Typically, we think of musicians as our eternally broke friends, lovers or family members who could always use some extra cash for gas, guitar strings and ramen. But these creative types have a super-power that doesn’t involve an amp or a high alcohol tolerance: the ability to bring people together for a good cause, especially around this time of year. With the holidays upon us, there’s no shortage of music-related charity events ready to rattle your eardrums and warm your soul. Here’s a list of the organizations and artists coming together this month to inspire the public to donate their dollars, cans, toys and time to those in need.
Acoustic for a Change
Donate gently used instruments to this organization, which distributes them to local underprivileged kids and/or after-school programs. Sought-after equipment include guitars, bass guitars, drums, flutes, violins, trumpets, saxophones, keyboards, amplifiers, pianos and more.
For more information, visit www.acousticforachange.com/news/donate-or-receive-a-musical-instrument/.
KXmas
Eric Burdon & the Animals play hits like “House of the Rising Sun” and “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” to benefit local nonprofits such as the Friendship Shelter, Laguna Beach Chamber and KX 93.5.
At the Irvine Bowl, 650 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach.
Dec. 2, 7 p.m. Tiered seating, $29-$95; VIP, $195-$295.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.kx935.com/kxmas/.
Konsept Toy Drive
Bring an unwrapped toy and enjoy live musical performances, food and more than 20 Etsy vendors. Performers include Pita the Prophet, Mary Westlake, Kai Swinea, the Group SIR, Luis Martinez and Haley Copello.
Downtown Santa Ana.
Dec. 2, 3-10 p.m.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1764034227232994/.
Rock’n Rides and Art Walk
Enjoy live music, classic cars and a variety of food.
At Classic Rock Coffee, 1015 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton.
Dec. 3, 4-7 p.m. Bring a $5 toy and receive two raffle tickets.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/124646008215607/.
Skankin’ Santa’s Toy Drive (Day one)
Pocket Entertainment presents a slate of ska bands that includes Hooray for Our Side, Mister Blank, Rundown Kreeps, Spankshaft and PMA. Toys will be collected for Together We Rise, a foster-care network.
At Dipiazza’s, 5205 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach.
Dec. 7, 8 p.m. $7; $5 with a toy.
For more information, visit www.pocketentertainment.org.
Skankin’ Santa’s Toy Drive (Day two)
More ska bands will perform in a concert presented by Pocket Entertainment to gather toys for Together We Rise. The bill includes Iwanaga, the Ghetto On Phyre, Noise Complaint and Upper//Downer.
At Programme Skate & Sound, 2495 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, (714) 798-7565.
Sat., 8 p.m. $7; $5 with a toy.
For more information, visit www.pocketentertainment.org.
Toys for Tots Toy Drive Concert
All proceeds and donations from a cover band concert—featuring Vitalogy (a tribute to Pearl Jam), Damage Inc. (a tribute to Metallica), Nirvanish (a tribute to Nirvana), the Great Pumpkin (a tribute to Smashing Pumpkins) and Toxicity (a tribute to System of a Down)—will go to Toys for Tots.
Gaslamp Music + Bar + Kitchen, 6251 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach.
Dec. 9, 7 p.m. $10, or an unwrapped toy with a value of $10 or more.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.ticketweb.com/event/toys-for-tots-toy-drive-gaslamp-long-beach-tickets/7679035?pl=gaslamp.
Second Annual PunxMas Toy Drive
Toxic Kat Productions and KaoticRadio.com present a night of punk music to benefit Orangewood Children’s Home. Two stages of music will host Strange Men, Dirty Priests, Professor and the Madman, Stupid Flanders, Big Mess, Guttersnipe Rebellion, 77RPM, Let’s Misbehave Jazz Society, and an unannounced special guest.
At the Doll Hut, 107 S. Adams St., Anaheim, (562) 277-0075.
Sat., 7 p.m. Admission is a packaged toy with at least a $10 value; no monetary donations will be taken at the door.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/844039439086580.
Original Pizza II’s Annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party and Toy Drive
Wear your best ugly sweater to this performance by the Status Crowes.
At Original Pizza II, 2675 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa.
Dec. 9, 8 p.m. Bring a new unwrapped toy.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/132596597459534/.
White (Drugs) Christmas
Toys will be collected for Children’s Hospitals of San Francisco. The Bronx, Culture Abuse and Sharp/Shock will perform on night one, and Mariachi El Bronx, the Bolos and Uke-Hunt will perform the next evening.
At Alex’s Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach.
Dec. 9-10, 8 p.m. $20 per show.
For more information, visit www.alexsbar.com.
For the Fans 2: A Hip Hop Toy Drive
Bands performing in a benefit for Orangewood Children’s Home include Asend, Chente Chi, EROKS, RUCA, JROD, Bonnie Blue, Spread Love & Lolo Balboa, the Hyphenate, Razor, the Locust, DAYMO, Divina, Rufio Spenz, Thesis, Mad Macks & Kiddo, the Jetties, Hideandseekzoo with NONAMES, DJ Lala and Orange Beat, BOMBSHED, Sage One, and 2mex (of the Visionaries).
At the Doll Hut, 107 S. Adams St., Anaheim, (562) 277-0075.
Dec. 16, 6 p.m. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/155716374930229/.
Fourth Annual California Country Christmas
Two-step and line-dance competitions, a raffle, and giveaways are among the highlights at this night of country music to benefit Spark of Love Foundation and Blue Coat Music Inc. The lineup features Honey County, Scotty Mac Band, Michael Monroe Goodman, Eli V, Calico the Band, James Rensink, Brad Johnson, Carmel Helene, Christie Huff and Cameron Hawthorn.
At Gaslamp Music + Bar + Kitchen, 6251 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, (562) 596-4718.
Dec. 16, 7 p.m. $10-$15; attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift.
For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-4th-annual-california-country-christmas-tickets-38011415166?aff=erelexpmlt.
Sunday Social at Alex’s Bar
Bring an unwrapped toy and be entered into a raffle sponsored by Aggro. Listen to live performances by Bedlam Knives, DJ Tommy Gunn and Nelson Rome.
At Alex’s Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach.
Dec. 17, 2-8 p.m. No cover.
For more information, visit alexsbar.com.
Mark Wood and Friends Annual Christmas Show
The performance raises funds and toys for Olive Crest.
At CampusJAX, 3950 Campus Dr., Newport Beach.
Dec. 17, 6 p.m. $20.
For more information, visit http://www.campusjax.com/live-entertainment-and-dancing-in-orange-county-california.
Brewdolph’s Toy Drive
The Last Gang, Secondaries, the Owl In Daylight and the Revnauts take the stage for this concert presented by Pocket Entertainment. Together We Rise benefits.
At Slidebar Rock-N-Roll Kitchen, 122 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, (714) 871-2233.
Dec. 23, 8 p.m. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/592468241090690/.
By day, Brittany covers hard-hitting city news in San Diego. By night, she’s prowling the Orange County music scene, and is usually a regular attendee of local ska and punk shows. Reporting and music have always been Brittany’s passions. She wrote for her middle school and high school newspapers and studied journalism at Cal State Long Beach, where she graduated in 2012. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her French Bulldog, watching probably too many Disney movies for someone her age and napping.
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