Adopt the Arts, the Los Angeles-based charity that preserves and creates arts programs in U.S. public schools, gathered their industry friends for a night of music and a live auction at The Roxy in West Hollywood, CA. The event—honoring music legends Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) and Butch Trucks (Allman Brothers Band)—was a success raising over $106,000 in one night for Adopt the Arts, which funds music programs in LAUSD elementary schools.
Artists entertained the crowd performing with a rare set including classic hits from ZZ Top and the Allman Brothers Band, which included honorees Billy Gibbons and Butch Trucks along with Slash, Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver), Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Steve Lukather (Toto), Orianthi (ex-Alice Cooper), Edgar Winter, Jimmy Vivino (Conan O’Brien), Billy Duffy (the Cult), vocalist Frankie Perez, Adopt the Arts founder Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver) and the Disreputable Few who served as the backing band for the night.
In between live performances guests enjoyed a live and silent auction featuring donations and vacation packages from Adopt the Arts supporters including: Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles, Villa del Palmar Resorts, John Varvatos, Gibbons' guitar from Fender, Slash and Lukather' guitars from Gibson, Sorum's signed Guns N’ Roses bass drumheads, America's signed lyrics to “Ventura Highway,” artwork from Shepard Fairey, Tommy Hollenstein and Mathieu Jean, photography from Gene Kirkland and gift certificates from Dr. Garth Fisher MD, FACS Beverly Hills and Real Food Daily.
The night was made possible by the Carter Lay Charitable Fund, which builds schools and provides education to children in local communities and worldwide. The Carter Lay Charitable Fund recently adopted Westminster Elementary school in Venice, CA through the Adopt the Arts program. Co-Founded by Carter Lay and Crystal Fambrini in 2010, the Carter Lay Charitable Fund is dedicated to helping individuals and non profits whose focus is to make the world a more peaceful and happy place. “Matt's dedication and connection to the kids is inspirational, he treats them how I treat my own kids—with nothing less than pure love and support,” explains Carter Lay. “The energy created by Adopt The Arts has provided me an opportunity to invest in my neighbors and focus on a worthy cause in my own backyard. Venice, CA is my home and it is a must for me to give back to the community on a local level by adopting Westminster Elementary."
For more information, visit adoptthearts.org.
Photo by Tiffany Rose
We spoke with Slash last at South by Southwest, to see the video and interview, click here.
