Kitten Rescue hosts its 11th annual Fur Ball at the Skirball gala on September 28th, 2019. Celebrate 22 years of saving lives and simultaneously raise funds to support Kitten Rescue’s lifesaving programs. This year marks the Fur Ball gala’s 11th anniversary. The benefit will feature Mark Thompson (2-time Emmy award-winner, TV news host and voice of American Idol) as host, and will honor Robert “BLASKO” Nicholson.

This elegant evening includes passed appetizers, an open bar, a delicious plant-based dinner, a fabulous silent auction, live entertainment, various award presentations, celebrity guests and some fun surprises. This is one you won’t want to miss!

There are all kinds of great items being auctioned off…such as two Easy Rider prints signed by Peter Fonda, Madonna tickets, Kings tickets next to the players, signed Michael Jordan all star jersey, Ellen tickets, AGT tickets, set visit to Law and Order SVU, and lots more. CLICK Here to bid on items to be auctioned.

Admission ranges from $175 (GA) to $350 (VIP) per person; Sponsored tables are offer as well; CLICK HERE for additional info or to purchase tickets. Find out more about Kitten Rescue…it is a fantastic nonprofit. Please donate if you cannot attend…or do both!!

Fur Ball at the Skirball takes place on Saturday, September 28th from 6–11pm. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049; https://www.skirball.org; https://kittenrescue.org

Visual art has taken Los Angeles by storm in the last decade. LA is now a go-to destination for the arts. On Friday September 27th, the Van Nuys Arts Festival (VNAF) is presented by L.A. City Councilwoman Nury Martinez, along with event Co-producers Fusicology and Dot Red.

Celebrating its third year, this event’s theme is “VNAF: THE GLOW UP” with a focus on the arts, tech, nature and empowerment! “The Van Nuys Arts Festival is a must-attend experience for San Fernando Valley residents and workers looking for the perfect Friday evening break with food, music, art and a whole lot of fun,” said Councilwoman Nury Martinez. “It’s free and it’s creative and I cannot wait to see what our talented artists do with this year’s theme: VNAF: The Glow Up!”

The producers of this year’s events have collaborated with local San Fernando Valley Artists and Arts organizations to help create an inclusive festival. The free event will feature: art, music, food and more.

Jeremy Quant Creative Director, said “This event is about bringing together artists, organizations, businesses, the best of the City’s creatives front and center during one family-friendly night.”

Participating artists are: Debi Cable, Black Light King, and Todd Moyer, to name a few. Glow in the Dark face painting by Nitai Aleksiewicz. Special Live Performance by Selena Quintanilla tribute band Selenamos, alongside DJ & Host DJ Les Ortiz plus performances from The Gr818ers Dance Crew, Champs Charter High School of the Arts & Panorama High School.

One artist Debi Cable said she was looking forward to the annual event. Invited to participate by Creative Director Jeremy Quant, Cable is best known for her fluorescent murals which she hand paints. Her installations are further enhanced by her signature black-light 3D glasses. This will be her first year to exhibit her black light art. “I am always looking forward for an opportunity to share the magic with the Public,” said Cable. “I love to watch generations of families play inside the installations. It seems to create a sense of happiness for all who enter.”

This year’s partners include: LACMA, CSUN Art Department, 11:11 A Creative Collective, CAAM, Discovery Cube LA, MOLAA, Tia Chuchas, Lyft Scooters, Metro, Mission College Art Department, with support from High Tech LA Middle School & Vista Middle School and Sports Medicine Magnet.

While at the festival, attendees can visit information booths: Presenter Nury Martinez’s CD6, 2020 Census, City of Los Angeles Office of Wage Standards, Girls Athletic Leadership School, LADOT Transit, Los Angeles Public Library, Office of The City Clerk Election Division, along with a great selection of vendors + food trucks.

