CBUS Gives Back
CBUS Gives Back
April 26th, 2013 by Nina with No Comments
I can’t believe the experience that was NINA DOES CBUS. Truly, one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences I have had and I loved every second of it. The cast, crew, and crowds were some of the best ever.
Since 2003, when I did my first show, Nina Network News, the charity component has been one of the most important pieces of my shows. This component has come in many forms, from the XXXposed Strip Benefit to the closing number and it’s tips being dedicated to an organization. These shows have raised considerable funds for Columbus AIDS Task Force and now AIDS Resource Center Ohio, Project: Zero Ohio, The Susan G. Komen Foundation, Project Open Hand, Camp Sunrise, The Trevor Project, Broadway Cares:Equity Fights AIDS, The Columbus Stompers, The Human Rights Campaign, Stonewall Columbus, CLGSA, Freedom To Marry Ohio, among many others. Your countless hard-earned dollars have been crumpled, balled up, and thrown on the stage for amazing causes and charity. You sit there and laugh and drink long after the show is over to help us reach a goal of being able to make a difference. It is one of those things that make this city I proudly call home absolutely amazing.
With NINA DOES CBUS, I worked with so many different people and organizations who all were connected, in some fashion or another, to charity and this city. In the vision of the show, to really celebrate Columbus and finish this love letter, I wanted the organizations to represent some of the great things about this unique city and the people who said “YES!” to working with a 6’7″ drag queen and not batting a lash. To honor these individuals, an organization was chosen and a donation will be made to an organization on their behalf.
Jeni Britton Bauer, Local Matters, http://www.local-matters.org/
Elizabeth Lessner, Project: Zero Ohio, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Zero-Ohio/194772307241509
Lesley James, CD102.5 For the Kids, http://cd1025.com/about/in-the-community/cd1025-for-the-kids
Joel Diaz, ARC-Ohio, http://www.arcohio.org/
Joshua Snyder Hill & Stephen Snyder Hill, Freedom To Marry Ohio, http://www.freedomtomarry.org/states/entry/c/ohio
Gabrielle Burton, Kings, Queens & In Betweens Kickstarter, http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/981223409/kings-queens-and-in-betweens-a-documentary-on-drag?ref=live
Karla Rothan, Stonewall Columbus, http://www.stonewallcolumbus.org/
The staff and board of COSI, COSI, http://www.cosi.org/
I am proud to announce the cast of NINA DOES CBUS, with the help of this incredible community, has raised over $6,000 for local charities.
Thank you to everyone who came out to this show, supported the love of this city and the entertainers that call it home. Thank you to everyone who pulled out $1′s, $5′s, $10′s, $20′s, wrote personal checks, and gave their money to these organizations. We are a better community because of you. THANK YOU.
TONIGHT!
November 9th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
A little over a year ago, Randy, Steve, and I sat down to talk about the opportunity of making a difference in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Long story short, that is how Project: Zero Ohio got its start. We have launched some amazing products with the help of great local artisans and tonight will be no exception as we launch our next beautiful product, the Project:Zero Ohio Coffee Sleeve, created by AmyD.
The event will take place at The Candle Lab in the Short North, 751 N. High St Columbus, Ohio 43215, from 6 to 9 pm! I will be there along ith Dr. Sharma, Steve Weaver, Megan Green, and the newest member of our PZO family, AmyD! Candles, soaps, coffee sleeves all available for your holiday shopping!
Brothers for life.
May 30th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
I love this guy. Inspiration to do good work. And he is constantly doing it.
Shadowbox Live and Project:Zero Ohio Team Up with RENT
January 19th, 2012 by Nina with No Comments
February 19, for one performance only of SHADOWBOX LIVE’s production RENT, proceeds will benefit Project: Zero Ohio. What an incredible chance to enjoy one of the greatest musicals of our time AND give back at the same time!
For the February 19th 7 pm performance of the hit musical RENT, the troupe will donate a portion of proceeds to Project: Zero! PLEASE BE SURE to fill in the “Shadowbox Gives Back” field at the bottom of the order form!)
SHADOWBOX LIVE is doing RENT every Sunday from January 22 to April 1.
