CHATSWORTH, Calif. — "Vice Is Nice," the annual summer animal rescue fundraiser, should be logged in everyone’s datebook.
The popular event, slated for Saturday, July 30, at Penthouse owner Kelly Holland’s Rancho Providencia in Chatsworth, raises funds for the Animal Rescue Alliance, as well shares the proceeds with four local rescue organizations.
Last year more than 750 animal lovers and industry luminaires attended this event and helped raise much-needed funds for the group.
XBIZ checked in with Holland last week to find out more about the 2016 edition of Vice Is Nice, now in its seventh year, and why it has become one of the top adult entertainment industry charity events.
XBIZ: This is one evening affair that is an industry favorite — complete with red carpet, live music, silent auction, food, tarot card readings and poker. For those who’ve never been to the annual fundraiser now in its seventh year, what can they expect?
HOLLAND: Given the weather I’d say you could expect a perfect California night. Everyone you know and a lot of people you don’t know, so it’s great to catch up in a relaxed environment where we are not juggling business and clients and strategies.
There’s something for everyone and lots of ways to stay entertained. There’s a poker tournament with celebrity players and great prizes, individual poker and blackjack tables for a less intense experience. There’s an insane raffle area that I thought was a little folksy until Moose from Girlfriends told me he works on raffle strategies … so raffles must be cool. We have hundreds of raffle baskets, so your chance of winning is high.
And this year we have some Dodgers … that’s L.A. Dodgers helping out. We have four dugout passes, a signed Steve Garvey ball and a signed Yasiel Puig ball for Dodger fans.
We have two great DJs and a big dance floor. Erica McClean with tarot readings will be there — she’s scary on spot, so get there early to sign up if you want to know where you’re going. Mehndi hand painting from a master. That’s Indian henna painting.
Our favorite magician, Kevin Curtain, from the Magic Castle. He’ll keep you mystified even if you aren’t drinking. Great vegetarian food and desserts. We have five great bars, with two pouring specialty cocktails.
Oh yes, it’s a tax write off and you’re doing something great for animals. I think that’s enough reason to come out!
XBIZ: How did you become involved with animal rescues?
HOLLAND: I had no intention of doing rescue or forming a nonprofit but life finds you most of the time.
I had some newborn kittens and a couple of dogs that dropped at the ranch, and one thing led to another and I went down the rabbit hole.
Ironically, I would end up at Penthouse and then owning Penthouse and it turns out Guccione had a rescue headed up by Pet’s Dyanna Lauren and Leslie Glass. Seems like a natural given the Penthouse Pet franchise.
My rescue, The Animal Rescue Alliance, is, as the name suggests, an alliance that works with several great rescues doing a variety of work.
Last year we donated money to some great local rescues as well as the ASPCA in Texas who was dealing with the aftermath of horrible flooding, and we did that in the name of Stormy Daniels who had lost one of her horses.
This year we’re working with some of the same rescues, as well as a new group who provides animals to hospices and “comfort animals.”
I will say that I think the adult community is disproportionately involved in rescue and animals, and I have a theory about that. I think when we spend much of our careers involved in a business that everyone has an opinion on it’s nice to come home to a dog or cat that could care less what you do for a living.
XBIZ: When you first started Vice Is Nice did you think you’d be doing it for six more years?
HOLLAND: Six years ago I could never have imagined I’d be doing anything I’m doing. I don’t plan ahead that well. I have, however, done big parties since I was a young actress newly arrived in L.A.
I love to throw a bunch of people together and watch the magic. No place is that more true than Vice Is Nice because you have industry, rescue people, friends from all over the world come in.
I’ve stood in the middle of the ranch and watched people who have not seen each other for 15 years stumble into each other. It’s great.
XBIZ: Beneficiaries for the event will be several animal rescue groups and sanctuaries. Do you choose different animal rescue groups each year?
HOLLAND: We have some of the same groups as well as new groups that simply cross my path. In some cases, it’s an individual. I just spent $1,000 on a little dog that was found in the street, Stella. She’s apparently been kicked in the stomach and had a massive hernia that — without getting too graphic — left her stomach and intestines hanging down in a “pouch.”
It was an incredibly complex surgery, and we went through a great nonprofit called Kinder Care that relies on veterinarians to volunteer in the evenings. Even with all of that donated there were some hard costs so The Animal Rescue Alliance stepped up to cover the bill.
The need is always greater than my ability so I do what I can ... and, thankfully, I make a decent living.
XBIZ: Tell me about your animals. How many do you have?
HOLLAND: Hmmm. Cats, dogs, chickens, goats, horses, Jack the Donkey, Cordelia the Pig. Let’s not discuss numbers.
General admission tickets to "Vice Is Nice" are $20 online and $25 at the event. To participate in the poker tournament, seats are $55 in advance, including admission, or $65 at the event. Kelly Holland's Rancho Providencia is located at 10945 Old Santa Susana Pass Road, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 30. Valet parking is at the top of the dirt road; a shuttle will transport partygoers to their cars.
