Raise Funds for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at an Oscar Watch Party at the Upper West!

It’s time to raise funds again for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Sunday, February 24. This is the sixth year that Upper West will host this important fundraising benefit.

LLS is an important organization dedicated to funding research, finding cures and ensuring access to treatments for blood cancer patients. Since 1949, LLS has funded advancements in chemotherapies, stem cell transplants, targeted therapies and immunotherapies for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma that are saving thousands of lives today. LLS is currently involved with more than 300 active research projects.

This event was originally created by Sara Fay. Each year she has been joined by additional volunteers to present this special fundraising event. Now at this sixth edition Chrystine Garner joins Fay. A fellow athlete, Garner is also training for triathlons (like Fay). The not for profit organization offers a program called Team In Training. It comes with training for endurance events…in return the participants raise funds while running and improving their own health through exercise. Both Fay and Garner said they were happy to be involved in this program and excited to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's important research and patient programs. Fay and her co-presenters have raised more than $100,000 for the cause.

Fay said she was grateful to have The Upper West as a partner all these years. Each year, the restaurant donates 25% of all sales of that day to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Upper West staff in turn is excited to once again host the annual fundraiser which begins at 4:30pm. Arrive early to take photos on the red carpet. Many people will dress up, (although it is not required). This is a great time to put in your dink and food order, while meeting friends and settling in before the big show.

              Step onto the red carpet at the Upper West Oscar Watch Party; Photo by Paiwei Wei

There will be an Oscar winners prediction contest with some amazing prizes. Order drinks and appetizers from The Upper West throughout the evening. Guests watch the live broadcast of the show projected on the wall of the private dining room. In addition to an Oscar ballot contest, silent auction and opportunity drawing, the Upper West contributes a percentage of all Oscar night sales to LLS.

The event begins at 4:30pm at Upper West, located at 3321 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica. Call 310.586.1111 or visit the website for more info www.theupperwest.com. For additional info about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, visit https://www.lls.org/

Artist Brayden Bugazzi Featured at Art in LA AfFAIR, February 13th - 17th!

Los Angeles based artist Brayden Bugazzi is set to exhibit at Art in LA AfFAIR, at AC Gallery in Hollywood. The 2^nd annual art fair (co-presented with Artsy) runs from February 13^th thru February 17^th. The VIP opening night gala will be buzzing…with free drinks and passed appetizers all night long. Then all weekend the doors will be open to art lovers and collectors.

                               Brayden Bugazzi with his work
 

This will be the first time Bugazzi will be participating in Art in LA AfFAIR and he will be showing 3-4 of his mixed media works. Art has always intrigued Bugazzi. “I knew when I was younger in my teenage years I wanted to do art, however I wasn't sure how to pursue it as a career, said the artist. “I even took a tour at an art school when I would fresh out of high school. In addition to art, photography played a major role in his life. “I was working for a Green Screen photography company (in college), so I felt like my wisest pursuit would be a Fine Arts Degree in photography.
 

As an accomplished photographer, Bugazzi had lived the high life in LA, but always felt like something was missing. “I took the energy I used in the Hollywood party scene into getting sober, on top of that I suddenly had a lot of free time, so I was able to hit the art with a vigor and passion I had not seen come out of myself for years.” His creative juices were flowing as he created more and more mixed media works, and was invited to exhibit at several galleries around Santa Monica. He continues to do his art and has been commissioned to create new works. “I have been building more complex works since using the proceeds from my art sales to keep advancing the next works.”

                                Brayden Bugazzi, Pop Icons Monroe, 25x35

Bugazzi went on to explain, that he prefers to create mixed media works over taking photos, because he has more creative control over it, and it allows him to stay true to his own vision of what he is putting out into the world. He has created a niche for himself within the art world with his mixed media works, with avid collectors waiting to see what he will produce next.

Bugazzi has been busy exhibiting his works at various art fairs…from Miami Art Week (at Context Art Fair) to the LA Art Show. He is also exhibiting additional works at the Super Fine Art fair taking place on February 14^th-17^th.

Art in LA AfFAIR takes place at AC Gallery, 1546 N. Highland AVE. Hollywood, 90028 on February 13^th the through February 17^th.  The opening night art party (Wednesday, February 13^th) will feature red carpet arrivals, appetizers and an open bar for VIP admission ONLY. There is an early preview 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Then from 8-11pm, the ticketed premiere event officially opens its doors. Tickets are $50 for the opening night gala and $10 for the show (Feb 14^th through Feb17th). Show hours are 11am to 4pm throughout the weekend.  Purchase tickets HERE for both the opening art party and the show days. Visit https://www.artinla.us for additional info or see https://braydenart.com to find out about artist Brayden Bugazzi.