Dear Friends in the Fight Against AIDS,

Everyday in Minnesota, the struggle with HIV/AIDS is a real-life drama for thousands. The final scene is, so far, unpredictable. But while we wait for a happy ending, Because We Care (BWC) Minnesota Performing Arts Alliance Responding To AIDS is working behind the scenes, setting the stage for the care and comfort of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Because We Care Minnesota Performing Arts Alliance Responding To AIDS was founded in 1995 as a nonprofit organization by and for people living with HIV/AIDS. From inception, our purpose has been to mobilize the abilities of the performing arts community to support direct service through events and increase public awareness of HIV/AIDS.

BWC started as a small group of concerned individuals willing to offer support for those affected by HIV and AIDS. Today we are becoming a comprehensive all-volunteer funding organization by and for people living with HIV/AIDS that diligently and professionally meets many of the community's growing needs. BWC funding has provided direct support for counseling, food programs, and financial aid programs for men, women and children throughout Minnesota, helping many service providers meet the needs of their clients.

BWC has become a reality through the leadership and support of an incredibly dedicated and diverse community. The degree of energy and love that pours into our efforts has been truly a gift of the highest caliber.

The growth of BWC—like the battle it wages—has not been easy. Yet we survive and need to thrive until our work is done. We have always felt there is a community willing to support us and share the suffering we all have endured with the AIDS crisis. Let us receive solace in knowing that we can make an impact when we all join together in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Thank you for your support.

STEVEN KATZ
Because We Care Director

What is Because We Care?

Because We Care (BWC) Minnesota Performing Arts Alliance Responding to AIDS is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization. Founded in 1995 by People Living with HIV/AIDS, BWC is a memorial to the many friends lost to us through AIDS.

Then as now, the general lack of attention given to HIV/AIDS, and its potential health risk not only to men, but also to women and children as well, are our primary concerns. A board of directors manages BWC operations. We focus on generating resources and coordinating activities to create awareness of and combat HIV/AIDS. A portion of our resources directly funds the care of people living with HIV/AIDS in Minnesota.

By mobilizing the unique abilities of the entertainment industry, BWC is able to raise funds to mitigate the suffering of persons with HIV/AIDS. Through music, dance, and other forms of entertainment, we are able to inform, educate and erase the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. Thank you for your support.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Steven Katz
63 Lawson Avenue West
St. Paul, MN 55117
tel 651-487-2360

 

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of all ages! Welcome to the Bohemian Cirko, LifeSong 2008

You will be entertained by the best and brightest acts from the world of novelty and variety entertainment. The Bohemian Cirko recreates the amazing era of the circus were all the strange, bizarre and the unusual attractions can be seen.

The Bohemian Cirko showcases the best of these exhibitions through vaudeville and burlesque, medical show, illusion show, midway sideshow, circus and carnival and more.

At the Bohemian Cirko you’ll relive a time when fun was as innocent as the practical joke and amazing as the satisfaction of curiosity, an era filled with humbug and hullabaloo that entertained our parents and grandparents from the minute they walked into the world of the circus.

So what will the BOHEMIAN CIRKO do for me, you say? Allow us to oblige. The BOHEMIAN CIRKO consists of the following:

The Outside Talker

Nearly 95 years of history can’t be wrong. Nothing gets a crowd of people in faster than a quick witted and smooth talking pitch man. Our show will start on the street one half hour prior to showtime, single handedly pulling fascinated patrons off the street and into the BOHEMIAN CIRKO Midway.

The Midway Ambiance

While entering the BOHEMIAN CIRKO you will be enveloped by the ambiance of a real circus sideshow including but not limited to authentic exhibits of the unusual, road box games, single-o-illusions, stilt-walkers , clowns, silent auction, food and much more.

The BOHEMIAN CIRKO Big Show

The main stage show is a riveting 2 hours with a cinematic chamber orchestra and theatrical cabaret musical dance revue extravaganza jam packed with thrills and chills.

The Dime Museum

We will offer an unusual 11th act in the traditional sideshow/dime museum style show for those who dare to see the mayhem, humbug and hullabaloo.

The Acts

The BOHEMIAN CIRKO is a modern day 10 in 1 Circus Sideshow. It’s an ever changing repertoire of acts and spectacles, including but not limited to Fire Eating, Sword Swallowing, Glass Walking, Human Blockhead and Show Girls, Juggling, Stilt-Walkers, Klowns and more. These acts combined with impromptu live theater and music, assure that you will never see the same act twice.

The Team

The creative team behind the BOHEMIAN CIRKO is comprised of professional performers with over 35 years of Music, Sideshow Acts and Theatrical Production experience. It is the “triple threat” that makes the BOHEMIAN CIRKO not just your run of the mill show but an all encompassing Theatrical Extravaganza Production.

The BOHEMIAN CIRKO is a fully scalable immersion performance that encompasses the stylings of Vaudeville, Burlesque and the Slideshow atmosphere mixed with counter-culture influence.

Can’t you see them, it’s your friends and neighbors! And they’re enjoying the show right now! Don’t wait the show is about to start June 14th at the History Theatre in St. Paul.

Disclaimer: This event is not affiliated with Bohemian Carnival.

LifeSong 2008 Thanks Our Sponsors

LifeSong 2008 Beneficiary Organizations

Coming Soon

Donate Your Time, Skills or Cash!

LIFESONG 2008

As an underwriter of Because We Care Lifesong 2008 you can make a huge impact on the lives of hundreds of people living with HIV and AIDS in Minnesota. Local agencies are still facing critical funding shortages though cuts in government funding and overall giving. AIDS funding across the country has steadily declined in recent years while demand for services has continued to increase. More people with HIV and AIDS are living longer, healthier lives but depending on the life sustaining services provided by AIDS service agencies to maintain their health as well as their lives.

Because We Care is committed to helping to bridge that gap in funding, though grants funded through the production of entertainment events. Your contribution will not only support our annual LIFESONG gala’s but also help provide life-sustaining services to hundreds of people living with AIDS in Minnesota though our beneficiary agencies Underwriters help underwrite the cost of production and receive a variety of benefits based on level. To have your name listed in the invitation as an Underwriter, please respond by April 1, 2008.

Because We Care is a Minnesota non-profit organization established to raise funds for AIDS service provider agencies through the production of quality entertainment events. Born from the grass roots BWC efforts by people with HIV/AIDS, who lost their friends to AIDS as a way to honor their memories and to alleviate the suffering of many of the other people living with HIV and AIDS, Because We Care is becoming one of the leading sources of funding for many local AIDS service providers.

Because We Care is creating partnerships with selected beneficiaries for each event, with the leadership and resources to help bring the highest quality talent and production resources and maximize the funds raised for beneficiary partners.

Because We Care’s Corporate and In-Kind sponsors help underwrite the cost of LIFESONG productions, so that 100% of event ticket sales go directly to the beneficiary agencies.

Community partners are also utilized to create a magical and elaborate gala receptions, as well as silent and live auctions.

Because We Care receives no government funding and relies wholly on corporate and individual support. We need your help to cover the cost of our Lifesong 2008 so that we can continue to support the many agencies who provide life-sustaining services to thousands of men, women and children throughout Minnesota . 100% of our profits are donated to various agencies. Our goal for Lifesong 2008 is $100,000.

Please make a donation or volunteer to Because We Care. For more information contact:

Steven Katz
63 Lawson Avenue West
St. Paul, MN 55117
tel 651-487-2360