My partner and I had the pleasure of attending Red Hot + Cuba at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on World AIDS Day, December 1. It was the second of two performances (the first was the previous evening) by contemporary Cuban musicians at BAM.

redhotcuba.jpgAs an HIV-positive, first-generation Cuban-American gay man, I was pleased that the Red Hot Organization recognized the opportunity, that so many people attended and that a portion of the proceeds will benefit HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in Cuba.

Since 1989 the Red Hot Organization has worked with leading musicians from around the world to raise funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS. Their first compilation Red Hot + Blue remains one of my favorite CDs of all time.

The New York Times wrote a wonderful review of the evening confirming for me what I already felt, which is that my partner and I witnessed something truly special.

(To read how the Red Hot Organization collaborated on the documentary How to Survive a Plague, click here.)