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Luncheon and Fashion Show to
Honor Ailey, Smith and Kelly
by Pat Lewis
Alvin Ailey, Patrick Kelly and Willi
Smith—African-American men and artists on
the cutting edge of their fields—will be hon
ored by the National Minority AIDS Council
(NMAC) for their outstanding contributions to
the gay and lesbian community at a luncheon
and fashion show on Sunday February 18. The
event is part of the 3d Annual Black Gay and
Lesbian Leadership Conference being held here
in here in Atlanta February 16-19.
Each of these men gave liberally of his time,
talents and money to numerous causes strug
gling against racism, sexism and AIDS.
The gala event will feature the fashions of
Atlanta designers lack and Brenda (of
Progressive Men's Ware of Buckhead), Oliver
Wear and Lenwood Moody both of Atlanta.
Moody will also serve as director for the show.
Michael Donnell, producer of the show says,
"The show is called Willi, Patrick and
Alvin—Legends of Style, Design and Dance.
There will be segments featuring traditional
African wear as well as contemporary
(American) and evening wear."
In addition to the Atlanta designers featured,
Moshood of Bronx, NY, Lubna Originals of
Queens, NY, and Nirya Portfolio of Lagos,
Nigeria will have designs in the show. Music
will be provided by Gary Harrison's Dance
Company.
The NMAC will also honor Craig Harris,
director of education services at the Gay Men's
Health Crisis in New York City. Harris will
receive the Fred Garrett Award. "This award is
presented annually to a person or persons who
have contributed.. .to the fight against AIDS in
the minority community," said Phil Wilson,
Chairman of the National Black Gay and
Lesbian Leadership Forum, sponsor of the
Conference. Garrett, a psychologist, helped
create NMAC and was its first national
spokesperson on AIDS education and research.
Dionne Warwick and Whoopi Goldberg are
past recipients of the award.
Patrick Kelly, a native of Vicksburg, Miss., is one of the most
creative and innovative fashion designers in recent history. His
trademark was snug fitting dresses decorated with brightly colored
bows, oversized buttons and outrageous graphics. Critics called
his clothes "witty," "sexy," and "fun."
Most of Kelly's fame came after his 1985 line was shown to
rave reviews in Paris. His fashions were featured in, and on the
covers of, numerous magazines, including Essence, Vogue,
Ebony and Elle. Superstars Grace Jones and Madonna wore his
clothes as did Britain's Princess Diana and actress Jane Seymour.
Kelly lived in Atlanta from the mid-seventies until 1980 when
he moved to Paris. He returned to Atlanta two years ago to present
a new line of his work at a benefit which raised in excess of
$100,000 for Heartstrings.
Patrick died this past December in a Paris hospital.
Alvin Ailey, considered one of the world's finest choreogra
phers, also died this past December at the age of 58. More than 15
million people, on every continent, in more than 40 countries have
been thrilled and touched by his original and energetic work.
While known primarily for the more than 75 dance pieces that he
created, Ailey also had danced in several films including one with
Lena Home.
Ailey was bom in Rogers, Tex., moved to California at age 11
and later migrated to New York where he founded his world
famous dance company which performed works based on the tra
ditional Black American music forms of gospel, jazz and the
blues.
In 1988 Ailey was honored with the prestigious Lifetime
Achievement Award given annually by the Kennedy Center in
Washington, D.C., to individual artists who have made significant
contributions to the performing arts in America. He is credited
with bringing the Black experience to millions of audience mem
bers in both classical and avant garde dance forms.
Willi Smith is, without question, the most successful Black
fashion designer in history. Known for his funky street wear that
was, at the same time, stylish and comfortable, Smith received the
prestigious Coty Award in 1983. In 1986 he was given the Cutty
Sark Award and designed attire for Arnold Schwarzenegger and
his groomsmen when the muscleman cum film star married Maria
Shriver.
Smith studied at New York's Parson's School of Design, started
his own company, Williwear, in 1976 and eventually sold his
fashions to more than 500 department and specialty stores in the
U.S. and Europe.
He was heavily involved with the League in Aid of Crippled
Children at the Bedford-Stuyvesant Children's Association and
had donated his work as well as proceeds from his shows to help
combat AIDS.
This special tribute to Willi, Alvin and
Patrick is the NMAC’s way of thanking these
talented individuals for their gifts of time, talent
and money. Each of these men transcended the
lines of color and elevated the culture of their
people while maintaining the integrity of their
unique styles.
Each broadened the consciousness of the
gay and straight worlds through his craft and
humanity. They helped focus attention on the
issues of human suffering, bigotry and discrim
ination. Their loss is one that has been felt
deeply by both the lesbian and gay community
and the rest of the world.
Proceeds from the benefit luncheon will go
to the Prevention Awareness League, a new
Atlanta organization that promotes AIDS
awareness among Black gay men. Tickets are
$30. For information about the luncheon/fash
ion show and the Conference, call 755- 7731.
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OUTER CRITICS # 1986 • N.Y. DRAMA
CIRCLE AWARD TONY AWARD DESK AWARD
THE NEW YORK DRAMA CRITICS'
SPECIAL AWARD
TO JANE WAGNER & LILY TOMLIN
FOR
THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF
INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE'
______ AND
THE NEW YORK DRAMA DESK AWARD FOR
“UNIQUE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE"
BENEFIT PERFORMANCE
FOR
T CAMPAIGN FUND
WED., FEB. 21
8 PM
FOX THEATRE
SHOW $25
SHOW AND RECEPTION
with Lily Tomlin $75
Mail checks payable to: HRCF, P.O. Box 8594, Atlanta, GA 30306
Visa/Mastercard or other information, Call 365-8766. Your message will be returned.
Limited seating • Order Tickets by 2-16-90
February 15,1990 • Southern Voice /17