Every day in Canada eight people will be diagnosed HIV positive. In Alberta, alone, there are nearly 6,000 people known to be living with HIV.

In the Know is a fundraising event started last year, presented by HIV Community Link (HCL) in partnership with the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR), and hosted by a committee of board directors and community volunteers.

"In our first year, our primary goal was to engage the community in supporting HIV Community Link in providing prevention, support and advocacy programs here in Calgary, along with CANFAR’s continued research aimed at finding a cure in Canada," says Ron Barry, HCL board member and the inspiratory figure behind the event. "We raised a few thousand dollars, but it was more about relationships than the fundraising."

Barry says the event prompted 100 of the city’s trendsetters and leading thinkers to come out to hear about their work, amid good music and art at the Gerry Thomas Gallery.

"This year is bigger, better and much more ambitious," he states.

In the Know will take place Saturday, May 24th at the Fairmont Palliser Alberta Ballroom from 8pm to 1am. Cocktail attire with a splash of red is suggested, and creativity is encouraged.

"We want people to feel free to have a little fun with their attire," says Craig Cruikshank, HCL board member.

The ticket price is $60 and will include four time slots of entertainment, a silent contemporary art auction, and cash bar. Art has been donated from a variety of local artists including a custom piece from David Brunning, and works by Sheila Kernan, Carla Tucker, Yvonne Cattoni, Nicole Musser and Anca Dimoff.

"We worked with community partners Calgary Arts Development Authority, ACAD and C-Space to get the word out to the community as well as [build] our relationships," Cruikshank says of the auction items.

Soulful singer Ellen Dotty and passion pop duo Boy&Gurl will each perform a set; spoken poetry will be performed; and the lavish night will conclude with a live DJ spinning until close.

"We’re also trying to have a bit of fun this year with the event," Barry says,

"We were specifically inspired by the role Andy Warhol and his Factory studio played in establishing the New York City punk scene," he answers when asked if the soup cans used in the gala’s signage and logo were Warhol induced.  "We want to provoke our audience to really think about the reason we’re all gathering at the Palliser for In the Know – to help fight HIV here in Calgary, and ultimately to find a cure. "

"We’re throwing a great party, but it’s about more than that," Barry continues.

"We think you’ll find this inspiration reveal itself throughout the night, through the art and the performances."