Guitars Over Guns Benefit Concert 11/21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Guitars Over Guns Holds 2ndAnnual Benefit Concert to Raise Funds for Music Education and Mentoring Initiative

MIAMI, Nov. 5, 2015 — Guitars Over Guns, a Miami-based nonprofit that provides mentoring to at-risk youth through music education and performance, announced today that it will hold its second annual Choose Your Sound benefit concert on Saturday, Nov. 21st from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Gleason Room backstage at the Fillmore (1700 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139). Tickets are available for $100 General Admission and $175 w/ VIP After Party and can be purchased at http://bit.ly/GOGOCYS2015
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Guitars Over Guns (GOGO) president and co-founder Chad Bernstein launched the organization in 2008 to formalize the ad-hoc mentoring that he and other members of the Miami band Suenalo were providing to local middle-schoolers. In partnership with Communities in Schools, the country’s largest dropout prevention organization, GOGO delivers a results-based, scalable model for bringing the joy and discipline of music-making to young people facing adversity in high-risk environments. Through its weekly programs, professional musicians forge positive relationships with students through one-on-one mentoring and instruction in music theory and performance.

“Our program is making meaningful changes in the lives of kids who don’t have the same opportunities that many of their peers enjoy,” said Mr. Bernstein. “Not only does Guitars Over Guns develop musical ability, but it helps our kids establish self-confidence, leadership and the ability to connect with others in an extremely positive way. The Choose Your Sound benefit concert helps raise money for our cause so that we can spread the transformative power of the arts to more students and schools in South Florida and beyond.”

Currently GOGO serves 125 students in Miami at Georgia Jones-Ayers Middle School,Citrus Grove Middle School and North Miami Middle School, including new young talents in the recently instituted art and dance programs. GOGO also has a presence in Chicago, with 26 kids participating at UCAN Academy, an alternative therapeutic day school for children who have suffered severe trauma. GOGO is also providing music mentorship at Evergreen Academy Middle School, where enrollment is 13 students and growing. “Some of Miami’s most talented acts will lend their support to our mission and join us for what promises to be an amazing evening of entertainment,” said Mr. Bernstein.

Presented by the Miami Marlins Foundation, and with support from Somos TV, the Choose Your Sound benefit concert will feature an open bar sponsored by Afro Head Rum, Tito’s Vodka, Bombay Sapphire and Lagunitas Brewery. Musical entertainment will be provided by local bands Locos Por Juana and Tony Succar with appearances from special guests and student musicians from the GOGO program. Roxanne Vargas of NBC 6 South Florida will host the event.

“GOGO isn’t just about becoming a better musician – it’s about being a better person,” said Santamarie Arocho, a student in the Guitars Over Guns Program. “I changed a lot throughout the years I’ve been in GOGO, and the person I am today is nowhere near the person I was three years ago.”

For more information on Choose Your Sound and to purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/GOGOCYS2015. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the event, please contact: Chad Bernstein at chad@guitarsoverguns.org or at 847.420.6327. Follow GOGO on Twitter @guitarsoverguns and join the conversation by using #chooseyoursound.

ABOUT GUITARS OVER GUNS
Guitars Over Guns is a Florida-based non-profit organization that was launched in 2008 by musician Dr. Chad Bernstein to formalize the ad-hoc mentoring he and other members of the Miami band Suenalo were providing to local at-risk middle-schoolers. Our mission is to help young people living in negative and dangerous environments to discover the life-changing power of music through a structured program of music instruction and strong mentoring relationships with professional musicians.

MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Mut
Mut Communications
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com

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