With Autism Awareness Month beginning, Los Angeles-based annual Autism Speaks benefit concert Light Up The Blues announces it will not be hosting an event this year.
Co-hosts Kristen and Stephen Stills said: “Stephen and I are so grateful for the overwhelming demand for tickets and support for Light Up The Blues this year. While it has left a hole in our heart, we have made the decision to not host our beloved benefit for 2017 and wanted to let all our family, friends, and fans know. After four extremely successful Light Up The Blues concerts, we will take 2017 to focus and expand our fundraising campaign efforts and resources to better serve the international autism community. We will return in 2018 energized to again Light It Up Blue.”
They invite their Light Up The Blues community network to join them by liking their Facebook Fan Page, where you can watch for future announcements and post your favorite concert moments.
Light Up The Blues Concert — An Evening of Music to Benefit Autism Speaks celebrated its 4th annual event last year at The Hollywood Pantages Theatre with Neil Young, The Rides (featuring Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Barry Goldberg), Jakob Dylan, The War On Drugs, Nikka Costa, Chris Stills and emcee Jack Black, plus three artists with autism: Nikki Nik, Soulshocka, and Kyle Cousins, and many special guests. Past years have included performances from Crosby, Stills and Nash, Ryan Adams, John Mayer, Don Felder, Rickie Lee Jones, Lucinda Williams, Brandi Carlile, Shawn Colvin, The White Buffalo, Steve Earle, Chris Stills, Spencer Harte featuring Petra Haden, Nick Guzman and Matt Savage.
Each year, the event spotlights Light It Up Blue, Autism Speaks’ annual global awareness and fundraising campaign, which is celebrated by the international autism community on April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day, and throughout Autism Awareness Month in April. Light Up The Blues celebrates the many gifts of individuals with autism, while supporting Autism Speaks in their mission to raise awareness and support their successful advocacy on behalf of all those who navigate through the journey of Autism. Proceeds from the Light Up The Blues Concert will go towards Autism Speaks’ research and advocacy efforts for families and individuals impacted by the disorder.
To date, Light Up The Blues has grossed over $1.3M for Autism Speaks.
