By Valerie Milano
Santa Monica, CA (The Hollywood Times) 6/22/18 – On Saturday, June 16 during LGBTQ pride month, prominent figures from the film, music and digital media world came together with movers and shakers of the LGBTQ community and gathered at the Sappho Gala to celebrate and honor queer women in the creative arts. This year, the annual event raised money for a film project by a female filmmaker. This event created awareness for Detox, a film by writer/director Kat Cattani, starring Delfina Alden. Detox, a visually creative art house short that follows a woman who loses everything and embarks on a journey to answer the question “ Can you find yourself by losing your mind” (click the link to learn more or donate)
The event, produced by Delfina Alden and Kat Cattani, coordinated by Alana Roshay with promotional support from Mira Joleigh was a smash hit reaching capacity with tickets selling out and guests requesting to pre-purchase tickets for next year. The night featured specially crafted signature cocktails from craft mezcal maker Los Javis, tarot readings from The Hidden Gem Weho, a bespoke boutique shopping experience and VIP gift bags by The Mystic’s Apothecary and performances by Emer Kinsella, Eden Iris, DJ Boom Boom and DJ Th3 Barnyard. The highlight of the night was a performance collaboration by composer Nami Melumad who is the attached composer for Detox the film, performing on the piano with Delfina Alden singing her newly released single “Landslide.” This duo is reportedly collaborating on a song written especially for Detox.
The evening was truly a special occasion celebrating 40 years of queer women creating music, literature, and art. The event creators paid homage to those who came before by exhibiting over 50 pieces of lesbian created and lesbian-themed music, magazines and literature on loan from the June Mazer Lesbian Archives. Truly unique and different, the Sappho Gala brought together women from multiple generations, age groups, and backgrounds creating a rare opportunity for women to meet other women outside of their regular circles and giving them an opportunity to network, build new connections and open doors for each other’s success. It’s rare to see millennials and baby boomers having a blast together and truly enjoying each other’s company but that was precisely the scene at the Sappho Gala. The night was a resounding success for all involved and a true pleasure to attend; we’re eagerly looking forward to the next one.
