Musician Emmalee Rainbow understands that as the pandemic nears year two, there is a need for healing. After she learned about the higher rates of infection and death from COVID-19 in the LGBTQ community, she felt compelled to organize a way in which people could support one another and heal.
This desire took the form of Music Mends, a virtual concert and fundraiser Rainbow organized that aims to unite those in the community around a charitable cause, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Stonewall Community Foundation.
“I was researching the Stonewall Community Foundation, and they have a lot of interesting and scary numbers about the number of queer and trans people who are being killed and infected with COVID at disproportionate rates, specifically people of color. I felt super compelled to help.” Rainbow says.
Emmalee Rainbow decided a concert was the perfect way to both raise money while creating an atmosphere that brought people together.
“As a musician, I’ve made and I’ve listened to music; it is a language that everyone can understand, enjoy and love. I feel like it heals everyone in a communal way, it mends”
To determine the line-up for Music Mends Rainbow reached out to fellow musicians who she admired and who she knew would be passionate about the cause. This includes artists like Ezra Furhman, Bleached, and Together Pangea. Guest speakers are also going to be in attendance, providing facts and resources about the impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ Community.
“Everyone on this line-up is an artist that I really really love and I am a fan of. I’m really excited that we have these artists playing.”
Rainbow hopes to cultivate an atmosphere where those in attendance can forget about the struggles we’ve all experienced during the pandemic to provide an experience reminiscent of attending a physical concert.
“I think there has been enough of the brooding vibe of the last year.” Rainbow says. “This is going to be a night to put that aside, not forget about it, but put it in a box for the evening and just come together to celebrate. This is a night of celebration and collective healing, and I want everyone to feel like they’re at a concert again. That feeling where you just can dance and let everything slip away.”
Music Mends will stream live on March 26 at 9 pm EST. Tickets are $10 and can be found here.
