Tag: Kensington Presents

Back 2 School with John C. Reilly, Mandy Moore in Photographs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

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.

Photos by Elli Lauren Photography and Harrison Pearl Photography as noted.
Lead photo: Harrison Pearl Photography

ANNOUNCING: BGS, D’Addario Foundation Plan L.A. Concert for School Music Programs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Along with our partners The D’Addario Foundation, longtime champions for accessible music instruction, and Kensington Presents, BGS is proud to announce Back 2 School: Class of 2019, which will take place at Los Angeles’ historic Palace Theatre on November 2. The first event of this kind in Southern California, the money raised by the 501(c)(3) D’Addario Foundation will provide kids access to amazing music programs, provide college assistance scholarships, and encourage gender parity in music and guitar playing through D’Addario’s Girls In Music Initiative.

Back 2 School will feature house band and Los Angeles institution, The Watkins Family Hour, joined by acclaimed producer, songwriter, and artist Mike Viola. A world-class cast of musicians will join Sara and Sean Watkins and their collaborative Family Hour crew over the course of the evening. Prolific songwriter and My Morning Jacket frontman, Jim James, platinum-selling musician and Emmy-nominated actress Mandy Moore, silver screen troubadour John C Reilly, straight-shooting singer-songwriter LP, everyman Americana hero Langhorne Slim, Los Angeles’ own comedy-folk duo Garfunkel & Oates, six-string renaissance man Blake Mills, and one half of The Bird And The Bee, Inara George, will all take the stage to raise money for The D’Addario Foundation. Fans should keep an eye out for additional artist announcements in the coming weeks. Tickets, priced from $50 to $250, will be available on Friday, September 20th. Use code BACK2SCHOOL to purchase pre-sale tickets now.

VIP ticket options are also available for those who wish to upgrade their Back 2 School experience. VIP will include premium seating (center orchestra or first two rows of mezzanine), a VIP laminate, and a priority entry lane. Gold Circle VIP includes premium seating (first four rows of orchestra), a free drink/cocktail, an event poster, and the aforementioned VIP laminate and priority entry lane.

In addition to catching once-in-a-lifetime performances and collaborations among world-class musicians, Back 2 School attendees will be contributing directly to The D’Addario Foundation’s mission to put music education back in the forefront and into the lives of those who otherwise might not have these opportunities. “The bottom line is kids need lots more music as part of their education and your support makes that possible,” says D’Addario Foundation Executive Director, Suzanne D’Addario Brouder, emphasizing their mission statement. “We believe in the power of music to unlock creativity, boost self-confidence, and enhance academics. By making music education accessible, we can positively affect social change and foster better citizens of the world.” Purchase your tickets now.