The L.A. institution Norman’s Rare Guitars will host the gala to raise money for Skid Row’s acclaimed homeless shelter and recovery center
A star-studded event to raise money for the beloved Midnight Mission will be held next weekCredit: The Midnight Mission
L.A. Institution Norman’s Rare Guitars will sponsor a star-studded musical event From LA With Love, with performances from a slew of recognizable Angeleno musical icons, all part of a benefit to support Skid Row’s beloved The Midnight Mission, the city’s oldest nonprofit serving the homeless.
The evening will feature a once-in-a-lifetime lineup, including blues titan Joe Bonamassa; Richie Sambora, the legendary Bon Jovi lead guitarist and many more musical legends. Tickets are still available for the Oct. 2 concert. The gala marks not only a fundraiser effort for The Midnight Mission, but also honors Norman Harris, the owner of the legendary vintage guitar shop in Tarzana, California, that he founded in 1975.
“This year’s event not only honors Norman’s Rare Guitars’ 50th anniversary but also marks the 8th anniversary of Tom Petty’s passing, adding special meaning to a night rooted in music history and generosity,” said Chief Communications Officer for The Midnight Mission, Georgia Berkovich Hawley.
Berkovich Hawley, who has been friends with Harris for years, added that she has watched music break down walls and lift people up at The Midnight Mission. “I know Norm’s gift goes far beyond guitars and concerts. He has shown that music can reach people in ways nothing else can. It can spark hope when everything feels lost. This event isn’t just about incredible performances, it’s about giving thousands of people the chance to feel seen, supported, and inspired to begin again,” Hawley added.
The Midnight Mission is considered by many Angelenos, including former clients who have now enjoyed long-term sobriety, the premier provider of life-changing services to people experiencing homelessness in Southern California. The Midnight Mission doesn’t just offer a bed and a meal, it also offers a path to self-sufficiency for its clients through emergency services, 12-step recovery programs, job training, education and work programs – all of it a compassionate bridge to productive lives that has proven to be a successful one.
A highlight of the evening will be a powerful performance by one such former client, Toby Metz, a proud Midnight Mission alumnus, “who will share his journey of recovery and hope, including how Norm helped him begin again by putting a guitar back in his hands, giving him not only an instrument but a lifeline,” the non-profit said.
Sponsorships are still available – contact Valerie Lord [email protected]. All proceeds benefit The Midnight Mission.