Get ready for an unforgettable night! The annual Sing Out for Freedom benefit concert is set to take place on October 28 at the NYU Skirball Center in New York City, featuring an impressive lineup including Busy Philipps and Sara Bareilles. This year’s theme, “No Matter What… We Sing Out for Freedom,” aims to highlight social injustices and civil rights issues through a captivating blend of song, spoken word, and performance art.
Honoring Busy Philipps
This year, the concert will honor actress and activist Busy Philipps with the prestigious Michael Friedman Freedom Award. This accolade is given to individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions as humanitarians, artists, and activists. Previous honorees include notable figures like Harry Belafonte and Alan Cumming, making Philipps’ recognition a significant moment in the event’s history.
A Star-Studded Lineup
In addition to Philipps and Bareilles, the concert will feature performances by Tony Award winner J. Harrison Ghee, Tony nominee Eden Espinosa, and Jasmine Amy Rogers, who will soon star in Broadway’s Boop! The Betty Boop Musical. The evening will also showcase members of the cast from the Tony Award-winning musical Suffs. More performers and guests are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, adding even more excitement to this already stellar lineup.
Purpose and Impact
Co-founded by Erich Bergen and Liana Stampur, alongside NYCLU executive director Donna Lieberman, Sing Out for Freedom directly benefits the work of the NYCLU and ACLU. The concert is produced and directed by Bergen, with music direction by Michael J. Moritz Jr. The event aims to raise funds to promote and protect civil rights and liberties in New York and beyond.
“This year’s concert serves as a rallying cry for New Yorkers to fight for a brighter future as we head into election day,” said Lieberman. She emphasized the importance of advocacy, urging attendees to support Proposition 1, which seeks to enshrine abortion rights and other essential freedoms in the state constitution.
Join the Movement
As the concert date approaches, it promises to be a powerful evening filled with inspiration, celebration, and a call to action. Attendees will not only enjoy remarkable performances but also participate in a larger movement advocating for civil rights and social justice.
