Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival Delivered More Than Music
On a beautiful Saturday morning, thousand of people gathered along Fort Lauderdale’s South Beach Park for the 14th annual Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival.
If you think that this was an event simply about music, you are mistaken. It was a place where those who came had a deeper purpose in mind. It was a place that had people of all genders, races and sexual preferences from those who were straight, gay, and somewhere in between. This was a festival with a purpose; it was a celebration of life.
The primary mission of this festival gathering was to raise much-needed money for HIV/AIDS services for the residents of South Florida who need them most. South Florida is often referred to as the nation’s epicenter for HIV. The non-profit organization is expected to raise at least a million and a half dollars that will be distributed among ten organizations helping battle and inform the public about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The gorgeous beach day started with a 5K walk to bring awareness to a topic that has is no longer talked about in mainstream media and has taken a back seat over the past decade. HIV/AIDS is still all too alive today despite the recent advances in medicine that have given those who have it the opportunity to extend their lives beyond what was possible just 20 years ago.
In what can only be described as a picture-perfect chamber-of-commerce-type day with morning temperatures that started off in the low 60s when the 5K walk kicked off to the low 80s temps that welcomed the first bands to the stage.
This corporate-sponsored event made it clear that both large and small businesses saw the importance of putting their money towards spreading the word about the importance of informing the public and providing much-needed services to serve those who need them. The event was well-run, well-organized and certainly well-supported.
For those who were hungry, there was plenty to eat. The food trucks along the walkway towards the stage made it easy to grab a bite and stay very close to the stage. The variety of food consisted of everything from stuffed pitas, burgers and hot dogs to delectable meat and rice dishes. For those who needed a cool drink or perhaps a cold one, there were plenty of drink and beer stands that could satisfy any thirst. There were free bottled water stations all throughout the venue that helped keep concertgoers cool while in the direct sunlight for hours during the concerts.
Getting things going to an eager musically hungry crowd was multi-Grammy award-winning reggae artist Shaggy. The legendary reggae singer/songwriter flew in from his home in Jamaica on Saturday to perform in Fort Lauderdale. From the first beat to the final note, the large crowd sang along with him to nearly every one of his hits, including “Angel,” “Boombastic,” “It Wasn’t Me,” and “Hey Sexy Lady.”
Taking a few weeks off before they continue their summer tour, The Struts came to South Florida and put on a rock show like no other. Luke Spiller, who is never short of energy, gave those standing on the beach a 90-minute electric show that could be felt traveling past the crowd and smashing into the ocean. The Struts always deliver a memorable concert; fans know this and have come to expect it from the quartet that is rising faster that bread in a bakery. The English band from Derby, Derbyshire, England, sang many of their crowd favorites that included “Primadonna Like Me,” “Body Talks,” “Kiss This”, “In Love With a Camera,” “Fire,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Dancing in the Dark” (Bruce Springsteen cover), “Put Your Money on Me,” “Where Did She Go,” and “Could Have Been Me.” There is so much of his band that resembles fellow icons countrymen Queen. There is a slight resemblance in both sound and on-stage antics to legendary Queen vocalist Freddie Mercury. This young band has a chance to forge their name as one of the decade’s great rock and roll bands if they continue to deliver and establish a solid fan base.
The festival couldn’t end without a performance by Big Freedia. If you haven’t heard of Big Freedia or seen her videos on Youtube, you should. Big Freedia is known as the “Queen of Bounce.” Her shows consist of some of the most booty-shakin’ you will ever see along with a unique genre of hip hop called bounce music. When Big Freedia took the stage, the audience was immediately roped in the with sights and sounds that will capture anyone regardless of whether you like rap or not. The high level of energy was transmitted by the rapid-fire beats generated by Freedia’s DJ. It was a non-stop booty-shakin’ fest, and the crowd walked away pumped up and ready to shake it all the way home.
The Florida AIDS Walk and Music festival wrapped up another year that helped bring light to not only HIV/AIDS but also to create a place where one could be around like-minded people who don’t judge you. It was a place where friends gathered to celebrate diversity, uniqueness and life. There are no boundaries when it comes to community; people are just people regardless of race and sexual orientation. Music is the conduit that transgresses everything that divides us and helps bridge the gap in all social aspects. One can only wonder who will headline next year’s event. If it’s anything like this year, the festival will continue to be a wonderful provider in bringing to light the needs of those organizations that had made it their mission to help those in need.
Shaggy – Photo: Rick Munroe MFN
