Beats for a Bench: Music and Art to Benefit Veteran’s Memorial

Long Beach, CA – A memorial fundraiser is being hosted on Saturday, May 21 for Sergeant Israel Garcia, who was killed in the battle of Wanat in Afghanistan in 2008. The benefit includes an art gallery and silent auction, screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary Restrepo and live electronic music performances by local artists.

Beats for a Bench will raise money for a memorial bench to honor the sacrifice and accomplishments of Sgt. Israel Garcia, which will be placed at his high school, Long Beach Poly. Additional funds raised at the event will support the Long Beach City College Veterans Group to create an on-campus memorial to honor veterans, and to U.S. Vets to help them accomplish their goal of "the successful transition of military veterans and their families through the provision of housing, counseling, career development and comprehensive support."

The benefit will take place on Saturday May 21, from 4pm to 11pm at the Expo Center in Long Beach, 4313 Atlantic Avenue, 90807. Beats for a Bench is an entirely grassroots effort, created by friends and supporters of Sgt. Garcia.

Beats for a Bench will kick off with a screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary Restrepo, created by Sebastian Junger and the late Tim Hetherington, followed by a silent auction, art show, and electronic music concert. The event is being hosted by Long Beach resident and Operation Enduring Freedom veteran Steven W. Kerns, who served with Garcia in the same unit in Afghanistan. Local non-profit organization U.S. Vets, prominent Los Angeles record label Alpha Pup, the Pure Filth sound system and Dubspot online music school are all supporting the event.

“Israel Garcia was an incredible man and I believe in that sense his memory will live on forever,” said organizer and veteran Steven W. Kerns. “A memorial bench for Israel at Poly High will be a great way to honor him and his service, and give kids a positive role model to aspire to.”

Beats for a Bench schedule:

4:00pm: Doors
4:30pm: Screening of Oscar-nominated documentary Restrepo
6:00-6:15pm: Q&A
6:15-6:45pm: Silent auction
6:45-7pm: Intermission
7-11pm: Music by Thavius Beck, Steve Nalepa, DJ Nobody, Static_Cast & special guests

Sound by Pure Filth

Tickets: $10 presale, $15 at the door: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/174321

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168575656530219

For more information and press inquiries, please contact:

Steven W. Kerns
562-682-2958
steven.w.kerns@gmail.com