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Find the best charity events in Los Angeles and support a cause you care about. Browse our selection of top-rated events and make a difference in your community today.

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A night of Incredible Flavor for a Worthy Cause: 35th Annual “A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters!” at Burbank’s Warner Bros Studios Saturday, May 18th

By Joe Winger — 7 months ago

Celebrate The 35th Annual “A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters!” on Saturday, May 18th

A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters

Courtesy of California Winemasters

The countdown to the 35th Annual “A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters” has officially begun!

Courtesy of California Winemasters

This year’s celebration coming up on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm at the iconic Midwest Street Backlot at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, promises to be a culinary extravaganza like no other and is set to attract approximately 1,200 wine and food enthusiasts, all coming together to support Cystic Fibrosis research and care.

A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters

Honorary Co-Chairmen Glenn Salva, Estate Director for Antinori Napa Valley, and Sam Marvin, Chef & CEO of Echo & Rig Steakhouse / Courtesy of California Winemasters // Courtesy of California Winemasters

The event proudly announces Glenn Salva, Estate Director for Antinori Napa Valley, and Sam Marvin, Chef & CEO of Echo & Rig Steakhouse in Sacramento, and Las Vegas, as this year’s Honorary Co-Chairmen. Their commitment to this cause adds a distinctive touch to an already illustrious event.

“A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters!” on Saturday, May 18th

A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters has earned its place as a WINE SPECTATOR “Top 10 Charity Wine Auction” and a BizBash Top 100 Event.

The evening will showcase the talents of over 50 Celebrated Chefs and Restaurateurs alongside 75 Award-Winning Wineries and Winemakers.

With local Angeleno’s and guests from  across the county in attendance, this year’s event promises an unforgettable experience for all.

Courtesy of California Winemasters

This year’s Celebrated Chefs and Restaurants include:

AK’s Mercado

Alexander’s Steakhouse Pasadena

Alisal Ranch

Angustina – Mezcal Y Cocina

Ayara Thai

Bacari Restaurants

Backyard BBQ

Bistro 45

Blossom Catering Company

bon meez

Café Eighteen48

Cavatina

Chameau Catering

Chef Charly

Chef Joseph Manzare

Chef Scott Renney

Cooking with Corralez

Drago Centro

Echo & Rig Butcher/Steakhouse

Eden Hill

Enebla: Recipes from an Ethiopian Kitchen

Epicurus Gourmet

Espelette Beverly Hills

FIVE on the Hill

Georgia’s Restaurant

Heavy Handed

Local LA Catering & Events by Chef David Lefevre

Lil Pig

Lunetta

Maestro Pasadena

NOÉ Restaurant & Bar

Ocean Prime Beverly Hills

Original Tommy’s Hamburgers

Pez Coastal Kitchen

Primal Alchemy

Rikas Peruvian Cuisine

Sea Level @ Shade

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills with Breads from The Underground Bakery

The Front Yard at The Garland

The Hook and Plow

The Poke Bistro

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Urban Press Winery & Restaurant

Warner Bros. Food Services

Wok Star Catering by Chef Katie Chin

YAKIYA

Desserts will be presented by Magpies Softserve, The Beverly Hilton, Truffles ‘N Coffee and Unique Distributors, Inc. / Florentino Ice Cream.

Award-Winning Wineries and Winemakers

This year’s Award-Winning Wineries and Winemakers will include Ackerman Family Vineyards, ADAMVS, Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery, Anomaly Vineyards, Antinori Napa Valley, Aperture, Arrow&Branch, Baldacci Family Vineyards, Barbieri and Kemp Wines, Barnett Vineyards, Bernardus Winery, Boars’ View, Bremer Family Winery, Cadre Wines, Calafia Wines,Chenoweth Wines, CHEV., Chimney Rock Winery, CIRQ Estate, Convene By Dan Kosta, Cornerstone Cellars, CourAvant,Crocker & Starr, Domaine Carneros, Donald Patz Wine Group, Duhig Wine, DuMOL, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, Earthshine Wines, Farella, Glass Slipper Vineyard, Grgich Hills Estate, Guarachi Family Wines, Hitching Post Wines, Hyde de Villaine,Hyde Vineyards Estate, Jaffe Family Wines, JONATA, Kindred, LOCALISM Wines, Lombardi Wines, Mailbu Vineyards,Mending Wall, Merus, Mi Sueño Winery, Monochrome Wines, Monte De Oro Winery, Murder Ridge Winery, Navarro Vineyards, Olivia Brion Wines, Outpost Wines, Paradigm Winery, Parallel Napa Valley, Patz & Hall, Peter Michael Winery,Post Parade, Pott Wine, Pride Mountain Vineyards, Ridge Vineyards, Sans Liege Wines, Sciandri Family Vineyards, Scott Harvey Wines, Silverado Vineyards, Skylark Wine Company, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery, Talisman, Tercero Wines, Terre et Sang, The Hilt Estate, The Setting Wines, Three Wine Company, Tom Eddy Napa Valley, TOP, Trefethen Family, Truchard Vineyards, and VIVIER Wines.

Don Francisco’s Coffee is the official coffee provider and FIJI Water is the official water provider, along with beveragesCelsius and VitaminWater at Winemasters 2024.

Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the legendary auction with over 600 silent and live auction items, featuring rare wines, unique experiences, and exclusive items. The event’s auction is a testament to the generosity and support of the community in making a tangible difference in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis.

Anticipated net proceeds of $1,500,000 will contribute to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s crucial research and care programs. Over the past 34 years, this event has raised an astounding $36 Million, playing a pivotal role in transforming the median age of a CF patient from 12 years old to 56.

“We cannot express enough our gratitude for the unwavering support

we’ve received over the past 34 years

from some of the world’s most prominent Wineries, Winemakers, Chefs, and Restaurants,”

Olivia Younan

Development Director

Cystic Fibrosis Southern California Chapter.

“As we celebrate our 35th Anniversary, we extend an invitation to everyone to join us for this special occasion and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by Cystic Fibrosis.”

Ticket Information: The 35th Annual “A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters” will take place onSaturday, May 18th, 2024, and this is a 21+ event. VIP Guests can enter at 5:00 pm and General Admission will be from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now until Saturday, May 11th, 2024.

For more information on the 35th Annual “A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters,” please visit www.CAWinemasters.org

ABOUT A CULINARY EVENING WITH THE CALIFORNIA WINEMASTERS:

A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters is a WINE SPECTATOR “Top 10 Charity Wine Auction” and BizBash Top 100 event that showcases 55 celebrated chefs and restaurateurs and 75 award-winning wineries and winemakers. 1,200 guests from all over the USA are in attendance.

