The night kicks off with Emmy award-winning actresses Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless premiering a hilarious original film short, followed by their live, memorable reunion, full of charm, stories, and the chemistry audiences have loved for decades.

This special event brings together storytelling across generations, featuring a short film presentation, live fireside conversations, audience Q&A, and a rare memorabilia auction from the iconic series.

All tax-deductible contributions directly support the creation of this powerful and timely film.

You’ll also meet award-winning director Eric Dyson, who collaborated with Tyne Daly on this powerful project after first connecting on the set of the TV series Judging Amy. A 30-year resident of the fire-affected area, Eric was deeply impacted by the events. In response, he created a short documentary that went on to win Best Documentary Short at the Pasadena International Film Festival. That film now serves as the foundation for the feature-length project we are currently raising funds to bring to life.

Why This Film Matters

Parable of the Ashes explores the prophetic work of Octavia Butler and the real communities now living through the kinds of crises she imagined decades ago.

Born and raised in Pasadena, Butler wrote about a future shaped by climate disasters, displacement, and fragile communities struggling to rebuild.

Today, those themes are no longer theoretical.

In the wake of the Eaton Fire, just miles from where Butler once lived and wrote, entire communities—especially in Altadena—are facing the very realities she envisioned.

A Story Rooted in Place

Altadena has long been one of California’s most historically rich Black communities—a place where families, artists, and visionaries built lives, culture, and opportunity.

It is also where Octavia Butler began imagining the future.

In her Parable novels, she wrote about fire, inequality, and societal breakdown—stories that now echo in the real-world aftermath of the Eaton Fire.

Parable of the Ashes explores the intersection of:

• Butler’s visionary work
• Altadena’s cultural legacy
• The real impact of climate disaster
• And the resilience required to rebuild

This is a story about memory, place, and survival.

The Fundraiser Experience

The Cagney & Lacey Reunion Fundraiser offers a rare opportunity to be part of something meaningful while experiencing an unforgettable evening.

Guests will enjoy:

• A special short film presentation
• Live conversation with Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless
• Audience Q&A
• A live auction of rare Cagney & Lacey show memorabilia and an opportunity to have an intimate dinner with Tyne and Sharon

How Your Support Helps

Your contribution directly supports:

• Filming interviews with Altadena residents and historians
• Documenting recovery from the Eaton Fire
• Archival research on Octavia Butler’s life and work
• Editing, post-production, and final storytelling
• Music, sound design, and distribution
• Community screenings and educational outreach

Honoring Altadena

This film is also an act of preservation.

Altadena represents generations of culture, creativity, and resilience that deserve to be documented and remembered.

Parable of the Ashes seeks to honor that legacy—before it is lost to time, disaster, or displacement.

Be Part of the Story

By joining this fundraiser, you are helping bring an important story to life.

You are supporting a film that connects imagination to reality—and ensures these stories are not forgotten.

Make Your Contribution

Reserve your place at the Cagney & Lacey Reunion Fundraiser and help bring Parable of the Ashes to the screen.

Be part of the story.

Thank you in advance for your contributions and support

• Producers Catherine Gray and Debra Smalley

• Associate Producer, Sondra Smalley

Co-Producer

Michael Alden

Co-Producer

Katie Chin

Celebrity Chef

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Founder Civic Soul
Caitlin Stamos