Jason Seto, A NYC-based Music and Live Stage Theatrical Producer, Celebrates 4 Years Since Launching Dance2Cure to Help Raise Funds for an HIV/AIDS Cure.

New York, US, 26th January 2023, ZEXPRWIRE, Jason Seto is proud to celebrate 4-years since he was hired as a consultant to co-produce the Dance2Cure original music and dance event in Los Angeles at the Avalon/Bardot for one of the leading global HIV/AIDs Foundations. The event collaborated with legendary MTV award-winning choreographer and creative director, Frank Gatson to raise money for research on finding a cure for HIV/AIDS.

Seto conceived the Dance2Cure event based on his belief that with enough funding, a cure for HIV/AIDS can become a reality. In a recent interview, Seto reiterated his conviction that a cure is possible. He stated,,

“The global effort to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic is ongoing and gaining progress. Recent developments have proven that a cure can become a reality with more funding. Researchers have already released a vaccine now available for those affected with the virus. It is no small feat to achieve this level of advancement in such a short amount of time, and there are multiple reasons for the success of these efforts including: Increased public awareness and access to testing, Increased investments into research, and other supportive measures around the world. A true cure will soon be within reach with continued investment and dedication.”

 Seto also noted that if a cure for HIV/AIDS is found, it would greatly benefit everyone in the world and particularly the LGBTQ+ community, which he strongly supports through his acts of charity. Even though strides have been taken in the medical and legal arenas for LGBTQ+ rights, the direct impact has historically greatly affected gay men that has included stigma and discrimination over the decades, particularly the effects on people of color over the last few years. Seto states the CDC reports on their website with facts on “HIV and African American Gay and Bisexual Men,” He notes that the CDC states that “Black/African American gay, bisexual and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contact are more affected by HIV than any other groups in the United States and dependent areas. In 2019, Black/African American gay and bisexual men accounted for 26% (9,421) of the 36,801 new HIV diagnoses and 37% among all gay and bisexual men.” “This is sobering evidence that society has not done enough to meet the needs of disproportionate communities,” Seto said. This data validates what Seto argues: “we must act more urgently to find a cure so that an entire segment is no longer exposed to an incurable virus.” 

For this, Seto noted an article he recalled reading from Dance Magazine –  “The Generation Lost to AIDS,” authored by Joseph Carman who states “25 million people—an inconceivable figure—have died from AIDS-related causes since 1981. Thousands of those were artists who contributed something distinct to the quality of our lives. And among those were the dancers, choreographers, teachers, and so many others who were invaluable to the field.” Seto poses the question, Can you imagine what Michael Bennett would have created after A Chorus Line and Dreamgirls? Seto also states, “Events like Dance2Cure bring back awareness to the dance community for today’s generation and that we should never forget the lives lost, but rather unite together to honor those legacies through our own personal contributions and activism.”   He added that as an influential player in the NYC entertainment scene, he is continuing his  advocacy and production of  charity projects to raise more awareness and funds for research to find a cure.

Jason Seto is a music and theatrical live stage producer based in NYC. He is passionate about LGBTQ+ issues and consistently puts money into charities that help promote the rights of this community. In 2019, he was the executive producer for the main dance performance with creator and MTV award-winning choreographer Chris Grant, under the creative direction of legendary creative director and choreographer Frank Gatson at the We Party Pride Festival during the World Pride NYC 2019 celebrations. The event hosted 15,000 from around the globe uniting together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, and Seto partnered with Jake Resnicow the veteran promoter and nightlife party promoter in contributing their visions to raising $500k for LGBTQ+ charities, including the Stonewall Gives Back Initiative and LIFEBeat.