for people with AIDS.

Female impersonator Sybil Barrington will join American celebrities and nine drag queen stars from around the world, at the AIDS Dance-A-Thon at the Jacob Javits Centre in New York city.

The event, to be held on Saturday, is expected to attract more than 10,000 spectators and millions of dollars in donations. In order to enter one has to collect a minimum of $250 in pledges.

"Last year they raised about $18 million,'' Barrington told The Royal Gazette . "Every state has a dance-a-thon for the gay men's health crisis, but New York's is the largest and it benefits anyone who has the AIDS virus.'' Barrington, who will perform as Patti LaBelle, said similar fund raising events could be organised in Bermuda for those with AIDS.

"This is one of the things that I'm striving for in Bermuda,'' he said.

"Because even though we have a hospice, more can be done to assist those with AIDS.'' Barrington said local entertainers, with Government's support, could organise a similar event.

"This is where Government should come in,'' he said. "You have a lot of talented Bermudians who can perform. And if they are backed by Government, lots of money can be raised so that the burden will not be solely on Government (to support those with AIDS).'' The five-hour dance-a-thon, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Bermuda time, will include entertainment by Soul 4 Real, Crystal Waters, Kool and the Gang, Rue Paul, and KRS 1.

Rosie Perez, Queen Latifah, Harvey Fierstein, Kim Coles, Wilson Cruz, Nona Hendricks and Debbie Mazar will host the charitable event.

Those who do not get the opportunity to see Barrington in New York this weekend may catch a glimpse of him on any of the daily talks shows between now and January.

In order to "give their shows a little flair'', Barrington said various talk shows, including Charles Perez, Tempest, Sally, Ricki Lake, have hired him to sit in the audience dressed in drag.

"They could be talking about any topic,'' he said. "I just did Charles Perez and Tempest last week. This week I will be sitting in on Sally and Ricki Lake, and next week I'm doing Montel and Geraldo.''