~ What’s Going On Here ~

   Benefit for Kids with AIDS
   Ryan Haddon and Christian Slater will co-chair Caring for Children & Families with AIDS’ (CCFA), formerly known as Caring for Babies with AIDS) annual benefit, Lullabies and Luxuries, at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Sunday, October 13 at 11:30 a.m.
   A silent auction will be followed by lunch and a celebrity fashion show with children and adults modeling. Tickets for Lullabies and Luxuries are $150 and may be purchased by calling (323) 931-9828, ext. 124.
   Slater and Haddon will be joined by actors Patricia Arquette and Tom Everett Scott, former mayor of Los Angeles Richard Riordan and his wife, Nancy Daly Riordan and Carole Biondi, Los Angeles Commission for Children and Families at the benefit. On the celebrity host committee are Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon, Courteney Cox-Arquette and David Arquette, Christine Taylor and Ben Stiller, Josie Bisset and Rob Estes, Afton and Brendan Fraser and Bright, Kauffman & Crane Productions of NBC’s “Friends.”
   This is the fourth annual luncheon and youth fashion show. Over 50 designers are participarting.
   Established in 1987, CCFA is a non-profit organization that provides compassionate services for children, youth and families through its two residential facilities for medically fragile children as well as a Family Support Services Program with benefits designed to assist families affected by HIV/AIDS. CCFA’s programs are child-centered and family focused.
   “The entire family is affected when even when one family member has HIV disease. Many times, especially for siblings, these other family members are forgotten in the crisis,” said Linda Daly Yablans, President of CCFA’s Board of Directors.
   CCFA is the only organization providing compassionate response for families struggling with effects of HIV disease.

   Cultures in the Park
   Virginia Avenue Park will be the site of a multi-cultural celebration, “Cultures in the Park,” featuring music, dance, traditional foods, crafts, and storytelling on Saturday, October 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
   The entertainment, as well as mini-dance instruction, is free and will feature House of Vibe (reggae/hip hop and funk), Joe Aki and the Islanders (Polynesian), Steele Parade (Calypso steel drums), and Tres Dos (salsa/cumbia/merengue). Among the dance ensembles scheduled to perform are Kourman Kele African Dance Troupe (including stilt walkers), Herencia Mexicana (Ballet Folklorico), Catherine Wahl Latin Dancers and the Manea Polynesian Dancers and Duo Fireknife Show.
   Mini-dance hip-hop, hula, salsa and African dance classes are also on the day’s agenda.
   A Virginia Park youth photography exhibit, featuring the photographers’ views of their neighborhood, will be on display.
   Food vendors include Uncle Darrow’s, Berta’s Tamales, Paradise Restaurant, Corn on the Cob, sweet pies, and fresh fruit juices.
   “Lilo and Stitch” will dance and tell stories for very young children.
   For more information, call (310) 458-8688 or visit www.socalevents.com.

   World Premiere
   The world premiere of “Dear Charlotte,” a play by Joy Gregory, will take place Friday, October 11, at 8 p.m.
   Produced by Nom de Plume Productions and The Powerhouse Theatre Company, “Dear Charlotte” is the story of Charlotte Brontë, the parson’s daughter from the Yorkshire moors who became a renowned novelist.
   Gregory is an award-winning playwright and founding member of Chicago’s acclaimed Lookingglass Theatre Company. Directing “Charlotte” is Tracy Hudak, who directed “Imprint” in the 2001 Edge of the World Theatre Festival’s L.A. History Plays.
   One of the plays in this year’s Edge of the World Theatre Festival, “Dear Charlotte” is the final production in The Powerhouse Theatre’s 2001-2002 season. It will run on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through November 16.
   Tickets are $18 general admission, $15 for students, seniors and teachers with I.D., For tickets call (866) 633-6246.
   The Powerhouse Theater is located at 3116 Second Street.

