AHS Acoustic Concert to Sound a Loving Note

"Love" in all colors, shapes and sizes will be sketched on the arms of any willing high school student Friday in preparation for "Acoustic Afternoon," a benefit concert taking place at Agoura High School on Saturday, starting at 12 p.m.

The event is an effort to raise awareness and money for To Write Love on Her Arm, a charity started in 2006 to help people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. 

Affected in different ways by the charity's mission, Agoura High seniors Chloe France and Kelley Klezek, and junior Elizabeth Mcgrane—all active student council members—banded together to present "Acoustic Afternoon," designating "Love, Be Loved, Grow," a saying of France's close friend's mother, as the event's motto.

"It touched our community in a way," said France, Associated Student Body vice president. "It means, let yourself be loved and grow with others."

France said she thought of the idea for a benefit concert at the end of last year. She spotted Mcgrane with one of the charity's dog tags, and the two bonded over the cause.

"We were born to be loved and love others," said Mcgrane, a commissioner of technology for ASB at Agoura High. "Life is an experience and going through it alone is the hardest thing you can do."

The concert will also honor the memory of a young girl, Grayson Wolpert, and offer hope to other teens. Wolpert's mother Jenny will be speaking, and two representatives from the charity will be in attendance as well.

"High school is a tough time for a lot of people. There is just a bunch of individual ways to deal with depression," said Klezek, 17, ASB commissioner of cultural affairs and France's best friend. "Making this event is about telling people we are a community and you can be nice to people. You just want to give someone a hug. That is what I feel it is going to be like."

The all-day concert will feature Martin Johnson, lead singer of Boys Like Girls, as well as local brands and performers, including Evan Craft, Suburban, Night Life and Make Your Day. The charity's T-shirts and other merchandise will be on sale, as well as food, henna tattoos and animal balloons.

"It is just another thing that people can get involved in really easily," said Klezek. "We are just three teenagers. We don't have a nonprofit setup, yet."

"Acoustic Afternoon" will take place on the Agoura High campus quad. The entrance fee is $3. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and chairs and soak up the music.

Set List:

12:05 p.m. - Matt Jacobson
12:25 p.m. - Scott James
12:45 p.m. - Hayley Nelson
1:05 p.m. - Jetstream
1:35 p.m. - Talking
1:40 p.m. - Paul Joung
2 p.m. - Pt5
2:30 p.m. - Sam France
2:45 p.m. - Evan Craft
3:20 p.m. Non-Stop July
3:40 p.m. - David / Matt
4 p.m. - Maddie Gettings
4:15 p.m. - James Chi
4:30 p.m. - Suburban Nightlife
5 p.m. - Make Your Day