The New York City cultural institution, Rockwood Music Hall has put out a call for assistance in order to preserve the longevity of its storied live music venue. Coupled with the movement is a benefit concert series featuring performances by a myriad of industry professionals who have committed to the cause. 

Grammy-Award-winning artist Sara Bareilles is helming the mission and also shared her memories of the venue and its significance: “In 2007, I played one of the first shows of my career at Rockwood Music Hall on the Lower East Side, a venue that then and now represents the grit and determination of New York’s aspiring musical community. At that point, I had only ever played ONE show in New York. I was green and scared. I knew I loved playing music for people, but New York was the Big Leagues and I wanted to prove myself, even if I didn’t know who that was yet. So I pretended, and of course panicked that no one would come.”

She continued, “Thankfully people came. Not hundreds of people, but enough people came for me to get to play there again. And a few more people came. And I got to play again. And again. And that is the whole precious gift of a place like this. Nurturing a relationship with the community, and more importantly with myself. I genuinely believe that for emerging and developing artists, sacred places like this are the heartbeat and lifeline of the New York music scene.”

The benefit concert series will kick off with an early and late performance on June 30 by the trailblazing Bareilles, who’s scheduled to take the stage at 7 p.m. E.T. and 9:30 p.m. E.T. Following up on the first shows, on July 1, Chris Thile and Michael Daves will share the stage. Days later, the series will pick back up with Amy Helm on July 6. Additional players include Isabel Hagen (July 10), Ingrid Michaelson (July 20), Elle King (July 31) and The Lone Bellow (August 10). 

For those interested in helping the cause, there are three ways to do so, make a donation to Rockwood Music Hall’s GoFundMe, attend the benefit concert series and share the #PerserveRockwood campaign on social media.  

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.