The good fight

Suzie Harrison

“Art for AIDS” was started by AIDS Services Foundation Orange County

and Laguna Art Museum as a way to help those living with HIV/AIDS,

and as a tribute to Rock Hudson who died of the disease.

The event has turned into an annual fundraiser that has raised

more than $1 million in its first three years. On Feb. 5. “Art for

AIDS IV: An Evening with Cybill Shepherd” hopes to raise more money

to help educate people about this growing pandemic and facilitate

those living with it in Orange County.

During a recent interview at his Laguna home, AIDS Services

Foundation board president and co-founder Al Roberts talked about

“Art for AIDS” in his living room; the place where he and several

like-minded friends started Aids Services Foundation in 1985.

Roberts said Dr. Arnold Klein, who is on the AIDS Services board,

called Roberts and instigated the idea for “Art for AIDS.”

“He said we really need to get these two things together, art and

AIDS,” Roberts said.

A collaboration was formed with Jack Kenefick, former board

president of Laguna Art Museum. Kenefick, Klein and Roberts have

chaired the event since its inception.

“That’s how it all started,” Roberts said. “And Arnie had the

celebrity pull. He started pulling strings [bringing in] Michael

Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Penny Marshall, Carrie Fisher and Merv

Griffin. That was the first one. No one was used to all those movie

stars; people were tripping over themselves.”

Celebrities have shown their support too by donating items to be

auctioned.

In the past, Ringo Starr donated a signed tambourine; Elizabeth

Taylor has donated dresses and other items. Held at St. Regis Monarch

Beach Resort and Spa in Dana Point, “Art for AIDS IV” will be more

intimate Roberts said.

“The event is going to be very, very nice; we’ve downsized it a

little to one large room with Cybill Shepherd [as our celebrity

guest],” Roberts said. “She’ll bring all her friends as they all do.”

Kenefick said Shepherd will be performing her highly acclaimed

musical special, which will also be filmed for a future TV special.

“Cybill has really put her heart and soul into this effort for

us,” Kenefick said. The evening will commence at 5:30 p.m. in the

Pacific Ballroom with cocktails and a gourmet dinner buffet

accompanied by jazz artists Linda Roth and Lisa Lotthouse.

A live auction will begin at 8:30 p.m. followed by Shepherd’s

lounge-style show. The event will conclude with a live band.

AIDS Services Director of Development Kathleen Paylor said 60% of

funding for all AIDS organizations is through the Ryan White

Foundation.

“Those funds are being radically cut back -- $750,000 in budget

cuts last year, Paylor said.”

HIV/AIDS statistics are grim.

Paylor said in Orange County alone, one person is diagnosed with

AIDS every day. HIV infection in Orange County has increased by 30%

from 1997 to 2003. One in three people in America don’t know they’re

infected, and more than half of new infections occur in people under

age 25.

Tickets are $285, $500 or $1,000; sponsorships are $10,000 and

$15,000. For information and reservations, call Mary Landon at AIDS

Service Foundation at (949) 809-8760 or Laguna Art Museum at (949)

494-8971 Ext. 200.