Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2011 > January > 15 > Entry
Hill Country Ride for AIDS Party at Austin Music Hall
Charities frequently use mob psychology — in a good way — at parties. Live auctions raise money, for instance, partly on the rolling excitement of competitive bidding. Needs auctions — which I suspect are subscribed in advance, for the most part — prime an audience for waves of unexpected generosity.
Michael Thad Carter and Rodney Ahart
The Hill Country Ride for AIDS uses its pre-ride party at the Austin Music Hall to pump up enthusiasm among riders and backers. But it also nudges fence-sitters over the edge. Laptops with registration forms line one wall, just waiting for those who need a little social motivation to sign up for the 50-mile trek.
Patty Ramsey and Stacy Schwarz
The largest tribe at the party on Thursday consisted of gay men. Although AIDS is no longer identified so closely with the gay community, those of us who went through the ’80s and ’90s remain committed to conquering this insidious scourge.
Enrique Moreno and Adrie Canales
Also up front and present were lesbians (always allies in this struggle), straight couples and singles, and — natch — bike enthusiasts. The Ride is yet another way that bicyclists are contributing to the community, along with cutting pollution, decreasing traffic and adding to our collective health. Not a bad looking bunch either, if I can be excused for saying so.
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