The Sing Out for Freedom Songs of Sanctuary Benefit Concert is Live in New York City October 27, 2025
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
New York, NY (October 21, 2025) – The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will bring together artists, activists, and advocates for Sing Out For Freedom: Songs of Sanctuary, a benefit concert on Monday, October 27 at 7:30 PM at NYU Skirball (566 LaGuardia Place). Now in its 23rd year, the event uses performance to spotlight social injustices and celebrate the ongoing fight for civil rights.
The 23rd edition of the annual concert event will honor Emmy winning entertainment icon John Leguizamo, who will receive The Michael Friedman Freedom Award.
“I’m incredibly honored to be recognized by the ACLU and NYCLU, two organizations that make me proud to be an American and, specifically, a New Yorker” said Leguizamo “I stand with them in their fight to defend and preserve the civil liberties guaranteed in the constitution, and will continue to use my work as an artist in that quest.”
The Tony Award-winning musicians from Broadway’s hit musical, Buena Vista Social Club, will perform in honor of Mr. Leguizamo, and Academy Award nominated actress, Rosie Perez, will present John with this years’ Michael Friedman Freedom Award. Additional performers include Christopher Jackson (Hamilton, BULL), Erich Bergen (Madam Secretary, the upcoming American Love Story on FX), Arian Moyaed (Succession, Inventing Anna) as well as NYCLU Artist Ambassadors Ato Blankson-Wood (Cabaret, Monster on Netflix), Jenna Bainbridge (SUFFS, Wicked), Ari Afsar (Hamilton, Wedding Season), Nicholas Caycedo, and Tony Award winner Shaina Taub (SUFFS, Ragtime).
“Amid the Trump regime’s ceaseless campaign of destruction and demonization, the NYCLU and ACLU’s Songs of Sanctuary will be a night of creativity, solidarity, performance, and resolve to demand a New York and a country for all,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “In our darkest times, the arts have always reminded us of our shared humanity and inspired us to speak out and stand up for the future we deserve. At this year’s Sing Out for Freedom concert, we will sing out to fight for our communities, for immigrants’ rights, for our democracy, and for our freedom.”
Tickets are on sale now at tickets.nyu.edu/songsofsanctuary
The “Sing Out For Freedom” concert event was created to highlight social injustices and civil rights issues through song, spoken word, and other performing arts. Each year, artists illuminate the NYCLU and the ACLU’s wins for civil rights and liberties and the struggles that must continue. Past participants have included Tom Hanks, Patti Smith, Padma Lakshmi, Ariana DeBose, Peppermint, Hayley Kiyoko, Cheyenne Jackson, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Tony Kushner, Laura Benanti, Kelli O’Hara, Phillipa Soo, Ben Platt, and more.
“Sing Out For Freedom” was co-founded by Liana Stampur and Erich Bergen along with NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the work of the NYCLU and the ACLU to promote and protect civil rights and liberties in New York and across the country. For more information, visit nyclu.org/singout.
The 23rd Annual “Sing Out For Freedom” benefit concert will be Produced and Directed by Erich Bergen and Executive Produced by Ari Conte. Michael J. Moritz Jr. will serve as Music Director.
ABOUT JOHN LEGUIZAMO
John Leguizamo is an Emmy Award winning actor, writer, producer, and advocate whose work spans film, television, theater, and publishing. On screen he is known for The Menu, John Wick, To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, and as the voice of Sid in the Ice Age franchise. On stage he created and starred in the acclaimed one-man shows Mambo Mouth, Spic-O-Rama, Freak, Ghetto Klown, and Latin History for Morons. He will appear in The Other Americans, opening soon at The Public Theater, and he recently starred in Apple’s SMOKE. He produced and hosted two seasons of MSNBC’s Leguizamo Does America. A recipient of a Special Tony Award, Leguizamo champions representation and opportunity for underrepresented communities and lives in New York City.
ABOUT THE MICHAEL FRIEDMAN FREEDOM AWARD
The NYCLU inaugurated the Freedom Award in 2017 to recognize individuals and organizations for exceptional contributions as humanitarians, artists, and activists. In 2019, the award was renamed the Michael Friedman Freedom Award in memory of the brilliant theater composer who was deeply committed to civil liberties and civil rights. Past recipients include Harry Belafonte, Alan Cumming, Celia Keenan-Bolger, and Broadway For Racial Justice.
ABOUT THE NEW YORK CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION AND SING OUT FOR FREEDOM
The New York Civil Liberties Union is one of the nation’s foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights. Founded in 1951 as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, the NYCLU is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization with nine offices, including seven regional offices and members across the state. We work to ensure that the core values and principles of equality, liberty, and due process are more fully and consistently realized in the lives of all New Yorkers. In pursuit of these principles we fight for the dignity of all people, with particular attention to the pervasive and persistent harms of racism.
ABOUT NYU SKIRBALL
NYU Skirball, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, is one of New York City’s major presenters of international work, and has been the premier venue for cultural and performing arts events in lower Manhattan since 2003. The 860-seat state-of-the art theater, led by Director Jay Wegman, provides a home for internationally renowned artists, innovators and thinkers. NYU Skirball hosts over 300 events annually, from re-inventions of the classics to cutting-edge premieres, in genres ranging from dance, theater and performance art to comedy, music and film.
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