Healing Arts Reaching Kids (HARK) presents its 6th annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in support of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
The free Rock for HARK event, featuring the Southern California band Orale, kicks off with cocktail crafting by award-winning barwomen – Jordis Unga of Katana Kitten, NYC and Cristine Wiseman of Broken Shaker, LA; and continues with cooking advice from Chef Gerard Craft, winner of both Food and Wine and James Beard awards. The benefit event will stream on the HARK Facebook page and YouTube channel beginning at 7 pm on Wednesday, May 5th.
Healing Arts Reaching Kids (HARK) is an all-volunteer group that provides both hands-on and financial support for the Expressive Arts and Therapies Department at CHLA. Since its inception in 2006, the organization has been able to raise and donate over half a million dollars to the hospital. It also provides year-round art supplies for patients and staff throughout the facility, something that is needed this year more than ever due to the isolation required because of the pandemic. Soon HARK volunteers hope to resume their in-person, hands-on art workshops, one-on-one art and music play, and other guided activities that foster creativity and allow kids to express themselves.
For Cinco de Mayo 2021 Rock for HARK welcomes back a favorite from this year’s holiday benefit, Manny Mendoza, returning with his band Orale. The expression “orale” is unique in Mexican-American culture and has various meanings, including encouragement and affirmation. Orale the band is comprised of great musicians brought together by the devotion to making “music that feeds the soul.“ This year donors and revelers will also get expert guidance on “feeding their souls” with bold cocktail ideas from Jordis Unga of Katana Kitten, NYC, which won the 2019 Spirited Award for Best New American Bar, and Cristine Wiseman from Broken Shaker, LA, winner of Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar award. Chef Gerard Craft, owner of the Niche Food group of restaurants in St. Louis and winner of the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest, will provide cooking inspiration and instruction.
Rock for HARK Cinco de Mayo can be accessed at HARK’s Facebook page @HealingArtsReachingKids (HARK) and on its YouTube channel www.youtube.com/HealingArtsReachingKids.