All posts by Donny Bennartz

Prom Gala- A Night Under the Stars

The “She Ready” Foundation held their first annual “Adult Prom” to create awareness and raise funds for the foundation that addresses Foster Care by distributing much needed funding for scholarships, luggage, internships and many other opportunities.

Tiffany knows all too well what it is like being in foster care as she, herself experienced it as a child growing up and with the “She Ready” foundation, she is doing her part to assist and make things a little brighter for those in now similar situations.
It was a night of dancing, performances and dreams as the foundation raised much needed funds to support their mission. For more information or to donate to this organization, visit www.shereadyfoundation.org

Gilda Garza Exhibition

Artist Gilda Garza displayed her “Kings and Queens” art collection at Winn Slavin Fine Art Gallery in Beverly Hills during the annual “Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration” on November 17, 2022.

Born and raised in Mexico, Gilda is a self taught artist with displays in multiple galleries worldwide. A percentage of her art sales are gifted to the “World Woman Foundation” and to date she has donated $80,000 to this foundation in an effort to encourage and support female artists.

Gilda and former Mayor of LA, Antonio Villaraigosa

Gilda Garza’s art can be viewed at GildaGarza.com

Gilda, with one of her pieces of her Kings and Queens collection

Gilda’s work can be viewed at GildaGarza.com

Music, food and festivities were in full force on Rodeo Drive to celebrate the annual kickoff of the Holiday season. Adults and children were offered many options for entertainment and drew the expected large crowd. After surviving the difficult days of year’s past, it was a welcome and refreshing experience to put that in the rear view mirror and anticipate the blessed holiday season.

4th annual ‘Miracles for Kids’ Golf invitational

The Santa Ana Country Club was the location for the “Miracles for Kids” annual invitational golf tournament on Monday, July 25. Miracles for Kids is a foundation dedicated to funding programs for families in need with critically ill children.

As well as a competitive round of golf, prizes also included a $1M Shootout, $5000 putting contest, $5000 Hole In One package, chipping clinic, longest drive contest and a 9th hole party station with tequila and tacos. Sponsored by Perricone Farms, Tito’s Vodka, Urban Golf Performance, Fletcher Jones Motorcars and many more, many opportunities to win prizes were available to all participants.

Autumn Strier, Co founder and CEO of Miracles for Kids
Carts ready for play
crew prepares bunker

Founded in 2002, Miracles for Kids creates stability for families that are struggling with the financial and emotional challenges of caring and providing while their child fights critical illness.

A participant tees off

A day of golf and a provided breakfast and lunch provided participants a day of gratitude for themselves and a much needed gift to those who need it most.

2nd Annual “Fashion with a purpose” fashion shOw

Grand Hope Park in downtown Los Angeles was the location for the 2nd annual “Fashion with a Purpose” fashion show presented by Rionel Fisher and Tamela Robinson-Fisher of Restored Reflections.

Hosted by KJLH radio personality Tammi Mac, the event took place on June 25, 2022.

The event’s goal is to use fashion to spotlight entrepreneurship and bring awareness to our at-risk, inner city youth and young adults. Proceeds from the event support Restored Reflections, a non profit that provides economic impact training, education and community development to youth and young adults.

The Red Carpet was followed by the fashion show which included designers Blue Strips, Doll Pieces, Filters, Hooded Faith, TrendiReds and Mad Clothing. Fashion accessories, food and drink among other things were available at many kiosks throughout the park.

“Back to Lyla” release

1091 Pictures and Foster Peoductions is to release “Back to Lyla” on June 28, 2022.

The film will be released on several Video on Demand platforms including Amazon, iTunes, Direct TV and many others. Directed by America Young and starring Hassie Harrison and Gonzalo Martin with strong support from Emma Kenney, Tracie Thoms and Chris Lee.

Described as a romantic comedy, the film tells the story of a young man who discovers he may soon die and finds comfort in a group of childhood friends who accompany him on a journey to find closure after the love of his life “Lyla” has moved on.

4th Annual Griot Gala Oscars After Party

The 4th Annual Griot Gala was held on March 27th at the famous BOA Steakhouse on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, many celebrities walked the red carpet while many more attended the after party inside.


Designed and produced by Dwight Eubanks and Annette Bibby Oliver of Dreamhouse MBG, beautiful design surrounded the red carpet as well as transformed the interior of BOA Steakhouse where the after party continued well into the evening.

Honorees for the evening’s event were Phylicia Rashad of “The Cosby Show”, Cheech Marin of “Cheech and Chong” and Renee Lawless of “The Haves and Have Nots”.

Walking the red carpet were Debbie Allen, William Stanford (Abbot Elementary), Taja V. Simpson (The Oval), CJ Franco (HBO MAX), Meosha Davis, Megan Pormer (FOX TV Host), Kizzo, Caitlin O’Connor (model and actress), Petri Hawkins-Byrd (Judge Judy), Daniele Lawson (King Richard) and many more. Griot Gala attracts more attention and grows by the year, promising a bigger and brighter next year on Oscar night.

Ugly sweater after party

An “Ugly Sweater” after party for OxeFit, hosted by NBA player Dwight Howard and arranged by PR Firm Jade Umbrella was held at SOHO Warehouse in Los Angeles following the Lakers/Suns game on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.

