REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 3RD DECEMBER!

This year sees the return of the Remembrance Ball, an event aimed at celebrating life and remembering those we have lost to HIV and AIDS…

Many long time clubbers will remember the huge World AIDS Day club events that were staged every year to remember those who had passed away to the disease and at the same time celebrating life with a huge party.

It’s been a few years since such an event was staged, and with news constantly in the press that HIV rates amongst gay men are on the rise, XXL owner Mark Ames and his partner James McNeill have decided that this year it was time to revive the concept.

So, what can we expect? “A huge spectacular show with headlining DJs the Freemasons and Cahill,” reveals Mark. “We’ve also got a Gaydar Room featuring top Gaydar DJs, and a super chill out room for Remembrance. We’re not being maudlin about this – we want to rejoice in people’s lives – those who are living and those we have lost. This is a disease that affects all of us directly or indirectly and we have to be united to face it and fight it.”

Mark’s aim is to raise awareness in the community – to remember those we’ve lost and to highlight the need for survival and protection. “We would like people to send in a photograph of someone they have lost so we can project an image of them onto one of the video walls in Pulse as we will have a Remembrance Room for this,” Mark says. “It’s almost like the patchwork quilts that are done in the US – gone but not forgotten.”

The event is also being staged to raise money for two very important organizations: Status and Mildmay. “We chose Status for their pro active work in prevention of the AIDS virus – they are taking a very hands on sensible approach to it.  And Mildmay due to their international drive on tackling the AIDS epidemic head on. 50% of the ticket sales will go to Mildmay and Status – the rest will go to pay for the DJ acts, advertising, production etc.”

In closing, Mark says the event should be a priority for us all on 3rd December: “This is about life and enjoying and living your life whatever your status is, and making people aware of what this is about and not to forget the loved ones we have lost in the past.”

• The Remembrance Ball is at Pulse (1 Invicta Plaza, Blackfriars Bridge, SE1) on Saturday 3rd December, 10pm-6am.