Candis Cayne and Traver Rains host Boystown fundraiser for TPAN

Thu. March 29, 2012 9:21 AM by Waymon Hudson

candis cane

photo credit // brenden john/gopride.com
Chicago, IL - Popular Lakeview hot spots Taverna 750 and Scarlet Bar Chicago are gearing up for some cabaret for a good cause on Friday, March 30th with a star-studded fundraiser to celebrate the opening of T750 Lounge, the Taverna 750 after hours cocktail lounge.

As usual, the socially aware businesses are using their launch as a way to raise funds and awareness for charity, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) Ride for AIDS Chicago.

Groundbreaking transgender actress and performer Candis Cayne, of ABC's Dirty Sexy Money and FX's Nip/Tuck, will be performing at the launch. Cayne, whose role in Dirty Sexy Money made her the first transgender actress to play a recurring character in prime time, will be performing a 30-minute cabaret act at midnight.

"I always love the chance to use entertainment for a good cause, charities like TPAN do a lot for the GLBT community and any chance I am given to help give back in any way I do," Cayne told ChicagoPride.com.

Also in attendance to help celebrate the opening and raise awareness for TPAN will be celebrity fashion designer Traver Rains of the Heatherette and T.Rains fashion lines.

"I promise there's no better way to jump start your weekend than helping us support TPAN with Candis Cayne at Taverna 750," said Rains. "The food is rockin, the drinks are clever, and Candis will have you peeing your pants."

This isn't the first time the Boystown sister establishments have used their events to raise money for charity and give back to the community that they serve. From hosting multiple fundraisers for the Trevor Project for bullying and suicide awareness to having benefits for Project (Red) and HIV/AIDS awareness, the importance of giving back is deeply ingrained in the businesses. It's an way of doing business that just makes sense to Paul Cannella, owner of Taverna 750, Scarlet Bar, and biodegradable pet bag company PoopBags.com.

"At the end of the day," Cannella says, "I think businesses should give back to the communities that support them. It's what I've always tried to do with all of mine, whether through animal charities from Poopbags.com or LGBT organizations through Scarlet and Taverna 750. It's also just good business- people support businesses that they know care about the community they work in."

Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) is certainly an amazing organization worthy of that support. TPAN's mission is to empower everyone living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS to live open, healthy, and productive lives. They deliver peer-led support programs, collaborative wellness services, and comprehensive information on HIV and AIDS.

So come out and support a good cause with some cabaret that care!

T750 LOUNGE LAUNCH'S MIDNIGHT CABARET: Friday, March 30
Taverna 750, 750 W. Cornelia
 

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