DJ Sean Mac and Three New Beneficiaries Announced at Margarita Kickoff Party
July 16th, 2010
Grass Roots Gay Rights West (GRGR/West), producers of the annual REAL BAD fundraising party that follows San Francisco’s world-renowned Folsom Street Fair, today announced the beneficiaries and DJ for REAL BAD XXII. Five LGBT health and community service organizations, listed below, will share 100 percent of the funds raised by ticket sales to this historically sold-out event. Last year, REAL BAD XXI raised $150,000 for worthy charities, reaching an important milestone of over $1 million donated to charities over the event’s history. This year’s DJ, chosen from nearly 20 applicants, is Atlanta-based Sean Mac. REAL BAD XXII will take place on Sunday, September 26, 2010.
The organizations named as beneficiaries of REAL BAD XXII represent diverse causes within the LGBT community. The beneficiary organizations are:
Maitri - The only residential care facility in the Bay Area focusing on the underserved community of those dying of or severely debilitated by AIDS.
The National AIDS Memorial Grove - A healing sanctuary that offers, in perpetuity, a public landscape for grieving, gathering and renewal, keeping the human tragedy of AIDS in the forefront of the national consciousness by honoring all lives touched by AIDS.
Project Open Hand - A provider of food and nourishment dedicated to improving the lives of people with HIV/AIDS, seniors and the home-bound or critically ill.
San Francisco Suicide Prevention - A provider of emotional support, assistance and intervention as necessary to persons in crisis and those impacted by them, without regard to race, age, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
Visual Aid - A provider of crucial services to Bay Area professional artists living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, hepatitis and other life-threatening illnesses, helping to preserve, present and promote their creative work.
“One of the goals we set for ourselves this year is to weave REAL BAD’s record of contribution even further into the tapestry of San Francisco life. To do that, we are building relationships with an ever-growing number of non-profits. That effort is a central part of our mission statement,” said Richard Dellefave, event chair for REAL BAD XXII. “We are delighted to welcome back Maitri and VisualAid for the second of our two-year commitment to them, to make a restricted grant to the National AIDS Memorial Grove and to begin new two-year relationships with San Francisco Suicide Prevention and Project Open Hand.”
GRGR/West today also announced that the DJ selected for REAL BAD XXII is Sean Mac of Atlanta. As part of the duo "Yoshi Mac” with Robert Ito, Mac was known for his late-night sets at Atlanta’s legendary afterhours venue "Body Shop.” He built on that reputation with peak-hour, T-dance and early morning parties, eventually landing a two-night gig spinning the pre-parties for Lady Gaga's “Monster Ball” tour in Atlanta, and for Mark Baker’s “Welcome to Wonderland” pool party during gay Disney week in Orlando. Nearly 20 applicants competed for the opportunity to play at REAL BAD XXII. Mac was selected by a panel of judges based on a blind review of the finalist’s demo sets.
REAL BAD XXII will feature world-class lighting, lasers and video production. The lighting show and operations will be provided by Guy Smith Lighting. The laser show will be provided by Laseronics and Kyle Garner. Video production will be provided by Rob Montenegro.
About REAL BAD and GRGR/West
REAL BAD, the dance party immediately following the Folsom Street Fair, is an annual fundraising event benefiting LGBT charities with local impact in San Francisco. REAL BAD is completely volunteer-produced, and is distinct in that the costs of producing the event are underwritten entirely by the party’s Hosts, a Circle of Friends who volunteer their time and resources to make REAL BAD a yearly sell-out success. This unique support enables 100% of ticket proceeds to be donated to charity. In 2009, REAL BAD XXI raised $150,000, reaching an important milestone of over $1million donated to worthy charities over the event’s history.
REAL BAD is produced by Grass Roots Gay Rights West (GRGR/West), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to raising and distributing funds to grassroots organizations that strengthen the diverse populations that make up San Francisco’s LGBT community. GRGR/West supports organizations that create local impact, sustainable results and/or measurable change, especially in the areas of civil rights, community development, social services, HIV/AIDS and other health-related issues.
