Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier will host a “Save Chain Reaction” benefit fundraising concert Saturday, April 27 from 8 pm until 11 pm.
The concert will help raise funds to protect and preserve the 26-foot-tall nuclear mushroom cloud landmarked public art peace sculpture that was designed and created by the late three-time Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist Paul Conrad.
The special event is a locally organized fundraiser being coordinated mostly by high school students, but all ages are cordially invited.
The event’s musical lineup includes the New Roads Jazz Band featuring Kaya Mandissa, the Lefteous Sisters, the Sessions Stars, and Half Brother.
The Campaign to Save Chain Reaction will also be selling t-shirts, posters, books and more at the benefit event.
Admission price is $10 for students 18 and under, and $20 for adults.
Paul Conrad gifted the iconic and monumental sculpture to the City of Santa Monica through a $250,000 philanthropic peace donation by an anonymous benefactor. It has been standing in the Santa Monica Civic Center since 1991 as a warning of the dangers of nuclear escalation.
“Chain Reaction” became the City’s first public art landmark when the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission voted unanimously to designate it a City Landmark at their July 9, 2012 public meeting.
The City has given the Conrad family and community a challenging task: raise the $450,000 the City says is needed to restore it, and raise it by February, 2014.
For “Save Chain Reaction” Benefit Fundraiser tickets and information call 310.399.1000 or visit SaveChainReaction.BrownPaperTickets.com.