   Singer in Concert
   Sue Ann Pinner, Emmy award-winning singer, recording artist and artistic director of the Santa Monica College Opera Theatre, will perform favorite selections from musical theater and opera Friday, October 11.
   She will perform selections from Broadway musicals, Verdi’s Rigoletto Quartet, the flower duet from Delibes’ Lakmé, and pieces by Puccini, as well as selections from her CDs — Ave Maria, Mariachi, Magnificat and Adoremus.
   Appearing with Pinner will be Ken-P, who will conduct the chamber orchestra, pianist Galina  Barskaya, harpist Carmen Dragon and singers Catherine Mann, Adam Edward Mesa and Gabriel Silva.
   Pinner, an SMC voice professor, won a 2001 Emmy for the video of the SMC production of Faust, which aired on Los Angeles City Channel 36 and City TV, Channel 16. in Santa Monica. Pinner was the executive producer and lead performer.
   “An Evening with Sue Ann Pinner” is a benefit for the SMC Opera Theatre and SMC Foundation. It’s scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the SMC Concert Hall at 1900 Pico Boulevard.
  Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 students and senior citizens. For information, call (310) 434-3000.

   Comedic Lectures
   A series of comedic lectures by John Lehr, in the tradition of Spalding Gray and David Sedaris, will begin Wednesday October 16 at the Powerhouse Theatre.
   In a series of six appearances, Lehr talks about what he’s learned so far. Combining improv and storytelling, Lehr describes his most significant, and embarrassing, moments.
   He will appear on Wednesday evenings at 8 p.m. at the Powerhouse Theatre, 3116 Second Street from October 16 to November 20.
   The lectures were created by Lehr and produced by Lauren Bass.
   Tickets are $10, general admission. For reservations, call (310) 396-3680 ext. 7.

   Take-A-Hike
   Actress Teá Leoni, fitness expert Kathy Smith and over 1,000 hikers are expected to take part in this year’s Expedition Inspiration Take-A-Hike to raise consciousness and funds for breast cancer research on Saturday, October 12, at the Paramount Ranch in Malibu.
   It’s the only fundraiser that benefits USC/Norris Lee and Revlon/UCLA Breast Centers and their research facilities, and it . also supports Expedition Inspiration’s Annual Breast Cancer Symposium, which brings researchers and doctors together to discuss new therapies for detection, prevention and treatment.
   Three different hiking trails, ranging in length and difficulty, have been set. All hikers will receive tee shirts and tribute flags that can be dedicated to breast cancer survivors or in memory of someone.
  In addition, Take-A-Hike will auction over 100 items after the hike, including $2,500 worth of North Face gear and a three-day, two-night stay at the Regency Hotel in New York. Bidding will begin at 8 a.m. the day of the event.
   Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the hike will begin at 9 a.m.
   Nationwide 1.8 million women have been diagnosed with breast cancer and an estimated one million women have it and don’t know it. Early diagnosis and treatment can result in complete recovery.
   Paramount Ranch is located on Cornell Road off Mulholland Drive in Malibu. Go to www.expeditioninspiration.org for directions.
   To register or for additional information on Expedition Inspiration Take-A-Hike go to www.expeditioninspiration. org or call (213) 486-4558. Pre-registration is $25 and $30 the day of the event.

   Great Tastes Sunday
   KTLA’s entertainment reporter Sam Rubin will co-host the 15th Annual Great Tastes of Brentwood on Sunday, October 13.
   Proceeds from the event will benefit the Palisades Charter Schools Foundation – which funds Kenter Canyon Elementary, Paul Revere Charter Middle School, Palisades Charter High School and Brentwood Science Magnet.
   Nearly 30 Brentwood restaurants will serve their specialties. A silent auction will be held. Cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, and live entertainment are also scheduled.
   Great Tastes will be held on San Vicente Boulevard between Bringham and Darlington from noon to 5 p.m on Sunday. Admission is free.