M+E Connections
Wine, Wisdom & Vision Event to Include Special Performance
Story Highlights
To close out its annual Wine, Wisdom & Vision fundraiser June 22 in Hollywood, Calif., the Entertainment AIDS Alliance (EAA), the industry’s nonprofit group dedicated to funding HIV and AIDS research, treatment and prevention services, will feature a unique presentation.
During the event, EAA’s highest honor, the Legacy Award, will be presented to Jewel Thais-Williams, longtime AIDS activist, founder of the Los Angeles-based Village Health Foundation, and subject of the 2016 documentary “Jewel’s Catch One,” which centers around both her ownership of one of L.A.’s top LGBT clubs, and her involvement in the community.
Beginning at 9 p.m., the Wine & Wisdom event will host a “Catch One After Party,” in Thais-Williams’ honor, with DJ Key Key and a performance by singer Thea Austin of SNAP!
In addition to presenting Thais-Williams with its Legacy Award, EAA will present Vanguard Awards to the male dancers (Luis Camacho, Oliver Crumes, Salim Gauwloos, Jose Gutierez, Kevin Alexander Stea, Carlton Wilborn, and posthumously to Gabriel Trupin) who worked with Madonna in her 1990 “Blonde Ambition” tour. Their appeal to the gay community is documented in the 2017 documentary “Strike A Pose.”
EAA is also honoring EAA members John Bailey, Heather Hinkel, Silvia Leyva, Jeffery Rykhus and Eileen Salmas with Visionary Awards, a nod to their longtime service in helping fight HIV and AIDS.
Proceeds from this year’s EAA’s Wine, Wisdom & Vision event will go toward the Village Health Foundation (VHF) and UCLA CARE Center. The Steve Tisch Foundation, Paramount, Tylie, Entertainment One, Torrey Pines Bank, JohnsByrne, HBO Home Entertainment, Netflix, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures and Evolution QC are among the sponsors of the event.
Since its founding in 1989, EAA has distributed more than $5.5 million to 155-plus unique organizations. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
