It’s the time of the year when the charity events really start popping. This week we’ve got two, one more serious than the other -- but both are just as worth of your hard-earned cash. Ryan Heffington and hid Sweaty Sundays crew are up to some hijinks; this weekend, members of the dance class (as well as Heffington’s more experienced pro dancers) are putting on a benefit show at the Bootleg Theatre. The proceeds are promising to go toward “future endeavors.” We know Mr. Heffington is hoping to follow in Richard Simmons’ footsteps and film his own DVD, all in aid of getting a studio space he can call his own -- for dancing and film screenings, gatherings, and more. Sweat it out with the sweaty crew Thursday through Sunday at 8pm, 2220 Beverly Blvd. Tickets can be grabbed here.

Ryan Heffington has been described as the "sweaty love child of Freddy Mercury and Martha Graham." I completely agree; if those two had made babies, their kiddies would probably have the charisma, organic talent, and out-of-control precision Heffington exudes while performing just about any activity. The man commands attention when he’s grilling vegetables, let alone when he’s performing "Dirty Diana" in a packed nightclub. A born superstar dancer, performer, designer, and choreographer, Heffington’s ferocious, uncompromising energy lights up -- think psychedelic high -- before loosening up the world one stage, club, or impromptu street performance at a time. From his arrival in the City of Angels his determination was to simply be himself. Only he is someone, probably the only one, who’s as comfortable in a leopard leotard as he is in a vibrant Rastafarian getup or just some casual low pumps and jeans. Put mildly, he’s like no other.

A rule of thumb in a successful nightlife party is that the best nights are a good mix of gay and straight. If you have an all-gay party, it's a bunch of sausages admiring each other, shot through with an aggressive sexual energy. If the party is too straight, it will simple be passé and boring, and will likely be filled with wasted frat boys pawing the girls as they walk by. The key then, is girls, plus their gay boyfriends, and fashionable, non-threatened, and comfortable-in-their-sexuality straight boys. This elusive balance has been achieved at Full Frontal Disco, a monthly party at the Grand Star Jazz Club thrown by two gay boys, Ryan Heffington and Mario Diaz, for all their friends, especially those friends who like to roller skate to disco (and yes, a girl did show up in skates).

I've only been in L.A. for a little over a year, and I've generally had a good run. But in the last few weeks, after a couple of mishaps, I was starting to get down on the old girl. It's isolating, there's no energy and excitement in the air, and there's this annoying thing called traffic. I was due to take a field trip from Santa Monica to the other side of the earth—Echo Park—on Saturday night, to see Ryan Heffington's collaborative performance, "Sex on a String," and frankly, I wasn't feeling up for it. Two friends had canceled because of a family emergency, and the thought of going to the far East wasn't very appealing. But boy, am I glad I went.