Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle and Buddy Miller play Lampedusa Concerts for Refugees 2017
By Rachel Komich
A slew of notable artists have come together for a series of benefit concerts to help refugees rebuild their lives and to support educational opportunities for displaced people. Lampedusa: Concerts for Refugees features a formidable lineup including Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Dave Matthews, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, Brandi Carlile, Buddy Miller, Lucinda Williams, The Mastersons, Lucinda Williams, Lila Downs and more.
The concert series, sponsored by the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (JRS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), will hit several cities throughout October including Los Angeles, Tucson, Albuquerque and Dallas. All proceeds will go toward aiding refugees.
“Education is a life-saving intervention for refugees,” said David Robinson, Executive Director of JRS/USA. “With Lampedusa, we hope people are inspired by the music and are compelled to get involved.” The Jesuit Refugee Service is an international organization that goes wherever it is needed in order to meet refugees, regardless of race and religion, to provide access and support for educational opportunities.
“I believe that education is the key to everything,” Emmylou Harris said after her trip to Ethiopia last year to visit one of the many JRS programs in 42 countries around the world. This is Harris’ second year working with Lampedusa.
Matthew Reynolds, UNHCR regional representative for the United States and the Caribbean, explained the importance of education for refugee children. “For children forced to flee their homes, school provides security, stability and opportunity when everything else in their lives is uncertain and unrecognizable,” he said.
UNHCR was established in 1950 by the UN General Assembly to protect the rights and welfare of refugees. Over the past 60 years, UNHCR has helped tens of millions of people get back on their feet.
Check out the remaining tour dates and line up here:
Oct 10: Los Angeles, CA, The Wiltern Theatre
- Joan Baez
- Brandi Carlile
- Steve Earle
- Patty Griffin
- The Mastersons
- Alynda Segarra
- Lucinda Williams
Oct 12: Tucson, AZ, Fox Tucson Theatre
- Joan Baez
- Steve Earle
- Patty Griffin
- The Mastersons
- James McMurtry
Oct 13: Albuquerque, NM, The KiMo Theatre
- Rahim AlHaj (special guest)
- Joan Baez
- Steve Earle
- Patty Griffin
- The Mastersons
- James McMurtry
Oct 14: El Paso, TX, Abraham Chavez Theatre
- Joan Baez
- Lila Downs
- Steve Earle
- Patty Griffin
- James McMurtry
Oct 15: Dallas, TX, The Majestic Theatre
- Joan Baez
- Steve Earle
- Patty Griffin
- James McMurtry