DSALA Presents 2nd Annual TWENTYWONDER Fundraiser

The Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA) announced today that they will present the 2nd annual fundraising event TWENTYWONDER, A Carnival of the Mind, hosted by the L.A. Derby Dolls at the Doll Factory (1910 West Temple Street) on Saturday, July 9. Conceived by DSALA Director Jim Hodgson, TWENTYWONDER is based on Hodgson and his brother Joel's ("Mystery Science Theater 3000") festival SuperBall. In addition to art, science, music and comedy attractions, the evening's special highlight will be "TwentyWonder Derby Thunder" - live roller derby action featuring the All-Star Teams, the LA Ri-Ettes vs. the San Diego Derby Dolls' Wildfires. Tickets are now on sale and proceeds will benefit DSALA's efforts to support those born with Trisomy 21/Down syndrome living in greater Los Angeles.

DSALA Board President Gina Vivona said, "The second annual TWENTYWONDER is going to be a fun-filled evening that will help raise funds to support the many educational and informational programs that DSALA offers year round. We also believe that TWENTYWONDER will aid in our efforts to reach and educate a wider audience about Down syndrome/Trisomy 21, which is part of our core mission." DSALA Director Jim Hodgson added, "We are excited and very pleased to have the LA Derby Dolls host this year's TWENTYWONDER. Their commitment to making this evening a big success for DSALA is inspirational and we are grateful for their efforts in helping us to inspire and empower those individuals with Trisomy 21/Down syndrome and to reach a wider audience."

"The Derby Dolls are firmly committed to empowering our members as well as giving back to our community at large. We have always taken the ‘can do' approach to the seemingly impossible and feel a great connection to TWENTYWONDER and its mission for doing the same. They are a great fit for us as they seek to inform the greater community about Trisomy 21/Down syndrome and empower those who have been born with this genetic difference," said Rebecca Ninburg, aka Demolicious, Co-Founder, LA Derby Dolls. "We hope to help raise not only money but awareness of Trisomy 21/Down syndrome and help create a society where individuals living with Trisomy21/Down syndrome will be given the dignity they deserve as well as understanding of the chromosomal difference as they seek to learn, grow and lead independent lives."

TWENTYWONDER supporter Don Foster, Executive Producer of Mike and Molly said, "Somehow, it's simultaneously Nerdstock and a genuinely hip block party - an epic hang with great people. With dozens of wonderfully odd things going on at once, blurring the boundaries between comedy, art and science, cool and goofy, trying to describe TWENTYWONDER is like trying to remember a crazy dream the next morning. Like trying to catch fish with your bare hands - something I may have done at the last TWENTYWONDER. I learned a bit about Trisomy 21 while being truly entertained at TWENTYWONDER and walked away with that rarest of feelings: that I 'd been in exactly the right place at precisely the right time."

Sam Simon, Co-Creator of The Simpsons added, "SUPERBALL was always so much fun, I felt guilty. Now that it's been reborn as TWENTYWONDER, a benefit for DSALA, it's even more fun and you don't have to feel guilty!"

Last year's TWENTYWONDER was named, "An Event Pick" and called "Awesome!" by the Los Angeles Times. "Part charity, part science, part comedy...a mindbender," proclaimed LAIST.COM. "A once in a lifetime, completely eclectic, fun-filled amalgam of creators, builders and performers," said The Wrap and "An amazing event...magic," raved Forth Magazine.

A full list of TWENTYWONDER attractions will be announced at a later date.

Friends of TWENTYWONDER include Sam Simon, Co-Creator The Simpsons; Judd Apatow?, Screenwriter; George Meyer?, Former Head Writer The Simpsons; Paul Reubens, Actor The Pee-Wee Herman Show; Jane Lynch, Actress Glee; Lara Embry, Clinical Psychologist; Roy Sekoff?, Founding Editor The Huffington Post; Don Foster, Executive Producer Mike And Molly; Mark Frauenfelder?, Creator Boingboing; Dana Gould?, Comedian; Eddie Gorodetsky, Executive Producer Two And A Half Men; David Koechner?, Actor Saturday Night Live; Weird Al Yankovic?, Singer-Songwriter Comedian; Will Wright?, Creator Sims; Matt Selman, Executive Producer The Simpsons; Peter Hayes, Guitarist? BRMC; Sarah Silverman, Comedian; Johnny Galecki, Actor The Big Bang Theory; Frank Conniff?, Actor Mystery Science Theater 3000; Tim Johnston?, Award-Winning Author Irish Girl; Moon Zappa?, Actress; Brad Oldham?, Sculptor; Coop?, Artist; Steve Berlin?, Saxophonist Los Lobos; John Carney, Master Magician; Kate Flannery, Actress The Office; David Greenberger?, Artist The Duplex Planet; Josh "Elvis" Weinstein, Actor Mystery Science Theater 3000; Josh Randall?, Harmonix; Mark Thorpe, Creator Robot Wars; Mary Jo Pehl?, Actress Mystery Science Theater 3000; Michael French, Film Director Empires Of The Deep; Peter Abramson, Robot Builder Hellboy II; Roger Manning?, Keyboardist The Moog Cookbook; Taylor Lura, Entomologist; Tim Biskup?, Artist; Trace Beaulieu?, Actor Mystery Science Theater 3000; Coco Shinomiya?, Graphic Artist; and Rob Schrab?, Writer Monster House.
Sponsors for TWENTYWONDER include The Sam Simon Foundation, L.A. Derby Dolls, Comedy Central, Shout! Factory, The Collective, Brad Oldham International, Funny or Die, and Chi WOW WOW.

Some of Los Angeles' favorite food trucks will be on site at the Doll Factory for event dining and soft drinks and alcohol beverages will be available for purchase. A percentage of proceeds from food and beverage sales will be donated to DSALA.

General admission tickets to TWENTYWONDER are $40.00 and are good for all attractions. V.I.P. Passes are available for $100.00 and include admission into the benefit event, the TWENTYWONDER Annual Collectible Amulet designed by Brad Oldham, complimentary valet parking, stadium preferred seating, and a host of surprises throughout the night. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets are available online at www.TwentyWonder.org. For more information on the event visit www.TwentyWonder.org or www.DSALA.org.

 

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