Stoked Mentoring is a non-profit in Los Angeles and New York that uses sports to connect with disadvantaged teenagers, offering them life skills and mentors through surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding. May 2-3, the organization follows up last year's successful fundraiser with two "Stoked Sessions" art shows at Upper Playground downtown. Over 200 artists donated original art created around the theme "I Heart LA" for the show -- 100% of the proceeds will go to directly to Stoked. A gallery featuring selected works is available at the event's Flickr page. more ›

The last time, it was locally based artist Shepard Fairey. This time, it's the Coachella Valley natives Carlos Ramirez and Armando Lerma, known as The Date Farmers. more ›