The event features over 600 extraordinary silent and live auctions.  Anticipated net proceeds of $1,500,000 will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s vital research and care programs. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system.

The event has raised $36 million in 34 years and in that time, the median age of a CF patient has gone from 12-years old to 56.

ABOUT THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION:

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full, productive lives by funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment, and ensuring access to high-quality, specialized care.

Orange Country's The Wooden Floor Set to Host 41st Annual Concert
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Orange County’s The Wooden Floor Set to Host 41st Annual Concert at Irvine Barclay Theatre from May 30-June 1, 2024

By Contributor — 9 months ago

The Wooden Floor 41st Annual Concert: Onward Celebrates a Tradition of Thought-Provoking Dance with an Inspiring Vision That Breaks the Cycle of Poverty in Youth

Students of The Wooden Floor will take the stage to premiere three new dance works for the organization’s 41st Annual Concert: Onward at Irvine Barclay Theatre from May 30-June 1, 2024, for four showings.

Irvine Barclay Theatre from May 30-June 1, 2024

This years’ acclaimed choreographers, Momar Ndiaye, Tristian Koepke, and The Wooden Floor Artistic Director Jennifer Bassage Bonfil will work alongside students to craft unique and transformative dances that claim national recognition and accolades due to their groundbreaking nature.

Momar Ndiaye, Tristian Koepke,  Jennifer Bassage Bonfil will work alongside students to craft unique and transformative dances

Through our rigorous dance education program, students will dedicate hundreds of hours to the performance process, while evolving their intellectual capabilities through artistic collaboration.

By co-creating dance works with these renown choreographers, students drastically develop their Creativity, Confidence, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Character, and Courage, which helps them succeed both in school and in life.

“Those who have never attended The Wooden Floor’s Annual Concert

are usually surprised by what they experience.

It is an important artistic performance for our students,

co-created with artists and designers

working at the top of their fields.

It is about uplifting our student’s belief in themselves,

and in each other,

which permeates all that they strive to accomplish each day,”

Dawn S. Reese

CEO of The Wooden Floor

“The art-making that you will witness on stage is the embodiment of the creativity, focus, and determination which each child brings. It is these personal learnings which provide the confidence and courage in each child to pursue their bold visions for their lives,” she said.

Meet the Choreographers

Jenniffer Bassage Bonfil, MFA is a respected Southern California-based modern dancer, dance maker, and dance educator and serves as The Wooden Floor’s Artistic Director. Jennifer earned her BFA from Chapman University in Dance Performance and an MA in Dance Education through the University of Northern Colorado. Jennifer was a founding company member of Orange County’s critically acclaimed Backhausdance from 2003 to 2016 and performed in over 15 original works, touring nationally and internationally. Jennifer is an adjunct professor and lecturer who has taught at Chapman University, California State University Long Beach, Santa Ana College, and West Coast Conservatory of Ballet. Chapman University awarded Jennifer the Distinguished Alumni Award, and California State University, Fullerton recognized Jennifer at their annual Honor an Educator event, both in 2022.

Momar Ndiaye, MFA is an international performer, choreographer, and instructor from Senegal. Prior to earning his MFA in dance from the University of Illinois, he worked as a performer-collaborator with many well-known choreographers from Africa, Europe, Asia and America and has toured his work internationally since 2004. Momar has danced with the international dance company Premiere Temp and has his own dance company called Cadanses. Momar is a recipient of the Bruno Nettl Award for excellence in choreography. He is also on faculty at the American Dance Festival and is an Assistant Professor at Ohio State University.

Tristian Koepke, MFA is a dancer, educator, choreographer and Rolfer® based in Portland, Maine. Tristian holds an MFA in Dance from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is an Assistant Professor at Bates College and is Associate Director of the Young Dancers Intensive at the Bates Dance Festival. He has performed in contemporary and experimental dance works by numerous acclaimed choreographers, including Kendra Portier. Tristian was a member of Zenon Dance Company and has shared his choreography, expertise, and artistic insight all over the country.

Join The Wooden Floor in a night of elevating dance that will captivate the minds of the audience through fresh and inventive choreography and artistry, while supporting the future of children in our community.

Event Details

Name: The Wooden Floor’s 41st Annual Concert, Onward

When: 8:00pm May 30 – June 1, 2024, plus 2:30pm matinee June 1, 2024

Where: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612

Tickets: $20 General Seating; $10 seating for children under 13 and students; $50 Benefit Seating, which includes a $30 tax-deductive contribution

Available: On sale beginning April 1 at TheWoodenFloor.org

About The Wooden Floor

Founded in 1983, The Wooden Floor is one of the foremost creative youth development nonprofit organizations in the country. We inspire and transform the lives of young people through the power of dance and access to higher education.

In Orange County and through national licensed partners, we use a long-term approach grounded in exploratory dance education to foster the confidence and gifts within each child to innovate, communicate, and collaborate – skills necessary for success in school and in life.

100 percent of students who graduate from The Wooden Floor enroll in higher education. Our students become change agents and beacons of hope within their own families, their neighborhoods, our community, and our world.

LA Loves Alex's Lemonade returns with Dozens of World-Class Chefs and Lots of Flavor on September 23!
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LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade returns with Dozens of World-Class Chefs and Lots of Flavor on September 23!

By Joe Winger — 1 year ago

L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Culinary Cookout Returns!  Culinary Talents Return to Fight Childhood Cancer for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne and David Lentz Joined by International Chefs, Winemakers, Brewers and Mixologists to Fund Childhood Cancer Research

After a three year hiatus, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade, hosted by James Beard Foundation award-winners Chef Suzanne Goin and partner Caroline Styne (The Lucques Group) along with Chef David Lentz, returns on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 12:30 – 4:30 pm on UCLA’s Royce Quad.

L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade returns on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 12:30 – 4:30 pm on UCLA’s Royce Quad.

 

Goin, Styne and Lentz have again enlisted the support and generosity of their culinary-superstar friends around the country who will donate their time and services to raise funds and awareness for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) and its mission to find better treatments and cures for all kids with cancer.

The Presenting Sponsors for the cookout are Northwestern Mutual and Volvo Cars of North America.

Featuring fabulous food, wine and cocktails prepared by the nation’s best chefs, winemakers and mixologists, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade is an afternoon of fantastic fare, cocktails for a cause, children’s activities, extravagant silent and exhilarating live auctions, and much more.

