This Sunday’s Concert for Civility, the annual fundraising event born from the shootings of Jan. 8, 2011, will be a double-billed event.
The activities begin at Hotel Congress, where a roster of local performers that includes Joey Burns of Calexico, John Coinman, the Awkward Moments and the Sam Hughes Elementary School Children’s Chorus will perform on the hotel’s outdoor plaza.
They will continue with a blowout concert across the street at the Rialto Theatre, featuring opener Salvador Duran and headlined by the Los Angeles band Ozomatli.
Proceeds from both events will go toward the Mental Health Safe Space, a project launched by the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding that educates members of the community about mental illness.
The Fund for Civility was started by former U.S. Rep Ron Barber and his family after six people were killed and 13 people, including Barber and then-U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, were injured by gunman Jared Loughner.
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“We had a very sick young man who didn’t get help,” said Jennie Grabel, executive director of the Fund for Civility. “With Safe Space, we teach groups the basic facts about mental illness and what signs are presented when someone is experiencing a decline in mental health.”
Grabel said the goal is ideally to open the conversation about mental illness.
“We want to make sure people know the facts, learn the science, and are able to provide help,” she said. “We want to normalize the topic and provide people with some basic skills so they feel more comfortable and confident when dealing with this sort of situation.”
This is the first Concert for Civility that will take place in separate venues.
Grabel said that, while both concerts are family-friendly, they can appeal to different audiences.
Some might attend to see Ozomatli. Others will want to hear live music in an outdoor setting at Congress.
Either way, they should enjoy themselves, Grabel said.
“There is a healing aspect and a community-building power to music,” Grabel said. “The dollars raised are valuable, but thanking, giving back and connecting with the community are important, as well.”