Hottest ticket in town, strutting the runway, and good food
Kentucky Derby landed in Lafayette Square again. In just two short years, the Jenna and Erik Flexner Kentucky Derby party has become the hottest ticket in town. On May 2, more than 120 guests showed up in their Kentucky Derby finest—fascinators positioned perfectly on the head, seersucker suits pressed and clean, all eager to watch the 152nd running of the historic derby. The 90 second race itself was edge-of-your-seat dramatics. 21-1 longshot Golden Tempo made history, coming from dead last to winning the entire bag by a neck, cementing his trainer, Cherie DeVaux, as the first woman horse trainer in history to win the prized trophy.
Derby nibbles featured five-cheese macaroni and cheese, spiced grilled shrimp, boneless fried chicken, Kentucky hot browns turkey mornay bacon on thick toasted egg bread, deviled egg potato salad, and bourbon chocolate-bottom pecan squares for dessert. The bar offerings zeroed in on time-honored derby thirst quenchers, including mint juleps, cucumber julep, bourbon and coke, and hibiscus lemonade. Guests entered a raffle to pick which horse would win, then the big winners cheered their horses to victory! The Lafayette Square gathering convinced the guests that, as Erik Flexner mentioned, “Even when you think you’re down, you’re never out!”
SHARING A LAUGH at the rose wall are Dawn Robinson, Jenna Flexner, Erik Flexner, and George Kelly.
Photos by The Connect Enterprises
ALL EYES are glued to the TVs as Golden Tempo makes his push to the front.
ATTENDEES Shawn Holley, Jennifer Johnson, Jenna Flexner, Ina Bryant, Joanna Jackson, Janell Coles-English, Robby Reed, Lauran Jackson Smith, and Chelsea Patterson pose at the Rose Wall.
HOLLY PULLMAN dons a Kentucky Derby hat to rival the race itself.
ATTENDEES Keith David, Keith Kurlander, Jennifer Nice Cook, Joanna Jackson, Hazel Sepenuk, James Hannon, and Kesha Kyle show off their winning picks from the derby raffle.
KENTUCKY DERBY’S Danel Lombard, baby Maverick, and Navid McIlhargey smile for the cameras at the rose wall.
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A Chic Affaire hit the catwalk. Nearly 250 guests flooded into the iconic Skirball Cultural Center April 24 for An Afternoon with Eve: A Chic Affaire fashion benefit. The much-anticipated runway event is an annual fundraiser for The Assistance League of Los Angeles, an organization dedicated to changing the lives of more than 22,000 underserved children from the Los Angeles community. Before the big event, guests sipped champagne and nibbled on hors d’oeuvres while shopping the hand-picked boutique vendors in the plaza. Vendors Malibu Road, Jackeez & Nicolz, and Del Posso Jewelry were all on hand to support the organization. Edu Maruri, actor and face of Valentino Mexico, emceed the bash, highlighted by a fun and flouncy runway fashion show and auction. The catwalk featured model Amanda Fields (@therunwayqueen) and members of the League’s fashion auxiliary, the Mannequins: Dahlia Fox, Galina Sobolev, Helena Econn, Jan Daley, Donna Econn, and Deniz Olgac. The models strutted their stuff in the latest and greatest GUESS California-inspired collection with Marciano styles. The event also took time to honor Diane DeShong as the Eve Awardee, recognized as a contributor to the Annenberg Trust and the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation, who has spent countless hours helping to change the face of poverty in Los Angeles. Luxury experiences such as ONEHOPE Winery, visits to Sunnylands in Palm Springs, and Rancho La Puerta in Mexico were the big prizes in the silent auction. All proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the League’s College Scholarship program and other League services.
A CHIC AFFAIRE annual fashion benefit for the Assistance League of Los Angeles.
SUPPORTER at Chic Affaire.
EVENING’S EMCEE actor Edu Maruri (left) and Ian Brooks.
WINDSOR SQUARE locals Olivia and Steve Kazanjian.
CHIC AFFAIRE attendees President Emeritus Sue Thalken (left) and Janice Payson.
