When it opened in 1978, the Downtown Women's Center was the only shelter created to the meet the needs of homeless women. The center, which will open a new facility this fall, invites us for “A Magical Musical Lunch,” a perfect excuse to eat and drink yourself silly for a great cause. Mex food and margaritas will accompany the way-now cabaret sounds of the Dick and Jane Family Orchestra, plus Madame Pamita, known as “The Queen of the Carnival Sideshow Fortune Tellers.” Says Jane (Cantillon), “I found out about this place when Dick and I had our Obama fund-raiser and we had many extra packages of wieners, so I Googled 'homeless,' 'skid row' and 'donations' and the DWC came up. I walked in and fell in love with the place. So many needy women, so much care for all of them. From permanent housing to just a warm meal and a shower, this place is incredible — and believe me, I have done my 'nonprofit' homework and found this to be the Mother Teresa of downtown L.A. One hundred percent of all proceeds for this event go to the Downtown Women's Center. El Chavo is donating the food and drinks, as the owner Melanie Tusquellas' own mother has been doing volunteer work and donations for the center since the 1970s when it first opened.”

Sun., Sept. 12, 1-4 p.m., 2010

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