The Alliance for CA Traditional Arts, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation recently awarded RLA with a grant for $6,500 to launch the OVAHNESS Ball Performance Project, a series of workshops on the history, artistry and cultural traditions of “House/Ball” performance. “One evening REACH LA hosted a movie night featuring the film “How Do I Look,” a 2006 documentary by Wolfgang Busch about the NY House and Ball scene and the office was packed with house kids,” says Executive Director Martha Chono-Helsley, “a woman began to tell her story about how she was the one credited for creating “Stars, Statements & Legends,” - a favorite part at the beginning of every ball by all, and the kids had no connection or respect for this woman for this major contribution to ball culture. That was when we realized that there was a disconnect between the artistry and tradition and the current scene.” The REACH LA produced film “I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” whose intense vogue performances caught the attention of the Alliance for California Traditional Arts who after attending the Ovahness 3 Ball, encouraged REACH LA to apply. Staff and Ovahness Leaders developed a unique proposal to intertwine the Westcoast history and tradition of Ball performance with hands-on training and coaching by “Legendary” masters in Old Way/New Way; Vogue Performance; European and American Runway and Performance Commentary. The workshops are schedule to begin in late February. Check back to this site for workshops dates and times. Contact: Chris Blades at 213-622-1650 x108 for more information.
SAVE THE DATE!!!
REACH LA’s OVAHNESS Event Presents
Fire & Ice
Skate Party
Friday, February 20th, 2009
Event Begins at 9:00pm
@ World on Wheels
4645 1/2 Venice Blvd.
LA, CA 90019
Admission is $10.00
The first 200 youth under the age of 24 are eligible for free admission – ask at the door.
FREE HIV TESTING provided by LA Gay and Lesbian Center
For more information please contact Tyrone Carter at 213-622-1650 x104
The Girl2Girl Leadership Program received a grant of $15,000 from the Women’s Foundation of California and a $2,500 grant from the National Office of Women’s Health to continue the development and support of young women’s leadership. A surprise grant of $5,000 from the Marlborough Student Charitable Fund will also be used to support the effort of this year’s Leadership team. This year G2G will plan and host an HIV Awareness for Women & Girls Day event on March 13th at El Camino College Compton Community Educational Center and work to link up a statewide communications network among young women’s advocacy groups through the internet.
REACH LA has received generous grants from The Collin Higgins Foundation and The National AIDS Fund to support the prevention outreach efforts and leadership development of the OVAHNESS Young Men’s Health and Leadership programs. “This funding comes at a critical time when public service funds are being cut and agencies are closing their doors,” said Executive Director Martha Chono-Helsley, “we are extremely grateful for their support.”
Wednesday, January 28 @ 7:30-9:00pm - RLA Leadership presents an evening with Justin Early, author of StreetChild: An Unpaved Passage
Friday, February 20 @ 10pm-1:30am - RLA’s Fire & Ice Skate Party @ World on Wheels
Saturday, February 21 Oakwood School Glove Affair
Saturday, July 25 OVAHNESS 4
REACH LA’s Holiday Party celebrated the achievements of nine youth from the Ovahness and G2G Leadership programs. Francisco Armenta, Devaughn Sherman, Kyle Butler, Stacy Alford, Peter Singleton, Angelo Martinez, Chris Blades, Vanessa Castellano and Lorena Mendoza were promoted to the 2nd year Leadership tier where they will assume the roles as mentors and facilitators of the remaining and new leaders for 2009. Through out the past year these youth show exemplary efforts in their abilities to educate, motivate and mobilize other youth, adults and community leaders with their knowledge and representation of REACH LA. Members participated and presented at local and national conferences, met with political and health leaders on issues of HIV/AIDS, youth leadership development and reproductive health, worked on social marketing and political campaigns and participated in coalition and collaborative efforts with agencies and organizations. REACH LA acknowledged two milestones - Chris Blades completing his BS degree from CSU Dominguez Hills and the departure of Manager of Young Women’s Health Programs Michelle Horton. REACH LA would like to thank all of the very special people who came out to celebrate with us. 
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The Alliance for CA Traditional Arts, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation recently awarded RLA with a grant for $6,500 to launch the OVAHNESS Ball Performance Project, a series of workshops on the history, artistry and cultural traditions of “House/Ball” performance. “One evening REACH LA hosted a movie night featuring the film “How Do I Look,” a 2006 documentary by Wolfgang Busch about the NY House and Ball scene and the office was packed with house kids,” says Executive Director Martha Chono-Helsley, “a woman began to tell her story about how she was the one credited for creating “Stars, Statements & Legends,” - a favorite part at the beginning of every ball by all, and the kids had no connection or respect for this woman for this major contribution to ball culture. That was when we realized that there was a disconnect between the artistry and tradition and the current scene.” The REACH LA produced film “I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” whose intense vogue performances caught the attention of the Alliance for California Traditional Arts who after attending the Ovahness 3 Ball, encouraged REACH LA to apply. Staff and Ovahness Leaders developed a unique proposal to intertwine the Westcoast history and tradition of Ball performance with hands-on training and coaching by “Legendary” masters in Old Way/New Way; Vogue Performance; European and American Runway and Performance Commentary. The workshops are schedule to begin in late February. Check back to this site for workshops dates and times. Contact: Chris Blades at 213-622-1650 x108 for more information.