AWARD HONOREE Diane DeShong (left) and Patti Vogt-Rowey.
PARTYGOERS at A Chic Affaire (left to right) Daniella Platt, Dahlia Fox, and runway producer Jenny Leeser.
CHIC AFFAIRE CEO Greg Kovacs celebrates the successful event alongside co-chairs and Larchmont area locals June Bilgore, and Rebecca Abano-Trail.
HELENA ECONN, Fremont Place resident, models to support Assistance League.
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If you’ve ever wanted to taste a bit of food from every single restaurant in Los Angeles, the closest you can get is the annual Masters of Taste epicurean event at The Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. The 8th annual premier food festival, which took place April 19, brings together the region’s most talented chefs, restaurants, wineries, craft breweries, and spirit brands, all to support housing solutions and supportive services for individuals and families through Union Station Homeless Services. Tickets included unlimited food and beverage tastings and entry onto the field of one of Los Angeles’ most iconic venues, The Pasadena Rose Bowl. The perfectly sunny day saw hundreds of mostly Southern Californians in attendance, all debating “What’s your favorite?” “Did you try this?” “Where did you get that?,” and “I’ll be back with two plates!” Honestly, the only problem with an event like this one is that your eyes are bigger than your stomach, and you can’t possibly eat everything, which is truly a buzzkill. The amount of yummy goodness that I couldn’t eat still haunts me. I guess it means that I will have to go to the restaurants themselves and order everything straight off their menus! Not a bad plan B! Just a miniscule smattering of the many, restaurants and vendors on hand (more than 100!) were Alexander’s Steakhouse, Dulce Vida Tequila, Descanso Restaurant, Poppy + Rose, Mario’s Hard Espresso, Lunasia, All Season Brewing Company, Angelenos Wood Fired Pizza, Ramen Tatsunoya, Rice Balls of Fire, Boa Steakhouse, Broken Shaker, Cru Winery, Sushi Roku, and Uchi West Hollywood. If you’ve never heard of this event… now you have! Mark your calendar for 2027!
SERVING UP buttermilk fried chicken and waffles from Poppy + Rose.
CROWDS ENJOY the perfect weather as they eat and drink the day away on the Rose Bowl field.
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And finally…Hancock Park’s own NGA held its annual fundraiser April 25 at The Edmon, at Melrose Avenue and Wilton Place. This year’s event, Cocktails for a Cause, included a silent auction and agency wish list. Attended by nearly 150 supporters, the Art Deco style bar was decorated with posters of NGA’s partner agencies, highlighting the work that they do around Los Angeles to support our communities in need. Those agencies include Alexandria House, Assistance League of Los Angeles, Aviva Family and Children’s Services, Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children, Imagine LA, Los Angeles House of Ruth, Sunnyside 5, and United Friends of the Children. The event raised more than $52,000.
NGA’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER attendees and members Julie Hoegee, Laci Drissi, Susan Kneafsey, Ali Kneafsey, and Marion Plato.
MEMBERS Marion Plato, Shelagh Callahan, Erin Garvan, and Susan Kneafsey.
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Laura Prangley, stand-up comedian/producer and Brookside resident, took the stage Thu., April 7, to celebrate her 40th birthday. She hosted and performed “The Show of the Decades” at the Lyric Hyperion Theater. The sold-out laugh-fest also featured all-star comics Ryan Conner, Aparna Nancherla, Kassie Thornton, Alex Edelman, and Jamel Johnson. Seen in the crowd were Brookside residents Marc and Dianne Weisberg, Pete Sepenuk, Adam Abramson, and Laura’s extended family members, who had flown in from the East Coast. After the show, Laura said, “For my 16th birthday, my parents surprised me by taking me to the DC Improv to see standup for the first time. I thought it would be such a cool fullcircle moment to bring people together with a show featuring comedians I’ve performed with since then! It truly was my dream show.” This summer she’ll bring a comedy night to Her Little Bar on 757 S. La Brea Ave., owned by Brookside residents Vinny and Mindy Kinne.
And now you’re in the Larchmont know!
BROOKSIDE resident Laura Prangley has the crowd in stiches.
Category: People
