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L.A. nightlife bands together on the dance floor to benefit wildfire victims at the Bellwether

BBG News

Right before two high-profile arena concerts this week, the autonomous dance club community is adding its voice to the growing efforts in support of those affected by the tragic Los Angeles fires. On Wednesday, they’re organizing a special charity event called L.A. Gives Back at the Bellwether.

At the dance event organized by IHeartComix, 11 top promoters will be overseeing the festivities. The impressive lineup of artists includes Alice Glass, Ladies of Leisure, Emo Nite DJs, Spank Rock, Falcons, SuperNova, Chrome Sparks, Kito, Walker & Royce, and Lil Mariko, with several unannounced performers adding to the excitement. This particular gathering is not the typical IHC holiday party; it was arranged in response to a citywide crisis, traditionally aimed at supporting homeless nonprofits. It’s known as L.A. Gives Back this year.

Franki Chan, founder of IHeartComix – a creative marketing agency with strong ties to L.A.’s alternative dance scene – expresses that in these challenging times, we’re witnessing the city’s finest qualities. He believes it’s an instinctive response to current events, making it more intimate and personal.

Chan points out that the blazes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena took a significant toll on the artistic community, even affecting some of his own team members. Coincidentally, Chan had returned home from a journey to Japan only hours before the fires started. By the end of the week, the residence where he dwells, along with IHC offices nearby Sunset Boulevard, was merely a stone’s throw away from an evacuation zone.

According to Chan, approximately 20 individuals who were either regular employees, frequent collaborators, or artistic partners – people we’ve had close working relationships with – have unfortunately lost their homes. This fact is quite challenging to fully comprehend.

It may seem idyllic to rise in Hollywood with clear skies and everyone heading off to their favorite coffee shops or other spots,” he notes, “but only a short distance away, people are struggling with the loss of everything they had. This duality is very tangible. I believe we should acknowledge both scenarios as they currently stand.

This coming Wednesday will see the seventh L.A. Gives Back party hosted by IHC. The event will take place in two areas within Bellwether – the main music venue and a club-style presentation at Camille’s event space on the south side of the venue. Alongside IHC, several well-known promoters such as Brownies & Lemonade, A Club Called Rhonda, Pangea Sound, and Production Club will be participating in the event.

Chan emphasizes that our unique assortment of nightlife brands is now taking center stage. He further notes that numerous performers on the lineup can easily sell out large venues independently, yet this event offers a rare opportunity to witness them all together. If you enjoy dancing and appreciate a diverse selection of music, then this promises to be an enjoyable experience for you.

The 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. show (and the pre-show performances from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) will be livestreamed for everyone else on lagivesback.org, Billboard’s YouTube page, Brownies & Lemonade’s Twitch account, Veeps, and On Air. The proceeds from this event will be donated to the California Fire Foundation, MusiCares, Pasadena Humane Society, and the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.

Chan usually takes months to coordinate the L.A. Gives Back event, but this time, they managed to assemble a group of at least 100 volunteers and gather contributions from various sources – ranging from performers to promoters, catering for backstage meals, lasers, livestream teams, marketing, and other production expenses. The Bellwether is providing the venues, and Ticketmaster is waiving all ticket purchase fees.

On Tuesday, even though he was exhausted from lack of sleep, Chan was still finalizing performances with various artists. Some standout acts not to be missed include Alice Glass, a singer who used to be in Crystal Castles; and Ladies of Leisure, a group of DJs consisting of Tove Lo, Leanne Allen, Jesse Selchow, and Deirdre Coleman.

Chan remarks that the assistance offered was overwhelming to the point where it was challenging to find places where one could contribute effectively. He suggests that during such critical situations, people should concentrate on the areas where they excel most.

One of the onstage hosts will be Reggie Watts, a comedian and musician known for his improvisation skills. He aims to maintain an equilibrium between ensuring an enjoyable event and addressing the urgency of the current cause.

Watts expresses, “I want to ensure the atmosphere remains engaging and peculiar, yet subtly emphasize our purpose. Face-to-face interactions are essential, and I believe this event will provide such opportunities. It’s a fantastic chance for individuals to reaffirm the significance of in-person meetings, rather than relying excessively on digital methods for image or lifestyle presentation.

Watts points out that the complete extent of the damage to the artistic community from the fires is still uncertain, but some studios that he has recorded in himself have been destroyed by fire. He expresses, “Numerous artists’ studios and homes were consumed by flames, all their equipment was lost.” He continues, “Everyone is asking, ‘What can I do to help?’ This will only increase the worth of this community even more.

https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900623286EE1A05

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2025-01-29 18:01

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