AHF hosted a star-studded night of entertainment and musical splendor with its World AIDS Day 2021 Concert, “The LA Revival,” held on December 1st in Los Angeles.
Commemorating World AIDS Day, formally observed globally each year on December 1st, AHF’s free concert event rocked the sold-out crowd in the iconic LA Forum arena, as renowned multi-platinum superstars, OSCARⓇ and multi-GRAMMYⓇ winner Jennifer Hudson and multi-GRAMMYⓇ winner Christina Aguilera delivered unforgettable live performances, with a powerhouse medley of hits.
Multi-EMMYⓇ nominated comedian and internet sensation Randy Rainbow fueled the night with laughter as the host, while multi-EMMYⓇ and TONYⓇ winner Debbie Allen kicked off the festivities, presenting a dance performance by students from her Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA). Allen, a longtime AHF partner who’s been previously honored with AHF’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her continued activism, also produced the World AIDS Day 2021 Concert.
The concert honored U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I, VT) this year with AHF’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his longtime dedication to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The award was accepted at the show by his wife Jane Sanders, along with the senator accepting the award via video message. The evening also commemorated two significant milestones this year in recognition of the decades-long fight against HIV and AIDS.
As the world continues to navigate the deadly global COVID-19 pandemic, the work still to be done on the HIV/AIDS epidemic is far from over, in raising awareness, urging testing and preventative measures, and making continued progress in lifesaving care and treatments. This year marked a 40-year milestone since the first cases of AIDS were first reported (by the CDC, in June 1981), with AHF’s concert paying tribute to 40 years of remembrance for the lives lost, and continuing the fight. To date, over 30 million have died of AIDS and more than 38 million people worldwide today are thought to be living with HIV, according to the CDC. This year also marked a celebration of AHF’s 35th anniversary, with the concert commemorating its longstanding legacy of compassionate care.