Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic have announced a special benefit concert to raise funds to help the affected communities by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela.
Dubbed “A Concert for Venezuela,” the event will take place Aug. 23 at the Hollywood Bowl and feature full programing with special guests to be revealed soon.
“Venezuela will always be my home, and every moment, my thoughts are with the families whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy,” the renowned Venezuelan-born conductor said in a statement. “The suffering is immense, but so is the strength and resilience of our people. This concert at the Hollywood Bowl is an invitation to stand together and transform our compassion into action.”
The forthcoming concert is in response to the devastating twin earthquakes—magnitude 7.2 and 7.5—that struck the South American country on June 24, causing the collapse of multiple buildings in La Guaira and Caracas, leaving more than 3,000 dead and over 17,000 homeless, at time of publishing, according to Reuters.
Donations raised by “A Concert for Venezuela” — which will also mark Dudamel’s last performance as Music & Artistic Director of the LA Phil — will go to his Earthquake Recovery to Support Venezuelan Communities fund, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) fund.
“Through our partnerships, we can help ensure that urgent humanitarian aid reaches those who need it most, while at the same time working towards long-term recovery efforts,” Dudamel noted. “Every person who joins us and every contribution made is a reminder to the people of Venezuela that they are not alone. Together, through music, generosity, and hope, we will help our country heal and rebuild.”
“In moments of profound need, our responsibility as an institution extends beyond the stage,” Kim Noltemy, President and CEO of the LA Phi added. “We are grateful for the opportunity to provide direct financial support to relief efforts for communities in Venezuela with a $50,000 charitable donation and to stand alongside Gustavo in bringing this concert to life at the Bowl.”
