Dinner

Hellas Café
8501 Westfield Blvd. | Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 257-6211 | Lunch, Dinner

Just Pop In!
6302 Guilford Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 257-9338 | Dessert

La Margarita Fountain Square
1043 Virginia Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 384-1457 | Lunch, Dinner

Late Harvest Kitchen
8605 River Crossing Blvd. | Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 663-8063 | Dinner

The Legend Classic Irvington Café
5614 E. Washington St. | Indianapolis, IN 46219
(317) 536-2028 | Lunch, Dinner

Mama Irma's Restaurant
1058 Virginia Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 423-2421 | Lunch, Dinner

Marco's Restaurant & Lounge
2380 E. 54th St. | Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 251-7000 | Lunch, Dinner

Mass Avenue Pub
745 Massachusetts Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 974-0745 | Lunch, Dinner, Late Night

Mesh on Mass
725 Massachusetts Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 955-9600 | Lunch, Dinner, Late Night

Monon Coffee Company in Broad Ripple
920 E. Westfield Blvd. | Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 255-0510 | Breakfast

Monon Coffee Company Downtown
2442 N. Central Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46205
(317) 255-0510 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

R bistro
888 Massachusetts Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 423-0312 | Lunch, Dinner

Ralph's Great Divide
743 E. New York St. | Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 637-2192 | Lunch, Dinner

Recess and Room Four
4907 N. College Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46250
(317) 925-7529| Dinner

Siam Square
936 Virginia Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 636-8424 | Lunch, Dinner

Tini
717 Massachusetts Ave. | Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 384-1313 | Dinner, Late Night

Winner's Circle Pub, Grill & OTB
20 N. Pennsylvania St. | Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 656-7223 | Lunch, Dinner, Late Night

Yiayia's House of Pancakes
1694 W. Main St. | Greenwood, IN 46224
(317) 888-6800 | Breakfast, Lunch

Damienpalooza: Art + Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

According to CDC estimates, roughly 280,000 (or one in four) people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States are women, 15% of whom don’t know they’re infected. Damienpalooza 2014 will bring education and art under one roof as The Damien Center and collaborating artists focus the conversation on National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day through music, dance, theater, real-life testimonials, and more.

On March 8 - that's this Saturday! - we invite you to join us as we take in performances by dance company Create Freedom Arts Projects, local band I Dream in Evergreen, actress Ali Curtis of The Theatre Within, singer/songwriter Jamie Nichole, and spoken word artist Charlene White as well as the powerful story of Stephanie Brown from the Alicia Keys Empowered campaign. Stephanie contracted HIV as a young woman and has dedicated herself to fighting HIV and the stigma it carries. Inspired by art and moved by the stories of real women affected by HIV, we hope you'll leave empowered to take a stand for women and girls and informed about what they can do to fight HIV and its stigma in our community. 

The historic Athenaeum Theatre in Indianapolis will play host to Damienpalooza 2014, and the $5 admission fee as well as cash bar proceeds will benefit The Damien Center. Spirits Sponsor Ketel One supports The Damien Center throughout the year. We hope to see you there!  

Event                  Damienpalooza

Date/Time          March 8, 2014 at 7:30pm

Cost                    $5 (at the door)

Location             The Athenaeum Theatre, 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis 46204

Details                damien.org/damienpalooza       

Top Posts of 2013

We've had a fun year with you, blog-readers. We've chatted about what pizza has to do with our food pantry, the 44 amazing restaurants that gave back through Dining Out for Life, and our insanely awesome volunteers, who keep things chugging along. Plus, we got excited about chili and tried to convince you to volunteer once. Okay, maybe twice. We also touched on some really serious and important topics, like what one incredible young woman is doing to fight HIV stigma in our community, how we're working to support high-risk groups, and what our strategy is for successfully preventing the spread of HIV and empowering those affected by it.      

So, we thought it'd be fun to look back and see what your favorite posts were this year. Take a read through these top posts, and then tell us what you'd like to read about in 2014. Enjoy!

