More than 1,000 people came together at Brooklyn’s Paramount Theater on December 11th to support children who have been impacted by war and conflict across the world. Featuring an all-star lineup of comedians and artists from around the world, the concert raised funds to support the nonprofit Children in Conflict’s work in 12 conflict zones across the world.
Nonprofits often host gala dinners and fundraisers filled with speeches, discussions of the organization’s impact, and, honestly, somewhat bland meals that force you into tables with often incompatible strangers. On December 11th, Children in Conflict flipped that script, foregoing the meal, and focused on bringing joy through music and community. Featuring Mon Rovîa, Anthony Ramos, Natasha Bedingfield, and Common, the night spanned genre-defining artists with a passion for social change and was MC’d by John Oliver with a special appearance from Kennan Michael Key. While there were still the donation asks that all nonprofit fundraising events have, these were generally kept short and featured jokes rather than the usual platitudes.
Children in Conflict was started in 2017 at the Global Citizens Festival, enshrining music at the core of the organization. Now, with a dedicated staff and programs across 15 sites, the nonprofit provides education, mental health services, protection, and advocacy for both children affected by conflicts and those who have been forced to fight in conflicts worldwide. Children in Conflict states that they are doing the work that governments should be doing but fail to do: protecting children across conflict zones.
Up first for the evening was John Oliver, who delighted the crowd with an introductory standup set. Focusing on the Louvre heist, the failed rollout of Twitter verification under Elon Musk, and the impact of billionaires in the world, the comedian poked fun at the richest governments and people across the world. As he transitioned to the focus of the night – Children in Conflict – he mentioned the importance of finding joy in hard times because life is about more than just surviving. Promising that this night would not be filled with depression, but instead with joy, he introduced Mon Rovîa.
Mon Rovîa was born into civil war in Liberia. Later becoming a refugee, and now a resident of Tennessee he knows the impact of helping protect children in conflict zones. Using a mix of Appalachian, Indie, and Liberian influences, his music focuses on storytelling using his smooth vocals over a folk-like blend of ukulele, guitar, bass, and keys to get his message through to the audience. Throughout his set, Mon Rovîa praised Children in Conflict, stating that not only does the nonprofit help civilians stuck in conflict zones, but also those who have fought as child soldiers, like his brothers, whom he said he could not live without.
Resetting after a heartwarming set – Brooklyn Native Anthony Ramos took the stage for a quick salsa and Broadway-inspired set. Born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Ramos is most famous for his work as John Laurens and Phillip Hamilton in the musical Hamilton. Stating that it was the first time he’s been able to sing in Brooklyn in a long time, he also let slip that he’s working on a Salsa album with producer Sergio George. While his vocals were strong, the best part of his set was the storytelling about the time he spent growing up in Brooklyn.
Next up on stage was British icon Natasha Bedingfield. Best known for her early aughts pop hits, “Unwritten” and “These Words,” the artist has not rested on her laurels. Over the last 20 years she has evolved, moving into electro pop, reggae, and rock. On stage, however, the most obvious influence on her was hard rock and punk. I was shocked that the artist who is known for bubbly pop spent an hour set singing mainly punk songs – including belting an amazing rendition of The Cranberries’ Zombie.
Having grown up in London in the late 80s and early 90s, the artist would have been exposed to the punk movement, but up until now, it hasn’t shown up as a strong driving force in her music. With that said, throughout her set, the artist seemed like she was having a hell of a time, jumping, air-guitaring across the stage, and high-fiving audience members where she could.
Ending with her hits “These Words” and “Unbroken,” she left the crowd on a high note and emphasized the importance of helping and supporting children in conflict zones.
Finally, headliner Common rounded out the night. The Hip-hop legend and actor was a major draw for crowds on Thursday, with audiences packing closer to the front of the stage once he emerged. Rapping across his discography, and pulling samples of famous East Coast and West Coast rappers in a medley, Common exploded across the stage. At one point, Common brought an audience member on stage, serenading her while throwing out freestyle bars off the top of his head. Not only did he amaze the crowd, but he also discussed his passion for empowering the voices of those who have so often been overlooked throughout his career.
As the year comes to an end, individuals across the states look to give to nonprofits that align with their interests and passions. If you are looking for a strong organization that supports both live arts and children around the world, Children in Conflict is a great place to start.
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