If you’re trying to go out to one of your favorite watering holes, Nations, Babes, Barcode, or Godfrey’s, between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. tonight to get a drink, then you’re out of luck.

They’ll all be at Fun For A Cause. Emmett Hickam, one of the event organizers, said all of these businesses decided to close to show their support for the community and Fan Free Clinic. Don’t worry, you might still catch your favorite bartender volunteering at the event.

“It feels like the community has grown apart and we want to bring it back together while raising money for Fan Free Clinic,” Hickam said. “Events like this have raised quite a bit of money in the past. We not only as individuals are hurting for money, but organizations are as well. Fan Free gives so much support to this community.”

Pat Germelman, Director of Development at Fan Free Clinic, said they have felt economic downturn as well seeing a drop in corporate donations.

“We’ve seen our lines getting longer,” Germelman said. “The timing of this has been perfect. It’s something that the community really needs.”

When you walk into tonight’s event at the Richmond Renessaince Conference Center, Fan Free Clinic, Equality Virginia, Gay Pride Virginia, and the Gay Community Center of Richmond will be on site handing out literature information. In the main Ballroom, you can watch one of three 45 minute drag shows. Thirty minute dance breaks with a DJ will break up the entertainment in the Adam’s Room. A cash bar will be available.

Hickam said that they have been very fortunate to have received so much support from event sponsors. The $5 cover goes directly to Fan Free Clinic. In addition, all of the evening’s entertainers will be working for free and donating their tips.

If tonight’s event is a success, expect to see it become an annual tradition for Richmond.

“We want to continue this and make it bigger and better for next year,” Hickam said.

We’ll be tweeting live tonight.  For more information on Fun For A Cause, click here.