Returning Chefs include…

The 2023 event is guaranteed to surpass the aspirations of previous years with returning chefs Michael Cimarusti, Chris Bianco, Adam Perry Lang, Donald Link, Nancy Oakes, Nancy Silverton, Suzanne Tracht, Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo, Rocco Whalen and Marc Vetri coming together to cook for childhood cancer cures.

First time participating Chefs…

First time participants Akasha Richmond, (LA) — AKASHA;  Dana Slatkin & Brittany Cassidy (L.A.) — Violet; Drew Deckman (Baja California, Mexico) — Deckman’s; Gavin Fine (Jackson Hole, WY) — Fine Dining Restaurant Group; Tiffany Dela Pena, Tim Cardenas and Irene Widjaya (L.A.) —  Caldo Verde and Cara Cara; Jeremy Tummel (Santa Barbara)— La Paloma Café; Mason Hereford (New Orleans) — Turkey and The Wolf; Roxana Julipat (L.A.) — Friends & FamilySarin Sing (L.A.) — Jitlada; Sergei Simonov (Santa Barbara) — Loquita; and Vivian Ku(L.A.) — Pine and Crane.

More chefs will continue to be announced, as well as leading vintners and mixologists from across the country.

Pricing for General Admission tickets is $195 until August 1, when the price increases to $255. L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade also offers a $1,500 premier ticket level that includes early access to the event, VIP seating and an exclusive invite to the private and intimate Welcome Dinner the evening before, on Friday, September 22.

The culinary cookout is family-friendly; children under the age of 12 are free with accompanying adult and do not need to register for the event.

For complete listings of participants and to purchase tickets for this year’s event visit the ALSF website. All proceeds will benefit the Foundation.

 

L.A. supporters enthusiastically responded with huge turnouts in the first ten years, sampling signature dishes of world-renowned chefs and reaching over $8 million in sponsorship, ticket and auction sales to date.

In addition to the generous backing of the community, prominent personalities from the entertainment industry – long time attendees Jimmy Kimmel, Laura Dern, Joe Mantegna, Timothy Olyphant, Kirsten Vangsness and others – have become champions of the cause. 

  • More than 2,500 people, including more than 100 chefs, mixologists and vintners, attended the last cookout in 2019, which raised over 1.3 million. Those in attendance heard an inspiring speech by Jay & Liz Scott, Alex’s parents, and co-executive directors of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.  Three-time childhood cancer survivor and UCLA graduate, Alexandra Keir, also spoke, telling guests about her experience with cancer and how supporters can join her and ALSF in the fight against childhood cancer.

“I’m unbelievably happy that we are finally bringing L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade back. Suzanne, David and I have missed being able to support this amazing Foundation and bring all of our food and wine friends together again,” said co-founder Caroline Styne.

“I always say this, but this is literally my favorite day of the year.

“‘We’re so excited to be back and we’re in awe of the commitment and generosity of Suzanne, Caroline and David, all the participating chefs, vintners, mixologists and guests of L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade,” said Liz Scott, Alex’s mom and Co-Executive Director of the Foundation. “It is so special to celebrate an entire decade of L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade! Every year we move closer to achieving Alex’s vision of finding a cure for all kids with cancer!”

 

For information on how to become a sponsor, contact Sara Moyer at Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, (610) 649-3034 or S.Moyer@AlexsLemonade.org

Art Beyond the Glass (ABTG) returns for its eleventh annual event on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the legendary Catch One nightclub!
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Art Beyond the Glass returns for its eleventh annual event on Sunday, June 25 at the legendary Catch One nightclub

By Rebecca Feinstein — 1 year ago

Art Beyond the Glass (ABTG) returns for its eleventh annual event on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the legendary Catch One nightclub!

Dozens of LA’s top bartenders will make cocktails and showcase their artistic talents, with proceeds donated to Outfest.

Since its inception, ABTG has raised over $250,000 for arts-based nonprofits across the country.

   

Co-founded by Daniel Djang (Thirsty in LA) and Zahra Bates (Global Head of Education, Courvoisier), ABTG is the original celebration of bartender artistry and widely regarded as one of the country’s premier cocktail culture festivals. From painting and sculpture to photography, live music, DJs and more, every ABTG showcases the creative pursuits of bartenders when they’re not behind the bar.

“It’s hard to believe that what began as a casual conversation at Sunny Spot in November 2011 has grown into this extraordinary event,”

says Djang.”

“The cocktail creativity and artistic talent of the bar community in LA and beyond never ceases to amaze me. We are so grateful for the generosity of our sponsoring brands and the numerous venues that have welcomed us into their spaces. Can’t wait to see the extended ABTG family that’s coming to LA for ABTG XI!”

Art Beyond the Glass is taking place for the second time at Catch One, which is graciously being donated to ABTG XI for this exclusive event. Located on Pico Boulevard in the heart of Los Angeles and celebrating their 50th Anniversary, this landmark nightclub was opened by Jewel Thais-Williams in 1973 as Jewel’s Catch One, a pioneering LGBTQ disco. Featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting, the massive venue spans two floors and multiple indoor and outdoor spaces.

For its eleventh LA event, Art Beyond the Glass is honored to be raising funds for Outfest. Outfest invests in youth, education, representation, and exhibition – supporting and empowering the LGBTQIA+ community to discover their voice, tell their stories, and become the next generation of artists driving change in the entertainment industry.

ABTG is once again partnering with thier fiscal partner Another Round Another Rally, a nonprofit financial resource for the hospitality industry. ARAR co-founder Travis Nass: “It is an honor to be a part of one of the most creative, innovative industry events across the country. We have always loved ABTG, and it is such a pleasure to be able to work with them again this year. Another Round Another Rally is excited to help build ABTG into an official nonprofit as their new fiscal sponsor. We could not be prouder to work with this wonderful organization.”

ABTG will feature dozens of LA’s top bartenders, including Adam Kloos, Anica Amato, Colby Sue, Crystal Mendoza, Brendon Bos, Cody Roehrig, Davey Sarantos, Edwin Rios, Katya Kiyaeva, Kristina Hemphill, Philip Ly, Raul Pool, Sol Luongo, Stacy Noi, and Yered Zotea.

“Art Beyond the Glass has become so important to the bar community,”

says ABTG Head of Production Clare Ward

“Bartenders are makers. We make drinks. We make art. We make community. This is the perfect event to celebrate everything we do.”

 

Guests will also be able to buy bartender art, shop handmade items by bartenders, and bid on silent auction items.

