Play Louisville will open its doors in support of a local charity again this Friday, October 3rd. If you remember, they were the hosts of Best of Louisville this year and very gracious hosts at that. During set up for Best of Louisville I took a few minutes to talk with one of the owners of Play Louisville, Chris Galla. I was lucky enough to have met Chris through a mutual friend before Play officially opened it's doors in Louisville, and because of that got a sneak peak into what their team had in store for the once abandoned warehouse in Butchertown. Since that day I've continued to be amazed by the team at Play Louisville. They've created a gay bar experience in Louisville that I would feel comfortable bringing my mother to, and that's saying a lot. Growing up gay in this town our nightlife options were very limited, and because most of these gay establishments were set up during a time where being gay was kept a secret many of their venues feel just like that, a dirty little secret. Unlike their counterparts Play keeps their lights shining bright all throughout the year, and for that I thank them.
In keeping with their tradition of shining light on the best our community has to offer their doors will open at 7 p.m. with the show beginning at 8 p.m.. There will be a $5 cover with proceeds benefiting House of Ruth.
Special guest performances by Leah Smash Burger
Halsten
, Phoenix, Cadillac Seville,
Reva
Deveraux
,
Cei
Cei
Cooper,
CeCe
Davenport,
Tova
Ura
Vitch
, Monique
Moyet
, The Louisville Gay Men's Chorus will also be performing, and we're all in for a big treat as a visit from the Derby City Sisters is on the agenda for the evening as well.
House of Ruth is a nonprofit organization that strengthens lives for those with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
Founded by eight long-time friends, four of whom were Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, House of Ruth came into being on August 6, 1992.
They united around an unmet social service need locally, that being women and their children who were infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. They have since expanded their service ministry to include men living with HIV/AIDS. The name “House of Ruth” is a reference to the biblical Book of Ruth, symbolizing love and mercy for all people.
The number of families and individuals who come for services has consistently grown throughout the years. In its first year, House of Ruth served eight families, yet in 2013 House of Ruth served nearly 800 individuals and almost 700 households.
In February 2001, House of Ruth assumed ownership of Glade House, a shelter in Old Louisville, and four condominiums for HIV-positive individuals at the request of another nonprofit, Community Health Trust. Today, House of Ruth owns 17 scattered-site housing units for HIV/AIDS individuals and families and is a partner in two collaborative grants that provide another four one-bedroom units for those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.
For more information on House of Ruth you can visit their website, HouseOfRuth.net, where you can learn more about the organization and even volunteer to help effect change in Louisville.
Be sure to visit Play Louisville's Facebook page to keep up to date with all their happenings, or to obtain any more information in regards to the event on Friday, October 3rd, that you can't garner from the flyer.
