21 and over

Mia’s 30th Birthday: A Benefit for the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation – featuring The Upbeat, The Rise and Fall, and Winchester Rebels!

Have you heard of SMA – Spinal Muscular Atrophy? Unfortunately, not many have. Yes, SMA kills more children than any other inherited disease. SMA is currently incurable, untreatable, degenerative, terminal and under-funded. Although born perfectly healthy, babies with SMA will eventually lose the use of all muscles in their body, including the ability to walk, stand, eat, breathe, and even swallow – all while their mind continues to thrive. 90% of children with SMA die before the age of two. It is a devastating diagnosis, but there is enormous hope as research is extremely advanced and scientists estimate that a cure is attainable in just a few years time – IF given adequate funding. The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation (GSF) is a Santa Barbara based 501©(3) public charity dedicated to accelerating a cure for SMA and ending this devastating disease one and for all.

To help increase funding to find a cure for SMA, Mia Hultgen – a Santa Barbara native living with SMA—has created a concert event at the SOHO to celebrate her 30th birthday and help GSF in its mission to end SMA. The event will be held on Friday, September 3 and we expect several hundred people to attend. Mia has remarkably beaten the odds, inspiring many with her determination and tenacity, and she is hoping to raise $10,000 for GSF to fund groundbreaking SMA research to give her the opportunity for many more birthdays. 100% of all funds donated will go toward curing SMA.

Starting at 6:30pm, we will have a silent auction. Items have been donated by local businesses and organizations to help make our event a success.

and…

For only a $20 donation at the door, people will be able to listen to live music, mingle and dance, all while helping to raise money for a cause starting at 8:00pm.

We welcome all Santa Barbara locals to come out and participate in the evening’s events.