Have fun and give to a good cause

A well-known local musician is throwing her annual birthday bash for the community — with a purpose. The party, better known as “Angelena’s Double Nickel Celebration,” will be held at Florian Hall on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. This year’s theme is “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Attendees must dress up Hollywood style in all black for the affair and can expect to have a great time with live entertainment by Rey Royale, Angelena & the Unit, DJ DRock and the host of the evening, Naheem Garcia, a local actor who has been in movies such as “The Equalizer.” A portion of the proceeds from the party will go to the Lupus Foundation of America.

Lead singer of the R&B funk band Angelena & The Unit, and the birthday girl, Angelena “Songbird” Hightower talked about why it is important for her to give back to others in need, especially to the Lupus Foundation.

“My sister has lupus, and I’ve got several friends of mine who I had no idea were battling lupus.

… My sister happens to be the youngest of us all, and one of my favorite people in the world. When I found out that she was ill, it really bothered me so much that I made sure that I did something to move in the direction of finding healing for her and help for her,” she said.

According to the Lupus Foundation website, lupus is “a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead. It most commonly affects your skin, joints and internal organs, such as your kidneys and heart.”

In learning more about lupus, she discovered that many people in her circle did not know about the impact of this disease, which made her adamant to make sure she raises awareness about this at her party.

“I decided to bring [lupus] to the forefront, especially because lupus is primarily an African American woman’s and Latino women’s disease. Men can get it, but it’s primarily women of all ethnic backgrounds,” she said.

Hightower is correct, as the Lupus Foundation confirms that this disease is “two to three times more prevalent among African American, Hispanic/Latina, Asian American, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander women than among white women.”

For each birthday celebration Hightower has donated a portion of the funds to a cause. Last year, she raised $1,000 for the American Cancer Society.

“Birthdays are extremely important. So, whenever you have celebrations, it’s necessary not only to celebrate yourself and your own milestone, but to also consider others.”

At the party, Hightower says the space will be decked out in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” decor. Guests can expect auction items, a 50/50 raffle, champagne at VIP tables and fun party favors like cigars for the gentlemen and oldschool cigarette holders for the ladies, plus lots of live music.

“Consider coming and experiencing a vibe and hanging out with people that … the love is genuine and it’s real,” she said. “If you are looking to get out of your box, not be home … you want to get dressed [and] you’re feeling fancy, come hang out with us.”

ON THE WEB

Learn more and purchase tickets at eventbrite.com/e/angelenas-double-nickelcelebration-tickets-1782451262709