Live music preview: DA Garza’s Office, RRCD announced lineup for SIMS Foundation Safer Together benefit
Today, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza and the Red River Cultural District (RRCD) along with SIMS Foundation announced the musical lineup for their Safer Together concerts on December 4 in downtown Austin. An impressive slate of ten local and up and coming acts have been announced to play three different, independently owned venues.
The Mohawk’s indoor stage will include the Gary Clark Jr.-produced, Blackillac, STRCK, and Sheridan Reed, while Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad and Moon Medallion will perform at The Green Jay. Rounding out the Safer Together 2021 lineup are The Cosmic Clash favorites Otis the Destroyer, along with Rare Bloom, Aspen 88, and Hey Hey Baby who will perform inside Empire Control Room.
The show is also part of DA Garza’s Office’s strategy to reduce the number of overdose-related deaths in the area after the county recently experienced a 30 percent increase last year compared to 2019.
“We know that we must treat substance use disorder and overdoses in our community as a public health issue, and doing so will make our community safer. This concert series and fundraiser is a creative way to address the stigma facing people suffering from substance use disorder, raise awareness, and save lives,” said Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza.
The Safer Together shows will run from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, December 4 with each concert free to attend, although donations will be taken at the door with 100% of proceeds being donated to SIMS Foundation. Music fans can make a donation now to the local nonprofit, by texting SIMS to 44312; use Pay Pal via info@simsfoundation.org; visit simsfoundation.org/donate; or with cash.
“As the only non-profit in the nation that provides mental health and substance use services and supports to everyone in the music industry and their dependent family members, we’ve worked with many clients struggling with substance use issues,” said SIMS Executive Director Patsy Dolan Bouressa. “We know all too well the pain and suffering that these individuals, and those who love them, experience as a result of this issue. As a result, we were thrilled to know that District Attorney Jose Garza was focused on this issue and are happy to have a partner in the Red River Cultural District on this effort.”
Learn more about SIMS Foundation which provides mental health and recovery services to music industry members and their dependent families here. Find more information about the work of the Red River Cultural District here.
