Families United in Newtown (FUN) will present its third annual autism awareness-raising concert, “Celebrating Movie Music,” on Saturday, May 16, at 6 pm, at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street.

This year’s concert theme involves popular movie tunes spanning the decades, and will welcome headliner and YouTube sensation Jodi DiPiazza. Jodi, a resident of New Jersey, began improvising piano at age 3 and started taking lessons at age 7 despite her struggle with autism spectrum disorder. 

In October 2012, pop star Katy Perry invited Jodi to perform a duet during “The Night of Too Many Stars” at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, televised on Comedy Central and to date has over six million YouTube views.

This year, Jodi returned to “The Night of Too Many Stars” to accompany “Weird Al” Yankovic in his Star Wars parody tune “Yoda.”

The Newtown concert will also feature the Newtown High School Chamber Choir and other special guests including several of the community’s gifted performers, some of whom are also on the autism spectrum. These accomplished musicians are students of Newtown High School, Sandy Hook’s Suzuki Talent Education School, Western Connecticut State University, the University of South Florida, and local private teachers. 

Admission to the concert is free, but FUN will be collecting donations at the door for continued support of the program and Autism Awareness. Light refreshments will be served after the performances, providing attendees a chance to meet and greet the performers

Families United in Newtown was established by resident Linda Jones, who started fundraising in 2008 with a dream of providing recreational programs and respite for families with special needs children. One year later, following the death of her son, Tyler, the program blossomed with the support of Newtown High School National Honors Society students.

In October 2010 the group held its first monthly meeting in memory of Tyler, and has hosted regular meetings ever since. The ultimate goal of FUN is to provide an outlet for families with special needs children as well as promoting Autism Awareness. The May FUN meeting will be held during the concert on that Saturday evening with this year’s group of National Honors Society students providing onsite care for attending special needs kids as well as other children during the show.

According to AutismSpeaks.org, it is estimated that one in 68 children will be diagnosed with some form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism and ASD are general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors.

ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention, and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.

See Jodi’s performance with Katy Perry at www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX-xToQI34I.

For more information visit FUN on Facebook at Families United in Newtown, or call 203-512-6284.