TRIBUTE TO AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS Set for 2/25 at L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center

Iona Morris-TV credits include: Law & Order: L.A., Cold Case, Lincoln Heights, The Shield, many others. She recurred on: As the World Turns, The District, Moesha, others. Among her extensive theatre credits are In the Red and Brown Water (nominated for two L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards) andher one-woman show For You, about her father Greg Morris from the '70s TV series Mission: Impossible. Morris is also a writer and director.

Michael A. Shepperd- an actor whose work has been applauded by critics on both coasts, often compared to Sidney Poitier and Paul Robeson. His impressive resume boasts roles on Arrested Development, Ally McBeal, Frasier, Friends, Monk, ER Strong Medicine, the film Humanoid and others. His first love is the theatre, most recently co-starring in the Los Angeles production of Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby.

Jenifer Leigh Warren-a critically acclaimed singer/actress lauded for her show-stopping performance in Big River on Broadway and the original Little Shop of Horrors. She has received an Ovation Award, a Garland Award, two BroadwayWorld awards, and NAACP Award nominations. Her show Diamonds Are Forever: The Songs of Dame Shirley Bassey premiered in 2011 at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Renberg Theatre and received seven BroadwayWorld Award nominations. Warren has been seen in numerous films and television shows.

The event will take place in The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Renberg Theatre (200-seat theatre) and The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Advocate & Gochis Galleries at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood (one block east of Highland, just north of Santa Monica Blvd. Free parking.), on Monday, February 25. Tribute at 7:30 p.m. Gallery reception at 8:30 p.m. Ain't Just Paint on exhibit Feb. 19-March 2. Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri. 6-10 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: FREE, but reservations are required: www.aatribute.eventbrite.com.

The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center provides a broad array of services for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, welcoming nearly a quarter-million client visits from ethnically diverse youth and adults each year. Through its Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic and on-site pharmacy, the Center offers free and low-cost health, mental health, HIV/AIDS medical care and HIV/STD testing and prevention. The Center also offers legal, social, cultural and educational services, with unique programs for seniors, families and youth, including a 24-bed transitional living program for homeless youth. Information about the Gay & Lesbian Center is available on the Web at www.lagaycenter.org.

Artwork: A Better Tomorrow, by Zane Turner

<< Page 1