SPECIAL EVENT: Meet Soap Stars & Support a Great Cause at Love Out Loud VII on Wednesday, May 16

One of the best things about New York City is that here, we don't just watch the stars on TV. Every now and then, we get to spend time with them in person!

Love Out Loud VII is an annual charity event sponsored by We Love Soaps and Poz magazine that will be held this year on Wednesday, May 16.  It just may be the best chance New Yorkers (and any visitors enjoying the brilliant Manhattan May weather) will have to meet and mingle with big names from daytime TV. As a special treat, we'll also be welcoming some of Broadway's best talent this year--how could we say no? And, just like in years past, there will be surprise guests. Some may even surprise us!

Beginning with this announcement, we'll be revealing new Love Out Loud VII guests on a regular basis.  Ultimately, dozens of famous personalities from iconic shows will gather together at the legendary Prohibition lounge, on Manhattan's Upper West Side, for the express purpose of meeting and greeting fans in a casual and festive environment.  It's all about raising money for the New York AIDS Walk. Don't be shy! Everyone at Love Out Loud VII is united by the same great cause, and our TV and Broadway personalities are there because they appreciate your donation and want to say, "Hi."

WHO IS IT?
And now, "without further ado" we announce our first Love Out Loud VII celebrity guest, our good friend (and a stalwart supporter of the cause): Ilene Kristen!

Ilene Kristen in a recent LAW & ORDER: SVU

Ilene, who recently starred as fan-favorite Roxy on ONE LIFE TO LIVE (though for many of us she'll always be our Delia, from RYAN'S HOPE) has an incredible collection of TV and film credits--but some say her true passion just might be her music. And so it is with great pride that we announce today that Ilene has generously agreed not only to return to Love Out Loud this year, but also to woo the crowd once again with her distinctive brand of sensuous, smooth and smokey vocals.  She's going to sing for us!  Welcome, Ilene!

PLEASE JOIN US
As hosts of Love Out loud VII, the We Love Soaps staff are very proud to extend a personal invitation to all of our readers, and their friends and family, to join us at Prohibition (503 Columbus Avenue at 84th Street) on May 16 for an evening unlike any other. Doors open at 5:30 PM, and we won't wind down until around 9:00.  Admission to the event is our "thank you" for an advance donation of $42.50 (or more) to our AIDS Walk New York team (or a $50.00 donation at the door).

Prohibition's famous Red Room

Make no mistake:  all of the money from this event is going to the AIDS Walk. The organizers, hosts, and celebrities are all donating their time, and we've set it up so you can reserve a spot at Prohibition directly on the AIDS Walk NY web site.

Everyone who donates $42.50 or more will be put on the list at the door at Prohibition; it's that simple. Donations to the AIDS Walk are tax-deductible as a charitable contribution and can even be doubled, if your employer has a matching gift program.

So, please visit http://welovesoa.ps/LOLdonor right now to donate directly to the We Love Soaps AIDS Walk NY team. Every advance, online donation of at least $42.50 admits one person to Love Out Loud VII on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. A donation of $85.00 (or more) means you can bring a friend; and so on. It should be noted that at Prohibition there is a two-drink minimum per person.

If you have any questions about this unique charity event, if you would like to walk with We Love Soaps, or if you have any suggestions on how we can make the We Love Soaps team the #1 AIDS Walk team in all of New York City, please do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]! I look forward to hearing from you.

And most important, please "stay tuned" for many more, big announcements about Love Out Loud VII.  Believe it or not, Ilene Kristen is just the beginning. In the meantime, here's that link again: http://welovesoa.ps/LOLdonor. Please share it with your friends and family, and make your donation today. On behalf of We Love Soaps and AIDS Walk New York:  Thank you!