Top Posts of 2013 

5. Forty Five Degrees, Yogulatte owner long-time Damien supporter - April 23, 2013

4. Go see Naked Boys Singing and support The Damien Center! - February 8, 2013

3. Costume Ideas: The Disco Ball Edition - September 24, 2013

2. Why Santorini Greek Kitchen gives back - April 5, 2013

1. Do you need to get linked? - May 30, 2013

Cooking Up Some Fun: Chili Cook-Off, Round Three!

What goes better with a Saturday night in late November than 20+ crock pots full of chili? Raising money to fight HIV, of course! Coming up on its third year, the annual Chili Cook-Off is just two days away, and believe us, the chili is calling your name. There will be sweet chili, savory chili, hearty chili, meaty chili, and veggie chili, plus chili that will blow your idea of spicy out of the proverbial water. Which you will need. For the spice.

But don't worry, even if you don't dig the spiciest of spicy, there will be a chili for you. And just to add some old-fashioned competition, you'll also be voting for your favorites. Join us! Come to Indy's Kitchen, bring a suggested donation of $25, and eat until you're content. Beverages will be provided. Thanks to our host and generous board member Clinton Gruettert!

What: 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off (Damien Center Benefit)

When: Saturday, November 23, 7-9:30pm

Where: Indy's Kitchen, 2442 Central Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46205

More details and to RSVP

Guest Post: Tataya Mato offers support for kids with HIV/AIDS

This week we have another wonderful guest post from our friends as Jameson Camp, who dedicate an entire session of summer camp to kids living with HIV and AIDS. How awesome is that? We think they're rockin' it with Tataya Mato, and we're betting you will too. Enjoy!

Did you know that Jameson Camp, located on Indy's West side, offers a special camp session for children affected by HIV/AIDS? This free 8-day/7-night session of camp is called Tataya Mato and serves youth ages 7-17. Children attending this session of camp either have the disease or have a close family member who does. This is the only camp program in Indiana that serves children impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Tataya Mato offers a unique combination of a traditional eight-day overnight summer camping experience combined with a program of personal growth and support of the child’s family and caregiver. Tataya Mato campers partake in traditional camp activities including archery, rock climbing, creek stomping, culinary arts, journalism, and art expressions. Older campers have the opportunity to go on multi-day camping and backpacking trips in Indiana and out of state. While at camp, youth gain in self-confidence and social skills, and learn to respect themselves, others, and the environment. They are also immersed in a supportive and fun environment with children who are facing similar challenges and obstacles related to living with or knowing someone with HIV/AIDS.

The Jameson staff work with various community partners throughout Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio to recruit children for the Tataya Mato session. Free transportation is provided to each child who attends this session of camp and Jameson Camp waives camper fees for children attending Tataya Mato. It costs Jameson Camp roughly $45,000 each year to operate Tataya Mato, so we depend on the generous support of individuals, foundations, and corporations to help cover the costs of this specialized camp. It is our belief that every child should have the opportunity to experience the excitement and culture of summer camp. We provide our campers the opportunity to make lifelong memories while gaining important life skills.

Jameson Camp is grateful for its partnership with Roche Diagnostics and the Indiana AIDS Fund, who have been strong supporters of Tataya Mato over the years. If you are interested in supporting HIV/AIDS programs like Jameson Camp and The Damien Center, we encourage you to participate in the Indiana AIDS Walk on Saturday, September 28th! Join The Damien Center’s team and help raise money to fight HIV and AIDS right here in our community. Can't attend the event? Make a secure online donation or help us spread the word!

Walk around the block with us

We know it's hard to imagine at the moment, when the air is heavy and the sun beats down relentlessly, but fall is on its way. And so many wonderful things come when fall comes. Curling up in a blanket around a blazing bonfire, dreaming up your best Halloween costume yet, indulging in a caramel apple or a mug of fresh apple cider—and our favorite, taking a walk around the block to fight AIDS in our community!

This year's Indiana AIDS Walk, A Walk Around the Block, is going to be the perfect gateway to fall for all you lovers of autumn colors and cool, crisp nights. A departure from its previous incarnation as an early-morning walk through Downtown Indianapolis, A Walk Around the Block features a leisurely stroll through the beautiful, historic Herron Morton Place Neighborhood on Saturday, September 28, from 4pm to 6pm. Last year, more than 1,000 people walked for the cause and raised $225,000 to fight HIV and AIDS right here in Indianapolis.

