OCU and cimarronARTS! partner for successful fund-raising event

More than 300 people packed the Burg Auditorium on the Oklahoma City University campus Jan. 31 to help raise money for a local nonprofit that helps those living with HIV/AIDS.

Spectrum, OCU's LGBT student organization, partnered with cimarronARTS! to present "Broadway Fun for Funds," an event that raised more than $2,000 for RAIN Oklahoma. Tickets quickly sold out for the event, leaving a standing-room only audience for the two-hour program.

Cimarron board members praised the work of the volunteers who organized the show. RAIN provides HIV-testing and housing assistance throughout Oklahoma for those living with HIV/AIDS.

"'Broadway Fun' was a huge success. The turnout was overwhelming. We had to turn away a lot of people, which is bittersweet," said Daniel Leeman Smith, the show's director and a member of the cimarronARTS! committee. "The audience was absolutely incredible; to perform for such a lively crowd I can only imagine is absolutely phenomenal. I know everyone that performed felt their energy. It gave them so much to work with artistically. Truthfully I'm a little jealous I didn't get to experience it as a performer. I am very pleased with the way things went, and I look forward to doing it bigger and better next year. It was truly a blessing."

The show featured a mix of live performances, monologues, dance routines and drag numbers from some of the city's top performers as well as outstanding OCU students, all of which volunteered their time for the performance.

"CimarronARTS! would like to send a special thank you to Spectrum, Kitty Bob Aimes, Norma Jean Goldenstein, Roxie Hart, Stephanie DeBarge, and Renee Hilton for their hard work and dedication to our community and it's causes," said Colin Raley, who co-chairs the cimarronARTS! committee. "Look for another installment in the coming months!"

For more information about RAIN, visit www.rainoklahoma.org