ABTG XI is being made possible by our generous Sponsors:

Accomplice, Bacardi Portfolio – La Gran Familia, Balcones Distilling, Beam Suntory, Black Lagoon, Brand, Callisto Rum, Casa Azul, Casa Lumbre, Casa Noble Tequila, Tequila Mi Campo, Compass Box Whisky, Del Maguey, Diageo, Diplomatico, Empirical, FERNET-BRANCA, Fords Gin, Gray Whale Gin, Jack Daniel’s, Mezcal 33, Mezcal Amaras, Mezcal, Campante, Mr Black Spirits, Mulholland Distilling, Redemption Whiskey, Ritual Zero Proof, Silvergrin Vodka, Slane Irish Whiskey, Spiribam, St. George Spirits, Starward Whisky, Tequila Herradura, Tequila Tromba, and Woodford Reserve.

About Art Beyond the Glass Ticket information

 

ABTG XI will take place from 3pm to 7pm on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Catch One. General Admission tickets are on sale at ABTG XI Tickets – Another Round Another Rally for $55 per person until noon on June 25. If still available, tickets will be sold at the door for $65 per person. Tickets to this event are only available for guests 21+ and over.

The all-inclusive ticket includes cocktails, art, entertainment, and bar bites. In addition, guests will be able to purchase bartender artwork, buy raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items such as artwork, photography, rare spirits and more. All proceeds from ABTG XI will be donated to Outfest and ARAR.

 

Art Beyond the Glass was founded in 2011 by Daniel Djang and Zahra Bates

 

Art Beyond the Glass was founded in 2011 by Daniel Djang and Zahra Bates as a special event for bartenders to showcase their artistic talents when they’re not behind the bar. From cocktails to paintings, photography, live music, DJs, spoken word and more, ABTG is a celebration of bartender artistry inside and beyond the glass. Proceeds from every ABTG event are donated to a local arts-based nonprofit – to date, ABTG has donated more than $250,000 to these vital community organizations.

 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Art Beyond the Glass

 

Dropbox link to Outfest Photos:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/j8sqlk6x63mti1tcz2i8q/h?dl=0&rlkey=x2f12idjkphivm9iwy2u0wr1r

 

FOLLOW ART BEYOND THE GLASS ON:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtBeyondTheGlass

Twitter: @ABTGLA

Instagram: @abtgla

 

Catch One

4067 W. Pico Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90019

https://catch.one/#/events

Vidiots Foundation Set June 1 Re-Opening at Historic Eagle Theater in Los Angeles.
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Vidiots Foundation Set June 1 Re-Opening at Historic Eagle Theater in Los Angeles

By Rebecca Feinstein — 2 years ago

Vidiots Foundation Set June 1 Re-Opening at Historic Eagle Theater in Los Angeles.

Vidiots, the beloved Los Angeles video store and non-profit film organization, has completed renovations on its new home, the historic Eagle Theatre in L.A.’s beautiful Eagle Rock neighborhood, and will open June 1, 2023.

Sneak preview events for Vidiots’ “Founding Members” and supporters will be held in May.

“We’re overjoyed

to finally see our dream of bringing Vidiots back to Los Angeles,”

said Vidiots founders Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber

“We could not have accomplished this incredible feat without the loyal and steadfast support of a community truly devoted to cinema and creating a space for new generations to be inspired and enlightened by the arts, and where they can fall in love with film as we have.”

Bringing the much-loved community movie house back to its original purpose, and restoring public access to its treasured 50,000-title physical media library, Vidiots’ new home, located at 4884 Eagle Rock Boulevard, will include a 271-seat, state-of-the-art movie theater (35mm, 16mm, and digital projection), a beer and wine bar with concessions and a light menu, a flexible micro-cinema and community space, and of course, the legendary video store.

The almost-11,000 square-foot venue will provide flexibility for various screenings, special events, workshops, and community gatherings.

Vidiots will operate seven-days-a week, producing a full calendar of affordable repertory titles, new independents, hard-to-find gems, beloved classics, special events with partners, all-ages programming, and year-round education and preservation initiatives reflective of its mission.

Community and programming partnerships are being planned with A Bunch of Savages, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, IFC Films and Shudder, KCRW, Lionsgate, Monkeypaw Productions, MUBI, Outfest, rePROFilm, UCLA Film & Television Archive, and Women in Film, among many others. Vidiots’ line-up of opening months’ screenings and events will be shared in the coming weeks.

“There are not enough words to describe our gratitude

for the incredible community that’s rallied around us for so many years,

making the dream of our reopening a reality,” said

Executive Director Maggie Mackay.

“We’re counting the seconds until we can welcome all of L.A. and beyond back to the video store and the beautiful Eagle Theatre. In our corner of Northeast L.A., film will once again thrive as the social, communal, inspiring, life-changing art form it has been for over 100 years.”

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization since 2012, Vidiots remains hard at work to reach its capital campaign goal to open and operate the newly restored Eagle Theatre. The organization’s groundbreaking relaunch would not be possible without the support of Vidiots’ Founding Members, Corporate Sponsors, Annual Members, donors at all levels, and Vidiots’ earliest supporters Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures and Dr. Leonard Lipman. Vidiots invites individual and corporate Founding Members to join the organization until Vidiots’ public opening in June. Founding Member levels start at $5,000.

Vidiots Founding Members include Miguel and Justine Arteta, Katie Aselton and Mark Duplass, Ike Barinholtz, Lake Bell, Jess Wu Calder and Keith Calder, Jen and Jay Duplass, Mary Elizabeth Ellis and Charlie Day, Jerrika Hinton, Mette-Marie Kongsved and Elijah Wood, Karina Longworth and Rian Johnson, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Max Minghella, Nate Moore, Morgan Neville, Ify Nwadiwe, Patton Oswalt, Amy Pascal, Aubrey Plaza, Paul Scheer and June Diane Raphael, Noah Segan and Alison Bennett, Sharon Van Etten, Jessica Williams, and Alex Winter, among many more.

Corporate Founding Members and Sponsors include A24, Abramorama, Alamo Drafthouse, All Facts, Chifa 國偉, Cinetic Media, Criterion Collection, Facet, Final Draft, GKIDS, IFC Films and Shudder, Kindman & Co., Letterboxd, Level Forward, Lionsgate, Magnolia Pictures, Monkeypaw Productions, MUBI, Oscilloscope Laboratories, Paramount Pictures, Pascal Pictures, Pipeline Media Group, Shout! Factory, Sony Pictures, Superbloom, UTA, Utopia Media, Vinegar Syndrome, Ways & Means, Writers Guild of America West, and ZEISS, among others. Foundation support comes from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and National Association of Theater Owners California/Nevada. Gracious in-kind donors include Dolby, Dunn-Edwards, Fever Content, Fireclay Tile, Gumball Poodle, QSC, Stone Source, Thunderwing Studio, and Jason Reitman, who provided a 35mm projection system.

