The 5th Annual Light Up The Blues ~ Autism Speaks at the Dolby Theater with Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Beck & Patti Smith

Hollywood — Friday, April 20, 2018 — The Experience Magazine had the good fortune to cover the blue carpet at the 5th annual Light Up The Blues at the Dolby Theater. Light Up The Blues is a fund raising event for Autism Speaks. It’s hosted by Kristen and Stephen Stills. They are both very active in raising money and awareness for Autism. This year, Autism Speaks was promoting understanding and acceptance. Celebrities came out to show their support and raise awareness for Autism.

Jack Black ~ photo by Dustin Brown
Jack Black ~ photo by Dustin Brown
Sarah Silverman was making people laugh on the blue carpet. Photo by Dustin Brown

 

Christina Applegate looked great on the blue carpet. Photo by Dustin Brown
It’s Soulshocka! And he’s ready to rock! Photo by Dustin Brown

The blue carpet saw many musicians, actors and comedians. MC Jack Black was goofing around and posing for pictures. Sarah Silverman, Christina Applegate, Stephen Stills and many more came to the step and repeat. Autism Speaks board Member, Chuck Saftler was on the blue carpet with his wife. They are both passionate about the cause. Spectrum recording artist Amanda Anderson walked the blue carpet and gave an amazing operatic performance later on the main stage. Comedian Sarah Silverman was making people laugh and posing for photos. Christina Applegate also walked the blue carpet and did interviews with Forbes Magazine and the Hollywood Minute.

Stephen Stills ~photo by Dustin Brown
Judy “Blue Eyes” Collins was on the blue carpet for Light Up The Blues
Actress Kim Raver ~ photo by Dustin Brown
Spectrum recording artist Tyler Kilmer (trumpet). Photo by Dustin Brown

Tyler Kilmer came with his loving Mom and a large fan base. He posed for pictures on the blue carpet like a total pro and later played a soulful jazz trumpet number. Everyone was talking about Soulshocka. Soulshaka posed for photos on the red carpet with his trademark dark sunglasses. His performance on stage was striking and powerful. He rapped about his experience as someone who is in the autism spectrum and dealing with endless doctors appointments.

Autism Speaks board member Chuck Saftler (R) with his wife (in matching Chuck Taylor tennis shoes) on the blue carpet. Photo by Dustin Brown
Soulful backup singer CC Allen. Photo by Dustin Brown
Actress Amy Brenneman on the blue carpet. Photo by Dustin Brown
Chris Stills being interviewed by Forbes Magazine on the blue carpet
Chris Stills (L), Kristen Stills (C) and Stephen Stills (R)

The Light Up The Blues 2018 event put Light It Up Blue in the spotlight. This is Autism Speaks annual global awareness and fundraising campaign to light up buildings in blue in order to raise awareness and funding. At one point in the evening, Jack Black auctioned off three Gretch guitars that were signed by the evenings celebrities. Each guitar went for $50,000.00 with the proceeds going to Autism Speaks.

Usually behind the scenes Michael is front and center for Light Up The Blues
Jack Black speaks to Forbes Magazine

Stephen Stills jamming with Neil Young and the Heartbreakers as the backing band was powerful. Having worked together in Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young these two musicians have both had lengthy careers. A few of the Buffalo Springfield songs they jammed on were “Long May You Run”, “For What It’s Worth” and “Mr. Soul.” This concert was amazing in its lineup and the performances were legendary. The evening saw Neil Young and Stephen Stills jamming all night. The backup band was comprised of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers – Belmont Tench (keyboards), Mike Campbell (guitar) and Steve Ferrone (drums). The night went on with performances by Judy Collins, Burt Bacharach, Sheryl Crow, Beck, Chris Stills and Oliver Stills. In addition to this amazing musical line up, comedian Jack Black was the MC for the evening. Jack Black is so funny and even permed a hilarious version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Christina Apllegate was on the red carpet, talking about Autism and raising awareness of this disease. Amy Brenneman, Jeff Garlin, Kim Raver, and the always funny Sarah Silverman were also present to lend their support.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions like challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. Research has shown that there is not one autism but many subtypes. Each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. Most are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences, and many are accompanied by medical issues like seizures, sleep disturbances and gastrointestinal disorders. The CDC estimates that 1 in 68 children are in the autism spectrum.

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions across the spectrum for the needs of the individual with autism and their families. They do this through advocacy and support. Autism Speaks seeks to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism. They raise money to fund research into the causes of autism. They also seek to provide better interventions for autism spectrum disorder.

Check out the website for Autism Speaks here.

About Dustin Brown

Dustin Brown is a writer and editor for the Experience at EEWorldNews.com.

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