The 4th annual Imagine Ball Charity Concert Series was back again Thursday, October 12, 2017 to fight homelessness in LA. The intimate evening at the h.Wood Group’s Peppermint Club in West Hollywood showcased musical performances and comedy to benefit Imagine LA, a non profit breaking the cycle of family homelessness in Los Angeles with a unique mentoring model that’s proven effective to help those go from barely surviving to thriving. This year the event raised a record of over $260,000.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – OCTOBER 12: Shelea, Fernando Varela and Pia Toscana perform at The Imagine Ball 2017 on October 12, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for Imagine LA)
The event presented by John Terzian and Val Vogt, along with an incredible list of celebrity sponsors teamed up tobring the THE IMAGINE BALL. Hosted by Tom Arnold,Russell Simmons was honored for his dedication to empowerment. He, in turn honored the hard working people on the ground who volunteer daily to improve the Los Angeles community.
Hilarious performances occurred by David Foster who brought out all the musical oldies he composed and produced, while playing the keyboard alongside all the performers from tunes from Top Gun, The Bodyguard, St. Elmo’s Fire, and more. Guests sang along and were wowed by singing talents Foster unveiled all evening, like American Idol’s Katherine McPhee with Fernando Varela who magically performed Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli duet song “ The Prayer,” hitting all the high notes. Pia Toscano sang Celine Dion classics silencing the whole room in awe. Then, 15 year old Laura Bretan blew guests away with her opera style voice, singing Fernando Lavera. Shelea (who tours with Stevie Wonder) sang Whitney Houston, having everyone sing along with her. Other performances included Justine Skye, Brave Native, and Eric D-Lux.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – OCTOBER 12: Russell Simmons attends The Imagine Ball 2017 on October 12, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for Imagine LA)
Auction items included a mega star package and seats in her own tennis box from Serena Williams, a Drake Concert with a meet and greet, Malibu Wine Safari Private tour and overnight stay, and a 5 Carat Diamond Tennis Bracelet from XIV Karats. Guests enjoyed photo booth fun, sampled Taco Boy tacos while celebrating with Whispering Angel wine, Virginia Black, Herradura, Capital Group Companies, and Brian Sheth.
As a freelance travel and food writer, Melissa's articles have been published on AAA World Magazine, Lonely Planet, Zagat Stories, Roadtrippers, Canadian Traveller, Business Insider, MoneyInc, Resident Magazine (NYC), JohnnyJet, World Footprints, and many more. Some of her favorite travel articles can be found in Darling Magazine. She also writes for local print magazines such as SoCal Life Magazine, Malibu Coast Lifestyle Magazine, Conejo Valley Lifestyle Magazine, LA Travel Magazine, and LA Downtowner. Her love of adventure and learning was fueled while traveling around the world at age 20 on Semester at Sea. She received a Master's degree in Education, taught in England on a Fulbright scholarship, and has been an educator for over 20 years. Over the last decade, she has worked with high profile families in the Los Angeles area.
After growing up in Connecticut and a decade in Washington, DC, west coast living has won her over. Living in LA for the last 13 years has brought Melissa so much joy - thus why LaLaScoop was born. A desire to cover and discover the Best of LA became a shared passion that expanded to numerous guest writers bringing the 'LaLaScoop. Besides writing and helping children learn on Zoom during the pandemic, Melissa spends her free time savoring the Malibu coastline, discovering new hikes, looking for unique finds for her new home, trying to cook new dishes for her husband, and taking DIY to a whole other level. Contact her at Melissa@lalascoop.com.
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