VIP attendees were encouraged to wear their ugliest Christmas sweaters and many walked the red carpet showing off their hideous attire, some simply wowed with their individual style.


VIP attendees walking the red carpet included, Tara V. Simpson (BET’s “The Oval , Caitlin O’Connor, Newton Mayage (HBO’s “Winning Time”, George Daniels, Austin Dotson, Amin Joseph (FX’s “Snowfall”, Jimmie Allen (CMA’s “New Artist of the Year”, Anis Maknojia (Actor/Producer), Lamar Odom and Rab Shanabeh (Chairman and CEO of OxeFit).

Rab Shanableh
Caitlin O’Connor

Jimmie Allen

Celebrating the launch of OxeFit commercial use unit as well as OxeFit’s XS1 home fitness unit, all proceeds from event helped fund “Shields for Families”, a non profit organization that serves high risk families in South Los Angeles. Visit ShieldsforFamilies.com for more information.


Actor/Producer Anis Maknojia

Music was spun by DJ Millie, DJ Kayla Collins, DJ Cassidy and DJ Drama with an open bar and appetizers for all attendees. A beautiful night for an ugly sweater during holiday season in Los Angeles.

Popovich:Road to hollywood

On Sunday, September 5, 2021 the world premiere of Popovich: Road to Hollywood was presented during the “Dances with Films” film festival held at TCL Chinese Theater.
The film stars Gregory Popovich, animal rights activist, producer and lifelong advocate of animal rights, along with Robin Slomina , Shannon Calcutt, Voki Kalfayan, Jimmy Slomina and Rex, the rescued dog also starring in the film.

Gregory Popovich performed tricks with his pets before the screening and attendants gave rave reviews for the film after its premiere. On an extremely hot day in Hollywood, a brief but extreme downpour of cats and dogs cooled off the day for all who attended.

La Jolla International Fashion Film Fest

The 12th annual La Jolla International Fashion Film Fest was held at The Lot in La Jolla, California on July 23rd and 24th, 2021.
With designers, models, filmmakers and more the red carpet was festive and colorful, followed by screenings of the top films and awards presented to the artists making them possible.




Several performances by music artists and dance innovators took place on the red carpet itself between guest arrivals as attendees sipped their favorite libations on a warm day by the ocean. Local and worldwide media covered this festive annual event and needless to say, a great time was had by all. Exposing the world to films, design and imagination in the realm of fashion is at the core of this event and La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival shines a bright spotlight on just that.

GUARDaHEART Foundation Presents Unmasked Heart Disease Featuring DIABETESpredict.

GUARDaHEART Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fighting heart disease with the mission: “LEARN. DETECT. PREVENT.” GUARDaHEART works with strategic partners, healthcare providers, and other non-profit organizations to promote awareness through education and risk detection tools, to ultimately empower preventative action and reduce the risk of heart disease worldwide.

DIABETESPredict is an advanced genetic testing for the prevention of diabetes. DIABETESpredict is a laboratory test that provides a high-sensitivity and high-specificity evaluation of the genetic predisposition to develop diabetes.

PULS Cardiac Test is a simple, non-invasive blood test that predicts the likelihood of a patient having a heart attack within the next five years. It works by detecting the true leading cause of heart attacks: Unstable Cardiac Lesion Ruptures. PULS Cardiac Test Wins 2016 Diamond ABBY Award for Innovation in Healthcare.  Dr. Douglas H. Harrington is the inventor of the PULS Cardiac Test.  A complimentary PULS Cardiac Test was made available to any guest that wished to take the test at the event. 

Douglas S. Harrington, MD will speak about DIABETESpredict and PULS Cardiac Test. Dr. Harrington is the Chairman of the GUARDaHEART Foundation and a Fellow of the American Society of Preventive Cardiology and the American Society of Clinical Pathology. 

Estrella Harrington (Founder of GUARDaHEART Foundation), Dr. Douglas S. Harrington (Chairman of the GUARDaHEART Foundation, Fellow of the American Society of Preventive Cardiology), Braunwyn Windham-Burke (RHOC), Richard Nevels (Actor/ HBO’s Insecure), Jeremy Miller (Actor/ Growing Pains), Ryan James (Actor/ Amazon Prime’s The Underground Railroad), Deja Mattox, (Plays Savannah in Disney ‘Big Shot”), Dave Meadows (Military Navy SEAL, Producer), Simon Lunche (Music Artist), CC Perkinson (Lifetime actress, NBC reality star, Professional Jockey), Nimi Adokiye (Actress, Bob Hearts Abishola), Annie Nelson (Author & Founder of American Soldier Network), Dusty Lang (Six Gun Sal, Southern Rock Band -Rhythm Guitarist), Matt Geinitz, (six Gun Sal, Southern Rock Band-Bassplayer), Juliet Ramos (Model), Neil D’Monte (Actor Storyboard Artist), Michelle Ware, D.0. (Board Certified Physician, Owner of Los Feliz MedSpa), Tom Hallick (Young & Restless), Jane Galloway, (Dr Jane Galloway Founder of T.R.I.B.E.), Anthony Pazos (WE tv’s L.A. Hair,) attended or were expected to attend.

The event took place at a private residence in Newport Beach with drinks, heart healthy food and entertainment provided. Snacking and drinking libations while overlooking the bay filled with yachts, all while supporting good health is an ideal way to spend a Saturday in Southern California.