Common headlined a benefit concert for Gaza at Bridgeport’s Ramova Theatre on Sunday night, one of several events through the weekend being held as the war in Gaza hits a grim one-year milestone.
He took the stage late in the evening, thanking the crowd for turning out and supporting the humanitarian groups the proceeds were going toward.
“We are here for peace, and we’re making sure in every way possible we’re contributing to the peace,” Common told the crowd before going into his song “A GOD.” “This is one of the most important causes in our lives.”
The Chicago-born artist shared the bill with Palestinian American comedian Mo Amer and Jewish American artist Daniel Kahn, among others.
“We gather here on the eve of what will soon mark the one-year anniversary of horrific suffering, loss and trauma,” said Alia J. Bilal, executive director of IMAN.
“Our hearts have broken open far too many times to count in the last 364 days. … At times of tragedy, at times of heartbreak, at times of egregious injustice, we gather with our community and work on healing together.”
Inner-City Muslim Action Network, or IMAN, organized the benefit show with proceeds from the more than 800 tickets sold — which ranged from $35 to $125 — going to humanitarian relief groups World Central Kitchen and Anera.
Half an hour after the doors opened, a line stretched out the door to 35th Street and Halsted, growing as more people were let in. Among the attendees at the door shortly before performances began were Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) and the Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church.
“All of us at Anera have been deeply heartened by the outpouring of support shown for the people of Gaza. This benefit concert is a great example of people coming together to help and demonstrate practical solidarity for civilians living through horrific violence and displacement,” Anera spokesperson Steve Fake said.
The performers crossed art forms and genres, from stand-up comedy to Judeo-Arab music.
Drea D’Nur performed an acoustic rendition of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” and Mumu Fresh closed her set to a standing ovation after she performed her song “Ink Pata” — half of which is performed in her native Lakota language.
Shortly after, Amer came to break up the music sets with some comedy, but first he took a serious note.
“We watch the news, we see what’s going on, we feel alone,” he said. “But then we get together like this, and it feeds my soul, it heals me.”
Amer, star of his own Netflix comedy special and Hulu sitcom “Ramy” that centers around a Palestinian family, joked he wouldn’t be telling jokes, shortly before dropping a few jokes and introducing the next act.
“After 9/11 I was Italian for two months,” Amer said to laughter.
Philadelphia rapper Freeway was joined at the end of his set by 16-year-old Gazan artist MC Abdul, who performed his latest single “I May Be Young.”
“I pray their guns jam and we grow old,” he sang. “Take my brothers and sisters and hold them, I may be young but all this pain makes me older.”
Before the show, Layla Zarzir, a 21-year-old Bridgeview resident, said that although she’s not Palestinian, the area where she grew had lots of residents of Palestinian descent , which has made her feel connected to the culture.
Though she had never been to a benefit concert before, she said she was glad to see the announcement online.
“It brings all kinds of people together. It allows for people who maybe aren’t so involved to be more connected [to the cause]. It’s just more accessible.”