I don’t need much of an excuse to go to the Sunset Towers but Tuesday was a no brainer. My friend invited me up to hear from Heart Phoenix *(founder of The Peace Alliance and mother of Rain, Joaquin, River, Summer and Liberty) talk about her life’s work and new act in the U.S. House and Senate under her charity The Peace Alliance. All of Heart’s children including Joaquin Phoenix (no beard) were there to watch and be proud.

Casey Affleck and his wife Summer Affleck (aka Summer Phoenix) snuck in just before her mother Heart spoke  . . . the baby-sitter was late. I brought along my bff Bianca White who’s been writing for the Truffle lately. We were just in time to hear her daughter Rain Phoenix playing some classic Neil Young covers to entertain the crowd before a series of speeches from Congressman Billy Scott (VA), Sheriff Leroy Baca (L.A. County) and members of The Peace Alliance.

This was rather apropo because Rain’s band Papercranes is about to release a record October 25th called Let’s Make Babies In The Woodson through Manimal label; I hear they will also be playing at Soho House this month.

Her sisters Summer Phoenix and Liberty Phoenix and Flea (RHCP) watched on from there comfy couches on the Sunset Towers terrace who have all performed with Rain before. Anthony Kiedis sat alongside Flea.

Balthazar Getty and pretty wife Rosetta Getty were also there. Joaquin Phoenix directed a music video for his friend Balthazar’s band Ringside in which Erika Christiansen, also listening to Rain’s music this eve from her perch on a sofa, made a cameo. Balthazar also was in Ladder 49 with Joaquin and in Traffic with Erika.

Heart Phoenix, a co-founding board member of the Peace Alliance – was there to promote and The YOUTH P.R.O.M.I.S.E. ACT – a non-partisan bill  (Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education) currently before the U.S. House and Senate that will make unprecedented investments in proven strategies to prevent youth violence.

It’s was a Family Affair – The Phoenix family also announced some other family business – A River Phoenix Peace Center in Florida with plans for one in Los Angeles to follow . . .  where they will hold workshops, mentoring and other intervention programs for youth. The Actor would have turned 40 years old on August 23, 2011.

Heart’s husband and fellow Peace Alliance member Jeffrey Weisberg was also there to support along with Amanda Demme, Jeff Vespa (who was also taking photos for Wireimage), Maggie Gyllenhaal who was also on the event host committe, Peace Alliance  board member Terri Mason, Peace Alliance President Judy Kimmel and her daughter film publicist Whitney Kimmel, Linda Laudermilk and publicist Sue Patricola (of Patricola-Lust PR and who reps both Balthazar and Joaquin).

Heart Phoenix spoke after a performance by her daughter Rain about her experience mothering her children, traveling around North and South America and removing them from the public school system. Her passions are veganism, arts and proactive feasible approach to peace.

The Peace Alliance will be furthering thier cause September 21st when you can text “peace” to 738-674 to receive you some Ben n jerrys ice cream!! Locations TBA!!

Tuesday, August 31st: A Benefit Reception in support of
The Peace Alliance & Student Peace Alliance
Host Committee
Casey Affleck, Jason Bateman, Kathy Eldon, Flea, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Anthony Kiedis, Eva Mendes, Joaquin Phoenix, Liv Tyler, Rain Phoenix

Pics from Jeff Vespa / Wireimage:

Rain, Summer and Heart Phoenix

Rain performs at Sunset Towers

Flea & Anthony

Rosetta & Balthazar

Casey Affleck and Congressman Bobby Scott

L.A. Sheriff Leroy Baca