The Vidiots Board of Directors is Vidiots Founders Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber, Vidiots Board Chair Mary Rohlich (Head of TV and Film, Purple Pebble Pictures), Vidiots Executive Director Maggie Mackay, Vidiots Treasurer Susan Garbett (General Manager, Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return), Vidiots Secretary Claudia Puig (President, Los Angeles Film Critics Association), Norma Manzanares (Film & TV Marketing Executive), Lela Meadow-Conner (Creative Producer/Founder, mamafilm), Rachel O’Connor (President of Film and Television, Pascal Pictures), and Naomi Ramsey (Experiential Marketing Consultant).

Jeffrey Birkmeyer and his company Analog, a multifaceted real estate and construction company, is Vidiots’ development partner and contractor. David Wick of Wick Architecture and Design, and Andrew Lindley of LAND Design Studio are Vidiots’ architecture and design partners. Film, D-Cinema, and event space projection and sound consulting, design, and installation are led by Paul D. Smith, Jr. of D-MATION INC. Hubbub Manufacturing, a San Francisco-based advertising agency, has assisted Vidiots with fundraising efforts and social media creative.

About Vidiots and the Eagle Theatre:

A one-of-a-kind hub for film lovers, filmmakers, and everyone curious about cinema, Vidiots is dedicated to inspiring human interaction around film through communal theatrical presentations and preserving, growing, and providing access to its diverse DVD, BluRay, and rare VHS collection, showcasing the work of emerging, master, and underrepresented artists, and producing unique and affordable film events, and vital education programs.

A brick-and-mortar film space founded by women, Vidiots was opened as an alternative video store in 1985 by L.A. natives Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber. For 32 years, Vidiots served its devoted community via an iconic Santa Monica storefront. In the wake of rising costs, Vidiots shuttered in 2017. With the generous and unwavering support of major donor Annapurna Pictures, which went on to umbrella the organization for two years, Vidiots was able to store its collection and devise an extensive plan for sustainable relaunch.

Vidiots’ new home originally opened in May, 1929 as the Yosemite Theatre. The Yosemite operated as an independent movie house under that banner until 1940, when it became the Eagle Theatre. Aside from a short stint in the 1970s as a Pussycat Theater (California’s infamous adult cinema chain), the Eagle served audiences as a beloved neighborhood movie house until 2000, when it was repurposed as a church. Vidiots Foundation became proud stewards of the theater in September, 2019. Vidiots has remodeled and rehabilitated the Eagle as a public cinema, video store, and community space, opening June, 2023.

Vidiots Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Gifts to Vidiots are tax deductible as allowed by law. To learn more and support visit vidiotsfoundation.org. Follow @vidiots on Instagram and Twitter, and @vidiotsvideo on Facebook for updates!

Josh Groban, Corbin Bleu, Many More at 'Future Arts Gala' for LA County High School For The Arts on Saturday March 18th
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Josh Groban, Corbin Bleu, Many More at ‘Future Arts Gala’ for LA County High School For The Arts on Saturday March 18th

By Kelsey Ridley — 2 years ago

Josh Groban, Corbin Bleu, Many More at ‘Future Arts Gala’ for LA County High School For The Arts on Saturday March 18th

LA County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), the number one arts high school in America, is hosting its 6th Annual Future Artists Gala on Saturday, March 18th, 2023

Takes place at the AVALON Hollywood, one of Hollywood’s most historic landmarks, spotlighting special celebrity guests, exciting student performances, exclusive auction items from internationally renowned LACHSA artists, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, cocktails, delectable food, and much more!

Future Artists Gala Hosted by Corbin Bleu

 

Future Artists Gala Hosted by Corbin Bleu

Future Artists Gala Hosted by Corbin Bleu

The Future Artists Gala will feature world-class entertainment by some of the most talented student artists in LA County in music, theatre, cinematic arts, dance, and visual arts.

 

LACHSA alum Corbin Bleu (High School Musical and the Tony-nominated Kiss Me Kate on Broadway) will be the host for the evening.

'Future Arts Gala' for LA County High School For The Arts incredible line-up

‘Future Arts Gala’ for LA County High School For The Arts incredible line-up

Tony Barbieri from Jimmy Kimmel Live! will serve as live auction host.

LACHSA Luminary Award Honoree Josh Groban

 

Tony®, EMMY®, and four-time GRAMMY®-nominated LACHSA alum Josh Groban will be honored with the LACHSA Luminary Award and Warner Bros.

TelevisionGroup Chairman and CEO, Channing Dungey, will be honored with the LACHSA Arts Advocate Award.

This incredible evening will also feature a special performance by LACHSA alum Michael Fitzpatrick of Fitz and the Tantrums.

Renowned actor, writer, and LACHSA Foundation Board Member, Melina Kanakaredes is this year’s event producer.

The event raises funds to directly support the tuition-free arts education and programming at LA County High School for the Arts.

Renowned actor, writer, and LACHSA Foundation Board Member, Melina Kanakaredes is this year’s event producer.

Renowned actor, writer, and LACHSA Foundation Board Member, Melina Kanakaredes is this year’s event producer.

Founded almost 40 years ago, LACHSA, is one of America’s premiere public arts high schools for student artists whose undeniable talent and fearlessly authentic voices change the world. LACHSA is a conservatory-style incubator in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and cinematic arts, that nurtures and mentors its students in transformational ways. LACHSA has developed some of the finest talent in the world, with graduates including Josh Groban, Corbin Bleu, Phoebe Bridgers, Clea DuVall, HAIM, Angel Blue, Jenna Elfman, Marla Sokoloff, Taran Killam, Zoey Deutch, Andrew Chappelle, Finn Wittrock, Josefina López, Robert Vargas, Kehinde Wiley, Matthew Rushing, Charm La’Donna, and many more.

Guests of this year’s Future Artists Gala will enjoy handcrafted cocktails, delectable food, and specially curated art experiences throughout the AVALON Hollywood prior to the main event and performance, and a private After Party inside Bardot, the AVALON Hollywood’selegant deco lounge will conclude the evening. Additionally, there will be a live and silent auction highlighting exclusive items and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many from renowned LACHSA alumni artists, making this exceptional event an evening of celebration to directly support the future artists and changemakers of Los Angeles County and help keep high-quality free public arts education accessible to any student with talent and a dream.

