As gun violence continues to plague the Chicago area and the nation, a group of residents and non-profit leaders commenced an annual local concert event as part of the national Concert Across America to End Gun Violence. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, September 24 at Wire in Berwyn, IL. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.
The concert will run from noon to 10:00 pm, and features music performances by Marcus Alexander,
Fernando Jones, Jodi and David Walker, Michael Palmer and Friends, Mani Jurdan and the Huey Gang,
School of Rock Oak Park, The Velvet Jimis, Dg Sax Experience, Ifficial Reggae Movement, Chai Tulani,
and Isaiah Makar. There will also be spoken word performers, and a special dance performance from
The Roots To Fruit Dancers.
Proceeds from this year’s concert benefit BUILD Chicago, which has helped young people in Chicago’s
toughest neighborhoods escape the cycle of violence since 1969. In 2016-17 BUILD reached 3,356
young people last year in Austin, Humboldt Park, and other low-income communities, including
intensive mentoring to 605 of the city’s highest-risk youth. BUILD helps transform youth lives with
nationally recognized services that include violence prevention, after school programs, visual arts and
music, preparation for post-secondary education, and the world of work.