Sharon Stone – Downtown Magazine

On Oct. 17, acclaimed artist Magda Love teamed up with the nonprofit organization together1heart, for an evening of fundraising, art and empowerment. The event, dubbed Love Is A Human Right, was held at 117 Beekman Street in the Seaport District in an effort to raise awareness and funds for together1heart. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, together1heart was created by Cambodian Humanitarian Somaly Mam and actress/activist AnnaLynne McCord in the fight against sex slavery and human trafficking.

The event featured a conversation from the organization’s founders Somaly Mam and AnnaLynne McCord, the music of classical pianist Chloe Flower and a silent auction presented by CNN’s Christopher Cuomo. Guests also enjoyed music by DJ Courtney K, cocktails, savory bites and sweets by celebrity baker Sugar Monster. In addition, Magda debuted her solo show, Love Is A Human Right; her work features stories of survivors who touched her life while visiting Cambodia with together1heart earlier this year.

Magda’s exhibit will remain on display at the Seaport through Oct. 22. In addition, on Oct. 22, she will be hosting a master art class from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, which people can attend for free.

Other noted supporters of together1heart include Susan Sarandon, Shay Mitchell, Dominic Purcell, Serinda Swan, Briana Evigan, Rick Fox, Nicky Whelan, Tony Richardson, Jill Montgomery, Peter Kim, Sharon Stone, Mandana Dayani, Ariel Winter, Russell Simmons, Nicole Scherzinger, and Sanaa Lathan.

Following two recent sold out Outfest screenings in Los Angeles, Jewel’s Catch One will be screening at the Urbanworld Film Festival at AMC Empire Theater on Sept. 24.

Jewel’s Catch One tells the story of Jewel Thais-Williams and her popular Jewel’s Catch One nightclub, often called “the Studio 54 of the West.” It was a hub for cutting-edge fashion & music for over 42 years in Los Angeles before it closed last year. While Jewel opened her doors to everyone –- all races and sexual orientations –- the club became a target of racism & homophobia, especially during the AIDS crisis. She even turned her parking lot into a soup kitchen during that time, to make sure people could get care, when so many were being ostracized.

Jewel became a civil rights leader, and then ultimately a healer, who has now saved countless lives through her Village Healthcare Foundation. The documentary has been a labor of love for the last six years for filmmaker C. Fitz, who met Jewel after volunteering to direct a three-minute short for her charity and realizing there was a much greater story to tell.

The film is narrated by CCH Pounder and features exclusive interviews with Sharon Stone, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Thelma Houston, Sandra Bernhard, Bonnie Pointer, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Thea Austin, and Jenifer Lewis. It also features footage from Madonna’s 2000 album release party there; she is also rumored to have learned to “Vogue” at the club! It, also, features some of the best songs from the disco age.