Broward House's Taking it OFF!

Glistening skin exposed a little at a time, sexy singers purring out ballads, bawdy comedy and lots of bumping and grinding – this is what you should expect from Broward Bares It on August 13th. Billed as "The Sexiest HIV/AIDS Fundraiser to hit South Florida in years," it's an opportunity to see a deliciously naughty show and make a difference in your community.

Presented by Broward House and Passion at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, This one night only show was inspired by the Broadway Bares Equity Fights AIDS event in New York. One hundred percent of the funds raised at this scintillating show go to Broward House, Broward County's oldest and largest HIV/AIDS community service organization.

The idea for the fundraiser came from a conversation between Public Relations and Marketing Director for Broward House Terry DeCarlo and Community Liason Nikki Adams. The two were in their office at Broward House brainstorming and while looking on Facebook, saw photos posted from the NYC event.

"I said, 'How much fun would that be to do here,'" Terry DeCarlo explained. "And Nikki said, 'Why can't we?'"

The two got to work on the event and once the word got out, performers from all over the country were calling them, asking to donate their time to Broward Bares It.

Just a few of the acts participating include Electra, The Full Monty Boys from C & J Productions, Dance Attack, Lapair Productions, Debra Hampton, Burlesque Bambi LaFleur, Jesse Carlo, Next Step Dance, Jennifer McClain, Kevin Black Productions, Gavin Andrews, Erika Norell, Micky Havens, Rod Stephens, the Men of the Boardwalk, Candy Caramelo, acts from Rainbow Cirque, and of course, Nikki Adams herself. Adams is also directing the show.

The show will feature burlesque acts featuring these hot men and women and expect to see a lot of skin because some performers already plan on stripping down to their birthday suits.

All of the performers are donating their time and all of the money they will raise from tips during their performances will go directly to Broward House. Performers also have web pages set up for those who want to donate to them in advance. And the more you tip, the more clothes come off.

"We're sitting on the fence between classy and raunchy," DeCarlo said. "We want people hooting and hollering."

DeCarlo and Adams wanted an over-the-top fabulous place to go with all of these amazing performers and found it in Passion at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

"We had to do it in a Vegas-type place," DeCarlo said. "It had to be special and exotic."

They lucked out with Passion, where the space is being donated that night. The club is providing all of the lighting, staging, and of course, the huge space.

HELPING THE COMMUNITY

This is just one of Broward House's many fundraisers. On Oct. 21, they are having their annual City of Hope Gala. "It's always off the wall," said DeCarlo. This year, since the event is right around Halloween, the theme is Little Gala of Horrors. Guests are encouraged to come in costume. The Smart Ride, the huge annual bicycle event, takes place in November.

Fundraisers are extremely important to Broward House. "We never turn anyone away," DeCarlo explained. He said that everyday there are calls where people say, "My friend can't afford meds."

Grant funding is being cut. DeCarlo said that grants are being lost left and right.

"Money needs to be raised in order to keep the promise that no one is turned away," he said.

With the state of the economy and people losing their jobs, help is needed now more than ever. He explained that a lot of people think they have to decide between eating, having a place to live and taking their meds. DeCarlo said that shouldn't be the case and those are three things that Broward House helps with.

The non-profit started out in 1988 and opened a 52-bed assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale in the summer of 1989 serving Broward residents living with HIV/AIDS. Through the years, it has continued to grow to meet the needs of the community and now Broward House has over 11 locations and offers assisted living and independent family living, medical respite, case management, client advocacy, HIV testing and counseling, street outreach, education and prevention programs, chemical dependency treatment, mental health therapy, and support groups.

"We want anyone who needs help to know they shouldn't hesitate to call," DeCarlo said. "Nobody needs to go without medication."

Tickets for Broward Bares It are at a three-tier level starting at $25 for balcony tickets, $40 for stage front floor tickets and $75 VIP room tickets which come with a private bar and private restrooms. Tickets can only be purchased online at http://www.BrowardBaresIt.com

If you can't make the event, but still want to help out and/or tip the performers, visit http://browardouse.kintera.org/BrowardBaresIt and tip specific people, make a general event donation, or even create your own donation web page and win tickets to the event.