Get ready to channel your inner Dorothy, Lion, Scarecrow and Tinman as REACH LA’s OVAHANESS Ball 3 - Welcome to the Emerald City comes to the G.A.M. Art Center on July 26, 2008. According to the Ovahness planning committee, this is not a tribute to the 1940’s “Wizard of OZ” but more of an updated version of “The Wiz.” So get ready to “ease on down” the runway in glamorous haute couture with adorned in feathers, beads and rhinestones as REACH LA prepares to bring it bigger, brighter and more fabulous than ever before!
REACH LA and GetYourTens.com co-hosted a video screening and reception at The Village - Ed Gould Plaza. This was the first Los Angeles screening of the award winning documentary “I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” since it took the Audience Choice Documentary Award at FUSION Film Festival in December 2006. Produced by Tryone Carter and Gina Lamb, “I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” focuses on the creative spirit and the desire for self preservation within the L.A. Ball Community. There were 50 people in attendance including many youth and house parents featured in the film. Che’la Demuir Chanel from the Waiting to Exhale program welcomed everyone to the screening and gave the audience an overview about the services and program offerings at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. RLA Executive Director Martha Chono-Helsley rallied the crowd around the upcoming OVAHNESS 3 Ball on July 26th. Outreach Coordinator Chris Blades provided insight into how he became involved at REACH LA as a volunteer. 
Tyrone Carter spoke more in depth about Ovahness program and how youth can become involved. After the screening, the Ovahness and Girl2Girl Leadership provided one-on-one risk reduction counseling to all youth in attendance. Those youth who participated in the counseling session received a certificate for a free admission ticket to the Ovahness 3 Ball in July. REACH LA volunteers, alumni and leadership members conducted sexual health, STD and HIV prevention games in the courtyard. Everyone feasted on hot dogs, churros, popcorn and nachos while kicking back and enjoying the day. Many thanks go to the LA Gay and Lesbian Center staff for providing free HIV/STD testing and their generous hospitality!
Get ready to channel your inner Dorothy, Lion, Scarecrow and Tinman as REACH LA’s OVAHANESS Ball 3 - Welcome to the Emerald City comes to the G.A.M. Art Center on July 26, 2008. According to the Ovahness planning committee, this is not a tribute to the 1940’s “Wizard of OZ” but more of an updated version of “The Wiz.” So get ready to “ease on down” the runway in glamorous haute couture with adorned in feathers, beads and rhinestones as REACH LA prepares to bring it bigger, brighter and more fabulous than ever before!