What else is there to do, you ask? We'll have entertainment, a wellness fair, a pet pit stop, awards and prizes, and of course, fun for the whole family. All proceeds benefit the Gregory R. Powers Direct Emergency Financial Assistance (DEFA) Fund. Grantees of the Indiana AIDS Fund, including us here at The Damien Center, use DEFA funds to provide emergency financial assistance and direct care for those throughout Indiana impacted by HIV/AIDS. Here at the Center, we use these dollars to provide bus passes, food for the pantry, medication assistance, client events, and mortgage/rent/utility/incidental assistance.

Want to take a walk around the block with us? It's easy peasy. You can join Team Damien, sign up as an individual, or make your own team by recruiting friends and family to walk with you. Can't be there on September 28? No problem. Make a donation to the event and know you're making an difference for the health of your city.


Check out all the event details here!

You're Invited: Damien Center Open House Tuesday 7/23

Ever wondered what goes on inside The Damien Center? What kinds of services do we offer, what are our staff members like, and what's it like to access our different programs? We're having an open house tomorrow, so now is your chance to find out!

Stop by tomorrow evening, July 23, between 5:30pm and 7:30pm to learn a little more about who we are and what we do. We'll have self-guided tours of our building, so you'll be able to check out where Care Coordination, HIV/STD testing, housing services, mental health counseling, food pantry services, and more take place in building. We'll also have staff members on hand to tell you a little about how things work in their different areas and go through mock services with you.


Just want some general information? We'll also have that, along with opportunities to win prizes and learn a little more about HIV and AIDS. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

The details:

What: Open House
Where: The Damien Center (26 North Arsenal Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46201)
When: Tuesday, July 23, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Who: All are welcome!
Questions: Check out the Facebook event or call us at 317.632.0123!

Extra! Extra! 44 Indy restaurants to fight AIDS on April 25

We know, we've been teasing you. Mentioning our Dining Out for Life restaurants on Twitter, sharing their photos on Facebook, pinning foodie pics on Pinterest - we're getting excited just thinking about the dozens of Indy-area restaurants set to donate a big chunk of their sales to The Damien Center on April 25! But where's the list, you ask? Where can I dine? How will I know how much my restaurant is giving? Well, we're here to day to give you the full restaurant list so you can get started plotting for April 25. This list has been building over on our Dining Out for Life International web page, and we've got a map over there too so you can which restaurants are nearby, but here's scoop on 2013 Dining Out for Life restaurants, by neighborhood/area. There's a restaurant for everyone!

2013 Participating Restaurants Donating 25%

* Donating 50% of

   your bill

** Donating 100%

Broad Ripple

Bazbeaux

Café Patachou

JT’s Grille & Bar

Marco’s Restaurant

Monon Coffee Co.

Recess

Twenty Tap

Mass Ave

Aesop’s Tables

Bazbeaux

Forty Five Degrees *

Mesh on Mass

Metro Nightclub & Restaurant 

R bistro

Tini

Yogulatte *

Carmel

Bazbeaux

Café Patachou

Greenwood

Arni’s Restaurant

East Side

The Legend Classic Irvington Café

Downtown

Adobo Grill

Bosphorus Istanbul Café

Café Patachou

Cerulean

Chef Joseph’s at the Connoisseur Room

The Columbia Club

Creation Café

Downtown Olly’s *

English Ivy’s

Greek Islands Restaurant *

Hoosier Park’s Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB

Iaria’s Restaurant

Monon Coffee Co.

Palomino

The Pita Pit *

Punch Burger *

Ralph’s Great Divide

Fountain Square

B’s Po Boy

La Margarita

Red Lion Grog House **

Santorini Greek Kitchen *

North Side

Arni’s Restaurant

Athens on 86th

Café Patachou

Hellas Café

Dining Out for Life Social Roundup

With Dining Out for Life less than two months away, we thought you might start wondering where on the interwebs all this Dine Out Fight AIDS info resides. Here to the rescue, our Dining Out for Life Social Roundup! Read on for your fully informative guide to tweeting, Facebooking, and Googling your way to Dining Out for Life.

