Comedy Central comedian Jade Esteban Estrada will perform "A Lullaby for Ryan:

The History of HIV/AIDS in America" at 7 p.m. in the K-State Student Union Ballroom.

    “A Lullaby for Ryan” incorporates comedy with a tribute to Ryan White, said Nancy Muturi, assistant professor in journalism. White was an American teenager who became an HIV/AIDS poster child in the 1980s when he was expelled from school because of his disease, which he contracted from a contaminated blood treatment.

    The A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications and the Regional AIDS project in Manhattan worked together to bring Estrada to K-State for HIV/AIDS awareness week, Muturi said. The public relations campaigns class, taught by Muturi, has promoted the event.

    Muturi said Estrada’s method is particularly interesting because he uses entertainment-education in his shows.

    “He uses comedy to educate people about HIV/AIDS,” Muturi said. “That approach is appealing, particularly to young people. [The audience] is entertained and at the same time learning.”

    His performance is in observance of the 21st-annual World AIDS Day — introduced in December 1988 as the first international health day — and the week of events surrounding it. Every year, this world campaign creates awareness about the HIV virus and helps bring about change.

       According to Estrada’s official Web site, www.getjaded.com, Estrada is described as “a cross between Andy Warhol and Billy Graham” and a “master entertainer” by his critics and peers around the world.

    Estrada has appeared on Comedy Central’s “The Graham Norton Effect,” NBC’s “30 Rock” and “Friday Night Lights” and has headlined concerts and clubs around the world. He has released several Latin pop CDs, documentaries and shows and has won several awards for his comedy and music.

    Admission to the show is free, and Estrada will sign autographs following the event.

    Muturi said the show will be worthwhile.

    “This disease can affect anyone,” she said, “and we really want people to come participate, learn and be entertained by this event and other events during World AIDS Week.”

©2008 Kansas State Collegian