Shaden Tavakoli, better known in the nightlife scene as Lady Sha, didn’t set out to become a DJ. The L.A. native grew up in a strict Persian household and did her parents proud by studying anthropology and pre-med at UC Berkeley. But while studying abroad in South Africa, she got in touch with her true passion, music, and turned her love of hip-hop, reggae and soul into a career as a DJ.

Next thing she knew, she was back in L.A. with residency at the Standard on the Sunset Strip, where on Tuesdays and Thursdays she plays underground music by the likes of Flying Lotus and Willow the Gaslamp Killer. "I like to push the envelope," she says. "The beats they use aren't predictable; it's almost like [the music is] coming from a different planet." That's not to say she doesn’t dig mainstream hip-hop, which she spins at Air Conditioned Supper Club on Friday nights. "I like to support good music, not just what’s popular," she says. Where Lady Sha has really carved a niche for herself, however, is with her charity events. About a year and a half ago, she hooked up with her friend Aneesha Williams to start LionessLA, an events company dedicated to supporting nonprofit orgs like AIDS Project LA, Global Fund and Haven House LA. Every other month, the duo puts on a party at a different club and dedicates the night to one charity. The club nights usually have an all-female DJ lineup as well as an art component like live painting. "The goal is to raise energy and awareness," she says of the free events. "Donations are optional." That said, LionessLA has collected more than $1,000 at each event, in part because donators receive gift bags—one of which included a Hustler porno DVD!

As for Lady Sha’s parents, they’re warming up to her after-dark ambitions. "They've stopped asking me if I'm going to go back to med school."

LionessLA’s next party goes down December 15 at Tantra and will have a "warriors" theme. The DJ lineup has Lady Sha alongside female DJs Step1, Puffs and Bianca O’Blivion, and KYLA will showcase a "black ’n’ bling” photography show. Email list@lionessla.com to get on the list, and come with a little cash—the night's proceeds will support the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN).

Alexandra Le Tellier is Bars & Clubs editor for Metromix Los Angeles.

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