Scene and Heard: Flea
Photo Credit: Gary Leonard
Photo Credit: Gary Leonard
Photo Credit: Gary Leonard
Photo Credit: Gary Leonard
Photo Credit: Gary Leonard
Photo Credit: Gina Tolleson
Photo Credit: Gina Tolleson
Photo Credit: Gina Tolleson
Photo Credit: Gina Tolleson
Photo Credit: Gina Tolleson
Photo Credit: Gina Tolleson
“It’s so cool that I ask my friends to help us out, and they say yes. It’s a beautiful thing!” said Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Michael Balzary, better known as Flea, to guests assembled for a Silverlake Conservatory of Music benefit held at a hilltop estate in the neighborhood on Wednesday, October 30. The evening fundraiser for the school, founded by Flea and bandmate Anthony Kiedis, included a silent auction of fine art and photography, a signed Red Hot Chili Peppers drum kit, Pearl Jam guitars, a Tony Hawk skateboard, and a Kelly Slater Channel Islands surfboard. Throughout the fête, renowned artists placed multiple bids on their colleague’s work. Gus Van Sant checked his bid on a John Baldessari, Retna offered a $75,000 opening stake on a coveted Damien Hirst, Shepard Fairey’s donation (which actor Jack Black bagged at the end of the night) hung next to Douglas Kirkland’s photograph of actress Ann-Margaret hitting the highway on a Harley. Val Kilmer and Richard Ehrlich kept a vigil near Ed Ruscha’s Cold Beer Beautiful Girls (2009). Others contented themselves by scooping up Thomas Campbell prints.
Guests seated at farm tables were served family-style mezze platters from Heirloom LA as Keidis performed a perfectly-executed backflip during the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s tribute to Lou Reed. Before playing “Around the World,” Keidis told guests, “Tonight I think we’ll get a moment of raucous noise for one of the coolest guys to walk the streets of New York City.” Neil Young (equipped with his harmonica, guitar, and piano) also captivated the crowd with his solo performance. “If I have to tune myself, we’re all in trouble,” said Young after covering Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” and reminding guests of the importance of a musical education for all. The musician brought some guests to tears with his sweet rendition of “Harvest Moon” before closing with “Heart of Gold”.
by Gina Tolleson
Pictured: Flea and Mayor Eric Garcetti
Photo by Gary Leonard
