By Crystal Harrell
The Annual Concert for Autism has been a Coachella Valley music staple that combines charitable outreach with talented performances from local artists to benefit those who have been affected by autism. The 14th Annual Concert for Autism will take place November 20 at the Big Rock Pub in Indio with performances beginning at 2 p.m. The Big Rock Pub is a new venue for the Concert for Autism, as the event took place at the Tack Room Tavern in Indio over the last four years.
The lineup for the event includes The Ghost Notes, Blasting Echo, The Hellions (who have performed at every single Concert for Autism), Square Wave Monolith, Cody White & The Easy Ride, The Ill Eagles, Krystofer Do, Matt and The Kings, Screams on Silent, Rick Shelley, Jetta King, Feisty Joe, Derek Jordan Gregg, Lance Riebsomer, Yovés, Matt Davin, Courtney Chambers, and Jim Cathcart.
The event will include raffles and silent auctions featuring items and services donated by local businesses. There will be a 10-dollar suggested donation at the door and any additional donations being accepted all night long.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no kids’ activities at the Concert for Autism this year, as children under the age of 12 have only recently been able to get vaccinated for the virus and will not be allowed to attend these events. Representatives of the Concert for Autism encourage all attendees to get vaccinated and to please wear a mask to attend if they are not vaccinated.
“There’s already too much going wrong in the world, and if we ever get the chance to do something for a good cause, we should always take that chance,” said musician Krystofer Do. This will be Do’s third time performing at the Concert for Autism since 2019.
Prior to the main event at the Big Rock Pub, there will be a warm-up concert event at Coachella Valley Brewing Co. on Sunday, November 14, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. that will feature performances by some of the best acoustic acts in the Coachella Valley.
The lineup at the Coachella Valley Brewing Co. includes John Carey, Adam Gainey, Mario Quintero, Kelsey Manning, The Sieve & The Saddle, Switcharoo, Tim Anthony Scott, and Machin’ Acoustic.
Proceeds from these events will be donated to the Desert Autism Foundation. This local organization provides financial assistance to families with Autistic children so they may afford vital therapies, programs and activities.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. The Centers for Disease Control now estimates that Autism occurs in 1 out of every 54 children.
The cause hits close to home for founder Josh Heinz, as he and his wife Linda both have sons with autism. Heinz is a musician who started the Concert for Autism in 2008, intersecting his love for music with his desire to help those affected with autism. The event has been held every year since—even in a virtual format in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I want to thank Big Rock Pub for making it possible to host the Concert for Autism at their venue. Every year has unique challenges, and it’s always a tough balance of organizing this event, taking care of my family, and managing my full-time job. I am forever grateful for our friends that help us out. Jeff Mazer and Greg Little have been doing sound for us for seven years at the event and I am so thankful for the support,” expressed Heinz.
Although the concert is not directly affiliated with the Desert Autism Foundation, this charity offers valuable assistance for those families that deal with autism on a daily basis. The Concert for Autism will be donating all funds raised from the concert to the organization and donations are tax deductible.
To learn more about the Concert for Autism or to make a donation on their PayPal page, visit their website at concertforautism.com. If you are interested in donating items for use as raffle or silent auction items, reach out to the Concert for Autism at contact@concertforautism.com.
2021 14th Annual Concert for Autism Kick Off Event Coachella Valley Brewing Sunday, November 14th
Set Times:
12:00 – 12:30 – Tim Anthony Scott
12:45 – 1:15 – Switcheroo
1:30 – 2:00 – The Sieve and the Saddle
2:15 – 2:45 – Kelsey Manning
3:00 – 3:30 – John Carey
3:45 – 4:15 – Mario Quintero
4:30 – 5:00 – Adam Gainey
5:15 – 6:00 – Machin’ Acoustic
2021 14th Annual Concert for Autism Main Event at Big Rock Pub Saturday, November 20th
Main Stage 2:00 – 2:35 Feisty Joe
Acoustic Stage 2:35 – 2:55 Rick Shelley
Main Stage 3:00 – 3:35 Screams on Silent
Acoustic Stage 3:35 – 3:55 Lance Riebsomer
Main Stage 4:00 – 4:35 Matt and the Kings
Acoustic Stage 4:35 – 4:55 Derek Jordan Gregg
Main Stage 5:00 – 5:35 Krystofer Do
Acoustic Stage 5:35 – 5:55 Jetta King
Main Stage 6:00 – 6:35 the ill eagles
Acoustic Stage 6:35 – 6:55 Performance from two Autistic Music Students
Main Stage 7:00 – 7:35 Cody White and the Easy Ride
Acoustic Stage 7:35 – 7:55 Yovés
Main Stage 8:00 – 8:35 Square Wave Monolith
Acoustic Stage 8:35 – 8:55 Courtney Chambers
Main Stage 9:00 – 9:35 Blasting Echo
Acoustic Stage 9:35 – 9:55 Matt Davin
Main Stage 10:00 – 10:35 The Hellions
Acoustic Stage 10:35 – 10:55 Jim Cathcart
Main Stage 11:00 – 11:45 The Ghost Notes
