Food pantry schedules move
The Resource Center of Dallas will close its HIV/AIDS food pantry on Cedar Springs Road on Wednesday, Feb. 11 and reopen in the pantry’s new location Monday, Feb. 16.
The pantry, which has been at 3926A Cedar Springs Road for the last 20 years, is moving to 5450 Denton Drive Cutoff to make way for a renovation project.
Rafael McDonnell, a spokesman for the Resource Center, officials hope the move can be accomplished with minimal disruption to clients.
"We’re closed on Fridays, so this will allow us to carry out the move during times when we’re not in business," McDonnell said. "We’re optimistic that we can pull this off. It’s a tight schedule, but we think we’re going to be able to make it."
McDonnell said some individuals and groups already have volunteered to help with the move, but those who are still interested in doing so should call the Resource Center at 214-528-0144.
A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new pantry location is planned for early March, but no date has been set, McDonnell said.
For more information, go to www.rcdallas.org.
RHS theater students set ‘Rent’ revue
Theater students at Rowlett High School will get a chance to perform some of the songs from their canceled production of "Rent: School Edition" on Saturday, Jan. 31, in the Caruth Auditorium at Southern Methodist University.
The students had been scheduled to stage the cleaned-up version of the award-winning musical about a group of friends living through one year in New York City this month. But RHS theater director Brandon Tijerina decided to cancel the production late last month after controversy erupted over what some felt was the show’s adult content, including storylines about gay characters, HIV and drug use.
Local radio morning show DJs Victoria Snee and Tony Zazza of KDMX-FM’s The Mix 102.9, after hearing about the canceled show, arranged for the students to have the chance to present a selection of songs from "Rent" at the SMU auditorium, according to reports published this week in The Dallas Morning News.
Students will present two performances of the musical revue at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday. For tickets, e-mail contact information, the number of tickets requested and the preferred show time to tony@kdmx.com.
The event is free, but the radio station suggests donations of $5 with proceeds benefiting the Dallas chapter of the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.
Record attendance at Gay Bingo
Gay Bingo Dallas had a record attendance and a record jackpot for its 50/50 raffle drawing on Saturday, Jan. 17. Rafael McDonnell, a spokesman for the Resource Center of Dallas, said 440 people attended the monthly fundraiser, the most ever since it moved from the Lakewood Theatre to Station 4 last year.
The jackpot for the 50/50 drawing, which benefited the Dallas Bears, was $2,750, the most in the 7 1â„2-year history of the event.
McDonnell said the event was sold out by Friday afternoon, and those who didn’t have advance tickets were turned away at the door.
The next Gay Bingo, "Bourbon Street," is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21. For more information on Gay Bingo, e-mail gaybingo@rcdallas.org or call (214)540-4495, or visit the event’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48406097413.
LULAC 4871 meets Tuesday
LULAC 4871 – The Dallas Rainbow Council will meet Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 p.m., at the Resource Center of Dallas, 2701 Reagan St. New members are welcome.
Special guest will be Dallas County Judge Jim Foster.
LULAC 4871 also noted that chapter president Jesse Garcia has been invited to address the State LULAC Youth Convention in Austin on Feb. 28 to speak about homophobia and LGBT acceptance.
For more information, visit www.lulac4871.org.
GEAR to announce year’s schedule
Dallas GEAR (Gender, Education, Advocacy and Resources,) a program of Resource Center of Dallas, will announce its planned schedule for 2009 at its first mixer of the year on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bronx Café, 3835 Cedar Springs Road.
GEAR officials said they are hoping for a large turnout by the transgender community and its friends and allies.
Martini Mixer to benefit Equality Texas
The Merry Martini Mixer benefiting Equality Texas will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at a private home in Dallas.
Individuals can become a host of the party by contributing $40 and selling 10 tickets. Tickets are $30 in advance and $50 at the door.
Signature martinis, wine, beer, nonalcoholic beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
For more information contact Equality Texas by phone at 512-474-5475 or by e-mail Info@EqualityTexas.org.
Out & Equal elects council members
Out & Equal DFW Regional Council this week announced its 2009 council members, elected Saturday, Jan. 17. They are John Connell of Countrywide, Mike Degroot of JCPenney, Mark Quigley of ViewCast Corporation, Bruce Shelton of Bank of America, Bill Smith of Xerox Capital Group, Ted Vantrabert of Allied Marketing Group, Paul von Wupperfield of Texas Instruments and Russell Wallace of Ernst & Young. Jeff Snook is chair of Out & Equal DFW.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition January 23, 2009.