On Saturday September 24th, the Los Angeles Music and Art School held its annual Stars for the Arts Gala in its very own performance space - Courtyard Stage! At this event, donors, family, and friends of the school gathered for an evening of philanthropy and improvisational comedy in celebration of the organization’s successful year.
The event began with an in-person Silent Auction that coincided with an online auction open to the public days before. The stacked auction included big ticket items such as a 3 day stay at a Mexican villa, two tickets to the Dodgers Opening Day, signed Jackass memorabilia and so much more!
As the Silent Auction came to a close, attendees took their seats for dinner and a one-of-a-kind show by LA’s premiere Latinx improv comedy team, Spanish Aqui Presents. The team, comprised of Carlos Santos, Raiza Licea and Tony Rodriguez, conducted interviews with LAMusArt students Ayden Luna and Raymah Carlos, and performed an entirely improvised show based on the interviews with the kids. Later, comedian, writer and actor, Danielle Perez (from notable shows such as Russian Doll, Special and Curb Your Enthusiasm), performed a memorable stand-up set that inspired Spanish Aqui Present’s second half. Members of the esteemed team were honored with the Creative Paths Awards for their work in amplifying voices of color in the entertainment industry.
The evening closed with a word from LAMusArt Board President, Cynthia Pearson, who gave a special thank you to former Executive Director, Manuel Prieto, and asked for attendees support for the following year to come. All proceeds from the event will provide need-based, year-long scholarships for students enrolled in music, art, dance and drama programs, and will sustain our Tuition-Free Music Ensemble programs.
The Los Angeles Music and Art School would like to thank all who attended and supported us including our amazing auction donors - In-N-Out, Santa Barbara Zoo, Universal Studios Hollywood, The Huntington, Chipotle, Oriental Trading, Pasadena Symphony, Pressed Juicery, Sayulita Villa Amor, Chulita, Glo, Malibu Wine Hikes, Jane Castruccio, Tatania Minguet, Crepes and Grapes, Gorilla Flicks, Halper Fine Art and Noé Piña - and our incredible sponsors - The Jo Mitchell Foundation, Jane and Lou Castruccio, The Minguet Family, Brenden Schaefer, Mattel, Crepes and Grapes, Union Bank, Bank of Hope, Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP, Lucas Horsfall, Colburn Foundation, Albertsons, TELACU, Capital Group, Sarinotex and Overton, Lyman & Prince LLP for making this event possible! Thank you for supporting Creative Paths to Creative Futures.
