The inaugural Music Is In Our Blood Street Party is a free, public live music festival and blood donation drive hosted by the music nonprofit, Sonic Guild Colorado, in collaboration with the City and County of Denver, Denver Arts and Venues, the Downtown Denver Partnership and Vitalant. This free half-day music festival, blood donor drive and street party will be hosted in Downtown Denver on Sunday, June 30 from 3-8pm.
Music lovers of all ages are invited to come out and get their blood pumping with an eclectic mix of music genres, including country, Latin hip-hop and indie rock. The diverse line-up includes rising Colorado bands Buckstein, Addie Tonic, 2MX2, Wheelchair Sports Camp and DJ Revopsyk.
“Sonic Guild believes in the power of music to energize communities, connect us to one another - our interdependence - and inspire meaningful action,” said Kirsten Vermulen, Executive Director, Colorado Chapter of Sonic Guild. “The Music Is In Our Blood Street Party not only features some of Colorado’s most talented acts, these artists have been personally impacted by the life-saving gift of blood donations as survivors of cancer, traumatic injuries and major medical procedures. We’re thrilled this collaboration with the City of Denver, Downtown Denver Partnership and Vitalant will band our community together to save lives in our region,” added Vermulen.
Attendees for this free, family-friendly event will be dancing in the streets on 22nd between California and Welton from 3-8pm. Located just two blocks from the Welton and 20th Light Rail Station. Attendees are encouraged to walk, roll, stroll or ride their way to the best block party of the summer. In addition to live music, the event will feature drawings for prizes, a beer garden, games and dancing for guests to enjoy while we turn up the volume on life-saving blood donations.
Recognizing that every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion and one donation has the potential to save three lives, this event is intended to cultivate community-building through music and to raise awareness of the need for local blood donations during the month of June, which honors World Blood Donor Day (June 14). Event partner, Vitalant, has served more Colorado patients than any other blood center since 1943 and is the blood provider for over 95% of Colorado hospitals. With 10 Vitalant donation centers and multiple community-hosted blood drives every day, donors can always find a convenient location to give blood and help save lives.
“We are excited to partner with Sonic Guild Colorado to celebrate the music in our region and inspire the community to save lives through the powerful act of blood donation,” Vitalant Vice President Anne Burtchaell said. “Vitalant needs to collect more than 600 units of blood every day in Colorado, and it’s because of partners like Sonic Guild Colorado that we can highlight the constant need for blood to help patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions.”
Give blood in support of Sonic Guild Colorado and the Music is in our Blood Showcase by pledging to give through Vitalant’s Virtual Blood Drive program using this link, which allows you to give blood at a time and place that’s convenient for you. Then, you will be directed to make your appointment. Donors can find more info at vitalant.org, they can download the Vitalant app or donors can call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).
Event partners include Sonic Guild Colorado, Vitalant, Denver Arts and Venues, Downtown Denver Partnership, KUNC - The Colorado Sound, Tito's Vodka, The Mishawaka Initiative, Woods Boss Brewing and the small businesses in the 22nd Street and California corridor.
Guests may register in advance to be a part of our drawings throughout the day. Register at www.sonicguild.org/colorado. Sonic Guild Colorado members receive VIP access and free drink tickets at the event. For information on Colorado’s Sonic Guild chapter or the Music Is In Our Blood event, contact Kirsten Vermulen, Executive Director - Colorado Chapter, at kirsten@sonicguild.org.
