Inaugural Rock Jam an Exuberant Success
Melissa Etheridge performs at Rock Jam 2025
The Etheridge Foundation’s inaugural Rock Jam fundraiser, held October 30, 2025 in Newport Beach, CA was a resounding success.
Our team is filled with gratitude and awe from the incredible night we shared.
Thanks to the presence, energy, and generosity of our sponsors and guests, our inaugural Rock Jam raised over $1 million to support the Etheridge Foundation’s mission: advancing transformative, evidence-based treatments for opioid use disorder and addiction recovery.
With this event, the Foundation took a huge step forward in our mission, not only by raising essential funds but also by raising collective awareness and care through an increasing group of supporters.
From the very beginning, our vision for Rock Jam was to combine the power of music with the purpose of healing.
The night was filled with unforgettable performances, generous hearts, and the kind of shared hope that reminds us why we do this work.
Lighthearted banter from emcees Linda Wallem Etheridge and Dan Bucatinsky kicked off the evening.
We were enriched by an informative address from Etheridge Foundation Executive Director Anna Symonds, followed by an illuminating panel with Scientific Advisors Allison Feduccia, PhD, and Christopher Nicholas, PhD.
Our auctioneer extraordinaire, John Block of Park West Gallery, kept the bidding action dynamic, successful, and entertaining – including for several pieces donated in support of the Etheridge Foundation by pop artist Allison Lefcort.
And most excitingly, we were treated throughout to one of a kind musical renditions from Melissa Etheridge with her special guests and dear friends Hugh Jackman, Ashley McBryde, Shelly Fairchild, and Erin Samueli.
We’re so grateful to our outrageously talented performers for sharing their gifts with us!
A huge thank you to our incredible Rock Jam Committee for bringing Rock Jam to life with such creativity, heart, and excellence: Chair Xandra Laskowski, John Block, Rick French, and our Advisors Kate O’Connell and Delilah Panio.
Special praise goes to our extraordinary Strategic Advisor, Sylvia Kim of Rebel For Good, for dreaming up and masterminding this amazingly successful evening.
We’d also like to recognize the impeccable and impressive event production by our friends at Elite OC Productions, and the outstanding team at our beautiful venue, VEA Newport Beach. These folks made the magic possible!
To everyone who attended, sponsored, performed, donated, bid, volunteered, or simply showed up with love: thank you with all of our hearts.
Because of you, the Etheridge Foundation is entering its next chapter with the momentum and resources to deepen our impact — proving that when love, leadership, and generosity come together, we can truly catalyze capital for good.
Your belief in the Foundation and its mission ensures that research can move faster, lives can be transformed, and families can find hope again.
You made our inaugural Rock Jam more than an event — you made it the start of a movement to help the world Rise. Heal. Thrive.
