SAMOHI — Only 200 tickets remain for the eighth annual For the Arts Benefit Concert, to be held Saturday night at Barnum Hall.
The Santa Monica High School choir, orchestra and jazz band will play with musical guests America, Venice, Richard Page of Mr. Mister and one mystery guest in a show-stopping performance to raise money for arts programs in local schools.
Promotional materials for the event were designed by Samohi student Gabrielle Bellini, who won a competition between students in the digital design class to create the poster now splashed around town.
Proceeds go to a variety of programs including DreamWind and DreamStrings, which pay for a music coach to help with wind and string instruments in low-income schools, as well as the Olympic High School’s guitar and drum classes.
“It’s a fun way to raise money because the community comes out and enjoys the show,” said Linda Gross, executive director of the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation, which helps put on the event.
Organizers hope to sell out the 1,200-seat performance venue, which would raise approximately $50,000 for the evening, Gross said.
Sponsors cover the majority of the $50,000 it takes to produce the event. The artists donate their time.
The event began pulling together seven weeks ago, when the major musical guests signed onto the project.
This will be the first time that Richard Page, the frontman of ‘80s pop group Mr. Mister, will perform at For the Arts, although he’s been meaning to for years.
Page, a Malibu resident, attended grade school in Santa Monica, and had four children go through the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
“I’ve been a part of the community, and I’m so thrilled to be able to support this event, because I found my career really became inspired in high school,” Page said.
The concert not only raises money for school programs, it inspires students that get to participate and see the show come together from the inside, Gross said.
“We give them an experience they never would have had otherwise,” she said.
Remaining tickets cost between $35 and $175, and will be available at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m.
ashley@www.smdp.com