(Boston, MA. – September 19th, 2018) This week, a coalition – including students from Parkland and Newtown — with gun violence prevention artists, activists and organizations will reprise last year’s Concert Across America to End Gun Violence. Events range from selfie soloists to over 40 live concerts, digitally connected by #ConcertAcrossAmerica and ConcertAcrossAmerica.org.
Ten days of events will kick off on September 20thin Boston and in New York.
In Boston, at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, the band Dispatch and special guest Nahko and Medicine for the People are dedicating their September 20thshow to the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence.
“Throughout our summer tour we invited grassroots gun violence prevention organizations to join us at our shows. We couldn’t think of a better way to end this tour than kicking off the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence” said Brad Corrigan and Chad Urmston of Dispatch. “We are proud to support Stop Handgun Violence and the efforts of organizations and groups across the Country committed to keeping our schools, concert halls and other public spaces free from the fear of gun violence.”
Tickets can be purchased for the Boston show here.
Doors at 6:00pm, show at 7:00pm.
In New York, Rosanne Cash will be joined by Stop Handgun Violence founder John Rosenthal, musician Mark Erelli and author Kurt Andersen for part of the Conversations That Matter series, at The Church of St. Luke in the Fields.
“I am excited to be joined by such talented and passionate individuals for a night of music and conversation about gun violence prevention” said Rosanne Cash “Standing together in unity is the key to ending this epidemic.”
Register for free tickets to the NY show here.
Doors at 7:00pm
Shine MSD and Change the Ref, two charitable nonprofit organizations founded by the Parkland community, will host the finale concert with performances by Michael Franti & Spearhead, Nahko, Carrie Manolakos, Friends of Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary and Skip Marley on September 30th. In addition to performances, the finale will feature over 30 highly acclaimed chefs from across the globe creating original culinary masterpieces. Tickets can be purchased here. Doors at 5:00pm.
Musicians around the world are participating in our challenge to beat last year’s sing-a-long record. Participants will record a video of themselves singing “Shine” by Andrea Peña and Sawyer Garrity, students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, FL, and post it on social media using #ConcertAcrossAmerica. Early videos include one from Kyoto, Japan and another from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“For me and Sawyer, not only was this song a way for us to heal, but it was also for the victims,” Andrea Peña said. “We got to be a voice for those who didn’t have one anymore. That’s what the song was about.”
“I write songs all the time,” Sawyer Garrity said. “Writing is my outlet. Some people will call a friend and rant to their friend; I’ll pick up my guitar and rant to my guitar.”
“We are so honored to have our song be chosen as this year’s one song for peace and can’t wait to see everyone’s video.” Said Sawyer and Andrea.
“This year, we brought back the sing-a-long to provide a way for individuals inside and outside of major cities to unify their efforts,” said Concert Chair John Rosenthal. “Most gun violence is preventable. Urban Massachusetts has the lowest gun death rate in the Nation and has proven the NRA’s worst nightmare. Gun laws save lives! Gun violence affects all communities, and this national effort gives everyone an opportunity to work towards a solution.”
A full list of participating cities, karaoke tracks for the sing-along challenge and more can be found online at concertacrossamerica.org.
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About The Concert Across America
In its third year, The Concert Across America will take place from Sept. 20th, to Sept. 30th, originally scheduled in 2016 to coincide with the Congressionally designated day of remembrance for murder victims (September 25th). This nationwide musical experience, spearheaded by Stop Handgun Violencein Boston, brings together a network of organizations, activists and artists to take a united stand against gun violence. For more information visit http://concertacrossamerica.org.