On Saturday, November 2, community-minded music fans from all across Southern California gathered at the Palace Theatre in Los Angeles for Back 2 School. The variety show, presented by Kensington Presents, the D’Addario Foundation, and BGS, benefited the D’Addario Foundation’s important work supporting music programs in underserved schools and communities. John C. Reilly, Jim James, Mandy Moore, Garfunkel & Oates, and many others took to the stage with our five-star house band — helmed by the Watkins Family Hour and Mike Viola — to share music, songs, and laughter to bolster the cause.
If you didn’t have the good fortune to be in attendance on Saturday night, check out the magic of Back 2 School (thanks in no small part to our stellar drum line) right here on BGS. Good news, too: You can give to the D’Addario Foundation at any time, wherever you are. Donate here.
A great night, a great cause.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
All smiles -- and oh so much fun -- during pre-show run throughs.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
(L to R:) Ted Poor, Blake Mills, and Mike Viola.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
A simply stunning room.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Suzanne D'Addario Brouder of D'Addario and the D'Addario Foundation speaks about the important work of funding music programs in schools and communities.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
LP takes the stage!
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
These two. The best house band leaders anywhere. Sean and Sara Watkins.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Blake Mills (foreground), Mike Viola.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
John C. Reilly takes a quiet moment backstage.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Jim James himself.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Alan Hampton on bass,
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Langhorne Slim serenades the Palace Theatre crowd.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
LP brings it to a rapt crowd.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
The ever hilarious Garfunkel & Oates!
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
THE Mandy Moore, y'all.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Every show needs a surprise guest. For Back 2 School, that was David Garza!
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Langhorne Slim in his dressing room.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Jim James bringing a number home.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
A soon-to-be hug we'd like to make a group hug, for sure.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
What a group!
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
The hang backstage was 10/10.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Garfunkel & Oates.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
It is "Back 2 School," after all. The evening would not have been complete without a drum line.
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
David Garza shows everyone how it's done. ("It" being guitar solo acrobatics, of course!)
Photo by Ellie Lauren Photography
Our valiant drum line warms up backstage.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Only YOU can help fund music programs in schools and communities. - John C. Reilly, in this photo probably.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Mandy Moore, once again.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Pinch us, we must have been dreaming of the best band ever.
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
What a night. On behalf of Kensington Presents, the D'Addario Foundation, and BGS we'd like to thank everyone who made it possible!
Photo by Harrison Pearl Photography
Photos by Elli Lauren Photography and Harrison Pearl Photography as noted. Lead photo: Harrison Pearl Photography
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