Facebook
Of course we're on Facebook as The Damien Center (facebook.com/thedamiencenter), which is the central clearinghouse for all things Damien, including Dining Out. Here, you'll find updates on where to dine out on April 25, restaurant pics and links, maybe a contest or two as the event nears, sponsor updates (we ♥ our sponsors!), and so much more. RSVP to our Dining Out for Life Indianapolis Facebook event and share it with friends to spread the word and fill those restaurants. You also can find Dining Out for Life International at home on Facebook (facebook.com/DineOut4Life), which is where you'll find updates from 60 cities who participate in Dining Out each year. The Dining Out for Life International Facebook event is a cool place to go and see how many people are participating from around the country. 

Twitter
Find us on Twitter at @DamienCenter and look for the hashtag #DOFLIndy for Dining Out posts. Dining Out for Life International is also on Twitter at @DineOut4Life and posts updates from participating cities, our international spokespeople (@LoveMondoTrasho, @PamGrier, @ChopTedAllen, and @La_Daisy) and international sponsor @subaru_usa.

Websites
We've got our own Damien Center website with a dedicated Dining Out for Life area, but we'd also like to direct your attention to Dining Out for Life International's website, which is full of bells and whistles. Don't worry, you can find all the information about the event, restaurants, sponsors, volunteers, and more on our website, but Dining Out for Life International has some cool features that make it easy and fun to find participating restaurants near you and learn about the event. Plus, the International site works great on a smart phone, so when you're out and about on April 25, it'll be a piece of cake to find your next Dining Out hot spot. 

Pinterest
You didn't think we'd miss out an opportunity to post food pics, did you? Check us out the wildly popular Pinterest, paying close attention to our Dining Out for Life board. Pretty pictures. Delicious food. Fun clothes. That's all, folks!

So, are you going to help us spread the word? There are lots of ways to help, whether through one of these channels or something we haven't even thought of yet! Keep us on your calendar for April 25. Dine out, fight AIDS!
 

Go see Naked Boys Singing and support The Damien Center!

Indy's favorite off-kilter venue, Theatre on the Square, has done it again. Naked Boys Singing, their latest show, delivers hilarity, gratuitous nudity, and, surprisingly, a few heartwarming moments. The best part? The theater is offering up one very special show to benefit none other than yours truly, The Damien Center! You're not going to want to miss this. Why? Here are a few reasons.

1. 100% of your ticket purchase for this special show goes back to The Damien Center. TOTS put together this additional show just for us, so you'll feel all warm and fuzzy knowing your attendance at a nude musical is supporting a cause you care about.

2. Asia's in the house. Special guest Asia LaBouche will be hosting the evening, so buckle up, and for goodness sakes, get your tickets! The eternally fabulous Asia spends most of her Friday nights as a Lady of Legend at Talbott Street Show Lounge, so this is an extra special appearance. Now why would you want to miss that?

3. It's the perfect girls (or guys!) night out. According to Indiana Bride Magazine, NBS would make for the perfect bachelorette party, but we think it goes beyond that. As long as you're with friends you can laugh with, this show is sure to turn your Friday night upside down. 

4. These guys care about performing and want you to have a good time. When's the last time you went to a show where the actors are willing to bare it all for the sake of the stage? The guys in this show are in it for the love of performing. The Indy Star says they want you laugh, connect, and have a great night. So do it already!  

5. Naked. Boys. Singing. Emphasis on the singing. Seriously, these guys have pipes. It's a fun musical revue, and whether it's in the nude or in enough clothes to make you say "Look at me, I'm Chandler! Could I BE wearing any more clothes?" you'll love the fabulous vocals from start to finish.

Have we convinced you yet? Here are the details for when you're ready to get those tickets. See you there!

• Naked Boys Singing Damien Center Benefit Show
• Friday, February 15, 10pm show
• Tickets: Call 685-TOTS or purchase tickets online
• Like TOTS on Facebook for updates!

