DANCING BENEFITS PEOPLE WITH AIDS.Byline: Leilani Albano Daily News Staff Writer Joined by a host of celebrities, including singer-choreographer Paula Abdul Paula Julie Abdul (born June 19, 1962) is an American multi-platinum selling Grammy Award-winning singer, dancer, television personality, jewelry designer, and Emmy Award-winning choreographer. and model-actress Tyra Banks Tyra Lynne Banks (born December 4, 1973) is an American supermodel, television personality and talk show hostess.[1][2][3] She first emerged to prominence on the runways of Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, and the U.S. , about 8,000 guests from all over Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. participated Saturday night in the 9th annual AIDS Dance-a-thon at Universal Studios. Proceeds from the dance party, expected to reach $1 million, will benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles' free services for 6,000 Los Angeles County residents living with HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome , organizers said. This year's dance-a-thon consisted of five, 45-minute sets and three outdoor dance stages featuring Los Angeles DJs and their diverse music selections, including disco, country, alternative, world beat and techno. Fans cheered ``Go Paula '' as Abdul led a packed tent of partygoers through a series of dance steps. She shared the stage as a co-master of ceremonies with with Banks, Sports Illustrated's first African-American swimsuit cover model. The West Hollywood Cheerleaders Notable cheerleaders
``We're here to make people happy,'' said cheerleader volunteer, John Machado, a k a ``Popcorn Lycra,'' who has been performing for the nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. and whose main goal is ``to bring laughter'' to those with AIDS. The private fund-raising party not only gave participants a chance to meet celebrities, but an opportunity to help in the struggle against the deadly disease. ``It takes a personal experience,'' said Banks, explaining why she has gotten involved in the fight against AIDS. ``People close to me have died of AIDS.'' For Banks and Abdul, the key to their involvement was getting the message across to different groups, especially women and people of color Noun 1. people of color - a race with skin pigmentation different from the white race (especially Blacks) people of colour, colour, color race - people who are believed to belong to the same genetic stock; "some biologists doubt that there are important . ``They say AIDS is a white thing or a gay thing. Most people I've known who've died of AIDS were black,'' said Banks, who believes that AIDS should be treated as an epidemic that affects all communities. Abdul hosted the event as one way to reach women of color. ``I want to help raise awareness among Latinas and African-American women,'' she said, emphasizing that these groups could benefit from more testing for the AIDS virus AIDS virus n. See HIV. . Adriana Padilla, a volunteer at the event, said she wanted to help out and have a good time at the dance-a-thon. ``I wanted to volunteer to raise money and have a great time to promote a safe lifestyle and tolerance for everybody,'' she said. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Dancers get into the groove at the charity AIDS Dance-a-thon Saturday at Universal Studios, which drew about 8,000 people. David Sprague/Daily News |
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