Popular singer Dylan Garcia and friends host mental health awareness concert in Hollywood

By Rodric J. Hurdle-Bradford

Health In Hollywood

On Aug. 5 popular southern California singer Dylan Garcia hosted his Second Annual Mental Health Awareness benefit concert at Whisky A Go-Go, a night that featured a collaboration of charity causes and entertainment.

The night featured a variety of entertainers, including popular band Quetzalcoatl Band, Joey Miceli, Dis Chord, Ricky Rebel, Nichele, Kalahari, GrigsB and DJ Marco.

Garcia’s younger brother Frank was a firefighter at the time the event originated in December 2021 in Ventura. The event began as a toy drive in collaboration with the Salvation Army and expanded into a mental health awareness theme.

“With this opportunity at the Whisky, I wanted to dedicate the event to him,” said Dylan Garcia. “I was already booked to headline the Whisky A Go-Go and I wanted to make an impact not only musically, but touch on a sensitive topic while in Hollywood, bring awareness, erase the stigma and save some lives.”

Power Of Partnerships

The event was about increasing awareness of charity partners that focus on veterans, mental health awareness and suicide prevention overall.

“I met Melissa and Jessie as a guest on their ‘The Nameless Podcast’ back in 2021,” said Garcia. “They formed their Facebook Group, ‘The Dirty Sisters’ into a non-profit group, ‘The Dirty Sisters Organization,’ and I am proud they could join us at the concert to spread their message to the community.”

It is no secret that the veteran community suffers from issues of mental health and increased suicides, so it was important for Garcia that veterans were represented by James Espinoza and his Veteran Mentor Project.

“He was a guest speaker for the First Annual Mental Health Awareness event I held in 2021,” said Garcia. “His organization specializes in helping veterans transition to civilian life once they are done with the service.”

Also in attendance was Expressions n2 Creations, another regional organization dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

“We both have a mutual friend in Angel Baby of The Cruisin’ Oldies Show,” said Garcia. “It has been great getting to know more about the organization and see their passion about taking the stigma away from discussing mental health awareness and getting it out into the public.”

Angelina Pena of Expressions n2 Creations is hosting her Second Annual Melanie Rose Suicide Prevention Awareness event in San Bernadino on Aug. 20.

For more information about Garcia’s charity causes and performances contact 213.842.2152.