A candlelit vigil will be held this afternoon for those who have died as a result of HIV/AIDS.
The vigil will run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at The Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre (1120 Third Ave.), and will feature aboriginal drummers and dinner. The annual event also frequently includes impromptu presentations by residents currently living with HIV/AIDS, Positive Living North executive director Vanessa West said.
"They really give us the insight on what it's like to live with HIV," West said. "It's about raising awareness."
The vigil marks the first of several local events to mark World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 and Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week, which runs from Dec. 1 to Dec. 7.
The Street Spirits Theatre Company is hosting a workshop on Saturday at YAP Friends, 1148 Seventh Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The workshop will gather input and thoughts on HIV/AIDS, which will be used to shape a play, titled Blood, Sweat, Tears & Laughter.
The youth social action theatre company will stage the play at Art Space - 1685 Third Ave., above Books & Co. - on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation.
"We really want people to come to the workshop because from that we will determine what the third act of the play will look like the next day," said Andrew Burton, founder of Street Spirits.
The play will be filmed and provided as a resource for other agencies seeking to use theatre as an education tool.
West said that members of Positive Living North spoke with members of Street Spirits to share their experiences.
"We've utilized arts as a prevention method to get the message out," she said.
West said she hopes the play will be an effective medium to raise awareness of what life is like with HIV/AIDS.
Members of Positive Living North will also be handing out ribbons and information for Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week at UNBC on Monday, the University Hospital of Northern B.C. on Tuesday and the Prince George Native Friendship Centre on Wednesday.