A Most Mask-tastic Affair

Sure, the Grande Masquerade has always been a masquerade ball. And sure, we all dress to impress every year. But this year, this year it’s all about the masks. Are you a DIY-er? Big spender? King or queen of the outrageous? Classic and simple? Never fear, Grande Masqueraders, we are here to answer all your mask-related questions, give you hundreds of mask ideas (Literally. We got a little excited about it.), and turn mask-hunting/creating/imagining into your newest favorite pastime.

So where do you start? That depends. Are you matching your mask to your outfit or your outfit to your mask? Big life questions here. In either case, we’ve got some ideas for where and how to procure a mask for this, the grandest of Grande Masquerades.  

DIY to the ma(x)sk
Do you have a glue gun, feathers, lace, paper, glitter, puffy paint, fabric, or any combination of these and other craft supplies? Then you, my friend, are on your way DIY mask-making. Since crafting can be a little intimidating for the less crafty types, we got on Pinterest and put together a Mask-spiration board with dozens of tutorials, blogs, and fancy pants masks. We also turned to our gal Martha Stewart, the queen of crafts, for a few additional ideas. Whether you’re planning on pinning a few feathers to a fabric mask cutout (sure to look more fabulous than the five minutes it will take you) or want to layer lace and glitter and crystals and paint and crepe paper and ornate who-knows-whats, DIY masks can be a fun project for a rainy Friday afternoon (hint hint).    

Swipe that card
Not inspired to DIY? That’s okay—we also pinned almost a hundred of the most amazing masks we could find on the interwebs. If you are a human being, we’ve probably pinned something you’ll like. Seriously, there’s a mask for every taste: ornate Venetian, Mardi Gras-style, classic and timeless, animal-inspired, masculine, feminine, devilish, steampunk, British-glam, woodland-themed, feisty, plastic, leather, moss (Yes, we found a mask made from moss. Thank you, Etsy.), one-eyed, two-eyed, no-eyed, full faced, colorful, metallic, and even hilarious (Angry Birds, anyone?). Etsy, the vintage and handmade mecca of the Internet, and Amazon, also a mecca though we’re not sure of what, both feature more mask options than you could imagine and are great resources if you prefer to buy your mask. Prices range from the cost of a latte at Starbucks to a tropical vacay. Want to go local or try it on first? Check out Margie’s Costumes at 38th and Illinois, any of the Party City stores around the city, or those Halloween pop-up stores that set up shop this time of year. And lastly, to take the worry entirely out of your mask selection, let us do the work. When you buy a Grande Masquerade ticket, just check the box to add a mask to your order and we’ll have it ready for you at the event.

Bring out your inner artiste
Okay, okay, so you’re not inspired by Martha, Etsy, or Amazon? We have one more fantastic suggestion for the mask-phobic: paint that mask right on your pretty little face. Check out our Pinterest board (one last time) for some beautiful facepaint/makeup mask ideas. Even something as simple as glitter and black eyeliner can create a mask-like effect. More elaborate masks may require a professional makeup artist or partner in crime to assist with application. You can find costume makeup for sale at any Halloween or costume store, or just get creative with all those M.A.C. colors you bought but never wear. Yeah, we know, they were in in 1995…

We’re here for you and your mask
Still need a listening ear to work through some mask ideas? We’ve got your back. Or face. Whatever. Your friendly blogess is just an email away: kcoon@damien.org. And don’t forget, Grande Masquerade ticket prices go up $25 in just a few short hours (at 5pm!), so snag those tickets online riiiiight now. See you on the 20th!

25 Stories: Bernadette Goes Uptown

In a few short weeks, we’ll be transforming the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott into a grand gala, a masquerade ball to celebrate our 25th year of service to Central Indiana, an evening to outshine all others. The Grande Masquerade is nearly upon us. With this magnificent [read: super fun and fancy] celebration just on the horizon, we thought it’d be fun to look back at the history of our fundraisers. Turns out, The Damien Center has a legacy of hosting rockin’ parties, performances, and other fundraising events to get the word out and raise money.  Tom Alvarez, one of our earliest supporters and fundraisers, sat down with us to talk about “Bernadette Galanti Goes Uptown for The Damien Center,” which was, according to Tom, as fantastic as it sounds.

