June 2, 2016
Debbie Gibson, Tiffany Headline MetroBall11, Benefiting Greg Dollgener AIDS Fund
Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 4 MIN.
On June 3 in Dallas, pop music icons Debbie Gibson and Tiffany will headline MetroBall 11, an '80s-style fundraiser to benefit the Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund. The event will be held at the Station 4 Nightclub in Dallas, and will feature world-famous musical talent, surprise guests, a DJ dance party, and incredible art and gifts at the Silent Auction. Dallas artist Chris Chism will open the show.
"Charities and local community needs are something I love helping with; it's very fulfilling," said Tiffany.
Over the past two decades, the MetroBall has raised more than $330,000 and assisted more than 1,500 people with HIV/AIDS. GDMAF's community partners include AIDS Arms, AIDS Outreach Center Fort Worth, Resource Center, AIDS Interfaith Network, Health Services of North Texas Denton, Health Services of North Texas Plano, AIDS Services of Dallas, Amelia Court - Parkland Hospital, and Arch Center - Children's Medical Center Dallas.
Organizers are expecting between 750 to 800 people to attend this year's event, and their goal is to raise $60,000 to benefit the Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund, a 501(c)(3), all volunteer, non-profit organization. In 1994, Greg Dollgener lost his struggle with AIDS. His personal strength, volunteer work, and his own commitment to provide compassionate care for those afflicted with HIV and AIDS inspired those around him.
The MetroBall is the primary fundraising source for GDMAF, a North Texas-based 501c3 organization founded in 1996 with a mission to provide emergency financial assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS and to those who are unable to receive social services assistance.
Event sponsors include ZipCar, DIFFA Dallas, Veritex Bank, Caven Enterprises, Dallas Voice, Warwick Melrose Hotel, UPS Store - Cedar Springs, AHF, Sisley, Dr. Farhad Niroomand, Fashion Optical, Doug Boster Caterer, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Avita Pharmacy, Pride Pharmacy, Eternim, Metrocrest Merchant Services, Triangle Payment Systems and A.J. Bart.
For more than 25 years, Debbie Gibson has proven she's an entertainer of immeasurable talent. From singer, songwriter and musician to actress and dancer, she embodies what it truly means to be an entertainer. A music prodigy, Gibson exploded on the Billboard Pop Charts at the tender age of 16 with the self-penned "Only In My Dreams."
The "Original Pop Princess" quickly became the youngest artist ever to write, produce and perform a No. 1 hit song, "Foolish Beat," and entered the Guinness Book of World Records. To date, she is still the youngest female to hold that record. Gibson has sold more than 16 million albums worldwide, performed for British Royalty and hosted "The American Music Awards," produced by friend and legend Dick Clark. She has sold over 16 million records worldwide and has hosted the American Music Awards and starred in 17 musicals on Broadway, from "Les Miserables" to "Grease." In 2015 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Rockers on Broadway.
Multi-Platinum recording artist Tiffany Darwish has enjoyed two international #1 hit singles, "I Think We're Alone Now" and "Could've Been," selling more than 15 million albums. The singer just released a new album in March, "A Million Miles." She also has three Top 20 U.S. Billboard dance singles, which she helped co-write in 2007. Tiffany is very involved in the local community. She mentors young singer/songwriters, produces charity concerts for the Humane Society, and is also the Official Spokesperson for American Heart.
Chris Chism is the Contemporary Music Director at Cathedral of Hope. Chris is a talented singer/songwriter, who has a natural way of crossing cultural and generational barriers to reach people through his music. Chism has performed for audiences around country and has made musical appearances with Yolanda Adams, at the nation's capital for the National Global Peace Festival. Over the last few years, he has used his gospel upbringing, along with his own personal life experiences, to compose and perform uplifting and inspirational music. Chism is set to release the music video for "Don't Stay There" by June 1, and is already in the studio working on the next single that will be released Summer, 2016.
The MetroBall event continues to attract a whole new audience to the AIDS effort -- young adults. The number of new cases of HIV among young adults is one of the fastest growing numbers in the United States. Our effort with MetroBall fosters awareness of HIV/AIDS to this younger audience while providing the GDMAF with a vital fund-raising event.
MetroBall 11will be held on June 3 at Station 4 Nightclub, 3911 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219. VIP tickets for 4 are $250; individual tickets are $30 in advance.
Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.