LES DAMES DU SOLEIL RAISES RECORD-BREAKING
AMOUNT FOR DESERT AIDS PROJECT

(PALM SPRINGS, CA – October 17, 2006) Les Dames du Soleil has announced that proceeds from the October 8 show – “Les Dames Play the Palace Pavilion” netted over $70,000, nearly doubling previous records for an individual Les Dames fundraiser on behalf of Desert AIDS Project.

For the first time ever, Les Dames performed at the Palm Springs Pavilion Theatre to a capacity crowd of 1,000 guests, who enjoyed the lip-synching antics of Dottie Du Bois, Maude Chapeau, Rita Del Taco, Shirley Ida Ho and guest star Mimi De La Tour. Guest auctioneer Dana Adkins energized the room with her quick ad libs and witty repartee. The show was generously underwritten by Dick Taylor and Guy Lawson, Earl Greenburg and David Peet, Bill Jones and Carousel Catering, Tim Hanlon and Anthony Klatt, and Mayor Ron Oden and the Palm Springs City Council.

Les Dames call themselves “a drag troupe of comic entertainers.” They have been entertaining crowds since 1994 to raise money for Coachella Valley charities, from the Special Care Unit at Desert Regional Medical Center to the AIDS Assistance Program, P.A.W.S. and Desert AIDS Project.

This group of tremendously talented men, with their generosity and leadership, have raised approximately one million dollars for local charities. Not only do they donate their time and talent for every benefit at which they perform, they also donate every dollar raised to charity, without recovering costs for their costumes or productions – which are elaborate, to say the least.

Les Dames’ performances are both inspirational and humorous. Yet behind the entertainment is a commitment to a long-term course of action and a heartfelt pledge to effect change, generate action, educate the public and secure financial resources for those most in need.

The next Les Dames show will be held on Sunday, May 13, 2007 at the Wyndham Palm Springs.

Desert AIDS Project at the Greenburg-Peet Family Center is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive services to help manage HIV disease. D.A.P. offers primary medical care through its Wells Fargo HIV Health Center. The Project provides widespread education and prevention services for schools, civic organizations, businesses, churches and health organizations throughout the communities it serves. Anonymous HIV testing is also provided. For more information, call 760-323-2118 or visit www.desertaidsproject.org .

Information Contact:
Mary Kay Plock, 760-323-2118 ext. 22