Shadowbox Live is a non-profit 501C3 performance troupe that self-produces a wide range of shows, as well as runs the company on a day-to-day basis. The top managers of the company make up the Board of Trustees and operate as the primary creators, producers, and performers for the shows.
For 20 years this creative force has produced world-class productions, including original rock operas, traditional musicals, fine art exhibits, contemporary dance, and video / television. An ensemble company of dedicated performers, Shadowbox Live is a healthy, vibrant, self-sustaining arts organization.
LOUD & PROUD Thank You’s
December 2nd, 2011 by Nina with No Comments
Tonight was a labor of love. I just want to thank everyone who came out in support of Project: Zero Ohio’s Loud and Proud. Without the amazing and generous support of so many, tonight would not have been possible. As a co-founder of the organization with Steve Weaver and Randy Sharma, I am constantly reminded of what an amazing gift it is to do this work and to be inspired by such an amazing and caring community.
Thank you to each and everyone of you who came out tonight – Dustin, Hannah, Kelley, Nancy, Jason, Liz, Amanda, Charles, Alexis, Jeff, Tom, Kyle, Adam, Bev, Kira, Kenny, Leslie, Kelly and more. You made tonight.
THANK YOU Rachel Gordon and the entire crew at CD101 /102.5. You have been so generous and giving of love and support and we are so indebted to you for believing in us from the beginning.
THANK YOU Timothy Wolf Starr and the Small Business Beanstalk. Again, supporters of this cause from the beginning. Forever indebted.
THANK YOU Alexis Peronne and Columbus Alive for being such amazing friend throughout this journey. We love you so deeply.
THANK YOU Rajesh Lahoti, Sam Schisler, and the staff of Axis Nightclub. You are all so giving and so ready to jump in when needed. Thank you.
THANK YOU Formula AM for the delicious tasting tonight. Dave, you are such a class act and your product is definitely one of my favorite things. So excited for what the future holds! THANK YOU We Are Glitterati for also joining us and taking pictures with your fab photo booth tonight!!
THANK YOU Belvedere (RED) for sponsoring tonight’s event and helping us make a difference in this fight against HIV and AIDS.
THANK YOU Joel Diaz and ARC Ohio for supporting us in our efforts.
THANK YOU Cheesy Truck and Backdoor Burritos for keeping our hungry stomachs filled tonight! Justin and Backdoor Burritos, welcome to the neighborhood! SO DELICIOUS!
TO OUR PERFORMERS:
THANK YOU DJ Charles. You gave us the vibe tonight to make a difference.
THANK YOU Shaw Brothers. You are so absolutely amazing and the music is so gorgeous. You made several new fans tonight! I hope we can do it again!
THANK YOU Will Reed. Thank you for singing “Fly Me To The Moon”. Thank you for coming all the way from Cincinnati. Thank you for being so amazing and donating the sales of UNDER THE COVERS on iTunes until January 15. THANK YOUTHANK YOU THANK YOU. Anything you need from me, just ask.
THANK YOU Hairplane. Aaron, Nicole, and crew. You are one of my favorites, and I know this is just the beginning of an amazing relationship. I cannot wait for the next time and maybe we can collaborate sometime? I would love that, ya know. 
THANK YOU Freesia Balls. Your talent is second only to your heart. Thank you for always giving. I am your biggest fan.
THANK YOU Virginia West. You never wait to be asked and are the first to offer your talents. You are such an amazing source of inspiration and your talent is awe-inspiring. THANK YOU. I love you.
2011 has been the beginning of our movement. 2012 we will continue to work for this cause.
Thank you for pushing us to go further on this journey.
We will continue to be LOUD and PROUD.
LOUD AND PROUD
November 29th, 2011 by Nina with No Comments
This Friday, I am so please to be able to work on bringing this event to Axis with Randy and Steve. Things are just getting started for Project: Zero Ohio, and I cannot thank everyone enough for their love and support in trying to make our community a better place to live.
The entertainment will feature Will Reed, The Shaw Brothers, HAIRPLANE, Virginia West, Penny Tration, Freesia Balls, DJ Charles of the Clampdowns, and more!
And there will be delicious eats to purchase from The Cheesy Truck and Backdoor Burritos as well as samples from one of my favorite things this holiday season to give, FORMULA AM!
