Chicago Quilt Songbook” benefit

CHICAGO - A benefit for Season of Concern, “The Chicago AIDS Quilt Songbook,” will be held at 8 p.m. on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis. Presented by Chicago Opera Vanguard, the concert will premiere 15 new songs by Chicago composers. The first day of December has customarily been designated as “A Day Without Art.” However, the concert tradition of “The AIDS Quilt Songbook” was started in 1992 by the late baritone William Parker, a 1993 casualty of AIDS-related illness, for which he invited composers to add a “song panel” to a quilt of remembrance commemorating those infected or affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. In the face of this still prevalent epidemic, some of Chicago's most prominant composers and writers have created new songs as a continuation of this important artistic legacy. All proceeds will go to Seasons of Concern. For more information, visit www.ChicagoVanguard.org.

AFC hosts “World of Chocolate”

CHICAGO - In commemoration of World AIDS Day, AIDS Foundation of Chicago will host its sixth annual “World of Chocolate,” from 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan. Participants will be able to indulge in delectable chocolate delights from Chicago’s finest restaurants, chocolatiers and caterers, including Ghirardelli, Ralph Lauren Restaurant, Terry’s Toffee and China Grill. Some of the chocolate-inspired treats featured on this year’s menu include beef tenderloin with black cherry chocolate glaze and white chocolate mashed potatoes, chocolate spaghetti and fountains flowing with chocolate martinis. Funds raised will support the AFC’s policy, public education and grant making programs. For more information, call 312-558-1770 or send e-mail to ajohnson@pcipr.com.

Center on Halsted presents “Compliance:
The Pattern on Living with HIV”

CHICAGO - Center on Halsted observes World AIDS Day and continues its celebration and support of LGBT artists by presenting Cal Calvird “Compliance: The Pattern of Living with HIV.” The exhibit will be on display at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, from Nov. 21 through Jan. 5. An opening reception will be held on Nov. 21, 2008, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Center’s second-floor “living room” space. Inspired by the AIDS quilt, “Compliance” is a graphic representation of HIV drug treatment over the course of a lifetime. The representation uses a two-pill-a-day treatment regime over a 50-year projection. (A recent study published in The Lancet showed that an individual starting successful HIV treatment at the age of 20 would be expected to live to be nearly 70.) CDC’s historical trend analysis indicates that HIV incidence has been increasing steadily among gay and bisexual men with a disproportionate increase seen in younger men under the age of 30 and men of color. “Compliance” is a graphic representation of this study’s findings, namely what does 50 years of treatment compliance look like? For more information, send e-mail to culture@centeronhalsted.org or visit www.centeronhalsted.org.