The City of Mesa is proud to present the first annual "Benefit Concert to House Mesa's Homeless Veterans" Wednesday, Nov. 11 directly after the East Valley Veterans Day Parade in downtown Mesa. The concert will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mesa Arts Center Alliance Pavilion Stage, 1 E. Main St.
Three local musicians who are Veterans or have a Veteran connection have graciously donated their time to perform:
oWalt Richardson, a local music legend and member of the Arizona Music Hall of Fame, has been playing rock, reggae and folk music for more than 30 years. His father, Walter H. Richardson was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen who received the Congressional Gold Medal to honor his 30 year career in the U.S. Air Force.
oBob McCarroll will delight the crowd with his smooth jazz guitar and vocal stylings, playing some of America's most beloved classic standards and original songs. He is the proud father of Kellen McCarroll, an officer in the U.S. Navy who has served his country for the last four years.
oJoe Gilboy on vibes, along with John Clark on bass, Ned Kuivinen on piano, and Roy Calhoun on drums, make up the Joe Gilboy Band. They are all veteran musicians and some are military veterans themselves. Known for their swing, Latin, and big band music sound, they are honored to be playing for our Veterans and such a worthy cause.
All donations from the concert will benefit the Housing Mesa's Heroes program. Housing Mesa's Heroes is a partnership with the City of Mesa, Veterans Affairs, Community Bridges, Inc. and other regional and local agencies to help our Veterans find stable housing and the necessary support services they need to help them stay there.
Housing Mesa's Heroes was formed after Mayor John Giles accepted the Mayor's Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness and appointed Councilmember Chris Glover and Councilmember Kevin Thompson as co-chairs of the initiative.
Public Information and Communications
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Tel. 480-644-4699
kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov