The Yamashiro Farmers Market will be hosting a special night to benefit beloved children’s entertainer, Ellen “Twinkles” Meyers this Thursday August 15th from 5pm to 9pm. Twinkles had been a special part of the farmers market for children and parents alike since it’s opening four years ago, with her charming child like puppet shows, balloon animals, and face painting. Early last year Twinkles suffered a severe stroke that prevents her from continuing her work that brings laughter and smiles to all that she meets.
On this special night, long-time fan Minnie Driver will be performing along side Furious Seasons, and Ellen’s friend, Zan to bring music and entertainment in celebration of Twinkles. There will be arts and craft activities for kids hosted by Art Rebel, a raffle with great items from Luce Spa in Hollywood & more, our incredible local food & drink vendors, and of course, the perfect summer view over Los Angeles. All proceeds will go to benefit Twinkles, for the work and inspiration she has shared with all who met her. Please join us at the Yamashiro Farmers Market August 15th 5-9PM.
*Raffle tickets available at the market. Prizes will be called at 8PM.
ABOUT MINNIE DRIVER’S MUSIC CAREER:
Oscar nominated actress Minnie Driver’s talents include not only incredible film and television credits, but also admirable music accomplishments. Minnie released her second album entitled Seastories on 17 July 2007. The 12-track set is produced by Marc “Doc” Dauer, who also produced Everything I’ve Got in My Pocket. Ryan Adams and his band the Cardinals and Liz Phair are among the list of collaborators for the album.
ABOUT FURIOUS SEASONS:
The Furious Seasons’ latest release, My Analog Face, combines witty songwriting with spectacular interplay between the band members, creating an initially relaxed album whose subtleties grow over the course of the eleven tracks. The band’s predominant songwriter, David Steinhart (Guitar, Vocals), writes vocal tracks so melodious that only through repeated listens do the insightful meanings of his words reveal themselves. David’s brother, Jeff Steinhart (Bass); nephew, Nate Steinhart (Guitar); and Bob Gannon (Drums) show clear chemistry. Ray Chang (Violin) adds perfect inflections over the principle melody of each song. David has an extensive and impressive history, making 22 albums over the last 20 years.
ABOUT ZAN:
Zan has been fortunate to work with the likes of Dave Brubeck, Iola Brubeck, The Brubeck Brothers, Richie Havens, Martin Charnin, Leslie Lewis, Nelson Riddle, as well as many other noted musicians and lyricists through the years. Her experience includes performances on Broadway, as well as in many off Broadways venues, Carnegie Hall as an opening act for Dave Brubeck and Two Generations, songwriter for movie soundtracks and anthems for fundraisers for children in need, as well as writing her own lyrics and music, often collaborating with her brother, Henry Deas III, known as HDIII as a lyricist and poet.
She has been recognized by The Grammy Foundation for her efforts in collaboration as a potential leader for The Grammy Foundation’s Leonard Bernstein Center’s endeavors to spread art-enhanced learning all across America. She has also been awarded a Golden Halo Award for singer, songwriter, entertainer of the year by the Southern California Motion Picture Council.
She has now recently completed another project of original songs. It will be her 4th CD.
GET TO KNOW ELLEN “TWINKLES” MEYERS:
Born in Camp Roberts on August 7th, 1953 Ellen was a California girl from the start. Ellen was raised by her mother and came from a large Greek family that provided her some sense of family life. Ellen moved to Hollywood with her mother and her Greek Orthodox grandmother who lived in Gower Gulch by the studios, and became a big influence in Ellen’s life. Growing up in Hollywood as a teen, the Sunset Strip became Ellen’s playground where she was a “Gazzarri Girl” often seen in dance shows televised on KHJ channel 9. Ellen even managed to make her way into “Hef’s Place” for parties on several occasions.
Ellen later met her husband Michael, son of TV announcer and news caster Ted Meyers from KHJ, in 1985 and married in ’86. Ellen had developed an interest that satisfied three goals; service to children, acting/creating, and income. Ellen began working on some 42 characters for children’s shows, one of which was “Twinkles the Clown.” Twinkles studied the craft under Ringling professionals that befriended her. Soon she developed a fascination with puppets and worked with Jim Gamble learning a new vehicle for expressing all of the characters waiting to be born from her creative mind. In the middle of all this, Ellen and Michael managed to have a daughter, Sadie, born in 1990. Ellen also developed and managed her Shaklee organic products business which she had originally formed when she was just 18.
About this time Ellen reconnected with her father’s side of the family. After remarrying, Ellen’s father started a new life living in Tuscaloosa Alabama where he was a prominent chiropractor and businessman. Ellen’s family had instantly grown, adding six sisters and a brother that she had never met.
In 1990 Ellen discovered that she had diabetes, which appeared to make Ellen even more unstoppable in her quest to create, entertain, and bring joy to as many children as possible! She did so until June of 2012 when Ellen suffered a severe stroke which left her battling amnesia, and unable to work or care for herself. Ellen remains with her husband, Michael, daughter, Sadie, and her mother, who all share part in Ellen’s care. Ellen gave everything she had to her artistic career, and to entertaining all the young smiling faces she met along the way, including the many children that visited the Yamashiro Farmers Market since it opened in 2010. Ellen’s lively imagination as “Twinkles” will forever be a part of the markets history.