All posts by Dustin Brown

I am the Senior Editor at HollywoodPressCorps.com.

Watch Electro/Synth Group LEX Perform July 1 At LA Theater Center

June 27, 2015 Dustin Brown Leave a comment

LEX–the Los Angeles group who fuse their synth-heavy sound with old school disco beats–will perform an avant-garde fantasy show on Wednesday, July 1 at the Los Angeles Theater Center (514 S. Spring St. Downtown LA 90013; www.thelatc.org/upcoming-shows/lex-showcase-3). The one-night-only performance will feature lighting and stage design from Martin Phillips (Daft Punk) and costumes from the Zamora Sisters.

LEX will perform their self-released their self-titled debut EP, produced by longtime Daft Punk engineer Peter Franco. Franco–who engineered Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories and won the 2014 Grammy Award for “Best Engineered Album” as well as “Record of The Year” for “Get Lucky”–helped hone their synth-heavy sound.

Listen to new songs “Beam” and “Stare” on BUZZBANDS.LA

The Los Angeles-based foursome–ALEXIS (vocals, synthesizers), LP (synthesizers), LICIA (bass, synthesizers) and J (drums)–create their modern electro-pop sounds by using all analog vintage synthesizers, and everything is executed live during their performance–without backing tracks or computers onstage.

DATE:
Wednesday, July 1
LOS ANGELES THEATER CENTER
514 S. Spring St.
Downtown LA 90013
8:00pm (Show starts)

Listen to the LEX EP on SoundCloud
Listen to LEX on YouTube
FOR MORE LEX
www.EXPERIENCELEX.com

Dustin Brown

I am the Senior Editor at HollywoodPressCorps.com.

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Food and Wine

5th ANNUAL LOS ANGELES FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL RETURNS AUGUST 27-30, 2015

June 26, 2015 Dustin Brown Leave a comment

Michelin starred honorees, James Beard Award winners, Food & Wine Best New Chefs, and 200 wineries, will once again converge on the City of Angels during the annual epicurean jubilee produced by Coastal Luxury Management.

LA Food and Wine Festival in downtown Los Angeles

WHAT: The fifth annualLos Angeles Food & Wine Festival, presented with founding partnersFOOD & WINE and Lexus, is set to feature three-nights and four-days of unrivalled tastings, dinners, lunches, seminars, book signings, cooking demonstrations, and special events, showcasing the finest in food and drink culture.

In past years, the star-studded lineup has included celebrated chefs such as Daniel Boulud, Curtis Stone, Giada De Laurentiis, Rick Bayless, Wolfgang Puck, Nancy Silverton, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Thomas Keller, Roy Choi, Michael Chiarello, Michael Voltaggio, Robert Irvine, Guy Fieri, Fabio Viviani, andGraham Elliot, as well as local favorites includingTim Hollingsworth, Michael Cimarusti, Suzanne Goin, Ludo Lefebvre, Jon Shookand Vinny Dotolo, Jessica Koslow, Ari Taymor, Ori Menashe, Josef Centeno, Sang Yoon, Ben Ford, andRay Garcia, to name a few.

Marquee events slated to return includeLive on Grand,Asian Night Market, the Power Lunch series, exclusive chef collaboration meals, andlive musical performances from award-winning artists.

The Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival has supported Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, St. Vincent Meals on Wheels and other L.A. based charitable endeavors.

In the next several weeks, the festival will be announcing confirmed programming and participants for 2015. Please continue to checkwww.LAFW.com for updates!

WHEN: Thursday, August 27 through Sunday, August 30, 2015

WHERE: Headquartered in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, with main events directly in front of the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall (with closures along Grand Avenue, between 1st and 3rd street),the 5th annual Los Angeles Food & Wine festival will also feature tastings, dinners, lunches, seminars, cooking demonstrations, and special events located across parts of greater Los Angeles including Downtown, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Hollywood, and more.

PHOTOS: Images of the Los Angeles Food & Wine festival (2014), for pre-event coverage, are available to view.

