They say that music is good for the soul. This spring, singer-songwriter Paul Vinson wants to make it good for the brain, too.

The 2018 Sounds For the City benefit concert is quickly coming together and Studer Community Institute is excited to be able to partner with Pensacola businesses and organizations to make a difference in the community. The benefit is scheduled for Friday, April 20, 2018. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the first band hits the stage at 6:30 p.m. 

Sounds For The City was created by Vinson to give back to the community that has given him so much. All of the proceeds of Sounds For the City will go to support Studer Community Institute’s early learning and parent outreach initiatives. 

“I’ve lived in Pensacola my entire life, it is my home.,” Vinson says. “It’s where my music career started. My first shows were on Palafox Street for Gallery Night. I knew I was leaving for Nashville in 2018 and I wanted to have a final show before I left to give back to the community that's given so much to me in the best way I knew how.”

Joining Vinson in concert will be Ben Loftin and the Family and I'MAGENE.

“As far as genres, each band has a few things in common,” Vinson says. “Soul and pop, then we each have our different spins on it. I fall anywhere In between singer-songwriter, folk, soul, indie rock, and pop.

“Ben Loftin is soul, reggae, folk, singer-songwriter, and pop. And I'magene is "retro electric soul.”

“Music is a wonderful force for bringing people together. The chance to use music to celebrate one of our community’s rising stars — who wants to give back to support our children — is a perfect complement to SCI’s mission to improve the quality of life for everyone in the community,” said Nicole Webb Bodie, director of business and community outreach at SCI.

General admission tickets are $10 per person. The festival includes a Family Village area with yard games, tables to enjoy the diverse food truck selection, face painting, bubbles putt-putt golf and more. Pit Passes are available for an up-close and personal experience at $20 per person.

A limited number of “All-Access Passes” will be available. Pass holders will have access to the inside lobby of the SCI Building, air-conditioning, restrooms, elite beverages selection, all you can eat BBQ and dessert. There will be photo opportunities with the bands and the all-access area includes a designated side stage viewing area.

All Access passes are $75 for single tickets or $125 for a couple. Tickets can be purchased here.

If you have sponsorship questions about the event, please contact Nicole Webb Bodie at [email protected]