HATS OFF Melbourne 2010 - Raising Funds, Raising Awareness and Raising the Roof!

Aug. 1, 2010 - PRLog -- HATS OFF CELEBRATES ELEVEN YEARS IN MELBOURNE!

HATS OFF – the annual fundraising concert presented by Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (OSCEFA) – has become an annual concert institution in the diaries of Melbourne’s theatre and cabaret cognoscenti.

This year, the cream of Australia’s media, arts and entertainment community will come together to celebrate the 11th year of HATS OFF in Melbourne on Sunday 29 August 2010 at St Kilda’s National Theatre.

In 2010 OSCEFA is donating funds raised through HATS OFF in Melbourne to the David Williams Fund (DWF), a project of the Victorian AIDS Council that provides support to improve the well-being of the Victorian HIV positive community.

This year’s lineup includes members of the cast of new and current hit shows MARY POPPINS, HAIRSPRAY and WEST SIDE STORY, as well as Australian theatre stars including Rhonda Burchmore, Silvie Paladino, Matt Lee, Trevor Ashley, Esther Hannaford, Leah Howard, Melissa Langton, John Foreman, Anne Phelan, Marty Fields, David Rogers-Smith, Ross Skiffington, Troy Sussman, Laura Gravity, Greg Stone, Christie Whelan, Josh Piterman, Julie Goodwin and many more.

HATS OFF 2010 also features members of the Cast of Melbourne Opera's CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA & PAGLIACCI, Australia’s Got Talent finalists ROLLING ENTERTAINMENT, Centrestage School of Performing Arts, Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Youth Chorus, The Divine Sisters and the Melbourne Opera Chorus.

According to John O’May, Director for HATS OFF 2010, “On Sunday 29 August the National Theatre, St Kilda will play host to an incredible show-business concert to celebrate eleven years of entertainment industry support for people living with HIV. From musical theatre superstars to virtuosic magicians and everything in between, HATS OFF once again offers something for everyone.”

Since its formation in 1997, OSCEFA is proud to have raised over $682,000 for people living with HIV throughout Australia and around the world through its support of the Victorian AIDS Council and a host of other organizations.

John Hall, HIV Services Manager for the Victorian AIDS Council said, “’The David Williams Fund (DWF) was established in 1986 by donations of the friends and family of David Williams after witnessing his untimely death from AIDS. To this day DWF relies entirely on donations. When DWF began, people were dying of AIDS. With advances in treatment, people are living with HIV and the demands on DWF grow every day. “

“DWF looks at each client’s situation holistically, to provide assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS in Victoria,” Hall says. “Services the DWF provide include financial advice and referral, study assistance, financial skills workshops, and emergency financial assistance.”

HATS OFF 2010 will be a star-studded night of fabulous entertainment raising funds, raising awareness and raising the roof in support of the David Williams Fund (DWF) at St Kilda’s National Theatre.

Event:   HATS OFF 2010
Location:   National Theatre, Cnr. Carlisle and Barkly Street, St Kilda
Date:   Sunday 29 August, 2010
Time:   8:00pm
Cost:   $55 adult / $45 conc. and MEAA members (transaction fees may apply)
Bookings:   Ticketek 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au or from Ticketek outlets

OZ SHOWBIZ CARES: RAISING MONEY, RAISING AWARENESS, RAISING THE ROOF

www.hatsoff.org.au

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ABOUT OSCEFA:

In 1997 Tia Jordan and Jonathan Mill from the cast of CABARET organised a benefit at The Chamberlain Hotel. The evening raised over $4,000 for the Community Support Network of the AIDS Council of New South Wales (ACON). The idea for an Australian entertainment industry HIV/AIDS charity, along the lines of the highly successful Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, was born.

With the support of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, (of which Actors Equity is a section within the Union), a committee of interested people was formed, rules drawn up and on February 6 1998 Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Inc. (OSCEFA) officially came into existence.

Since 1997, OSCEFA has raised over $680,000 for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV and HIV-related illnesses. All members of MEAA are members of OSCEFA and all members of the arts and entertainment industry are invited to join with us. Help us to raise money, raise awareness and raise the roof.