Ticket Information:  The Future Artists Gala will take place on Saturday, March 18th, 2023, at the AVALON Hollywood starting at 6:30 pm. For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to purchase tickets to the LACHSA Future Artists Gala, please visit www.lachsagala23.org. Livestream viewing will also be available.

LA County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) as the #1 Arts High School in the Country

 

Ranked as the #1 Arts High School in the Country by Niche.com, the LA County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) offers a specialized program combining college-preparatory academic instruction and conservatory-style training in the visual and performing arts.

Founded in 1985, the tuition-free public school is run by the Los Angeles County Office of Education on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). LACHSA serves 600 culturally and socioeconomically diverse teens from more than 80 school districts in the county. LACHSA students are consistently recognized as top performers in nationwide competitions such as YoungArts, the Music Center Spotlight Awards and Next Generation Jazz Festival.

LAHSA Students come from every part of Los Angeles County and exemplify its wide-ranging diversity. Working with professional teaching artists to sharpen their critical thinking and strengthen their skills, LACHSA students develop the confidence to courageously share their art. They go on to attend top colleges and arts conservatory programs and establish themselves as leaders in their chosen fields of art and study. LACHSA graduates frequently attend schools such as The Julliard School, Berklee College of Music, California Institute of the Arts (CalArts),NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Oberlin College and Conservatory, Yale University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Southern California, University of Michigan, and Carnegie Mellon University. Without exception. LACHSAstudents become the significant artists and individuals they were always meant to be.

SANTA Monica Pub Crawl Returns Sat Dec 17
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Charity SoCal News West Coast

SANTA Monica Pub Crawl Returns Sat Dec 17

By Contributor — 2 years ago

SANTA Monica Pub Crawl, West Coast’s largest charity crawl, returns on Saturday, December 17 to raise money for the Westside Food Bank. 

The SANTA Monica Pub Crawl

is one of the city’s most beloved holiday events when thousands of crawlers fill the streets of Santa Monica with merry and good cheer to raise money for those in need for the holidays. 

Over the years, the crawl has raised over a half of a million meals for the Westside Food Bank and we couldn’t have done it without you!

SANTA Monica Pub Crawl Returns Sat Dec 17

SANTA Monica Pub Crawl Returns Sat Dec 17

For tix and more info: SANTA Monica Pub Crawl

This year’s participating locations include:

 

Circle Bar, Tavern on Main, The Victorian, Jameson’s Irish Pub, Ashland Hill, Barney’s Beanery, Big Dean’s Oceanfront Cafe, Britannia, Cabo Cantina, Cult, Harvelle’s, Lanea, Stella Barra Pizzeria & Wine Bar, Ye Olde King’s Head, Santa Monica Whaler, Casa Martin & more local favorites!

 

THE HIGHLIGHTS

 

🎟️ Free entry to dozens of Santa Monica’s best bars & restaurants with all cover charges included

🍽️ Exclusive $6-$9 food & drink deals throughout the night

🍸 1 FREE drink (with purchase at starting locations)

🎉 Priority entry into Santa’s Official After Party

🏃 3 fun routes to choose from

🏆 Costume prizes for the best holiday spirit

🍺 Beer Gardens, Photo Booths, Scavenger Hunt, and more Holiday Fun 

WHEN:

Saturday, December 17, 2022

5 p.m. – 2 a.m. 

TICKETS:

Choose from 3 different routes (Promenade, Main Street, Pier / Ocean), or go big and be a VIP Route Hopper!

Early Bird Tickets start at $20 or $30 for VIP Route Hopper.

For tix and more info: SANTA Monica Pub Crawl

Manuel Prieto Named Director of Education of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
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Beverly Hills’ The Wallis Names Manuel Prieto Director of Education

By Marty Neehin — 2 years ago

Beverly Hills’ The Wallis Names Manuel Prieto Director of Education, an innovative leader and tireless champion of equitable arts education.

Manuel “Manny” Prieto, an innovative leader and tireless champion of equitable arts education, has been named Director of Education of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, announced Executive Director and CEO Rachel Fine.

Manny Prieto oversees for The Wallis

Prieto, a resident of Los Angeles who assumes the post on September 1, 2022, will oversee the strategic planning and operations of The Wallis’ highly regarded GRoW @ The Wallis education and outreach programs, which serve a broad and diverse sector of the community.

He will collaborate with Fine and the organization’s artistic staff and Board of Directors to ensure the education department programs and initiatives align with the mission, vision, and core values of The Wallis.

Manny Prieto’s passion for music and art

A committed and enthusiastic advocate for the arts, Prieto most recently served as Executive Director of the Los Angeles Music and Art School (LAMusArt), a non-profit arts education institution in East Los Angeles with a 77-year history of making arts education a tangible reality for thousands of underserved youth in the community.

In that role, he has worked to recontextualize and combat the often outdated standards of fine and performing arts so that a new, diverse, and more modern cohort of students can experience the enrichment that creativity offers.

Prieto succeeds Mark Slavkin, The Wallis’ first Director of Education, who led the department for and retired after seven years, building a successful and admired program emulated by other institutions.

 

“Manny Prieto is a dedicated arts education pioneer and advocate,” says Fine.

“A visionary and community-focused trailblazer,

he is dedicated to ensuring arts education and outreach programs remain indispensable in our complicated and evolving world.

On behalf of The Wallis’ Board of Directors and staff, we welcome Manny enthusiastically to our senior management team. Under his strategic guidance, The Wallis will continue to prioritize its education department to serve the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles communities with forward-thinking educational programs that reflect the rich cultural diversity and needs of our great cities.”

 

“I am tremendously excited to join The Wallis as Director of Education,” says Prieto. “The Wallis is unwavering in its commitment to providing opportunities for audiences of all abilities, ages, and interests so they never stop learning and engaging in the performing arts – a guiding tenet of my life’s work thus far. The arts are where we create community, heal our divides, discover and embrace our visions, voices, and power to be creative agents of change, and foster a safe space to thrive. In my new capacity with The Wallis, I look forward to applying my expertise and belief in the power of the arts to facilitate an environment that encourages the community to think like artists and experience collective success as creative people.”

