WASHINGTON — The city of Annapolis, Maryland, will host an all-day concert on Saturday to raise money for the families of victims and survivors of last month’s shooting at the Capital Gazette.
Good Charlotte, a band founded in Waldorf, Maryland, that went on to international fame, is one of at least nine musical acts set to play.
“They called the mayor immediately after the shootings happened and said, ‘What can we do?’ And the mayor said, ‘Play a benefit concert at some point’,” city spokeswoman Susan O’Brien said.
Other bands scheduled to perform at “Annapolis Rising” are Less than Jake, Dublin 5, Clones of Funk, Higher Hands, Skribe, The Great Heights Band, Art Sherrod Jr., and Zee Band. Also appearing will be Comedy Central’s Jordan Klepper, Capital Gazette staffers and other journalists.
Numerous sponsors of the event have donated services, waived fees and pledged at least $50,000.
“They have been helping to sort of offset the costs of the concert so we can increase the amount of money going to the (Capital Gazette Families) … Fund as much as possible,” O’Brien said.
Annapolis City Council has delayed a vote on a plan for the city to absorb $32,000 in concert expenses, including things such as overtime pay for police and firefighters. The council will take up the issue in September.
Tickets are available online only for $25 in advance and $30 the day of, and only 3,000 tickets will be sold. Children age 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
The concert runs from noon to 10 p.m. on Calvert Street between West and Northwest streets. Gates open at 11 a.m. Good Charlotte closes out the concert with an 8:30 p.m. set.; Klepper is slated to speak 15 minutes before during the set change.
Chairs, coolers, backpacks or outside beverages are not allowed at the venue. Food and drinks will be sold inside the concert venue’s perimeters; attendees will be given wrist bands and are allowed to come in and out of the venue as needed.
Free shuttles will carry concertgoers from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to the concert site.
