August 17, 2002 Fashion, music and safe sex….what else do you need for a steamy Saturday night in Los Angeles? That’s exactly what this past Saturday, August 17th had going for it at LA’s famous Troubadour as Planned Parenthood Los Angeles (PPLA) in conjunction with ThinkTank Productions and D&D Model Management & Fashion Show Productions presented an awareness raising concert/fashion show, "Summer Fling: Local Artists Unite for CHOICE." LA’s best designers, musicians, and various other amazing folks donated their time and talent to support PPLA, a non-profit reproductive healthcare agency, and raise awareness for valuable services it provides to the local community. PPLA is the largest provider of reproductive health care services in Los Angeles County. It provides clinical services to more than 55,000 people a year, 82% of whom come to the agency for birth control and 70% of whom are at or below the federal poverty level. PPLA outreach programs deliver sexuality and family planning education to nearly 40,000 teens, women and men a year. Through its Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, the agency is also a leading advocate for reproductive rights.  The whole vibe of the event was both exciting and supportive. Free condoms, lube and PPLA informative literature were abundant, and you couldn’t go far without seeing a heart shaped ‘Love Carefully’ pin on the shirt of your fellow PPLA supporter. This well attended event was MC’ed by charming and funny local comedian Cam Frierson, who kept things rolling with her razor sharp whit. The evening kicked off with a fashion show featuring a bevy of hot models strutting their stuff in amazingly cool fashions. Afri-Wear, by El L. Sanders, (www.afriwearinc.com) is a line of lifestyle undergarments that one could feasibly wear all day - for people on-the-go who need clothing that can take them from morning workout, to busy workday, to sexy tank tops under dress clothing.  Fre’, by Desiato is what punk looks like in the future - hard-edged and avante garde clothing for the true rebel.  Kornbread is on the pulse of "hip."  Slits and ties and halters blended with fun and sexy concert t-shirts from artists like the Pharcyde and Maxwell. Redd designs are denim that fit the wearer's personality - jeans and jackets and skirts that really say "you" when you wear them.  Pietro Montegos offered a line of male clothing influenced by the soothing tones found in nature.  Browns, tans and creams blended together to create quintessentially cool apparel. Reinvent 1978; and accessories by Mine Designs (Will Blue). Then the evening turned from fashion to music as all-girl alternative band Starcrasher (www.starcrasher.com) took the stage with their non-stop barrage of upbeat, catchy tunes, smoothly delivered by singer/guitar player Natalie Poole. Backed by drummer Robin Kurschner, the sweet and powerful vocal harmonies floated over crunchy, rockin’ guitars wielded by Natalie and Jennifer Tayler, and the strong groove solidly nailed down by Terese Ramirez on bass. Following Starcrasher was heavy alternative rock band, ThinkTank (thinktank.iuma.com). This set never had a dull moment as the band ripped through a fast-paced roller coaster ride of songs taking the listener through various topics, genres, and costume changes. Cassy Phoenix’s heartfelt vocals ranged from angelic to possessed, as she sang, screamed, danced, and crawled to Brett White’s soaring, riff laden guitar hooks, Keith Larson’s driving, super-charged beats and Teresa Cowles’ melodic bass and well blended supporting vocals. Next, rock turned to hip-hop as the stage was taken over by Abstract Original (www.abstractoriginal.com). This 6-piece band had the whole place moving to the groove of their jazz, funk and old school hip-hop influenced music. With Dizzy rocking the mic, Tate grooving the beat, Danit laying down the bass, Hollywood on keys, Knobs spinning, and Gaddi sizzling the guitar riffs, Aboriginal’s sound was undeniably happening. The audience was next entertained by Julie Williams’ Safe-Sex dancers modeling her High-Way 69 clothing with a message. This line featured adorable tops with phrases like "got clean" on them, complete with a hidden condom pocket. Following the dance performance was the PPLA raffle drawing. Among other fabulous prizes donated for the evening was an incredible 3-day, 2-night stay at Palm Desert’s Las Primaveras Resort. The live band portion of the evening was closed out by LA’s legendary Neptunas (http://www.neptunas.com/). Donning harem costumes and dishing out sassy surf tunes, Pamita, Leslita and Sabrinita provided tons of retro girl-band fun. DJ Pete finished off the evening spinning dance tunes ‘til 2 a.m. When it was all said and done, Summer Fling was an exciting, successful, & informative event and PPLA looks forward to putting on similar community outreach events involving local artists again soon. ***For more information on Planned Parenthood Los Angeles and events such as the one above, please e-mail ppla-communications@ppfa.org*** --Teresa http://thinktank.iuma.com