At the time (late 80s/early 90s), Bernadette Galanti was a well-known performer at the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s Cabaret. (Yes, the IRT had a Cabaret. Yes, we wish they still did.) As a performer who had lived in New York City for some time in the 1980s, Bernadette knew people who had HIV/AIDS and was interested in supporting the cause, so Tom, a former television producer, enlisted her to put on a show for The Damien Center. “It was one night only," Tom says, “and it was a first-class affair all the way around.” As a result of her one-woman show at Broad Ripple’s Vogue Theater, Bernadette became very popular within the gay community and “became our local Liza Minelli,” Tom recalls. This event, he says, was one that helped organize and solidify the gay community “not only around the AIDS issue but by being public and by being out there.”

What did Tom and his fellow organizers learn from this, one of their first fundraising undertakings? Sponsors sponsors sponsors. “Most of the proceeds went toward the expenses,” Tom says, “so what we learned was that you really have to have sponsorships for those kinds of things. This was all kind of virgin territory, not only to us, but to the gay community in general.” And with that, we'd like to thank our extremely generous Grande Masquerade sponsors, especially our Event Presenting Sponsors, McNamara Florist and Marion County Public Health Department.

Now, back to the show. It wasn’t just for fun. Bernadette’s performance was, like other fundraisers for AIDS service organizations at the time, critical to how early activists were able to get the word out about AIDS in places like Indianapolis. “AIDS like in many other places, forced people to come forward and to come out, because it was very clear to us that if we didn’t, it was just going to make things worse,” Tom explains. “If we didn’t step forward to educate our community, the larger community, the epidemic would as quickly or grow more quickly.”

So, people like Tom stepped up and started to organize events like Bernadette’s show. Today, we have events like Grande Masquerade that continue the legacy of FUNdraising, bringing awareness to HIV/AIDS as a cause, and bringing people together in the name of a better community. So whether you’ve been around long enough to remember “Bernadette Galanti Goes Uptown” or are just getting your feet wet in supporting The Damien Center, we thank you and hope you’ll join us for this year’s Grande Masquerade on October 20.

Happy birthday to (all of) us!

Birthdays are good for celebrating, laughing, imbibing, indulging. You know the drill: cake, cocktails, loved ones, favorite places and spaces. But they're also good for looking back. Reflecting. Thinking about how far you've come and what you've been doing that matters to you and your values.

Today, I - Kimberly, your faithful Damien Center blogger and marketing coordinator - have been doing just that as I celebrate my 27th birthday. I've been asking myself, what have I been doing these last few weeks, months, and years that enriches my life and others', that makes my community a better place?

Here at The Damien Center, we've also been celebrating our birthday - all year long. It's our 25th year serving those affected by HIV in Central Indiana, and we're so proud of the legacy we have as Indiana's oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organization. What we do and how we do it didn't start last year or last month. It started in 1987, when a caring, progressive group of people got together to support a community in crisis.

Birthday reflections, for us, have us looking at who we served, how we served them, and where our (your) funding dollars went. So, what have we been doing that matters to us, our values, and our community? In 2011, we:

• performed 2,315 free HIV tests
• reached 796 youth through prevention education
• served 1,126 clients through Care Coordination
• helped 96 families find housing
• fed 616 clients through our food pantry
• assisted 124 clients in receiving emergency financial assistance

And this is just the beginning. Birthdays are also for looking ahead to the coming year(s), planning for a strong future, setting goals, and living life. So as I and The Damien Center look ahead to our next 25 years, we hope you'll help us celebrate both where we came from and where we're going.

Looking for ways to honor our 25 year legacy? Make a donation, volunteer, walk with us in the 2012 Indiana AIDS Walk, or snag a ticket for swankiest gala in town, the 25th Annual Grande Masquerade.  

Take a walk with us!

