TwentyWonder | Past Lineups: People with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)

Relive your favorite TwentyWonder events by looking back at our past performers and attractions. You can also check out the gallery of Friends of TwentyWonder who have lent us their support over the years. If you want to keep up to date on all the latest TwentyWonder news, we’ve got a Facebook page and a Twitter feed—because we’re modern like that.

DSALA

Down Syndrome Charity

“Los Angeles”

The Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA) is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society and the National Down Syndrome Congress. It is a non-profit organization that has been providing services to individuals with Down syndrome and their families since 1976. All proceeds from TwentyWonder benefit DSALA to help fuel its many enrichment programs throughout LA, including: outreach to LA hospitals, activities like yoga, basketball camp, hip-hop classes, reading classes, and monthly seminars on subjects ranging from in-home supportive services to conservatorship and parent-to-parent peer training.

Trisomy 21

Born to Act Players

Drama Troupe

“Horseshoe Theatre Valley College”

This company began as just two friends with Down syndrome who loved acting. Luckily, one friend’s mother worked as an acting coach and the other mother worked as a talent manager. Soon, a handful of young people with Down syndrome began meeting weekly to memorize lines and play theater games. Led by the fearless Mary Rings, the Born to Act Players have evolved into a troupe that works hard to break down societal barriers in the world of entertainment. At TwentyWonder 2013 they sang a beautiful rendition of “Hallelujah” to honor Sam Simon, a long-time supporter of TwentyWonder.

2013 Trisomy 21

Jamie Brewer

Actor

“American Horror Story”

Jamie has onscreen credits that include a regular role opposite Oscar-winner Jessica Lange on the TV show American Horror Story. Before coming to Los Angeles, Jamie was appointed to the State of Texas ARC board and elected as its treasurer. She personally lobbied Texas state legislators during a successful effort to end the use the “r-word” in Texas legislation. She is active in many advocacy groups including TwentyWonder’s beneficiary, the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA).

We were proud to have this veteran TwentyWonderer lead the 2014 crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance before the Los Angeles Derby Dolls’ bout.

Friends Trisomy 21

ChromosDome

Art Installation

“Burning Man”

In 2012, TwentyWonder committee member Jason Decker happened to be building a thirty-two foot diameter geodesic dome in preparation for Burning Man. Just our luck, because we happened to need a Buckminster Fuller structure to display cool facts about trisomy twenty-one (Down syndrome). The ChromosDome allowed people to encounter trisomy twenty-one as just another aspect of humanity, integral to our community as the many incredible and valuable aspects of humanity present at each TwentyWonder.

2012 Trisomy 21

Kids of Widney High

Pop

“Act Your Age”

Widney High is a special education magnet school in the LAUSD. The band Kids of Widney High is composed of a group of Widney High students that write and perform original songs. Membership rotates as students come and go from Widney. Since its 1988 inception as a song writing class, the band has performed all around LA. It was even featured in the 2005 film The Ringer. In 2010 and 2012, Kids of Widney High played TwentyWonder and showed the crowd that every member of our community can contribute to the Carnival of the Mind.

2012 Trisomy 21

Jon Psaute

Singer

“Born to Act Juniors”

Young Jon Psaute is a member of the Down syndrome community. He comes to us from the DSALA’s Born to Act Juniors, a weekly theater company that meets at the DSALA office in Van Nuys. Jon, like many of us, is a big fan of the late Mr. Fred Rogers—of PBS fame. In a recent public performance, Jon captivated us with his revivalist take on a funky remix of Mr. Roger’s song, “We Can Sing Together.” TwenytWonder 2014 goers were invited to join in with Jon, Mr. Rogers, Mr. McFeely, and Lady Elaine in the at halftime of the Los Angeles Derby Dolls bout for a rousing chorus of “We Can Sing Together”.

2014 Trisomy 21

Rudely Interrupted

Indie-pop

“Mystery Girl”

In 2006, Rohan Brooks began a series of music therapy sessions that evolved beyond anyone’s expectations into one of Australia’s catchiest bands. A Vice Magazine profile described their work as, “Extremely well-crafted music by a bunch of guys who happen to be diagnosed with slightly wonky sets of genes.” In the genetic cards for the group are Asperger’s and Down syndrome. United by shared challenges and Rohan, Rudely Interrupted has succeeded in the studio and on stages across the world.

2014 Music

Stephanie Tapu

Artist

“Cotrutza Gallery”

Stephanie had a one-woman show at the Cotrutza Gallery in 2010 as part of the downtown Los Angeles gallery walk. The show consisted of a 70 pencil drawings. She brought 30 of them to TwentyWonder 2011. Sales of her work from that night, along with all proceeds from TwentyWonder, went to benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA). In 2012, Stephanie was awarded the DSALA Voice Award in Fine Art.

2011 Art

Tierra Del Sol

Painters with Trisomy 21

“Sunland Studio”

Tierra Del Sol cultivates artistic expression among people with significant challenges, such as trisomy twenty-one (Down syndrome). Tierra Del Sol believes people with trisomy twenty-one can develop creatively and make important contributions to the cultural and economic life of their communities. That notion is at the heart of TwentyWonder, so it made perfect sense to have their work on display at the Doll Factory. They’ve contributed artwork at TwentyWonder from 2011-2013. One of our favorite efforts was their collaboration with Tim Biskup—a member of the Lowbrow art movement centered around southern California.

2013 Art