Drink for the Cure

Do you remember how I said a little while ago how awesome my friends are? Here's an example:

I met Jia a few years ago while helping out with PodCamp. We've maintained one of those peripheral friendquaintenceships that I'm really good at, and when I posted about my surgery a few weeks ago, he dropped me a line.

Which led to us getting together for coffee, and chatting about projects that we're working on and projects we'd like to begin. He started an organization called Couchange, which is a social venture that raises money for nonprofit organizations by converting abandoned assets - such as leftover gift cards - into cash. He discussed making a donation to the Komen Foundation in my name to support breast cancer research, to which I replied that I was about to start fundraising for Race for the Cure, so he could do it through there if he felt so inclined.

So the next day he sends me an email asking how I feel about having a happy hour type fundraiser to help meet my Race for the Cure goal. I visualize a low key evening having some cocktails with friends and think: "Cool. Drinking is way easier than running. I don't even need to train for that. I'm in!"

The next thing I know, there are belly dancers and lingerie models and local artists and all of these amazing and talented people coming together to create this fundraising event that benefits the Komen foundation and my Race for the Cure efforts. (Which reminds me...no pressure or anything, but I guess I should start running...)

Sooo....here are the details:

Saturday, May 1st from 7-10PM at the Firehouse Lounge & Embury at 2216 Penn Avenue. (Embury, by the way, is rumored to have some rather delicious cocktails. Which I am looking forward to verifying for myself.)

The evening features a fashion show and lingerie auction, fire arts, bellydancing and other fun events, including:

• Master of Ceremonies, Kellee Maize (http://www.kelleemaize.com)
• Fashion Show and Lingerie Auction by Jonäno (http://www.jonano.com)
• Bellydancing by Hot Metal Muses, Vyora of Tribe of Azhar, and Scheiny
• Fire Arts by Erika May (http://www.erikamay.com)
• DJ 7up (http://www.steelcityfunk.com)
• Art by Natalie Gable, LMFC

Tickets are on sale now for $8 through ShowClix (http://www.showclix.com/event/9401) and Venmo (use your mobile to buy tickets now by texting "Pay Couchange 8 for DrinkCure" to 646-863-9557) or $10 cash at the door. Ticket cost includes the first drink for free and half off appetizers. Ages 21 and over, so parents, leave the kids at home.

All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Race for the Cure, with additional awareness, information and speakers from BRICKS for Young Adults, Gilda's Club Western PA, and the Cancer Caring Center. I'll also have some information there about a new photography project I'm putting together, which I'm pretty excited about.

Also, just wanted to give a shout out and a huge thank you to Jia for spearheading this whole thing, and to the other organizers, entertainers, and artists who have donated their time and talent to the planning and execution of what is shaping up to be a great evening.

Now, I just have to make sure I don't get the dates for Drink for the Cure and Race for the Cure mixed up.

Just in case, if you happen to see a girl at Embury on May 1st wearing sweatbands and running shoes, it is most assuredly not me.