In the wake of the devastating wildfires in January, many locals are focused on giving back to the community through donations, volunteering and gift cards. This sentiment could not be more appropriate than for Valentine’s Day which falls over the Presidents Day long weekend this year. The Courier has curated creative ways to venture out for art events, entertainment, dinner, drinks and staycations, while giving back to first responders and displaced victims.
Art Events
Gagosian Beverly Hills has welcomed local artist Alex Israel for his first show in a decade running until March 22. The “Noir” exhibition features new paintings of iconic Los Angeles locations at night from the Troubadour to a tattoo parlor. Israel’s hometown is LA, and this exhibition is a celebration of the city he loves and draws inspiration from. He is donating a portion of the sale proceeds to the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund. This fund was set up by the J. Paul Getty Trust to provide critical emergency support for artists and arts workers impacted by the fires.
Photos: Josh White, Courtesy Gagosian
Other institutions such as the Hammer Museum, as part of the Mohn Art Collective alongside LACMA and MOCA, have also joined the J. Paul Getty Trust in the creation of the $12 million LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund. Frieze Los Angeles (Feb. 20-23) at the Santa Monica Airport, is a founding contributor to the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund and will help in aiding recovery efforts. Maison Ruinart is supporting Frieze’s efforts, alongside the “Conversations with Nature” debut, artist Sam Falls has created limited-edition collectibles including hats and books available in the Ruinart Art Lounge with 100% of proceeds going to aid this cause. Visit frieze.com for tickets.
ArtWalk returns to the West Hollywood Design District on Feb. 19, for an evening of support for the local community by raising funds for those affected by the LA wildfires. Take a stroll while shopping, dining and gallery hopping on Melrose, Beverly and Robertson corridors before and after dark with extended hours. Visit westhollywooddesigndistrict.com for more information.
Chef’s Unite
Beverly Hills has launched “EAT. DONATE. LOVE” now through Feb. 15. The dine-out-to-help campaign will take a portion of the proceeds at participating Beverly Hills hotels, over 20 restaurants and bars to raise a total of up to $175,000, which will support Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts for the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu and Pasadena, and the California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund.
Participating hotels include The Beverly Hills Hotel, the Beverly Hilton, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, The Maybourne Beverly Hills, The Peninsula Beverly Hills and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Check lovebeverlyhills.com for more information.
CHEFS ❤ LA is an all-star fundraising benefit bringing together the biggest names in food, hosted at Lawry’s The Prime Rib in Beverly Hills on Feb. 27.
The driving forces behind this event are producers Brad Metzger, a former waiter at The Grill on the Alley and Jacqui Leanza, hosted by “Somebody Feed Phil” creator Phil Rosenthal, along with auctioneer Billy Harris. With 100% of proceeds directly benefiting Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Care, Andres’ new Mexican-inspired Butterfly in Culver City is also participating in the event, along with chefs including Daniel Boulud, Ludo Lefebvre, Michael Cimarusti, Suzanne Goin, Josiah Citrin, Nyesha Arrington, Jordan Kahn, Burt Bakman, Jon Yao, Curtis Stone, Jeremy Fox, Michael Voltaggio, and Sherry Yard among others.
Photo courtesy of Chefs ❤ LA
The event will also honor a distinguished group of community heroes, including chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, who have gone above and beyond to support those affected by the wildfires.
“Food has the power to bring people together, and the hospitality industry is built on community and giving back. Hosting this event is an honor,” said Ryan Wilson, CEO of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. Visit ChefsLoveLA.com for details.
Chefs Walter and Margarita are hosting Los Angeles Rise Up on Feb. 24 in partnership with Big Sur Food and Wine and Global Empowerment Mission at République on La Brea Avenue. This benefit event is dedicated to supporting those in the hospitality and service industry who are recovering from the LA fires. Participating chefs include Dominique Crenn, Nancy Silverton, Chris Bianco and more. Tickets available at losangelesriseup.ticketsauce.com.
Cocktails For a Cause
Ola Sol Benefit Cocktails: Sip for a Cause is an ongoing initiative around LA where some of the top restaurants are creating specialty cocktails with Ola Sol premium agave wine. Sip and support at Cobi’s and Father’s Office in Santa Monica or Butchr Bar in Echo Park. When a drink is purchased, a meal will be donated to the LA Food Bank to feed first responders and displaced Angelenos.
For something alcohol-free, Grammy Award-winner Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Wellness Smoothie will be available at Erewhon tonic bars through March 5. Featuring plant-based Almond Malk, a portion of proceeds will benefit the Altadena Girls charity, which is working with teenage victims of the wildfires.
Pampering and Fitness
The Beverly Wilshire has teamed up with Isaac Boots, who will lead workout classes that combine body resistance, dance conditioning and targeted reps from Feb. 20 to March (Thursday through Sunday each week) with 100% of ticket sales benefiting World Central Kitchen. Bookings can be made at isaacboots.com.
Entertainment
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts will hold The Wallis Delivers: A Benefit Evening to Support Wildfire Recovery on April 30 at 6 p.m., hosted by Jane Fonda.
“The recent Los Angeles wildfires ravaged far too many of our communities, neighborhoods and homes, but they could not dim our hearts,” said Wallis Annenberg. “The outpouring of help and support has been truly extraordinary and a lot more is needed. That’s why we are dedicating this special evening to helping Los Angeles rise from the ashes of the Eaton and Palisades fires.”
The event also honors philanthropy and the extraordinary generosity of the Annenberg Foundation and Ms. Annenberg. Dominic Ng, Chairman and CEO of East West Bank, a recognized community leader, will be named the first recipient of The Wallis Icon Award, for his visionary leadership in the realm of corporate philanthropy. For tickets, visit thewallis.org.
Staycations
The Ranch at Malibu has donated $25,000 to the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation Community Brigade, which works closely with the L.A. County Fire Department. This volunteer organization helps communities recover from natural disasters. As an additional way to show support, through Feb. 17, when you reserve a stay at The Ranch Malibu, it will donate $1,000 from your reservation to the Brigade.
Malibu Beach Inn will be offering discounted room rates for short or long-term stays to those displaced or evacuated. To support the LA dining community, Carbon Beach Club will offer a 20% discount on food to anyone affected by the wildfires in this community and looking to support the hotel’s recovery. All guests have membership-level access to CURE Wellness Center’s fitness and spa facilities, in addition to mental health and telehealth resources.
