Community Corner

Benefit Concert Likely to be Postponed

A concert to fund treatments for a South City toddler with concert is in doubt because the venue owner has pulled out of the event.

with cancer scheduled for Friday will likely be postponed due to a conflict with the venue owner.

Promoter and performer Cochise Thomas (Co-Blooded the Great) said he signed a contract with Space 550 in San Francisco on April 25 for a concert that would feature a full line-up of Bay Area rappers, including Too $hort, San Quinn and Equipto. Thomas is a friend of South San Francisco resident Jesus Peña, and .

As Juliana underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery through the spring and summer, Thomas promoted the concert that would raise money for her treatment. But earlier this money, Space 550's owner said his venue wouldn't hold the concert, saying the concert had been planned by his manager without his consent.

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A letter dated Aug. 11 by Space 550's attorney Mark Rennie is posted on its website and says, "Space 550 is closed for renovations. The venue will re-open soon under new management." The letter says Space 550 will be closed on Sept. 2, the date of the concert. 

Thomas said he has been looking into other venues to the hold the concert Friday, but he hasn't found anything available at such short notice. He's in the process of refunding tickets to people who have asked; he's also offering ticketholders the option of going to the concert when it's rescheduled at another time and/or place.

Find out what's happening in South San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Thomas said Space 550's owner has mentioned different reasons why it cancelled the event, including concerns over security because the advertised performers have interpersonal conflicts, which Thomas said is false. Thomas' attorney is dealing with the venue, but even if it allows the concert to go on at the last minute, Thomas said he might choose not to hold it there.

"If there are any other venues that are available, if they contact me or give me a call, we’d appreciate it," Thomas said.

Juliana will enter the hospital on Tuesday for a bone marrow transplant, her father said.

 


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