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SOCIAL MEDIA: www.lafw.com

Facebook (@lafoodwine)
Twitter (@lafoodwine)
Instagram (@lafoodwine)
Pinterest (@lafoodwine)
#lafoodwine

MEDIA CREDENETIALS/REQUESTS: Please continue to regularly check www.LAFW.com for updates on programming, and access to media credential request forms. For any specific inquiries, please emailalex@wagstaffworldwide.com and vanessa@wagstaffworldwide.com

Dustin Brown

I am the Senior Editor at HollywoodPressCorps.com.

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Food and Wine, Guest blogs

Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival

June 25, 2015 Dustin Brown Leave a comment

Guest blog from Monica G.
Her review about LA Food and Wine Festival.

The Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival was Fabulous!
Guests had the opportunity to taste celebrity chef’s food bits around the world creations and try different types of wine. They were beef, salmon, pork, crab, salad, fruit creations, desserts, and let’s not forget the wine. My favorite food of Sunday night (and there were many) was Chef Chad Coby. Chef Colby made this awesome pasta with cream sauce and chicken which was DELICIOUS! This “fat” girl went back to his station three (3) yes I said it three times! I couldn’t contain my food cravings. Then toward the end of the night, Chef Colby made this awesome dessert (a type of custard). As I ventured to other food stations, with wine of course, I tried Adrian Giese (Mastro’s Steakhouse Chef) steak. As you all know, this is a FABOULOUS steakhouse, which I had the opportunity to dine at the restaurant in Costa Mesa (it is pricey, however well worth the dining experience). Let’s just say I went back for more steak a few times, as it was cooked medium rare and oh so juicy with a little spice. Bravo Chef Giese! Anytime you need me to sample your new ideas, I am here for you! I encountered another Chef, John Cox who was very funny, (can you believe I tried to sneak to the front of the line?) well the line was long so I had to investigate right? Chef Cox stated, well you have to wait like everyone else, but if you tweet me, I may just “consider” letting you in front. Well let’s just say, I had to go back to the end of the line, but it was well worth the wait, it was DELICIOUS and went back to the end while eating the beef for more. No need to say where’s the beef as it was right there! Next was Joseph Conrad (Bourbon Steak) which was very good. I am going to travel to Glendale, just to try more bourbon steak. Lastly, there were all types of wine. My favorite wine of the night was from Kracher of Austria. I couldn’t get enough of this wine, it was sweet and tasty! Last but not least, “Common” the rapper and actor closed the wine festival with a spectacular musical performance! Everyone was dancing, even an older couple I met!

Well everyone this is my very first blog as the talk show host, Wendy Williams always state “Say It Like You Mean it”, and I did. Until next time, as I sing Diana Ross “I’m coming out” as a blogger that is!

Peace, Love and Blessings!

Monica G.

Dustin Brown

I am the Senior Editor at HollywoodPressCorps.com.

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Red Carpet, Special Events

Actress and Journalist Vida Ghaffari Given Award by West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce

June 20, 2015 Dustin Brown Leave a comment

On June 18, 2015, grant and award-winning journalist, talented actress and voiceover artist, Vida Ghaffari, received a special honor for her career achievements by the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce at Delphi Greek Restaurant.

Roozbeh Farahanipour, the Chamber’s President and the owner/operator of popular Delphi Greek restaurant, which is located at 1383 Westwood Boulevard, bestowed this honor upon HPC’s own Vida, who is quite the roving reporter and working actress and voiceover artist extraordinaire! This multi-talented artist received a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the City of Los Angeles for all her hard work and dedication to the city, which was signed by 5th District Councilmember Paul Koretz. In addition to the Chamber holding this event in her honor, she also received an honorary membership to the Chamber. “I was truly honored by Roozbeh and the Chamber to receive this incredible commendation, especially as it’s one of the largest and oldest Chambers in Southern California. There is a real sense of community here and the Chamber does such a great job in fostering that community. I’ve covered their events for a while and it’s a great thing to see as a journalist in such a vast metropolis like Los Angeles,” said Vida.

Vida is all smiles on the red carpet. Her gown was designed by Edison Cortez of http://thomasandedison.com. Hair by Drybar and Makeup by Blushington. Shoes by Enzo Angiolini. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages

Vida receives her commendation from the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. From left to right: Vice President Steve Little, President Roozbeh Farahanipour, Phil Bennett of the City of Los Angeles, Vida, and Elham Yaghoubian, human rights activist, author and handbag designer, and Board Member of the Chamber at the Ceremony. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages.

