Venice Design Series Event Kickoff Party at the Pacific Palisades home of event co-founder Jay Griffith; wine, dine & performance. Music by Stuart Elster Trio.

A series of special events celebrating the architecture, landscape, cuisine and culture that Venice inspires will kick off on April 25 through the first two weeks of May 2015.   Exceptional site-specific events will feature curated walking tours, architectural talks, private luncheons and dinners hosted by prominent Venice-based artists, architects, notable chefs, designers, authors and performers.

All proceeds from this series will benefit Venice Community Housing (www.vchcorp.org), a non-profit housing and economic development organization.

Additional info:  With a focus on the ever-evolving creative climate inspired by our beloved Venice, and staying true to our original mission begun over 20 years ago: helping local children and families, we are pleased to invite you to a new, design-inspired fundraising series showcasing original curated special events: intimate salons, tours, luncheons and dinners, hosted by the area’s cutting edge visionary artists. Co-founded by Jay Griffith and Linda Lucks, welcome to the Venice Design Series.

The beneficiary is our partner, Venice Community Housing (VCH), a nonprofit that has successfully developed lasting, neighborhood-based solutions for low-income children, families and individuals since 1988.

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SAT.  APRIL 25, 2015  VENICE DESIGN SERIES EVENT KICKOFF PARTY

At the Pacific Palisades home of event co-founder Jay Griffith; wine, dine & performance. Music by Stuart Elster Trio.

SAT., MAY 2:  COASTAL CANYON TOUR & LITERARY READINGS.  

Jay Griffith will lead a tour through the coastal canyons of Santa Monica, Rustic, & Sullivan, featuring the historic Weaver, Eames, Diebenkorn, Dove, Ramona and El Encanto homes.

Literary readings of writings by Hollywood legends: author Mona Simpson, actress Catherine Keener & Hollywood royalty Adam Riva. Lunch served by Chef Fiona Neal.

 SAT., MAY 2:  NORTH AFRICAN DINNER & ARCHITECTURAL SALON

Award-winning architect Steven Ehrlich and writer Nancy Griffin host a dinner prepared by Chef Farid Zadi featuring paella & North African specialties. A conversation about “Venice Architecture: Past & Future” will be moderated by KCRW’s Frances Anderton, host of ‘DnA: Design & Architecture’ with special guests.

SAT., MAY 9.  A MOVABLE FEAST.  DINNER AND SALON IN 2 WHY DESIGNED HOMES

International architect Kulapat Yantrasast, Principal of wHY, along with Venice realtor Tiffany Rochelle & restaurateur Paul Hibler, Pitfire Pizza & The Superba Restaurants, co-host a fun moveable feast in their Venice homes and a salon discussion pairing architects & chefs.

SUN., MAY 10  JAZZ BRUNCH.  HISTORIC MAR VISTA TRACT HOMES

Modernist architect Gregory Ain’s Historic Mid-Century Homes & Jazz Brunch featuring the Azar Lawrence Quartet, catered by Gjelina, and hosted by residents Shannon Matheson & Brad Neal, and Amanda Seward & Hans Adamson. The “Modernique Homes” tract became the first post WWII Modern Historic District in LA in 2003. Guests will receive a copy of the book “Gregory Ain: The Modern Home & Social Commentary” by Anthony Denzer.

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For more information, updates, tickets to special events and sponsorship/advertising opportunities, please visit www.venicedesignseries.org or contact: Linda Lucks at [email protected] or  310.505.4220