King County Mayors To Host Ukrainian Benefit Concert

SEATTLE — Three dozen mayors will join King County Executive Dow Constantine in April to host a fundraising concert at the Seattle Symphony. The "Mayors' Concert for Ukraine and Refugees Worldwide" will feature Ukrainian performers across the region, conducted by Ludovic Morlot at Seattle's Benaroya Hall on April 4.

Residents can pre-register to receive up to four free tickets, and the event will also be live-streamed by KING and the Seattle Symphony and broadcast on KONG-TV and Seattle Channel.

According to event organizers, donations will be collected online and at the concert to support relief efforts for Ukrainians and other refugees across Puget Sound. After administrative expenses, 70 percent of donations will go toward helping Ukrainian refugees in Europe and King County via the International Rescue Committee and the Ukrainian Community Center of Washington. The other 30 percent will support services for all refugee groups in King County.

"The Seattle Symphony stands with the brave people of Ukraine in their fight for self-determination, and it is an honor to host this concert at Benaroya Hall with the region's mayors, alongside our wonderful musicians who have volunteered their time," said Krishna Thiagarajan, Seattle Symphony's CEO. "We are dedicated to sharing music in the hopes that the donations will support Ukrainian families suffering from the horrible effects of this war and their displacement."

A United Nations report this week estimated ten million people — or nearly one in four — were forced to flee their homes in Ukraine since the invasion began, including millions who have sought refuge in neighboring countries. According to The Seattle Times, Washington has long welcomed more Ukrainian refugees than any other state, with more than 6,200 currently residing in the Evergreen State.

"We are grateful for the strong support the people of Seattle and beyond have shown us," said Valeriy Goloborodko, the Honorary Consul General of Ukraine in Seattle. "The Symphony's musicians volunteering for this concert is yet another example of how people are contributing so much to help the people of Ukraine."

Learn more about getting tickets, watching the concert and donating to the Seattle Refugee Fund online.