“When it comes time to honor one of their own, the West Los Angeles City Of Commerce picked the perfect choice. Hollywood stars, as well as, many of LA’s top creative and business icons came out to support and celebrate the amazing, Vida Ghaffari. The Delphi Greek Restaurant in Westwood was literally “standing room only” with those of us who were there to show our love and appreciation for Vida…actress, writer, journalist, and someone who is very community-minded,” said acclaimed actress Suze Lanier-Bramlett.

Vida_suze — Vida with acclaimed actress and good friend, Suze Lanier-Bramlett. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages

Royal Flair...Qajar Princess Mandana Farman Farmaian with Vida, who also has some relation to the Qajar dynasty on her mom's side and her father's ancestors advised that monarchy. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages — Royal Flair…Qajar Princess HRH Mandana Farman Farmaian with Vida, who also has some relation to the Qajar dynasty on her mom’s side and her father’s ancestors advised that monarchy. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages

Actress Reatha Grey waves to the cameras. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages

Vida with Young and the Restless star Kate Linder. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages

In addition to distinguished Chamber members and government officials, numerous acclaimed celebrities friends of Vida’s appeared to support her event such as legendary Oscar winner Margaret O’Brien (Meet Me in St.. Louis, Little Women), President of the Southern California Motion Picture Council and actor Randal Malone (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dahmer vs. Gacy),legendary character actor James Hong (Kung Fu Panda 3, Mulan), Kate Linder (The Young and The Restless), Reatha Grey (Off Their Rockers, legendary Iranian actress Apick Youssefian (The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam, Cry of the Village), lifetime member of the Actors Studio Ford Austin (Pearl Harbor, Another World ), Suze Lanier-Bramlett (The Hills Have Eyes, Area 51), Anthony Azizi (Septembers of Shiraz, American Odyssey), and Film Composer David Raiklen (Mia, A Dancer’s Journey, Space Command Redemption). Because of Vida’s long standing relationship with the fashion community, designers such as Shekhar Rahate, Julia Clancey, Rita Mezrahi of Claires Collections, and up-and-coming designer Yuki Yim attended to show their support. This star-studded event also had a regal air with royalty such as HH Prince Maximillian Ferdinand Von Anhalt of Germany, HH Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg Lippe, Nachod of Germany, and HRH Qajar Persian Princess Mandana FarmanFarmaian in attendance. Other VIPs that atteneded were city officials, along with well regarded international, national and local media.

Vida with noted actor Anthony Azizi. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages

Actor David Banks, Entertainment Attorney Nadia Davari, Vida, actor Ford Austin, Legendary Oscar-winning actress Margaret O'Brien and actor Randal Malone at The West Los Angeles Chamber Of Commerce's Ceremony Honoring Actress/journalist Vida Ghaffari held at Delphi Greek Restaurant. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images — Actor David Banks, Entertainment Attorney Nadia Davari, Vida, actor Ford Austin, Legendary Oscar-winning actress Margaret O’Brien and actor Randal Malone at The West Los Angeles Chamber Of Commerce’s Ceremony Honoring Actress/journalist Vida Ghaffari held at Delphi Greek Restaurant. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

Iconic character actors Ken Davitian and James Hong with Vida. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages

Vida with budding fashion designer Yuki Yim. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages

Vida puckers up to a crystal embellished minaudiere "Paulo the Parrot" clutch by Judith Leiber. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages — Vida puckers up to a crystal embellished minaudiere “Paulo the Parrot” clutch by Judith Leiber. Photo courtesy of Albert L. Ortega/GettyImages

In addition to being a very successful and prolific journalist, Vida is best known for her appearances on the television comedies, Mind of Mencia and The Mindy Project. She will soon be seen in the films Pond Scum, Natural Born Filmmakers, Seeking Valentina and Strangers in a Book, which will screen at popular film festivals such as the FANtastic Film Festival and the Action on Film Festival. She is also about to host an exclusive launch event for her own blog about entertainment and fashion, www.soveryvida.com.

Dustin Brown

I am the Senior Editor at HollywoodPressCorps.com.

