Naughty but nice: Visitors enjoy a spanking good time at July's raucous TwentyWonder fundraising event at the Doll Factory in Echo Park. Boasting an eclectic mix of art, science, music and comedy, the sold-out extravaganza raised over $100,000 for the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA), surpassing expectations.

On July 9th, 2011 a sold-out crowd of over 1400 guests experienced the joy, laughter and awe of TwentyWonder, “A Carnival of the Mind”, at The Doll Factory in Los Angeles. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Exene Cervenka, and the Los Angeles Derby Dolls roller derby all-stars were among the featured performers.

Visitors to this epic event experienced the magic that happens when people and ideas from different cultures and disciplines come together for a truly great cause. Together, in one night, we raised over $100,000 for Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA), exceeding our wildest expectations.

DSALA and the TwentyWonder planning team wish to thank all of this year’s participants for your contribution to this groundbreaking event. In a little over a year, you’ve helped propel an obscure gathering of like-minded nerds to a nationally recognized force for good. By any measure, it’s a stunning achievement.

We’d also like to thank the Friends of TwentyWonder, whose extraordinary support and guidance have done so much to raise awareness of Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and improve the lives of a great many families in need.

And of course, our very special thanks to the amazing legion of volunteers, sponsors, athletes, artists, writers, performers, musicians and scientists who devoted countless hours of sweat and passion to make TwentyWonder 2011 the best fundraising event in Los Angeles!

For over 30 years, Wayne White has made an indelible mark on the creative world. As a designer, painter, puppeteer, sculptor, and musician, Mr. White has created images and ideas that are an integral – yet sometimes subconscious – part of the pop culture lexicon. From Pee-Wee’s Playhouse to Smashing Pumpkins, Wayne White’s prolific, iconic imagery is widely known, even if his name hasn’t always rung a bell with the public.

That is about to change.

Mr. White, who will be appearing live at this year’s TwentyWonder, is the subject of Beauty is Embarrassing, a new documentary by Neil Berkeley that recently premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival to rave reviews. Part biography, part live performance, “Beauty Is Embarrassing” tells the irreverent and inspiring story of this one-of-a-kind visual artist and raconteur. The film traces White’s career from an underground cartoonist in New York’s East Village to his big break as a designer, puppeteer and voice-over actor on Pee-wee’s Playhouse for which he won three Emmys. It follows Wayne’s success designing and animating for other children’s shows like Beakman’s World and music videos for TheSmashing Pumpkins (“Tonight, Tonight”) and Peter Gabriel (“Big Time”) through a dark period of struggle and self-reflection before emerging in his present-day incarnation as a respected painter and performer. At its core, Beauty Is Embarrassing shows what it takes for one uniquely talented, profanely hilarious, and utterly uncompromising artist to make it in America.

We are thrilled that Wayne White will be donating works and performing music at TwentyWonder 2012, the third annual fundraising event for the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles. For tickets and more info, please click here.

TwentyWonder — “A Carnival of the Mind”, is an annual fundraising event presented by Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA). All proceeds benefit individuals born with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) living in greater Los Angeles. Join the cause and DONATE via PayPal. Major credit cards accepted. Your transaction is safe, secure and only takes a minute.

Gina Vivona (Chairman of the Board, Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles) shares her thoughts at the organization’s July 9th, 2011 fundraising event, “TwentyWonder — A Carnival of the Mind”.

For more of Lucky Lemone’s exclusive, behind-the-scenes reports from TwentyWonder 2011, please visit the our YouTube page.

An OnTheFLY Wired Production. To hear the full songs featured in this video, please go to www.illpastel.com

TwentyWonder — “A Carnival of the Mind”, is an annual fundraising event presented by Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA). All proceeds benefit individuals born with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) living in greater Los Angeles. Join the cause and DONATE via PayPal. Major credit cards accepted. Your transaction is safe, secure and only takes a minute.

One of the brightest young stars Southern California’s Down syndrome community is artist Stephanie Tapu, whose extraordinary pencil drawings did so much to enliven this year’s TwentyWonder 2011 fundraising event at The Doll Factory in Echo Park. Several of Ms. Tapu’s original works were snapped up by eager collectors, with proceeds benefitting the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA).

Stephanie, a student at Norco College, recently presented a one-woman show as part of the popular Gallery Row Art Walk in downtown LA. See Stephanie’s work at Cotrutza Gallery in Los Angeles.

TwentyWonder — “A Carnival of the Mind”, is an annual fundraising event presented by Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA). All proceeds benefit individuals born with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) living in greater Los Angeles. Join the cause and DONATE via PayPal. Major credit cards accepted. Your transaction is safe, secure and only takes a minute.

Twentywonder, the 2nd annual “Carnival of The Mind” was hands down one of thee essential events of the summer. The action packed fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles never disappointed. From the circus performers to the lighting fast derby action, Twentywonder was never dull.

As soon as you walked into the Doll Factory parking lot you knew things were gonna be different in all the right ways…READ ARTICLE

See lots more photos at TheLoveStain.com — “Supporting Sonic Hedonism Since 2007″