Youth Celebrate World AIDS Day at Sold Out Event

Event Aims to Reduce HIV/AIDS Misinformation & Inspire Youth Activism

TORONTO , Dec. 1 /CNW/ - The 411 Initiative For Change (411) a youth led charity, is working with Keep a Child Alive (KCA), a NPO dedicated to providing AIDS medication in Africa and India , to launch an arts based HIV/AIDS education program for young Canadians.

The project which merges video, music and theatre to spoof a live to-air TV talk show will debut on World Aids Day Dec 1, 2009 with sold out presentations at 10:00am and 1:00pm at the Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC - 750 Spadina Ave, Toronto .

The production engages young people in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, while also combating misinformation, stigma and stereotyping related to HIV/AIDS in Canada . The presentation features interviews, frank discussion and performances with Canadian hip-hop artists Eternia, Rochester, Masia One, DJ Dopey and poet Dwayne Morgan. Show highlights include:

    
    -   Video footage of DJ Dopey's trip to the Hassle Free Clinic to get an
        HIV test.
    -   Word On The Street find out what Canadians really know about HIV/AIDS
    -   Video commentary from HIV positive young Canadian and young people
        worldwide
    -   Excerpts from KCA documentary 'Alicia in Africa: Journey to the
        Motherland'
    

"Many young Canadians are surprised to learn that in Canada 12 people are infected by HIV every day," explains Sterling Downey , President of 411. "411 is working to present the most accurate information in a format that is palatable to young people, this is why we use pop culture elements and musicians in our programming."

411's HIV/AIDS programming has already been presented to over 50,000 young people in high schools across Canada . In 2010 the program will tour to an additional 30 schools in Western Canada reaching 15,000 teens. Educators are invited to register for the project to visit their school online at www.whatsthe411.ca - schools are chosen through a lottery system.

For further information: Media Accreditation: Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]; More Information: media.whatsthe411.ca, www.keepachildalive.org