Beats for Relief Chicago: Looking Back at Our 2016 Winter Fundraiser — and How Far We’ve Come
Beats for Relief has always been about creating moments where music, community, and impact come together. Over the years, we’ve hosted events across different cities and seasons, adapting to new venues, new artists, and new causes. Among these editions, our holiday-season Chicago shows remain some of the most memorable—and one in particular stands out.
A Holiday Edition That Shaped the Future
On December 30, 2016, the Einarsen sisters hosted their sixth Beats for Relief fundraiser in Chicago—a holiday version of the event that captured everything we envisioned for Beats in those early years.
The night brought together live performances, food, drinks, a packed silent auction, and a crowd of supporters ready to give back. Though the legendary Elbo Room—home to many early shows—no longer exists, its spirit still lives in the DNA of Beats for Relief.
This 2016 edition was featured on Do312:
https://do312.com/events/2016/12/30/beats-for-relief
Their event listing captured the community energy perfectly:
“Beats for Relief Volume 6 is back and ready to rock… silent auction from AMAZING donors like Corridor Brewery & Provisions, Degustabox, LANA Jewelry, CorePower Yoga, Pure Barre, BloHaute, Mane Salon, Together We Tri, SOCK FAME, The Whiskey Wolf, Wolf Bone Candles, Lincoln Hall + Schubas and more! AND! groove with Blake Coon, Kills Again, Laura Burke, Not Lovely, and Dassit.”
Every dollar raised that night went to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH).
CCH later wrote about the event in their recap of winter fundraisers:
https://chicagohomeless.org/thanks-talented-musicians-supported-cch-winter-shows/
They shared:
“The friends and family of Tia and Leah Einarsen look forward to their Beats For Relief event every December and this year was no different… All proceeds supported CCH’s work, and it was the most successful to date.”
An Early Marker of What Beats Would Become
This 2016 holiday show wasn’t just a successful fundraiser—it was a turning point. It proved that Beats for Relief could grow beyond a single night or a single city. It demonstrated that grassroots efforts, when powered by community and creativity, can evolve into something much larger.
What began in Chicago as a family-driven idea has since expanded into a platform hosting events throughout the year, across multiple cities, with artists, NGOs, and partners who believe in using culture to create positive change.
A Foundation That Still Drives Us Today
As we continue building Beats for Relief internationally, we look back at nights like this with gratitude. They remind us of our roots, our mission, and the people who helped shape what Beats has become.
To everyone who supported the 2016 holiday edition: thank you.
You helped set the rhythm that continues to guide us today.
And this is only the beginning.