Students, faculty and community members will come together tonight for “The Red Show” to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS through spoken word, fashion and remembering others who are affected by the disease.

The event will take place at 7 tonight in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Today is World AIDS Day.

Kimberlie Moock, director of New Student Programs, said it is important to support individuals who have diseases that do not have a cure.

“The medical community has done good on giving out treatment that can help prolong life, but we still don’t have a cure,” she said.

Moock said New Student Programs has worked with other groups to make “The Red Show” happen.

The event is sponsored by New Student Programs, Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry, EIU Pride, Eastern Reads!, the Health Education Resource Center, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Student Community Service and Students United for World Change.

Moock said during the day community members can make memorial quilt squares in the Bridge Lounge and purchase a red ribbon for $1.

“This is general support for people who have HIV/AIDS or people who have passed on,” she said.

During “The Red Show” students and faculty will walk up and down on the catwalk in “red wear” provided by local businesses.

Students were also able to purchase a red T-shirt and create original fashions to display during the show.

Cordy Love, assistant director for New Student Programs said students participating in the fashion show received a red T-shirt, red ribbon and preferred seating near the catwalk for the show.

Students participating by themselves paid $15, and groups were $25.

Moock said students could do whatever they want to the T-shirts.

“It does not have to come back looking like a T-shirt,” she said.

Moock said there would also be spoken-word pieces from students and faculty.

Musical guests from the Wesley Foundation and the Unity Gospel Choir will also perform.

“There will be education and some video going on, two choirs and individual singing,” she said. “It will be a multimedia art experience.”

Moock said all proceeds for “The Red Show” would go to Partners in Health & HIV Equity Initiative.

“This fund helps support the education in these areas – mostly in Africa, South America, Haiti and Russia,” she said. “This will help those people who have contracted AIDS and HIV drugs that can help prolong their life.”

Moock said this year there will not be any testing for HIV.

“That can be something we can incorporate by making this an annual event,” she said. “The group we normally get testing from were busy.”

Moock said this event would also educate individuals on how to remain safe and not contract the virus.

“We are trying to bring awareness that it is a global issue and just not a local one,” she said. “In the U.S. we can access health care better but we need to continue to show support to countries that don’t have the medical capabilities.”

Love said it is important that the campus community comes together and help spread awareness on HIV/AIDS.

“AIDS affects everyone,” he said.

Love said while he was growing up, people talked about HIV/AIDS.

“Now we don’t talk about it,” he said. “From old to young, black to white, everyone is affected about AIDS.”

Want to go?

WHAT: “The Red Show,” an event promoting HIV/AIDS awareness through a fashion show and spoken-word performance

WHEN: 8 p.m.

WHERE: The Grand Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union

HOW MUCH: $5 at the door (you can also buy red ribbons for $1 each in the Bridge Lounge)

FOR MORE INFO: Call 217-581-6435 or click here.

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.