Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Hollywood hosts benefit for Pulse nightclub
Activists in Sao Paulo, Brazil carry lit candles and flags at a vigil paying tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub massacre.
(
MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL/AFP/Getty Images
)
Singer Lance Bass speaks onstage at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's 42nd Anniversary Vanguard Awards Gala.
(
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
)
Musician Melissa Etheridge performs at the Apple Store Soho in 2012.
(
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
)
Musician will.i.am is pictured behind the scenes at a photo shoot to launch the Lexus NX Striking Angles campaign.
(
Handout/Getty Images
)
Rapper El-P of Run the Jewels performs at the 2015 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.
(
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
)
A memorial on South Orange Ave., down the street from Pulse Nightclub.
(
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
)
Friday night in Hollywood is party time — concerts, nightclubs and cocktails. But at least one party will have a purpose.
onePULSE: A Benefit forOrlando will help the Orlando nightclub where a gunman murdered 49 people and injured dozens of others in June. The benefit will be held at NeueHouse, an upscale, private social club and work space.
The evening's headliner hadn't been announced on Friday morning because event organizers want it to remain a surprise — possibly until the concert itself.
Lance Bass, formerly of the boy band NSYNC, will emcee the show. The lineup includes performances and speeches — some live and some piped in via video feed — by El-P, Melissa Etheridge, will.i.am and dance troupe Eclipse.
Support for LAist comes from
The event will also feature a video message from PresidentBarack Obama and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
Shaila Arora, who is helping organize the benefit, tells KPCC the performers were chosen because they've either done something to help the Pulse victims or because they've previously supported LGBT issues.
Some survivors and families of the victims are expected to attend.
The event will start at 7 p.m. with an introduction by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Those who can't go to the show can bid on items in a series of online auctions that launched Thursday. Donated items include VIP tickets to "The Late Show" with Stephen Colbert in New York City, tickets on Virgin Atlantic to London and a chance to meet Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas at one of their shows on the Future Now tour. More items will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
The money raised will go to the onePulse Foundation, which was formed by Pulse owner Barbara Poma to help employees. The nonprofit says it will contribute 90 percent of funds raised to the National Compassion Fund, a group that distributes funds directly to victims of mass crimes. The rest of the money will go toward establishing an Orlando memorial for the victims of the massacre.
Those who want to help can also donate an amount of their choice by texting PULSE to 91999.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist