Willie Nelson and other special guests Join Neil Young for Autism Speaks Light Up The Blues 6 Concert

Los Angeles, CA (April 4, 2023) – Willie Nelson, Joe Walsh, and Sharon Van Etten have signed on to join Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Lukas Nelson + POTR, Chris Stills, Oliver Stills, and more, along with many special guests, in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 22 at the Greek Theatre for the Autism Speaks Light Up The Blues 6 Concert, presented by the Indianapolis Colts. Hosted once again by Kristen and Stephen Stills, and produced by Nederlander Concerts, the event will feature Jeff Garlin as emcee and presenters Amanda Kloots and Camryn Manheim, as well as performances by three autistic artists - rapper Rio “Soulshocka” Wyles, opera singer Amanda Anderson, and singer and guitarist Will Breman - and will begin at 7:00 PM PST.

The Light Up The Blues Concert returns for its sixth year after a three-year hiatus following the pandemic, with sponsors including the Indianapolis Colts, Phil & Kelly Johnson Charitable Trust and Eleven Eleven Foundation and benefactors Neudesic and MCM Products USA Inc. The concert will celebrate the autism community, while helping to fuel Autism Speaks’ work to provide resources and services for all autistic individuals, across the spectrum and throughout their lifespan. Proceeds from the Light Up The Blues 6 Concert will support Autism Speaks’ efforts, which include funding life-enhancing research, increasing early childhood screening and interventions, and improving the transition to adulthood for people with autism.

Taking place during World Autism Month, The Light Up The Blues 6 Concert reinforces Autism Speaks’ commitment to standing with the autistic community by encouraging everyone to celebrate differences and include people with autism in all aspects of society. Supporters can help make a world of difference for autistic individuals this April and year-round by visiting the Autism Speaks website to learn more.

Over the years, the Light Up the Blues Concert has featured artists including Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash, John Mayer, Patti Smith, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, Beck, Burt Bacharach, Don Felder, Jakob Dylan, Nikka Costa, The War On Drugs, and more, and has raised millions of dollars in support of Autism Speaks, helping to drive the organization’s mission.

About Autism:

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. A combination of genetic and environmental factors influence the development of autism, and autism often is accompanied by medical issues such as GI disorders, seizures and sleep disturbances. Autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the U.S.

About Autism Speaks:

Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. We do this through advocacy, services, supports, research and innovation, and advances in care for autistic individuals and their families. To find resources, join an event or make a donation, go to AutismSpeaks.org. Learn more by following @AutismSpeaks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.  

About the Greek Theatre:

The Greek Theatre is a 5,901-seat music venue located in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. It was built in 1930, opening on September 25 of that year. Designed by architect Samuel Tilden Norton, the theatre stage is modeled after a Greek temple. The Greek Theatre is owned by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks. The venue is among the City’s most cherished public sites.

The historic Greek Theatre stands as one of the nation’s most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment venues. Throughout its history, the Greek Theatre has played host to some of the biggest legends in music. This iconic venue has also served as a site for numerous high school graduations, community events and backdrops for television shows and motion pictures. For more information visit: lagreektheatre.com.

About Nederlander Concerts 

Nederlander Concerts promotes and produces a wide range of quality live entertainment throughout the United States and in 2022 was ranked among the top 20 promoters in the world. A boutique, independent event promotion firm, Nederlander exclusively operates and programs the most coveted and awarded small to mid-sized venues, including City National Grove of Anaheim, Heart Health Park in Sacramento, Hollywood Pantages Theatre, San Jose Civic, and Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles among others. Also, the company promotes events at third-party arenas, theatres, and clubs across the country, including the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Bellco Theater in Denver, Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, Pepsi Amphitheater in Flagstaff, Toyota Arena in Ontario, and many more. For more information on Nederlander Concerts visit Official Website l Facebook l Twitter l Instagram