The Van Nuys Arts Festival takes place on Friday, September 27, 2019, 5:00pm — 9:00pm, at the Van Nuys Civic Center, 14410 Sylvan Street, LA, 91401. Register HERE to attend for this FREE event. For more info, visit the Facebook Event Page. Special thanks to the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

By

• Leslie Reed, Art Consultant

Photo by Paiwei Wei, Last year’s red carpet LLS Fundraising event at the Upper West,

It’s the biggest night of the year for film, why not make a difference and support a great cause at the same time? Help to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by attending an Oscar Watch party at the Upper West Restaurant.

The Santa Monica restaurant is excited to host this event for the sixth year in a row. Sara Fay and Chrystine Garner are co-presenting the Oscars Party with The Upper West. Both work with the organization via the Team In Training and run marathons to raise money for LLS. Fay first approached the Upper West six years ago. Over the years, several other volunteers have co-presented the annual event and helped her with the many preparations. She has been the constant presenter and has kept it moving forward with much success.

It is Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s goal to create a world free of blood cancer. The organization has been a part of major breakthroughs in research and treatment. While the devastating disease is still here, LLS offers a brighter future for patients dealing with this debilitating disease. LLS continues the fight and strives to offer a higher chance of survival.

Fay tells us….”Chrystine and I are really excited to host the Oscars Watch Party this year. The Upper West is an amazing partner — it’s been six great years of celebrating the movies and raising thousands of dollars to save lives and support important research for blood cancer cures.

Watch the Oscar’s in good company, while indulging in delicious cuisine. The party begins at 4:30pm. Arrive early to get your photo on the red carpet (wear your Oscar best attire)…enter the Oscar predictions contest. There will be prizes and a silent auction. Fay continued, “We have a bunch of prizes this year, from Soulcycle classes to local bakery gift certificates and we’ve also got theme park tickets too.” Guests watch the live broadcast of the show projected on the wall of the private dining room. Enjoy drinks and appetizers, or entrees from the menu. All will be available for purchase from the Upper West.

Come to the Upper West Oscar Watch party on February 24th. The Upper West is located at 3321 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica. Call to make a reservation 310.586.1111, or visit the website for more info whttp://www.theupperwest.com/. If you cannot attend the event, please donate to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society https://www.lls.org/

— Published on February 21, 2019

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Hollywood’s elite gather at AC Gallery on February 13th through 17th for the 2nd annual Art in LA AfFAIR. Set in the heart of Hollywood, expect to see Acelebrities and mingle with talented artists who have come together for this annual venture showcasing over forty artists working in contemporary fine art in its 4,000 square foot gallery space.

After the success of its most recent art fair, just a week ago, gallery owner Carlos Benitez is excited for the next one. “AC Gallery’s third annual LA Miami art show opened last week and more than capacity crowd was treated to a spectacular event. In addition to the works of art from artists in many genres, guests were treated to live music, performance art and Kombucha, which was provided by GTS.”

This year’s second annual Art in LA AfFair 2019 is presented in partnership with artnet and Artsy and will take place concurrently with Frieze Los Angeles, Felix LA. The pre-Valentine’s Day opening art party will be hosted by actress Anna Kulinova of the Valentine’s Day movie at AC Gallery in Hollywood. The VIP ticketed event runs from 8–11pm and will feature red carpet arrivals, appetizers and an open bar. See below for admission cost, etc.

When asked about last year’s event, Benitez said. “The past Art in LA AfFair red carpet premier night drew award winners from film and television, number-one Billboard recording artists, famed producers and directors all showed up to lend support to the rising visual artists of the time, grant red carpet interviews, and enjoyed the live music and sculpture garden.”

This year’s art fair brings together all types of media such as Abstract, Art Objects, Conceptual, Craft, Minimalist, Photography, Pop art, Representational, Sculpture and Works on paper with limited edition prints and artist merchandise. An extensive range of art at varying price points will make ownership of emerging artists’ work more accessible to all visitors and collectors.

Benitez added “LA AfFair 2019 will showcase paintings of WARHOL by KAREN BYSTEDT and Brayden Bugazzi, BASQUIAT and Velveteria Museum of Velvet Paintings as seen on Anthony Bourdain, Tonight Show, CBS Sunday Morning, New York Times and Wall Street Journal, all available to collect.”

Los Angeles multi-media artist Brayden Bugazzi will be participating in this year’s LA AfFair 2019. He collaborated with established photographer Karen Bystedt via her Lost Warhol Series. The work entitled “The Game Changer” has been seen internationally and will be on view during the fair.

This will be the first time Bugazzi will be exhibiting in LA AfFair 2019, but he has previously worked with Benitez on previous projects. He was impressed with him. “He is a good guy, he turned a small print shop into a contender in art around Hollywood, and if he wasn’t popping up with ideas for things I could do with my artworks, I may have lost some momentum a few years back. For example, when he added the location near the Walk of the Stars, I did my Monroe artwork with the plan to spin it into the Mural that is on the side of his gallery.”

Bugazzi added that he has noticed most galleries, and curators are not very friendly to emerging artists…”I am not sure if they are just cut throat business people that don’t really care much about people that won’t feed their bottom line in the first moment of meeting them, but Carlos is very approachable, and that is refreshing in this business. Look for Bugazzi’s new interactive series and take photos…created specifically for the Art in LA AfFAIR. Find out about artist Brayden Bugazzi, on his website https://braydenart.com

Don’t miss the VIP opening party hosted by actress Anna Kulinova of the Valentine’s Day movie. Arrive early to watch Hollywood personalities walk the red carpet while enjoying appetizers and an open bar. Admission is $50 per person for the opening night gala which includes entry into the art fair during the weekend. Tickets can also be purchase for the art fair (Thurs-Sunday) for $10. Show hours are 11am to 4pm throughout the weekend. Visit the website for additional info and to purchase tickets. https://www.artinla.us

Each year all the merchants get involved. Locals come out to mingle and ring in the holiday season. Retailers offer all sorts of deals plus many give away cookies, cider, etc. Check Montana Avenue’s instagram as there will be a contest — post a pix of the grinch, with what street you found him on, and tag @montanaavesm — you will automatically be entered. There will be a Disney Princess Caroling group as well. Montana Avenue supports local schools by partnering them to help raise funds. Many of the students will participate in the event.

The Off Their Jingle Bell Rockers will be performing holiday classics, plus their own original songs. This zany group of professional performers have been caroling together for the past fourteen years. You can find the Off Their Jingle Bell Rockers on the south side of Montana Ave …between 6 and 17th streets.

Texture a wonderful assortment of sweaters, cardigans, pullovers, in both bright and muted colors, tweedy solids to polka dot. It also sells beautiful one-of-a-kind scarves. TEXTURE: the Sweater Store & More,716 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA; (310) 393–0707; See FB page.

Ten Women on Montana is an artist’s co-operative gallery showcasing local artists. Enjoy specials and light refreshments. Ten Women Gallery, 1128 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; 310–393–6254;

On the North side of the street…heading east, you come to Exir (1134 Montana Avenue). Tonight, enjoy a special performance by the children of Chord 2 Cure, a non-profit organization benefiting pediatric cancer research. Be sure to stop by to see a performance by these amazing kids.

Back on the south side…If you haven’t been to Le Macaron…you will love these delicate sweets. Le Macaron is located at 1301 Montana Avenue at the corner of Euclid.

Ama Asamoah is the manager of Jigsaw’s operations for Southern California, and re-located from London a year ago.

This year, Jigsaw will be collaborating with Five Senses Tastings and hosting a pop-up event. Participants will taste the clothing (yes I said taste). Paired with chocolate, wine, cheese, and music, the experience is meant to include all five senses. Jigsaw is also running a sale (up to 50% off) on selected accessories for this special night. Jigsaw, 1409 Montana Avenue.

Kiehl’s on Montana is participating this year with 20% all purchases for Montana Walk only! This old-world apothecary was founded 165 years ago in New York’s East Village neighborhood. Stop in to purchase these most loved products at great prices for your loved ones. They make for great stocking stuffers. Kiehl’s on Montana, 1516 Montana Avenue.

Head to 16th Street…and you will find a three piece band called the Ledbetter Blues Band near Citron Santa Monica, located at 1615 Montana Ave. Blending old school blues with a modern funky energy, Ledbetter Blues Band knows how to turn up the heat.

Front man Louis Ledbetter has the blues running through his veins. The great grandson of Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter, he’s been playing the blues as long as he can rememer. In 2017, Ledbetter joined pro musicians Erick Brassfield and Rick Bryan to form the Ledbetter Blues Band. Check out the Ledbetter Blues Band FB Page.

Don’t forget to stop into L’Oliphant for some cookies and enjoy 20% off of most items. L’Oliphant 1621 Montana Avenue. So come on out play on Saturday, December 8th, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Find out more about the merchants of Montana Avenue on the website http://montanaave.com

“The key to this auction is it offers high quality at all price points. It does not have to be expensive to be high quality,” said Robert Berman, owner of SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS.

Berman has been a respected art dealer for the past forty years. He encourages collectors to come in (both new and seasoned) and speak with him or his staff…ask questions prior to the event. “At this auction the public will find everything from easy abstractions to the most sophisticated collectible rare and sort after works such as Bruce Conner, Robert Longo, and Ed Moses.”

Artworks by Andy Warhol are always a popular auction item. Art lovers can bid on one of Warhol’s most collected series of Chairman Mao (Mao Tse Tung, 1972). “It’s a beautiful print, said Berman. “It’s the kind of work that is both filled with irony humor and art history…It is the type of work that people collect, not only for America, but around the world.”

Two amazing Carlos Almaraz oil paintings are also up for auction (one directly from his monumental retrospective at LACMA). Almaraz is the most collected of the Chicano artists. Berman added that he sold a pastel at his last auction for a record price.

This auction took roughly six months to curate and features works by Francis Bacon, Carlos Almaraz, David Choe, Nicole Eisenman, Shepard Fairey, Philip Guston, Keith Haring, Robert Heinecken, David Hockney, Craig Kaufman, Ed Moses, Patrick Nagel, Alex Prager, Ed Ruscha, Frank Stella, Ernest Trova, etc.

Berman said he was excited to share a work by one of the amazing artists of the twentieth century…Francis Bacon. “This artist’s paintings have sold for more than any other artists at auction, over $145 million dollars. He has made very few large (over-sized) hand pulled stoned lithographs, and we have one.”

He continued, “Some of his work is too graphic for most people, but this 1971 lithograph (50 x 45 inches) is quite special… the gesture of a bull fighter playing off the force and movement of the bull is magnificent.”

Start your art collection now. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, on Sunday, May 6th at 1pm…SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS is the place to be. Stop in during business hours Tuesday through Saturday to view the full collection. There will be a late night preview on Saturday May 5th, 2018 until 8pm; Visit the online catalog on the website. Online (smauctions.com) bidding is also available through Liveauctioneers.com and BidSquare.com

View a video showing works to be auctioned HERE. SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS is located at Bergamot, 2525 Michigan Ave, Suites A5 & B7, Santa Monica, CA 90404; http://www.smauctions.com/

This is your chance to visit exceptional architecture by Frank Gehry, Daniel Monti/Modal Design, Steven Shortridge Architects, Jennifer Siegal/OMD, MINARC, Kulapat Yantrasast/wHY Architecture.

The Venice Design Series showcases unique talents and artistic visions to inspire and spark your imagination. The events take place in Venice, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Rustic Canyon, Downtown Los Angeles and Hancock Park through May 19th. The events benefit Venice Community Housing (vhcorps.org), a 30-year-old nonprofit organization providing housing and services to low income residents on the Westside of Los Angeles.

Each of the customized events in the series presents a unique blend of architecture, cuisine, design, art and performance for a private and personal experience. Tickets are on sale now.

For more information about the Venice Design Series, call Linda Lucks at 310–526–3857, Llucks@vchcorp.org and visit http://venicedesignseries.org