What's better than a stroll through a historic Indianapolis neighborhood on a beautiful fall evening with good friends? Doing all that while supporting the Indiana AIDS Fund, we think! Join our 2012 Indiana AIDS Walk team for a "Walk Around the Block, where we'll walk roughly one-mile through historic Herron Morton Place.

Entertainment, food trucks, and activities along the route plus a wellness fair and awards make this a can't-miss event that supports the Gregory R. Powers Direct Emergency Financial Assistance (DEFA) Fund and benefits The Damien Center's clients. This a family friendly event, so bring your kids, cousins, grandparents, friends, and more - you can even bring your pets and their friends.

By walking with us and raising money through family, friends, co-workers, employers and others, you're helping provide funds for emergency shelter, utilities, food, medicine, transportation and other critical needs of those living with HIV/AIDS.

Here's the schedule:

Saturday, September 29, 2012
3:30 pm - Registration opens at 16th and Alabama Street
3:45pm - Live entertainment
4:30pm - Welcome and awards
5 pm - Step-off at 16th and Alabama

Immediately after the Walk, Greg's Our Place will be hosting a BBQ Party on the patio! The first 200 walkers (21 and up) get in free.

Location: Herron Morton Place

Register at IndianaAIDSwalk.org

Celebrate local artists. Prevent HIV.

At The Damien Center, we work hard to prevent the spread of HIV. But we also work hard to have fun while we're at it. This Saturday night, join us for Damienpalooza, a one-of-a-kind festival that will showcase local talent while building awareness around what HIV is and how we can all work toward an AIDS-free generation. 

 
For an easy $5, you'll take in local live music, dance, poetry, and original art while sipping on special Damienpalooza cocktails and learning what we do at The Damien Center. The historic Athenaeum Theatre will play host to this event, the first of its kind in our history. Here's a sneak peek at what's in store:

• Contemporary fine art from Kuaba Gallery
• Community partner tables and information
• Performances by lead Bonesetters musician Dan Snodgrass and local jazz combo The Jazz Men from Outer Space
• Choreography from Adrienne Jackson
• Spoken word by Charlene White
• A full-length work from new local dance company Create Freedom Dance Project 

You'll also hear from Damien Center staff and other advocates about how they work to prevent HIV and promote healthy lifestyles. Learn what you can do to prevent the spread of HIV in your community while supporting local artists, community partners, and The Damien Center.

Join us for Damienpalooza, this Saturday night from 6 to 10pm at The Athenaeum!

25 Stories: Kim Johnson

Kim met Joe in 1974, and the next 28 years of their lives were a whirlwind of activities: anniversary parties, family deaths, building careers, and more.

In 2002, Kim fell ill with one disease after another. Shingles, panic attacks, coughing, a “type” of pneumonia…the list goes on. Eventually, Kim became hospitalized in September 2002, and doctors gave him an HIV test.

“Mr. Johnson, you have AIDS.”

With a CD4 count of 26 at diagnosis*, Kim’s family never expected him to leave the hospital – but Kim never thought about dying. Unfortunately, Joe wasn’t prepared to live his life without Kim, so he took his own life. When Kim left the hospital, it wasn’t because he was well; it was because there was a funeral.

The next two years were full of grief, doctors, starting medication, and learning everything he could about HIV/AIDS. In 2004, Kim’s friends flew him to New Mexico for a New Year’s Day brunch where Kim met John.

The two hit it off instantly, talking every day for a month. It was then that Kim divulged his HIV status. John said it was a non-issue; he knew how it was spread and how to prevent the virus’ spread. “He was in no way judgmental,” Kim remembers.

Eventually, John moved in with Kim in Indianapolis. To this day, they are a “discordant couple,” or a couple where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is HIV-negative. The disease doesn’t define their relationship.

Kim is currently the co-chair of The Damien Center's Client Services Committee and has been actively involved with the Ryan White Planning Council.

“My new mission now is to be more open, and to get out the message about HIV/AIDS.”

* A person’s CD4 count is how many CD4 cells a person has; these cells are the part of the immune system that HIV attacks. A person with a healthy immune system may have anything between 500 and 1600; a CD4 count under 200 qualifies a person for an AIDS diagnosis. A CD4 count of 0 is almost certain death.