The Show Goes On: Bergen Group Hosts Online Concert Fundraiser

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — After the death of George Floyd, a group of North Valley Regional High School alumni and students came together to plan a vigil in Demarest.

What began as a demonstration amid a mass social movement throughout the country quickly turned into the formation of a group — Valley for Change — seeking to organize, fundraise and raise awareness about systemic issues affected people of color in Bergen County.

The group's Communications Director Sam O'Donnell told Patch in an email that the plan for Valley moving forward is to work toward social change, and to amplify marginalized voices throughout the county, and North Valley region.

Fast-forward to Thursday, and four voices and their instruments of choice will be literally and figuratively amplified, as Valley for Change will host a Zoom concert, slated for 5 p.m. Tickets for the event are $5, and all proceeds "will be donated to Black Lives Matter and other such efforts for justice."

Already, the group has made donations to Garden State Equality and the Sylvia Rivera Project, O'Donnell said.

"These two organizations work to support intersectionality which is extremely important in the BLM movement," she said.

O'Donnell said the group originally planned an in-person art show to highlight a diverse set of voices from the area, but the coronavirus pandemic altered their plans.

According to an event description, the concert will feature multiple artists and performers of color across multiple art forms, from singing to poetry recital to instrumental music.

"For everyone’s safety, we made this a virtual concert. These artists are from all over and we found them through networking, reaching out to friends, and DMing them on Instagram," said O'Donnell. "It’s a wide variety of talent we’re excited to host."

Can't make it on Thursday? No problem, a second date is also scheduled for Aug. 20 at the same time. And if all goes well, the concert series could continue beyond the month of August.

The group is currently in the process of securing status as a non-profit organization, and, in addition to fundraising efforts through the Zoom concert and merchandise sales, is one of a growing numbers of groups seeking curriculum changes within their local school district.

A list of immediate and long term actions they are proposing has been posted to the group's Instagram page. Read them below: