Manny’s Band Benefit Concert set for Nov. 26

Manny’s Band Foundation is hosting its kickoff event at Buckhead Theatre on Nov. 26 with the goal to unite 1,000 community members under one roof to ignite a movement to prevent youth suicide. The show will begin at 7:15 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

The Stews, Gus Glasser and Ian Maman, will perform at what is expected to be a night of music, connection, and caring. Following the concert, “Manny’s Band Practice” will launch, which will be two-hour, small-group gatherings of eight to 12 friends, led by a QPR-certified suicide prevention trainer. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer and is a nationally recognized, emergency mental health intervention training program that teaches participants how to recognize and respond to the warning signs of a suicide crisis.

Ben Pargman, founder of Manny’s Band and a suicide prevention advocate, began the foundation after the tragic loss of his son, Manny, who graduated from Riverwood High School and was a freshman at University of Colorado-Boulder. Manny was a beloved son and brother, talented musician, natural athlete, and a friend to all. Pargman’s goal is to transform how communities approach youth suicide prevention.

“Manny died because no one in his life, including myself, connected general awareness of a mental health and suicide crisis to Manny as an individual who needed help. Nobody saw it. Awareness is not enough. We need to equip family and friends with the skills and social permission to talk openly and act. Music was Manny’s passion, and he used it to bring people together. We’re using that same energy to bring skills and action to a critical cause,” said Pargman.

Tickets for the concert may be purchased at https://www.freshtix.com/events/the-mannys-band-concert