In LA there is always an abundance of things to do, and most Angelinos can have their pick. This weekend, the decision is easy with an event that will have it all – art, poetry, music, dancing, comedy, food, and most important – charity.

[Story by Rachel McFarland]

The Second Annual Ellen Art Show, benefiting The Trevor Project, is taking place this Saturday, January 28th from 6pm-2am at the Terrell Moore Gallery in Downtown LA. In true LA fashion, it’s an event that grew out of one man’s quest to realize a dream. Hosted by poet Renda Writer, the show started as a way to help him realize his dream of performing his original poem “Half Hearted” on the Ellen Degeneres show. While Renda still has yet to realize this dream, the event has taken on a life of itself.

A suggested $5 donation at the door will get you entry to the art show, which will showcase over 54 portraits of the daytime talk show host by artists from LA, Miami, NYC and more. The portraits will be auctioned off to benefit The Trevor Project, a charity dedicated to providing suicide prevention and help to LGBTQ youth, and beneficiaries of the popular “It Gets Better” campaign.

The event, also a celebration of the comedienne’s 54th birthday, has a full schedule of musical performances including DJ Maseo of De La Soul, stand up comedy, dance, and special appearances including Phil Varone (of Saigon Kick, formerly of Skid Row) and Dana Barron (“Audrey” from National Lampoon’s “Vacation”), plus vegan food, and beer & wine by donation.

Get there early- there’s even free birthday cake and gift bags for the first 75 attendees. A night full of music, dance, art and charity- what more could you ask for in a night out? Except, perhaps, for Renda’s wish to come true.

More details:
The 2nd Annual Ellen Art Show
Fundraiser for The Trevor Project and Birthday Party for Ellen Degeneres
Saturday, January 28th 2012
6pm-2am
The Terrell Moore Gallery
1221 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015 (213)-744-1999
Featuring:
7:45-8:10pm – Featured Poetry Performance by Renda Writer
8:10-8:15pm – Special Appearance and Stand Up Comedy Performance by Zachary Alexander Rice
8:15-8:45pm – Acoustic performance by Brett Loewenstern, American Idol Season 10 Semi- Finalist
8:45-9:15pm – Open floor for B- boys and B-girls, with feature performances by B-Girl Stellz and friends
9:15-9:30pm – Hella Hung from America’s Got Talent, Last Comic Standing, So You Think You Can Dance
8:45-11:30pm – Opening DJ set by DJ Stevie D
11:30- 1:30am – Music by DJ Maseo of De La Soul
Special Appearances by:
Phil Varone – founding member of Saigon Kick and formerly of Skid Row
Dana Barron- Audrey Griswold from National Lampoon’s “Vacation”, Beverly Hills 90210, Murder She Wrote and more
Laci Kay – Child actress from Modern Family and several television, film and commercial credentials
Tree Man- Anyone who’s ever stepped foot in Venice Beach has probably had ‘a tree awakening.’ Expect more of them at this event!
Christian Calloway – actor with over 25 film appearances
Charyse Monet – Actress, model, hip-hop artist
More details can be found here: Ellen Art Show

(c) Life-is-Awesome.net

__________________