And you can get a picture taken by the We Are Glitterati photo booth! Help commemorate World AIDS Day and raise money for Project: Zero Ohio!
The Pride Soap
November 17th, 2011 by Nina with No Comments
Tonight, please join Randy Sharma, Steven Weaver, Megan Green, and myself at the Candle Lab in the Short North for the launch of the PRIDE SOAP, created and handcrafted by Stinkybomb Soaps. The soaps are hand poured with each layer having it’s own color/scent: Pink/Black Cherry, Orange/Sweet Orange, Yellow/Vanilla, Green/Spearmint, Blue/Honey Almond, Purple/Lavender.
Stop by The Candle Lab tonight to pick up your very own bar of soap and continue to support the work of Project: Zero Ohio. We’ll have a great line up of tasty beverages and all-star guest bartenders to serve them up to you. All proceeds of the soap goes to help assure that ZERO HIV/AIDS patients in the greater Columbus Area go without the care they need.
Project: Zero Ohio Teams Up with Stinky Bomb
November 9th, 2011 by Nina with No Comments
On November 17, Project: Zero Ohio and Stinky Bomb Soaps team up for the next major launch to raise money for people living with HIV/AIDS in the central Ohio area.
This new product, called the PRIDE SOAP, will be made by the locally owned and operated Stinky Bomb Soaps, with proceeds benefitting Project: Zero Ohio.
The product launch will be held at The Candle Lab in the Short North on Thursday, November 17, from 7 pm to 10 pm, and feature amazing and fabulous celebrity bartenders, delicious drinks, and fantastic music all for a good cause.
The PRIDE SOAP will be the second product made to help raise much needed funds for people living with HIV and AIDS who are not receiving the care they need. The first product, the RAINBOW CANDLE, made by The Candle Lab, was launched in July 2011 and has seen great success in raising funds and awareness to this issue.
Project:Zero Ohio was founded in July 2011 by Steve Weaver, owner of the Candle Lab, Randy Sharma, a practicing physician, and Nina West, Super Drag Queen.
By customizing high-quality local products and a planned series of charity events, the organization hopes to not only raise funds for local HIV/AIDS resources, but also reward donors with unique home products.
All proceeds will be donated to community HIV/AIDS resources.
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Frustrated with the strain on HIV/AIDs funding and the resulting effect on members of the community, physician Randy Sharma, entrepeneur Steven Weaver, and gay activist/ “Super Drag Queen” Nina West joined forces to help raise funds for local HIV/AIDS charities and resources.
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Please visit http://projectzeroohio.com/ for more information.
More Candle Lab Fun!
August 25th, 2011 by Nina with No Comments
I am pretty blessed to do what I do. I know I say that a lot but i also believe I can never say it enough. I have an amazing circle of friends, a phenomenal support system in Columbus, and I have no regret. One of things that has happened in my life is find a friendship in Randy Sharma and Steve Weaver. being part of Project: Zero Ohio has given me new energy, drive, and focus.
Every few days, some more pictures come in from out Project: Zero Ohio launch party or from people going into the Candle Lab to purchase the Rainbow Candle (on sale now at all locations 
). I thought I would take a few moments out to just post a few of those photos on here. If you are interested in finding out more about The Candle Lab, The Rainbow Candle, or Project: Zero Ohio, please see the information below!!
Nicole Simmons, San Fran!
The Project: Zero Ohio Launch Party
August 2nd, 2011 by Nina with No Comments
I don’t know where to begin. I can speak for Randy Sharma, Steve Weaver, The Candle Lab, and all of the volunteers who made Friday night’s launch party such a huge success.
Being a part of this project is humbling. From its inception via Twitter with Randy, to a meeting of the minds with Steve, this has been a surreal experience. Our mutual friend, “Dan” united us, and this cause has bound us together as friends. This Rainbow candle is just the beginning for Project: Zero Ohio. I know that Randy, Steve, and I have our sights set high, and with everyone joining in this movement, we will be able to make an impact.
Again, I cannot thank you all enough for coming to the launch. Thank you helping begin this journey and thank you for watching out for all of our brothers and sisters who are living with HIV and AIDS.
photo courtesy of Shaun Whybark
