Entertainment

Opening Ceremonies/Start Line Appearances by:

Wanda Sykes

Michael Feinstein

DJ & Music by:

DJ FahrenHITE

His sounds can be heard at Market Days, Pride Fest, Human Rights Campaign galas, Proud to Run and even at Armani Exchange stores on Michigan Avenue.  Now, DJ FahrenHITE will bring that same energy and enthusiasm to AIDS Run & Walk Chicago!

Post-race performances by:

Jamar Rogers, of The Voice

Jamar Rogers entered the world on March 1, 1982 to a single mother in New Orleans. Growing up, Jamar showed tremendous talent for singing as early as six years of age, but soon fell prey to the emotional problems that come with growing up in a fatherless household and became addicted to drugs to fill the missing piece.  As his life began to spiral out of control, Jamar was declared HIV positive. Completely broken, Jamar somehow found the light in the darkest time of his life and began to turn things around.

After 3 years of being clean from crystal meth, he tried out for American Idol, making it through to the Hollywood round only to come up short of a top 24 spot.  Soon after, Jamar auditioned for The Voice and “the rest is history,” as they say.  Since becoming a finalist on The Voice, Jamar has appeared on popular shows such as, The Ellen Degeneres Show, E! Entertainment News and The Today Show.

Currently, Jamar is recording an album set for release this fall and recently dropped a new single on iTunes called “Where Would I Be Without You”. He is actively working in his community to demystify HIV/AIDS along with doing his best to spread a message of hope and second chances to a generation of young people.

Opening performance by: Adam Emil

Adam Emil, a 25-year-old singer/songwriter out of Chicago is paving the way with his hot new sound. Emil, who has been playing the piano since the age of six, describes his sound as Urban/Pop”.

Following the steps of greats in Harlem, New York Adam was crowned an Apollo Legend. Another proud moment came when he won B.E.T.s YA HEARD new artist competition for his single One and Only. He won this Valentines Day song writing competition with a landslide victory of well over 20,000 votes from around the world.

Emil has performed across Illinois alongside such acts as Jeremih, Common, Jazz of Dru Hill and Miki Howard. He has also been selected as Chicago station WGCIs first ever Hometown Hero. With an energetic vocal performance and a spectacular ear for infectious hooks and grooves, Emil is poised to take the industry by storm.