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Fashion, Special Events

Actress and Journalist Vida Ghaffari to be honored by West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce

June 17, 2015 Dustin Brown 2 Comments

On June 18, 2015, grant and award-winning journalist and talented actress and voiceover artist, Vida Ghaffari, will receive a special honor for her career achievements by the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce at Delphi Greek Restaurant

Actress Cida Ghaffari on the red carpet — Actress Vida Ghaffari on the red carpet

June 16, 2015 – WESTWOOD, Calif. — Roozbeh Farahanipour, The Chamber’s President and the owner of Delphi Greek, which is located at 1383 Westwood Boulevard, will be bestowing this honor upon Vida. “As a journalist, I have always loved covering events in the West LA area and love the sense of community there. I am so honored to receive this commendation from Roozbeh and the Chamber, especially since it’s one of the largest and oldest Chambers in Southern California, and because they are so community minded,” says Vida.

In addition to distinguished Chamber members and government officials, numerous celebrities are scheduled to appear in support of Vida’s event such as Legendary Oscar winner Margaret O’Brien ( Meet Me in St. Louis, Little Women), President of the Southern California Motion Picture Council and actor Randal Malone (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dahmer vs. Gacy), Legendary actor James Hong (Kung Fu Panda 3, Mulan), Kate Linder (The Young and The Restless), Bai Ling (Crank: High Voltage, Finding Julia), John Blyth Barrymore (Mansion of Blood, Mata Hari), Reatha Grey (Off Their Rockers, Legendary Iranian actresses Apick Youssefian (The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam, Cry of the Village) and her daughter Mary Apick (Homeland, Price for Freedom), James Wilder (3 Holes and a Smoking Gun, Melrose Place), Film Composer David Raiklen (Mia, A Dancer’s Journey, Space Command Redemption), actor and journalist Harrison Held (Jimmy Kimmel Live, Hollywood Icons) and Rob Roy Thomas, TV showrunner (Free Ride, How to Cheat on Your Wife), creator of the “soft scripted” method, are scheduled to attend. Because of Vida’s long standing relationship with the fashion community, designers such as Sue Wong, and Sonia ETE, Edison Cortez of Thomas and Edison, Shekhar Rahate, Julia Clancey and Rita Mezrahi of Claires Collections, are also scheduled to turn out. This star-studded event will also have royalty in attending such as HH Prince Maximillian Ferdinand Von Anhalt of Germany and HH Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg Lippe, Nachod of Germany, and HRH Qajar Persian Princess Mandana FarmanFarmaian. and others will be there to show their support to Vida, who will have influential and well regarded international, national and local media covering this event.

In addition to being a very successful journalist and a HPC founder, Vida is best known for her apperances on the television comedies, Mind of Mencia and The Mindy Project. She will soon be seen in the films Pond Scum, Natural Born Killers, Seeking Valentina and Strangers in a Book. She is also about to launch her own blog about entertainment and fashion, So Very Vida.More about Vida at http://www.imdb.me/vidaghaffari

Dustin Brown

I am the Senior Editor at HollywoodPressCorps.com.

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design

Dwell on Design LA 2015

June 1, 2015 Dustin Brown Leave a comment

By Adrian Brooks Collins – June 1st

From the green conscious, no-paper, Dwell on Design LA 2015 App, to the pic perfect, life size mockup of Elan Musk’s with UCLA’s Hyperloop, this year’s Dwell convention is clearly innovation driven. The concave OLED 4k pixel LG 32” screen is an eye-popping counterpart to their spokesmodel and design icon, Nate Berkus. Where else would you find a folding bicycle helmet prototype and a family sized hanging indoor outdoor patio pod under one roof? Whatever your plans make time to visit this truly exciting collection of countless building, design and decor notes in an orchestra of color, light and space. With the construction boom, renovation and real estate valuation, there’s no greater, friendlier, and culinarily enhanced environ to explore. The DODA 2015 App easily assists you with a virtual walk through and tour, talk and presentation scheduling so that seeing it all is doable. The careful layout of plant laden and tastefully appointed rough, hewn repurposed wood and stone composite slabs are a workshop of possibility waiting to be bring your design dream to life.

Continue reading Dwell on Design LA 2015 →

Dustin Brown

I am the Senior Editor at HollywoodPressCorps.com.

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Fashion

Introducing Feature Artist Pastele!

