Fridae

This year's official World AIDS Day (WAD) party - Crystal Ball, will be held at dbl 0 on Saturday, 1st December 2001. Jointly organised by Fridae and Action for AIDS and dbl 0, Crystal Ball is being hailed as a night of light and music. Dbl 0 will be transformed into a palace of crystal courtesy of Swarovski Crystal, and the evening will feature spectacular performances by some of Singapore's top performers, including Mark Chan, Asha Edmund, Frankie Lee, Ian Ling and George Leong.

"Active community participation and involvement is central to the success of our National AIDS Programme. Crystal Ball 2001 is an excellent example of such collaboration and solidarity.

"Action for AIDS is proud to be part of this event and congratulates its organisers." Says Roy Chan, President, Action for AIDS Singapore (AfA).

Crystal Ball will be a fundraiser for AfA, the only AIDS charity in Singapore. Money raised will be used for AIDS prevention programmes and the Medications Assistance Programme which seeks to alleviate the financial burden of acquiring expensive but otherwise effective medication for needy patients.

Fifty percent of the proceeds of the evening will be donated to Action for AIDS. Selected "Crystal Tattoos" from Swarovski's exclusive range will be sold at the event with proceeds going to AfA.

"Crystals from Swarovski is about brilliance. We wish for Swarovski to make this a brighter event and bring radiance and hope to people suffering from AIDS." Lim Phek Jin, Division Manager, Swarovski Singapore Trading Pte Ltd.

As rates of HIV incidence continue to rise in Singapore, the organisers hope to use Crystal Ball to drive home the message of safer sex amongst minority and hard to reach communities who may not be directly addressed by traditional government programmes (e.g. sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgendered people).

"AIDS education amongst minority groups in Singapore is at an appalling state. Despite these being high-risk groups, there is still not enough being done at a national level to reach out to them. Fridae.com is proud to be able to contribute in Action for AIDS's education outreach efforts, as well as make a direct donation to the Medications Assistance Programme which helps patients afford costly anti-HIV medication." Dr Stuart Koe, COO, Fridae.com.

Crystal Ball will continue a series of themed parties at dbl 0 called "Go". Touted as the hottest ticket on Saturday nights, partygoers are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment. All partygoers are strongly encouraged to dress to the theme.

Event: Crystal Ball - Official World AIDS Day Party
Date: 1st December 2001, Saturday
Time: 8pm to 3am
Venue: dbl 0 (level 2 Robertson Walk)
Price: $30 for 2 drinks (50% of proceeds will be donated to AfA).