DANBURY — Local musicians, artists, and community members will gather Sunday, July 21, on the Danbury Green for an outdoor concert to benefit HealingNewtown, a public arts center in Newtown established in response to 12/14.

HealingNewtown Through the Arts is a project of Newtown Cultural Arts Commission.

The fundraising event, called Random Compassion Act I, was co-founded by CityCenter Danbury and Nancy Metcalf, a local musician and mother of three who learned about HealingNewtown through her work at Guitar Center, where she coordinates music lessons for children and families throughout the region and recently organized a day of free music programming at the arts space. 

“As a lifelong musician, I know that art has the power to help communities heal,” Ms Metcalf said.

As the name implies, Random Compassion Act I is the first in a series of annual benefit events that CityCenter Danbury will coordinate with Ms Metcalf, other local volunteers, and the arts community. Each year the event will identify and support an organization or individual in need.

This year’s concert will take place from noon to 6:30 pm, at CityCenter Danbury Green, with a rain location at Broadview Middle School, 72 Hospital Avenue, Danbury. The acclaimed Rush tribute band Limelight will headline the concert. Other acts will include The Matt Rae Trio, Otis and the Hurricanes, Skanktones, Eugene Dobbs Ultimate Nu-Cullers Band, Spectral Fangs, The Bandolins, Voices For Heroes, and Bill Wisnowski.

In addition to live performances, the event will feature a handful of vendors, some who are sponsors, with food and beverage for sale. Attendees are strongly encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation to HealingNewtown. All proceeds from Random Compassion Act I will go toward helping the arts center regain its financial balance and fund the arts space

All of the programs offered by HealingNewtown are free, thanks to the generous contributions of material from all around the country, and all of the volunteers who host and present the programs.

“Compassion is the ultimate currency,” Ms Metcalf said. “On the day of the concert, we hope that people will also be generous by investing in this admirable local arts space.”