A special performance of the award-winning rock musical RENT in Hamilton this month will raise money for people living with HIV and AIDS. All proceeds from the performance, to be held on Wednesday August 22 at 8pm at the Riverlea Theatre, will go to the New Zealand AIDS Foundation's Wellness Fund. “The Wellness Fund provides grants which HIV positive people can access for direct individual care and support, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation,” says Tim Allingham, regional manager for the Foundation's Hamilton centre. RENT director Lawrie Johnson says supporting the Wellness Fund is fitting and appropriate, given the themes of the show. “The musical is set in late 1990s New York, centring around a group of young artists and musicians, men and women, struggling with the spectre of AIDS, which looms large. Just as in real life, there's tragedy and hope.” Tim Allingham says it's important to remember that HIV and AIDS is still a serious issue for New Zealand in the 21st century. “New Zealand has experienced its highest rates of new HIV diagnoses ever in recent years - 2006 was the second-worst year on record, with 177 new people diagnosed. As ever, we urge all sexually active people - particularly gay and bisexual men, who remain most at risk for infection - to use condoms.” Tickets for the special RENT benefit performance are $28 and can be booked through the AIDS Foundation's Hamilton centre at 11 Ohaupo Rd, ph (07) 838 3557, or email contact.hamilton@nzaf.org.nz . Ref: NZAF (m)