I hope you are doing well and 2009 is shaping up to be a productive year. All the Best! Happy New Year!
Linda :)

I am hoping you can send a message out to all of your memebers about ShAIDS of Grey.

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ShAIDS of Grey to hit Toronto

December 1, 2008 – CURE Canada's landmark original theatrical production, ShAIDS of Grey, will be taking on Toronto at the Betty Oliphant Theatre this coming January.

"The real reward of the last show was the awareness and conversation it generated in the Hamilton community," says CURE Executive Director Leo Johnson. "This will allow us to bring that awareness and conversation to a whole new community."

ShAIDS of Grey brings to life the stories of the AIDS pandemic. Through vignettes, songs and dances, ShAIDS of Grey weaves the stories of men, women and children affected by the disease together into a narrative intended to challenge preconceived notions of the disease.

Throughout it all, the audience follows a journalist who travels to Africa in search of the truth about the world of AIDS. "But, oftentimes the lessons create more questions than answers," says co-director and playwright Alayna Kolodziechuk. The quest of the journalist yields more questions than answers because in many ways, that is the reality of AIDS. "We called the play ShAIDS of Grey because in real life, AIDS doesn't leave you with any absolutes. In real life, victims are forced to ask real questions about love, about fear, and about life and death. We wanted the play to reflect this in every way," continues Kolodziechuk.

"CURE Canada's whole philosophy is essentially approaching global issues in new and innovative ways," says co-director and producer Michael Pett. "People know what AIDS is, but they don't always know what it really means. By telling the stories of victims who often are deprived of a voice of their own, we hope that rather than simply telling people to get involved, we can inspire them to. That's why the tagline of the play is People Need People."

ShAIDS of Grey will be running from January 29-31 at the Betty Oliphant Theatre on 400 Jarvis Street. Tickets are now available and may be purchased online at http://www.curecanada.org/shaids, over the phone by calling 1-888-222-6608, or in person at the door prior to each show.

For more information about the show, please visit the official website at www.curecanada.org/shaids.

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Description
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ShAIDS of Grey is an original and compelling AIDS benefit theatre production that seeks to develop a paradigm shift in the way we think about, react to, and contribute to those affected by HIV/AIDS. Presented by CURE Canada, ShAIDS of Grey will take to the Betty Oliphant Theatre stage in Toronto from January 29-31, 2009.

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Show Dates
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ShAIDS of Grey will be performed on the following dates at the following times:

Thursday, January 29, 2008 - 8:00 PM
Friday, January 30, 2008 - 8:00 PM
Saturday, January 31, 2008 - 8:00 PM

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Venue
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All performances will take place at the Betty Oliphant Theatre in Toronto.

400 Jarvis Street
Toronto, ON
M4Y 2G6

Visit www.nbs-enb.ca/facilities for more details.

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Teaser
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Directed by Michael Pett and Alayna Kolodziechuk, ShAIDS of Grey follows the story of a journalist and his travels to Africa in search for the truth about HIV/AIDS. His growing friendship with a local artist who is determined not to contract the disease leaves him with more questions than answers. Soon, he too is caught up in a world that is struggling to find meaning and hope in the vortex of emotions, questions and devastation wrought by HIV/AIDS. In this grey world, none are safe from the scourge and its effects. Secrets surface, rage simmers, questions abound, and hopelessness grows as people become inured to the horror around. Jilted spouses, ardent young lovers, disconsolate orphans, hopeful health workers, innocent children, ignorant bigots, harried mothers and defiant AIDS victims all grapple with the absurdities of the disease. ShAIDS of Grey boldly tackles the stereotypes and stigmas swirling around the devastation of HIV/AIDS—a world where there is no black and white. It is a mirror that brings us face to face with ourselves.

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Buy Tickets!
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Tickets are now available and may be purchased online at http://www.curecanada.org/shaids, over the phone by calling 1-888-222-6608, or in person at the door prior to each show.

Student/Senior General Admission - $15.00
Adult General Admission - $20.00
Private Box (3 Seats) - $75.00

*Special rates are available for groups of 20 or more people. Please email shaids@curecanada.org for more information.


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Linda Lannigan