Celebrity Red Ribbon Calvacade

Celebrity Red Ribbon Cavalcade was a first presented at the 1992 Gay Pride March in NYC, winning best use of theme that year. Over 2 dozen red ribbon costumes reflected the ever widening demographic scope of the crisis, while educating through entertaining the public about AIDS awareness and HIV prevention.

The project was conceived by Marc Happel and Frank Moore, designed by Harvey Weiss, and produced and staged by Marc Happel and Harvey Weiss. Over 60 volunteers were used to sew, wear and perform in the costumes. Performer Lypsinka was the Cavalcade's first Grand Marshall.

The Celebrity Red Ribbon Cavalcade later traveled to various locations. On Dec. 1st, 1992 for Day Without Art it was staged at Artists' Space for a Visual AIDS fundraising benefit with performers Charles Busch as M.C., Penny Arcade, Marga Gomez, John Kelly, Frank Maya, Reno, Jim Self & Patrick Rawlins, Robert Sherman, Gary Schiro, Sons & Daughters, Brother Tongue Collective, David Ehrich, Ellen Fisher, Katy K, Jerri Allen, and the House of Field.

The costumes were worn again in the 1993 Gay Pride March in New York with Mistress Formika as the Grand Marshall. Subsequently the Celebrity Red Ribbon Cavalcade was staged at a parade in Austin, Texas, as part of a National Artists Associations Organization (NAAO) convention.