Black AIDS Institute awards gala, November 16 in L.A.

The Black AIDS Institute will host its sixth annual Heroes in the Struggle Awards Gala at the Directors Guild in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 16. The event will honor such luminaries as actor-producer Patrik-Ian Polk and celebrity photographer Duane Cramer for their work in advancing awareness of HIV/AIDS issues. American Idol's Trenyce and Broadway actor Billy Porter are scheduled to perform.

A special tribute will be extended to singer Dionne Warwick on the 20th anniversary of her 1986 cover of "That's What Friends Are For," a collaboration with Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight that raised funds for the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

Disco queen Cheryl Lynn will kick off the evening's festivities with a special VIP performance at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public, with ticket prices ranging from $100 to $250. To purchase tickets and find more information go to www.blackaids.org or call (213) 353-3610.