Storytelling takes center stage at the historic Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club with an uplifting performance of Storyectomy UnHoused. This groundbreaking production weaves together humor and resilience, shedding light on stories that matter, inspired by survivors and thrivers impacted by homelessness.

Culinary enthusiasts will be thrilled as LA's own Chef Susan Feniger, Restaurateur Dina Samson, Chef Sandra Cordero and Chef Johanna Luat serve up bites of gastronomic magic; this is also a unique opportunity to meet these stand-out stars of the Los Angeles food scene. Comedian and writer Nicole Blaine of The Crow comedy club will MC the evening, guiding us through stories, stand-up with Brooklyn Jones, music with the Freedom Singers, and world-class culinary fare.

Learn more about our sensational Partners below.

VIP Ticket | $300
Doors Open at 4:30pm | Champagne Reception | Reserved Seating in the First Two Rows | Dedicated Cocktail Server

Individual Ticket | $225
Doors open at 5:30pm | Eat and drink your fill | Not a bad seat in the house

THE CHEFS

Chef Susan Feniger, a James Beard and Julia Child award winner, along with her long-time collaborator Chef Mary Sue Milliken, is a celebrated icon of the LA food scene with acclaimed restaurants, CITY Café, CITY Restaurant, Border Grill, Ciudad, Pacha Mamas, BBQ Mexicana, SOCALO Santa Monica, and the new Alice B. in Palm Springs. Chef Feniger has starred in over 400 episodes of the Food Network’s Too Hot Tamales, co-authored six cookbooks, including Susan Feniger’s Street Food, and competed on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. Chef Feniger brings unparalleled expertise and flair to the evening.

Restaurateur Dina Samson, co-founder/owner with Chef Steve Samson of Rossoblu, Superfine Playa and Superfine Pizza. Dina also received the James Beard and Leadership and Resilience reward for her work as co-founder of Regarding Her Food and is a James Beard Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership fellow.

Chef Sandra Cordero, of the celebrated Santa Monica-based Xuntos tapas bar, named by the Los Angeles Times as one of the Best Places to Eat and Drink in L.A.  Chef Cordero is a James Beard WEL Fellow and co-founder of Regarding Her, a national nonprofit supporting women in hospitality. She is also Executive Chef and Owner of Gasolina café|market|wine bar in Woodland Hills.

Chef Johanna Luat, since opening in 2015 under the direction of Chef Bryant Ng, Cassia has earned a James Beard semifinalist nomination for “Outstanding Restaurant” (2023) and “Best New Restaurant” (2016), been featured in Los Angeles Times’  “101 Best Restaurants” list every year and in the MICHELIN Guide California (2021-2023), and garnered acclaim from New York Times, Bon Appétit, GQ and more. Bryant was also a 2022 James Beard Finalist for “Best Chef – California” and a semifinalist in 2017. 

THE STORYTELLERS
Storyectomy UnHoused is a powerful, moving comedic storytelling showcase by unhoused survivors, thrivers, caregivers, and social justice warriors. Nicole Blaine created the Storyectomy (Get Your Story Out) series as a community-driven mental health initiative using the art of storytelling and comedy to bring to light personal stories that matter. Students participate in a six-week course where they explore the art of comedy writing and storytelling, crafting their personal stories. A culminating performance takes place at The Crow comedy club, with the top three storytellers selected to continue developing their performance which they will share with us at the Gala.

THE STAND-UP
Brooklyn Jones, bursting from the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, this comedic powerhouse will revolutionize your world with her humor and unparalleled wit. Brooklyn has the cleverness of a seasoned New York City cabbie and a charm that disarms even the harshest critics. With the observational brilliance of Jerry Seinfeld, her comedy transcends the ordinary, effortlessly navigating through the mundane to deliver a fresh, uproarious perspective that resonates across all ages and backgrounds.