May 8, 2015 Dustin Brown Leave a comment

Singer/Songwriter Pastele shoots an exclusive photo shoot in West Hollywood, amongst local graffiti art and hollywood culture. May 5th 2015

The colorful edgy recording artist is known for her combination of visual art and music. Knowing, that Pastele attended NYC’s Fashion Institute of Technology for illustration, it’s probably a given for her to enjoy modeling in front of inspiring street art in Los Angeles CA.

The photos are vibrant, funky, and fun while Pastele poses with attitude showing off her artistry. The interesting thing about this girl, is that, she’s heavily inspired by the Jamaican culture, and often crosses her music over into reggae and dancehall. Pastele has spoke about major influences in her music such as Gwen Stefani, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Bruno Mars, and Pink which explains how she is able to merge pop culture and the reggae/dancehall world.

Pastele, is set to feature on a major single coming out with artist/producer Mr. Wonder this month called “Falling”. The song is describe to tie in reggae, hip-hop, and a bit of a slowed down DJ Mustard vibe as well as having reggae artist Lutan Fyah, feature on one of Pastele’s singles.

The latest release by Pastele right now, is her Official Music Video “Lazy Lazy Love” which combines a sensual beautiful video and paint on bodies, definitely worth checking out. The song has a funky reggae beat with up-stroke guitar while Pastele sings in a lower register into a powerful loving chorus. It’s great how this artist keeps to her brand and uses paint and art in almost all her photos and videos!
We can’t wait to see more from this artist and hear all she’s got coming out, should be a good year for her. It’s about time the industry takes a daring dive into music with more culture and wordily influence.

First look at Pastele’s latest shoot here!

Dustin Brown

I am the Senior Editor at HollywoodPressCorps.com.

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Fashion

Sue Wong Sweet Hollywood Party

April 29, 2015 Dustin Brown Leave a comment

Photos courtesy of Greg Doherty

For those in the know, prominent fashion designer Sue Wong, held an exclusive and upscale fashion event in the heart of Hollywood at the Hollywood and Highland complex. Sue held this event where her close friends and supporters could enjoy some cocktails and canapé. This space, which is a part of the Art Hearts Fashion’s (AHF) designer lineup, was set up with some of LA’s top clothing brands who have held fashion shows via AHF’s Parker Whitaker Productions.

Sue’s team did a great job of organizing the event. Greta Kovacs-Schmid, Sue’s personable and skilled publicist, ran the red carpet quite smoothly in this busy location, all while wearing a beautiful Sue Wong art deco inspired gown with feathers at the hem.

Luke Eleftheriou, Wong’s executive attache and go-to guy, excelled at displaying Sue Wong’s fragrance. Luke has such a great eye for layout and style. This alluring fragrance smells so luxuriant.

Aside from seeing the elegant Sue Wong herself, there were many entrepreneurs, celebrities and even some royalty at the event. Sue has been busy designing fabulous gowns and traveling around the world and can now add this frangrance to her great line.

The backdrops that photographer Greg Doherty took for Sue Wong were prominently displayed on the red carpet area. They made such cool back drops for photos.

The first two people I saw on the red carpet were Sarah Whitaker and he sister Erin of Parker Whitaker Productions. Known for their classy events, the ladies from Parker Whitaker were promoting their latest nail polish line. Erin said, ”were trying to make something fun and exciting in fashion. Something that can be worn every day and makes a statement.” The nail polish comes in five different colors. Each one has its own naughty name. There’s Blow, Sugar High, Gold Digger, Trashy Chic, and Rich & Popular. The nail polish is a lot of fun. The ladies have plans for lounge wear and booty shorts.
Check out their website at ParkerWhitaker.com

Actress Jacqueline Murphy was stunning on the red carpet in her fabulous Sue Wong dress in blue. She recently starred in “Run All Night” starring Liam Neeson. HPC’s Vida G. also made a fashion statement in a feminine silver and lace gown from Sue’s line. Also in attendance was Faith Boutin, the managing Editor at FVM Global magazine. It’s a blog for news from the fashion trenches. Also on the red carpet dressed in Sue Wong’s designs were actresses Lori Alan and Fia Perera, the Co-Founders of No To Dog meat. This is a worldwide campaign to end the illegal dog and cat meat trade through Asia.
More info about this cause at notodogmeat.com.

