On Friday 28 November, NZ AIDS Foundation volunteers, staff and supporters in NZ's major cities will take to the streets to collect donations in exchange for red ribbons – the international symbol of solidarity with people living with HIV and AIDS during the World AIDS Day Street Appeal. Elsewhere on Friday and through the weekend of 29-30 November there are sexual health screenings, parties, a picnic, a comedy evening and even a fashion show… all planned to raise awareness and funds for the local HIV fight. Here's a run-down of World AIDS Day events and locations across New Zealand: WHANGAREI Whangarei Township's Red Ribbon Day Collection, happens on Friday 28 November, with proceeds to the Northland AIDS Network. Northland AIDS Network Charitable Trust is holding a Fashion Parade Competition on Saturday 29 November on Quality Street. Again the contact Wendy Baker 09 430 8346. Whangarei's Red Party happens at The Butter Factory bar and cafe on Saturday evening 29 November. For more details about Whangarei's World AIDS Day events, and to get involved, contact Wendy Baker on 09 430 8346. AUCKLAND An Absolutely Hilarious Comedy Show at the Classic Comedy Bar (321 Queen St) on Sunday 23 November will raise funds for Positive Women Inc. Contact Jane Bruning for more information on 09 309 1858 or visit www.positivewomen.co.nz. A Red Ribbon Street Collection on Friday 28 November from 7am until 4pm, raising money for the Wellness Fund. Free Sexual Health Screenings at the Burnett Centre (35 Hargreaves Street, Ponsonby) from 10am until 4pm. A full and confidential sexual health screening, including rapid testing and counselling for HIV and syphilis. I See Red Party at Family bar (270 K' Road) happens from 7.30pm sharp on Sunday 30 November. Featuring performances by Cindy of Samoa, Tess Tickle, Venus, Dallas Vixen, Beverly Hills, Beaver Brown and 15 other Drag Queens. Fabulous prizes to be won. Entry is FREE for partygoers wearing red, and $5 koha on the door for non-red wearers! A Positively Glamorous Fashion Show is on at the Studio on K' Road on Sunday 30 November, with proceeds to Positive Women Inc. Contact Jane Bruning 09 309 1858 or email positivewomen@xtra.co.nz for all the details. HAMILTON YMCA's Educational BBQ/Picnic will be held on Monday 1 December from 4:30pm until 6pm. A free Picnic, BBQ, information and 200 red balloon release. Contact hamilton@ywca.org.nz or Rachel Bowley on 07 838 2219 for information or to RSVP. You can expect several spectacular shows from local and visiting drag artists at Shine Nightclub's (161 Victoria Street) Red Ribbon Party. Enter with a generous donation. WELLINGTON The capital's Red Ribbon Street Collection happens all day from 7 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon. There is also a “pub run” in the early evening where teams of collectors go in to the pubs in central Wellington (5.30pm – 7pm). In the past, Wellington has collected the most money in the whole country, and organizers are hoping for another winning result in 2008, raising funds for HIV prevention and the NZAF Wellness Fund. Wellington Information of Sexual Health (WISH) will hold a free HIV awareness event at 11am through to 2pm. A stage will be set with musical performances and speakers from community organisations. Spot prizes must be won! NELSON Nelson AIDS Support Network Street Appeal hits Trafalgar Street on Monday 1 December. Contact Miraka Norgate on 03 546 1543 to get involved. CHRISTCHURCH Sex in the Park is a celebration of sexual health and wellbeing planned for Saturday 29 November from 2pm in Latimer Square. A classic Christchurch event with the AIDS Foundation, Red Panda and Rogue, the free event features live bands including Crimson Metal Dragon, Echoic, Chaos Theory, Galaxy Stampede, Beneath the Silence, Sandfly Bay and One Left Standing. DJs will include Firefly, Mix-Tape, Sweeper, Maestro B and Psychosis Agent. DUNEDIN The Working Together Street Appeal is on Friday 28 November. Contact Sarah Loftus at Family Planning -03 477 5850. INVERCARGILL The team from Southland HIV/AIDS Support will be selling red ribbons on Esk Street from 9am. Contact Shona Fordyce at Q-Town Sexual Health Clinic on 03 218 1949. … and EVERYWHERE ELSE Donations can be made online at www.nzaf.org.nz/donate or by texting 'AIDS' to 883 to make an instant donation of $3. Donation opportunities, information and red ribbons will also be available at Sofitel, M Gallery, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis, All Seasons and Formule 1 hotels. World AIDS Day buttons will be available at all 26 branches of The Body Shop nationwide. All donations raised by the NZ AIDS Foundation's World AIDS Day street appeal support the NZAF Wellness Fund which provides direct financial assistance for health related costs, so people living with HIV to access support when alternative sources of funding are not available. Money raised through other activities helps pay for non-government-funded HIV/AIDS work the NZAF undertakes. The NZAF's video clip promoting World AIDS Day is shown below. Matt Akersten - 20th November 2008