Benefit Show at Billy Corgan's Cafe To Help Highland Park Businesses

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — While the aftermath of the mass shooting that took place at Highland Park’s July 4 parade canceled a number of local events including the finale of the Bitter Jester Music Festival, the ongoing investigation into the shooting that killed seven people and injured dozens more also took a toll on local businesses in the wake of the tragic event.

According to festival organizers, more than 150 Highland Park businesses were forced to remain closed while federal, state, and local investigators collected evidence and information from the shooting. In September, another Highland Park business —Madame Zuzu’s — will host a benefit concert to assist those businesses.

Madame Zuzu’s, the teahouse and café founded by Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan that reopened in 2020, will host the benefit concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4. The event is free to the public, but contributions will be accepted to benefit the Business Recovery Fund that was established by several Highland Park agencies.

Contributions to assist local businesses can also be made online by clicking here.

Corgan, a Highland Park resident who runs the cafe and teahouse with partner Chloe Mandel, and Madame Zuzu's hosted the Together and Together Again benefit concert earlier this summer that raised more than $250,000. That show featured several musical guests including Corgan and Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell and provided financial assistance to those local residents affected directly by the mass shooting.

Representatives from Madame Zuzu's did not immediately respond to a message from Patch on Wednesday seeking comment about next month's event.

Read more of Patch's coverage on the Highland Park shooting.

“Over 150 establishments were shut down while the FBI investigated, many of them paying out-of-pocket to compensate their employees despite being shuttered for a week,” said Bitter Jester Music Festival founder Nicolas DeGrazia said in a news release this week. “Turning our biggest show of the year into a helping hand for so many people that have supported us over the years is something I’m very proud to be a part of."

DeGrazia told Patch on Thursday that he was able to confirm on Wednesday that the Peter Dankelson Band, which was the showcase band at the 2021 event, will return to the finale again this year.

Highland Park has hosted the musical showcase each year since 2006. Mayor Nancy Rotering said that the city is proud to support the festival’s work to “offer exceptionally talented young musicians with performance and musical development opportunities with industry professionals.”

She added: “The annual Friday night concert series and Fourth of July Grand Finale Concert are mainstays of summer in Highland Park. In the wake of the Fourth of July Parade shooting, we have been leaning on each other as we find the strength to move forward as individuals and as a community. We are grateful for BJFA's flexibility in rescheduling, collaboration, and support for our youth and business community."