 

About Manny Prieto

During Prieto’s eight-year tenure with LAMusArt, he helped make the arts — and their benefits –a day-to-day experience for young students in East Los Angeles. He effectively strengthened the organization’s infrastructure by broadening board involvement, expanding program offerings and scholarship opportunities, upgrading working conditions and renovating work spaces, adopting a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy, doubling the organization’s budget to over $1 million, creating an organization-wide curriculum framework, and implementing community building among staff and faculty. Prieto is proud of the organization’s mission and is also proud to reinvest in the East LA community as a means to bring forth its vibrant creative potential. When Prieto took the position of Executive Director, at a mere 25 years old, he had a vision for LAMusArt as a hub for accessible and safe collaboration, expression, and instruction so that students could see viable examples of what the arts can bring to their lives. His vision didn’t come without risks – he expanded free programming, pushed students toward challenging repertoire, and invited audience members to explore art forms unfamiliar to them. During his tenure, the community experienced considerable growth and transformation.

 

Prior to joining LAMusArt, Prieto worked in the education department at Center Theatre Group (CTG) coordinating accessibility programs at the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Kirk Douglas Theatre and implemented bilingual curriculum for their education department initiative “The Shop: Theatre In Your Everyday Life.” He has worked as an educator at CTG and P.S. Arts, among other Los Angeles institutions, leading discourse on pedagogical strategy, artistic curricula, and theatrical design. As a designer, Prieto has worked on productions for E! Network, CTG, Pasadena Playhouse, Cornerstone Theatre, El Teatro Campesino, 24th Street Theater, and LATC.

 

Prieto earned a B.F.A. from the University of Southern California in Theater Design and a M.A. in Nonprofit Management from Antioch University. He was co-chair of the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Council, a member of the steering committee of the Latinx Theatre Alliance-LA and a former LACDAC internship program participant and peer mentor. He brings his background and perspective as a student of design and an arts educator to his role as a leader and works for the communities he himself recognizes from childhood – communities with abundant artistic potential and very few resources. He has remained an authentic and steadfast captain through many evolutions and challenges in the arts landscape, never losing sight of a greater sense of purpose.

 

About the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts:

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is a dynamic cultural hub and community resource where local, national and international artists share their artistry with ever-expanding audiences. The campus, located in the heart of Beverly Hills, CA, is committed to robust and distinctive presentations and education programs curated with both creativity and social impact in mind. Distinguished by its eclectic programming that mirrors the diverse landscape of Los Angeles and its location in the entertainment capital of the world, The Wallis has produced and presented more than 350 theater, dance, music, film, cabaret, conversation, and family entertainment programs since its doors opened in October 2013. Hailed as “au courant” (LaLa Magazine), The Wallis was lauded by Culture Vulture, which proclaims, “If you love expecting the unexpected in the performing arts, you have to love The Wallis.” Its programming has been nominated for 79 Ovation Awards and nine L.A. Drama Critic’s Circle Awards. The campus itself, a breathtaking 70,000-square-foot facility, celebrating the classic and the modern, has garnered six architectural awards. Designed by acclaimed architect Zoltan E. Pali (SPF:architects), the restored building features the original 1933 Beverly Hills Post Office (on the National Register of Historic Places), which serves as the theater’s dramatic yet welcoming lobby, and includes the contemporary 500-seat, state-of-the-art Bram Goldsmith Theater; the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater; an inviting open-air plaza for family, community and other performances; and GRoW @ The Wallis: A Space for Arts Education, where learning opportunities for all ages and backgrounds abound. Together, these elements embrace the city’s history and its future, creating a performing arts destination for L.A.-area visitors and residents alike. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is led by Chairman of the Board Michael Nemeroff and Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Rachel Fine.

 

For more information about The Wallis, please visit: TheWallis.org.

Boys-Girls Club- Hydro Wild lab
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Wild Elements is teaming up with Support + Feed and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) to launch a new community and education initiative

By Susan Schuler — 2 years ago

Wild Elements, Support + Feed, & Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles Come Together to Launch Community-Based Hydro-Wild Initiative Addressing Food Insecurity and Climate Crisis Through Innovation

Wild Elements is teaming up with Support + Feed and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) to launch a new community and education initiative – the Hydro-Wild Lab is a working hydroponic farm nestled in a shipping container as a learning and innovation hub for young people starting July 2022.

Through classes, community building, and hands-on sustainable agriculture experience, the Hydro-Wild Lab will deepen the connection between personal and planetary wellness while restoring food-growing power back to a Los Angeles community.

Support + Feed and Wild Elements teach students the science behind their favorite veggies

Starting in July 2022, students at the Watts-Willowbrook Club house, located in Watts on the border of Compton and one of four clubhouses within the BGCMLA region, will have access to a multi-week curriculum developed in coordination with Support + Feed and Wild Elements that teaches them the science behind their favorite veggies, the connection between personal wellness and food advocacy, and the cultural significance of gardens and growth in their own neighborhood and beyond.

Boys-Girls Club- Hydro Wild lab

Wild Elements is teaming up with Support + Feed and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) to launch a new community and education initiative

The Wild Elements Hydro-Wild Lab, an innovative indoor hydroponic farm, brings together agriculture and technology to increase direct access to nutrient-dense food in an eco-conscious way while simultaneously providing students with hands-on farming experience and training.

Wild Elements Hydro-Wild Lab, an innovative indoor hydroponic farm

This unique program developed in partnership across all three organizations is tailored specifically for the Watts-Willowbrook Clubhouse students and community to address the nexus of food insecurity and the history of food systems, healthy eating, and climate change.

Boys-Girls Club- Hydro Wild lab

Wild Elements is teaming up with Support + Feed and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) to launch a new community and education initiative

Hydroponic farms are superstars of sustainable agriculture and are quickly emerging as an important pathway to increase access to produce in both urban and rural environments farming provides communities with a mechanism to farm in controlled environments indoors, while in rural settings, hydroponic as they require fewer natural resources.

Wild Elements is working for a Regenerative Future

In urban areas where there is no land or healthy soil to grow food, hydroponic farms use less land than conventional ones, which helps overused fields regenerate. Hydroponic farms use up to 10 times less water than conventional farms, a benefit in drought-prone areas like California. Growing produce locally is also important as food begins to lose its nutrient-density once it’s harvested. In short, hydroponics is one key way to grow food so it benefits people and the planet.

“At Wild Elements, we’re working for a regenerative future where all living things can thrive.

We can do it with innovative programs like the Hydro-Wild Lab, which merges tech, agriculture, health, education and community empowerment, all in one shipping container.

By growing fresh produce while using less water and less land,

the Hydro-Wild Lab promotes food equity, plant-based nutrition, and sustainable agriculture,

all while investing in one vibrant neighborhood and its urban ecosystem.

