Adopt The Arts will launch a live benefit concert and event for LAUSD elementary schools on Monday, January 12th at The Roxy (9009 W. Sunset Blvd.) in West Hollywood (red carpet 6 - 7 PM, show starts: 7 PM).

Music luminaries will gather to perform with and honor Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) and Butch Trucks (Allman Brothers Band) for their contributions to American art and culture. Artists confirmed to perform so far include Billy Gibbons, Butch Trucks, Slash, Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver), Steve Lukather (Toto), Edgar Winter, Jimmy Vivino (Conan O’Brien) vocalist Franky Perez, Adopt The Arts founder Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver) and many more special guests to be announced soon.

The Disreputable Few, a group of surprise killer musicians, will serve as the backing band for the night. The proceeds will go to the Adopt The Arts music programs in LAUSD elementary schools (see VIP ticket/donation below). Tickets are on-sale now at this location.

 

 

Adopt The Arts - a Los Angeles-based charity co-founded by musician Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver) and activist Abby Berman - works to preserve arts programs in US public schools. To raise awareness, Adopt The Arts honors individuals who’ve had a long-lasting impact on music culture and who inspire young musicians to follow in their footsteps. Actress Jane Lynch was the first celebrity to sign onto Adopt The Arts and is on the Board of Directors; the advisory board also includes: Slash, John Stamos, Billy Bob Thorton, Steve Stevens, Juliette Lewis, Danny Masterson, Shepard Fairey, Adrian Young and Gina Gershon.

According to Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), 50% of elementary school children in the district are not receiving arts education of any kind.  As in many school districts around the country, LAUSD has been slowly eroding its commitment to arts education, reducing the budget incrementally.  The LAUSD district also estimates that 80% of its student body is living at or below the poverty line, which means the vast majority of these elementary school children will not have access to the arts outside of school.

“Adopt The Arts was born out of the frustration for my own children losing education in the arts,” explains Adopt The Arts Co-Founder Abby Berman. “When the system is failing, we have to take action.  With influential people like my Co-Founder Matt Sorum adopting schools, we can preserve this valuable component to childhood development, which is also known to boost test scores.  Because Federal and State funding is falling short, the responsibility is upon us as concerned parents and citizens to ensure we’re raising a new generation of healthy and well-rounded individuals.”

Adopt The Arts Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder Matt Sorum adds, “We’re starting in our own backyard here in Los Angeles, and we’ll continue to adopt schools across the nation.  We believe that art is a universal and necessary language that unites us all, regardless of our backgrounds.”

Ticket prices for the Adopt The Arts event are below; all donations are tax deductable:

1)    General: $75

2)    VIP: $125 (includes seating in VIP section w/hors d'oeuvres)

3)    VVIP: $250 (includes V-VIP section w/hors d'oeuvres and artist Meet and Greet at soundcheck)

Tickets are on-sale now and can be purchased at this location.