When’s the last time you helped somebody? No little old ladies crossing the street? No kittens stuck in high branches? Dressing your helpless brother for his deb ball doesn’t count; nor does resisting sleeping with his best mate once you get there. If its time to add a bit of charity back into your selfish existence (oh c’mon, I’m just being dramatic), then keep an eye out for HelpOUT early this month.

HelpOUT is the Rainbow Alliance of Australia’s event to address the ongoing Tsunami relief efforts in Asia. The Alliance was formed by some of Melbourne’s most prevalent community groups: The ALSO Foundation, Globe, JOY Melbourne, Switchboard, AIDS Quilt, MCC, Vintage Men, G&L Chorus VGLRL and many more CAPITALISED organisations. The alliance aims to be the biggest fundraiser Melbourne’s community has ever seen, with the funds being granted to two global organisations – Rainbow World Fund, and Equal Ground.

Rainbow World Fund’s mission is to promote LGBT philanthropy in the area of world humanitarian relief, by providing a united voice, a large visible presence, and a structure to deliver LGBT charitable assistance to the larger world community. The latter, Equal Ground, is the vision of a group of close friends living in Sri Lanka, who saw the need to initiate a communal commitment toward equality for all sexual orientations and gender identities.

How are they going to raise funds, you might ask? With no less than a Gala Event, of course - a "magical night of laughs, dance, music and performances" from local outstanding talent (deep breath): Judith Lucy, Katie Underwood (ex-Bardot), Tania Doko, Bob Downe, Slinkee Minx (sip of water)… Adam Richard, Ethel Chop, Wes Snelling, Guy DJ, Sweet Steensma, Tootsweet, Eddie Perfect, Nelly Thomas, David Rogers-Smith, Damian Nicholas, Toby Sullivan, Shirley Billing, Aida (clear throat)… Kaye Sera, Luke Gallagher, Adrian Kirk, and Adam & Alex from ABC’s Strictly Dancing (faint).

So from 7:30pm (or 6:30pm for the rummies who want to get to the bar first) on Sunday the 10^th of July, the Athenaeum Theatre will be alive for a wonderful community evening that you’d stupid to miss out on. And with tickets going for $20 – and let’s face it, there’s not much else you can buy for $20 nowadays – it will quickly sell out, so get yours early.

If you can’t get down there on the night but you’d still like to donate, you’re more than welcome to do so – either log on to www.helpout.org.au or call the ALSO offices (HelpOUT HQ) on 9827 4999.