UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS

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1 . Doug Freeman , Alec Glasser 2 . Daniel Niazi , Mo Honarkar 3 . Chris and Danielle Bressoud 4 . Sam Winkler , Wendy Misner , Alec Glasser 5 . Kevin Sadati and Nazli Azimi 6 . Carol Eastman 7 . The venue 8 . Cueva Entertainment

THE DRAKE AFTER DARK A speakeasy-themed event , The Drake After Dark raised $ 190,000 on Dec . 1 at seven-degrees to benefit Save The Music Foundation through The Drake Gives , a Laguna Beach-based nonprofit that aims to provide underserved youth with music education , instruments and other materials . The Drake Gives was launched in 2021 by The Drake restaurant and live music venue , which was founded by Alec Glasser . This year ’ s speakeasy event featured a Prohibition-era hideout with live entertainment , signature cocktails , dinner by chef Donald Lockhart ’ s culinary team and a live auction . The event also honored Doug Freeman , CEO and executive chairman of OC Music and Dance , a nonprofit performing arts school in Irvine . He also established National Philanthropy Day and has supported numerous area nonprofits . Since The Drake Gives ’ inception , it has raised nearly $ 500,000 to support Save The Music Foundation , which is able to provide one child with an instrument and music instruction for one year for every $ 50 raised . Notably , funds raised at The Drake After Dark will directly impact underserved youth within OC public schools . ( thedrakelaguna . com ) — Sharon Stello

FRANK SALAS

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