HIV survivor performs tonight

Steve Schalchlin was diagnosed with HIV in 1993. He was part of the first group ever to take the drugs that kept the AIDS virus from replicating, and as a result, he is still alive today. \nTonight, in the Indiana Memorial Union's Fran-gipani Room, Schalchlin will perform an entertaining and emotional profile of what it is like to live with HIV and AIDS as part of IU's AIDS awareness week.\nSchalchlin performs a one-man show called "Living in the Bonus Round." The concert is a combination of up-beat music from another one of his shows, "The Last Session." The performance is a collection of real life stories and music to empower and educate audiences on the impact of HIV and AIDS. \n"I call this 'the bonus round' because I shouldn't be alive," he said. "I nearly died three times. In 'the bonus round,' time speeds up, and the prizes are better."\nThe inspiration Schalchlin has for the shows he performs comes from the years he battled with the disease. He wrote the songs and stories when he was extremely sick.\n"I sing about what it feels like to live with the disease," Schalchlin said. "When they listen to the songs, everyone in the room is right there with me."\nKathryn Brown, a health educator at the IU Health Center, said this is the third time Schalchlin will perform at IU in five years. Schalchlin will also be speaking with three health and theater classes over the course of today and Tuesday.\n"He is not only a performer, but he is a good educator," Brown said. "He uses his life, his music and his performances to educate others."\nBrown said she is ecstatic Schalchlin will be on campus during IU's AIDS awareness week. She said it is an opportunity to raise awareness and promote safe sexual relations. The theme of this year's awareness at IU is "Safe Love 2004".\n"This is powerful entertainment," Brown said. "I want everyone to think about their own relationships and get the word out of prevention, education and caring for others who are HIV positive."\nDoug Bauder, coordinator for GLBT Student Support Services, said the show's overall impact is that life is a gift. He said Schalchlin's message is a universal message and not just to people who are battling the life-threatening disease.\n"Slow down a bit and think about how precious life is," Bauder said. "We don't think about that in our 20s."\nBauder said the show is entertaining with a cause. This is not as current of an issue today for students as it was 10 years ago, he said. Yet through the show, Schalschlin is able to bring back that level of awareness.\n"He makes the message more urgent," Bauder said. "He speaks from the heart, and he speaks of the experience in a tender way with beautiful music."\nBauder encourages all students to attend the show and to learn about AIDS, safety and the journey Schalchlin has been on.\n"It's an issue for everyone who is sexually active, and I happen to think a lot of college students are," Bauder said. "To hear from someone on a personal level dealing with AIDS really brings it home."\nThe doors for the performance open at 6:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by numerous community organizations and is free and open to the public.\n-- Contact staff writer Kristin Huett at khuett@indiana.edu.