KC Mussman from Nocturnal Designz was also on the red carpet. She is the founder and CEO of this exciting effects makeup company. She told me about the challenges of doing effects makeup in there fashion world. She showed me some strikingly cool designs of hers from her Facebook page.
Check out heir website at nocturnal-designz.com.

Another well known Sue Wong collaborator was Marika Soderlund-Robison of Kicka Custom Design Inc. Marika designed all the headdresses that are so prominently displayed on the celebrity supermodelsthat wear Sue Wong gowns on the runway. During Sue’s show last month’s Art Heart Fashion show, the paparazzi was wild with excitement over her new designs this season and Kicka’s headdresses.
Check out her work at kickacustomdesign.com.

The surprise guest of the evening was Prince Maximilian Ferdinand Von Anhalt, who is known for his role on the reality TV show, Millionaire Matchmaker. Prince Ferdinand is a lot of fun to be around and he dresses so well! He’s the adopted son of Zsa Zsa Gabor and his father is Frederic Prinz von Anhalt who himself was adopted by Princess Marie-Auguste of Anhalt.

It was so nice of Sue to host this event for her line and spend time with her friends at this exclusive event. The Hollywood Press Corps looks forward to our next event with this amazing designer.
Check out Sue Wong’s latest designs at suewong.com.

Dustin Brown

I am the Senior Editor at HollywoodPressCorps.com.

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Sports

Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation First Annual Blue Diamond Gala

April 25, 2015 Dustin Brown Leave a comment

Former Dodger pitcher Darren Powell with his wife at the Blue Diamond gala

April 16, 2015 Over $2,000,000.00 was raised for charity at The Inagural Dodgers Blue Diamond Gala. The Jackie Robinson foundation raised money along with the Los Angeles Dodger foundation. Their goal is to support education, literacy, and sports for families that are in need in the Los Angeles area.

The Blue Diamond gala is the foundations first event for 2015. Many great things have been happening since new ownership took over. Magic Johnson is on the board of directors at the foundation and an owner. Last year the foundation raised $1,000,000.00 for charity.

The Celebrities in attendance included Rachel Robinson, widow of baseball great Jackie Robinson. Many Dodger players from today and the past were in attendance.
Manny Motta and his wife Margarita spoke about the importance of education for children. “Education is number one!” Manny said. Manny also spoke about Yasiel Puig. “Its exciting to see what Puig has accomplished. He just keeps getting better and better.”
Another celebrity that walked the blue carpet was Alex Anfanger. He is one of the creators of Big Time in Hollywood on Comedy Central. The show is creating a lot of buzz. The Comedy Central channel brings such a high level of comedy to television. Alex said he was at the event as a huge Dodgers fan. When asked about his thoughts on education he said, “Education is important!”k

Former Los Angeles Dodger Tommy Davis on the blue carpet

Tommy Davis of the Los Angeles Dodgers stopped by and had so many positive things to say about the Dodgers. He spoke of the foundation supporting literacy programs in the city and told some great stories about signing up with the Dodgers many years ago.

Dennis Powell, a former Dodger pitcher stopped by with his wife to take some photos. These older baseball celebrities have such a positive outlook on life. It was a lot of fun to be around them and hear what they have to say.

Darryl Thomas was an opening day pitcher in 1980. He went on to play every position on the field except pitching. He played for the Dodgers for 15 years and had many great things to say about them. Darryl went on to reflect on Jackie Robinson. How Jackie had opened doors for many black ball players. Darryl said that Jackie was well structured for the job. His experience in the military helped him deal with racism in baseball. Darryl said that baseball takes a lot of dedication.

Finally, Justin Hartley walked the blue carpet with his wife. Justin said the silent auction is great way to raise money for kids. Originally from Chicago, Justin is a long time Dodger fan and supporter. He said the new ownership of the stadium is amazing.

Some of the silent auction items at the Blur Diamond Gala

It was such an honor to meet these legends of Dodger baseball. It was a lot of fun to be down on the baseball field. It was also great that so much money was raised for inner city youth who will benefit from the programs that this night has funded.

Dodgers website

http://m.dodgers.mlb.com

Dodgers Foundation

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la/community/dream_foundation.jsp

Jackie Robinson Foundation

http://www.jackierobinson.org