Celebrating 26 years of service to Southern Nevada’s HIV/AIDS community, Golden Rainbow presented its annual “Ribbon of Life” fundraising production at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, June 24.
Approximately 1,630 attendees filled Reynolds Hall as 380 performers from the best Strip shows and entertainment companies took the stage in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Hosted by 8 News Now anchor Chris Saldaña and appropriately themed “Ovations,” this year’s acts included performers from Vegas! The Show in “Ovations of Josephine Baker,” Broadway in the Hood with “Circle of Life,” Jubilee! in “Sing, Sing, Swing,” Las Vegas Tenors’ rendition of “Rock of Ages,” Clint Holmes with “Suite from Porgy and Bess,” performers from “Peepshow,” Frank Marino’s “Divas Las Vegas” and “Centrifuge” teamed up for “In the Heights,” The Las Vegas City Ballet along with performers from “Jubilee!” and “Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular” with a medley from “West Side Story,” and many more.
A few of the numbers wowed the crowd to standing ovations. Special guests including KSNE Sunny 106.5’s Melanie Myers and Zach Dillon, Golden Globe-winning actress and Grammy-nominated singer Pia Zadora, and actor Danny Pintauro joined in on the action, introducing select acts throughout the show. For the second consecutive year, Freed’s Bakery helped Golden Rainbow celebrate with a three-tiered cake donned with red draping, gold flowers and pearls made from icing.
This year’s record-breaking show raised more than $200,000. In addition to the onstage spectacular, Golden Rainbow hosted a silent auction with exclusive prizes such as vacation packages, Tiffany & Co. jewelry, designer handbags, show tickets, dinner packages, one-of-a-kind art and more. The auction raised $17,000. All proceeds from the fundraiser directly benefit the organization’s Direct Financial Assistance and Affordable Housing Programs.
The 2011 production drew around 1,150 guests and raised approximately $150,000. As a result of last year’s fundraising efforts, the nonprofit provided 7,413 nights of shelter, 1,178 days of utility assistance, 1,620 days of transportation and medical and dental assistance to more than 500 households.
The 2013 “Ribbon of Life” spectacular is set to return to The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, June 30. For more information on Golden Rainbow or to order copies of this year’s “Ribbon of Life,” please visit www.goldenrainbow.org.
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