Hotbed Benefit Gala

This summer of 2014, I had the honor and privilege to have been invited to perform in this year’s Moroccan-inspired evening gala, Hotbed Benefit, held by the Drever Family Foundation in Tiburon, California, supporting art, music, and fashion to benefit the non-profit organization 10,000 Degrees.

“HOTBED is an annual event created by The Drever Family Foundation to encourage artistic endeavors by giving emerging and established artists in various fields the unique opportunity to exhibit their work in a beautiful outdoor setting, and to support local Bay Area educational charities”. Some of the local artists featured in this summer’s gala included Susan Schneider (the late wife of Actor and Comedian Mr. Robin Williams), Vincent Serritella, Jean Pierre Rives, Ashton Allen, among several other extremely talented painters, photographers, and sculptors. In addition to the art presented in the gallery, a full collection of Moroccan-inspired fashion was designed and created by the ever-evolving Traver Rains of T. Rains.

It was right in the middle of his fashion show, literally, that I had the opportunity to showcase my skills as choreographer and dancer in front of all attendees, including celebrity guests Kathy Griffin (also Host of this year’s benefit), Steven “Cojo” Cojocaru (who took the reigns as host of the Red Carpet arrivals), Author Kelly Stone, Model Kelly Killoren Bensimon, musical guests Chelsea Tyler and Jon Foster of KaneHoller, among others! It was also an extreme treat to be able to share the same runway with mega muse, fashion icon, and top model Yasmine Petty 🙂

To top off my excitement for this Moroccan-inspired evening, being that I was performing a belly dance piece, I had the privilege of having my costume designed and created for me by Traver Rains as part of the T. Rains collection. I cannot thank him enough for turning my choreography and dancing into something more magical and special by wearing something so boldly beautiful.

Please visit and support the Hotbed Benefit or follow them on Facebook. Also, check out Traver Rains t-shirt line, like the one I am wearing.

View and “Like” the video of my performance here. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter @MariaSerritella, and Instagram @MariaSerritella.