Wild Elements is thrilled to partner with our friends at Support and Feed and BGCMLA

to bring this transformative pilot program to the BGCMLA students at the Watts-Willowbrook Clubhouse,”

says Nikki Eslami, Founder & CEO, Wild Elements.

Support + Feed, a non-profit organization created during the pandemic by Maggie Baird (Lifetime Climate Activist, Screenwriter and mother to Billie Eilish and FINNEAS), is partnering with Wild Elements and BGCMLA to introduce the Hydro-Wild Lab, bringing plant-based food and educational resources to today’s youth and local community organizations without access. They focus on working with community innovators that have been doing the work in their city to provide tailored resources that will be most impactful.

Boys-Girls Club- Hydro Wild lab

“Through the power of partnership, we can work together, providing strategies to address existing problems and help change the futures,” says Maggie Baird, Founder & President, Support + Feed. “This exciting step (the Hydro-Wild Lab) goes back to our mission, to support organizers and nonprofits that are already doing great work. When we pool our resources, together we can uplift the community”

Committed to sustainable impact, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles is the result of a partnership unifying Los Angeles’ Boys & Girls Clubs that have been serving youth in the region’s most vulnerable neighborhoods since 1960 including Challengers, Watts/Willowbrook, Bell Gardens, Jordan Downs, and Jordan High School sites.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles offers nationally recognized programs in three core areas to ensure the achievement and empowerment of youth and their families: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles.

“Our Watts community has been long challenged by lack of success,” states Patrick Mahoney, President & CEO Boys & Girls Clubs Metro Los Angeles. “The Hydro-Wild Lab will provide an opportunity BGCMLA youth to grow and consume healthy foods but will also serve as a critical tool for community and family dialogue around creating healthier eating habits. In a community where diabetes has a 72% higher mortality rate than the average community, the Hydro-Wild Lab will serve as a great education and awareness tool that can help save lives.”

The Hydro-Wild Lab is a pilot program that Wild Elements, in partnership with Support + Feed and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles, plans to scale and utilize as a model to bring innovative solutions to other communities nationwide. This educational and collaborative initiative unites the strengths and networks of all three organizations and further expands critical conversations about nutrient dense food access in urban communities.

 

ABOUT WILD ELEMENTS

Wild Elements is an ecosystem of content, community and collective impact building a regenerative future where all kind can thrive. Aiming to reconnect people with nature – to protect biodiversity – Wild Elements champions innovation solutions and inspires our community to take small steps toward personal and planetary wellness. Central to Wild Elements’ mission is its work to shift power and vital resources to women-led environmental solutions driving change. Today’s global traditional philanthropic model only grants .2% of funds to women-led environmental work, yet women are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. To change the game, Wild Elements distributes over 88% of its philanthropic dollars to women-led organizations. Wild Elements believes and invests in shifting narrative through inspiring storytelling to impart empathy and let good grow wild so the whole world will follow. To learn more visit wildelements.com.

 

ABOUT SUPPORT + FEED 

Support + Feed is an intersectional nonprofit organization dedicated to creating an equitable, plant-based food system and combating food insecurity and the climate crisis. Founded in Los Angeles by Maggie Baird, Support + Feed has expanded to ten US cities, worked with over 80 community organizations, and supported local economies across the country. Currently Support + Feed is part of the Happier Than Ever Global Tour which will enable them to expand globally including in the UK and Australia. For more information, visit supportandfeed.org.

 

ABOUT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO LOS ANGELES

The mission of Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Committed to sustainable impact, BGCMLA is the result of a partnership unifying Los Angeles’ Boys & Girls Clubs that have been serving youth in the region’s most vulnerable neighborhoods since 1960 including Challengers, Watts/Willowbrook, Bell Gardens, Jordan Downs, and Jordan High School sites. BGCMLA offers nationally recognized programs in three core areas to ensure the achievement and empowerment of youth and their families: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles. For more information, please visit our website at bgcmla.com.

Historic Laurabelle A. Robinson House in Pasadena!
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Charity Eating & Drinking Hottest News SoCal News

Celebrate the Annual AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival June 5

By Kelsey Ridley — 2 years ago

Celebrate the Annual AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival June 5 in Pasadena, CA.

Come celebrate the AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival presented by CHUBB, a spectacular outdoor gourmet food and drink in-person festival taking place on Sunday, June 5th, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the stunning gardens at the Historic Laurabelle A. Robinson House in Pasadena!

This year’s AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival will bring nearly 400 guests together for one exquisite evening featuring more than 20 top restaurants, cocktail bars, wineries, and breweries and much more.

Some of this year’s AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival Restaurants and Desserts include Alexander’s Steakhouse, El Cholo Café, Gale’s Restaurant, Mi Piace, Porto’s Bakery, Ruth Chris Steak House, Tam O’Shanter, We Olive, Lark Cake Shop, Poppy Cake Bakery Company, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and more.

Related:

Hollywood Bowl is heating up this summer with Boyz II Men & TLC, “Kinky Boots,” Michael Franti, and so much more

Related:  Sustainably Crafted Flor de Caña Rum launches #TogetherForAGreenerFuture 

AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival Drinks

Beverages featured include Cocktails and Spirit Tastings from 1886 at The Raymond, Dulce Vida Tequila, Krafted Spirits, JuneShine, and Golden Road Brewing, along with specially curated Wines. Pasadena’s very own Cerveceria Del Pueblo will also be pouring their distinctive beers showcasing flavors and aromas from South America, and Califia Farms and PepsiCo will be serving non-alcoholic beverages.

Festival Worthy Cause

Proceeds from this year’s AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival presented by CHUBB will directly benefit AbilityFirst which has targeted programming to help an individual successfully transition from childhood to adult life; providing employment preparation, training, and experience; building social connections and independence; and offering both their participants and their caregivers an opportunity to refresh and recharge through their recreational activities.

Related:

LA Phil Introduces Club 101 inaugural membership program for The Hollywood Bowl and The Ford summer seasons

AbilityFirst’s person-centered programs empower individuals to discover what is important to them in their lives, and to develop the skills that are important for them to achieve their goals.

Related:  Eddie Vedder’s Sixth annual Ohana Festival returns in Dana Point Sept 30

AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival Incredible Sponsors

 

Sponsors: Additional sponsors include, Bank of America, GHJ & Advisors, The Hartford, Longo Toyota-Longo Lexus among others.

AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival Tickets

Ticket Information: The AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival will take place on Sunday, June 5th, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Historic Laurabelle A. Robinson House. For more information and to purchase Tickets directly to this year’s AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival, please visit Tickets to AbilityFirst Festival of Fall 2022.

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