On July 19th, as the sun sets over Hollywood’s iconic backlot at Paramount Studios it won’t be for a blockbuster film, but for something far more profound: a fight for life, a celebration of hope, and a gathering of hearts united against a formidable foe. This is the Concern Foundation’s 50th Annual Block Party, and it’s a night where every bite, every laugh, and every shared moment carries the weight of a powerful purpose.
Fifty years. Think of the lives touched, the families forever altered by a cancer diagnosis.
Photo Courtesy of Concern Foundation
For half a century, the Concern Foundation has stood on the front lines, driven by a simple yet profound mission: CONquer CanCER Now! It began in 1968, born from the heartbreak of fifteen Los Angeles couples who watched their dear friend, Beverly Wolman, battle breast cancer at just 35. They couldn’t stand by any longer. They refused to lose more friends to this insidious disease. And so, their war on cancer began.
This year, as the Paramount lot becomes a life-sized game board, a “Candy Land” of culinary delights and a “Trivial Pursuit” of flavor, it’s easy to get lost in the vibrant energy. Over 90 top-tier restaurants, an array of spirits, and the joyful sounds of live music will fill the air. Families will laughing, friends will share stories, and the Hollywood skyline will shimmer above. Yet, beneath the festive surface, there will be a quiet, unwavering determination.
Every Jenga block stacked, every dice rolled in mock casino games, every step taken across the backlot, will stand as a testament to the lives that could be. Concern’s 50 Anniversary Block Party is a silent pledge to the children who dream of growing up, to the parents who long to see their children thrive, to the loved ones we’ve lost too soon, and to those still fighting with every fiber of their being. Watch Video!
Prepare your palate!
This year’s participating restaurants include: Downtown’s own Settecento DTLA, City Club Los Angeles, Fogo de Chão, Poppy + Rose, Maple Block Meat Co., along with 1212 Santa Monica, Alexander’s Steakhouse, A.O.C. Wine Bar, Arth Bar + Kitchen, BOA Steakhouse, BOX Chicken, Casablanca Restaurant, Cea-Lo LA, Dulan’s on Crenshaw Soul Food Restaurant, Emporium Thai, Factor’s Famous Deli, Fresh Brothers, Georgia’s Restaurant, Gyu-Kaku, Hayama by WATAMI, Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill & Jazz, Jemma Hollywood, La Boheme, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Leona’s Japanese Fusion Restaurant & Bar, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Miracle Noodle, Nobu Los Angeles, Nobu Malibu, Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs, Portillo’s, Porto’s Bakery & Café, Restaurant 917 at the Porsche Experience Center, Shake Shack, Stellar Snacks, STK Steakhouse, Sushi Roku, Taisho Restaurant, The Grill on the Alley, The Red Fish, The Village, Tokyo Kitchen, Uchi West Hollywood, Vegetarian Plus by Myrtle Greens, West Coast Pretzels, Wife and the Somm, and Yamashiro Hollywood.
Photo Courtesy of Concern Foundation
For the sweet tooth, desserts will be presented by: Bertha Mae’s Brownie Co., Brique French Toastery, Chocolate and the Chip, CVT Soft Serve, DeLuscious Cookies & Milk, Farm Fresh To You, Gluten Free Goddess, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Just Jan’s, La Conversation Bakery, Mamala’s Mandel Bread, My/Mochi Ice Cream, Mychal’s Coffee & Bakery, The Gourmandise School, and The Toffee Twins.
Complementing these delights, Coffee and Tea will be provided by Caffe Luxxe, DUBA Tea, Pasquini Espresso Co., The Harmony Matcha, and Weaver’s Coffee & Tea.
Top-tier brands will be featuring their finest Spirits and specialty Cocktails from favorites such as BUZZBAR® alcohol-infused ice cream and sorbet bars, Dulce Vida Tequila, Empress 1908 Gin, Funk Harbor Rum, GIN&JUICE by Dre and Snoop, Knox & Dobson, Leon y Sol Tequila, Milagro Tequila, Ron del Barrilito, and Still Moon Moonshine.
Photo Courtesy of Concern Foundation
Specially selected game-winning Wineries including Ballers Champagne and Bido Wines will showcase their superb Champagne and Wines. Beer will be poured by Common Space Brewery, Duvel, and La Chouffe, while Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water, Coco-Cola Orange Cream, Last Shot, Robeks Juice, SANPELLEGRINO® CIAO!, Simply® Pop, Sprite, S. Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water, and Vitaminwater will ensure everyone stays hydrated.
And that’s not all…
Photo Courtesy of Concern Foundation
Guests will find that every corner of the backlot is another exciting turn in this real-life board game of hope for a cancer-free future. Along the way, they will experience Brian Kramer Photography Digital Photo Studio, Casino Style Gaming with prizes presented by Pechanga Resort Casino, a Photo Booth, Specialty Lounge areas provided by Mount Sinai Memorial Parks & Mortuaries, Donation Station at the event sponsored by Anxiety Therapy L.A. who will be matching the first 10K Donations, Spa Services provided by Fairmont Spa Century Plaza, and Glamour Makeovers from the Beauty Bus Foundation.
Another highlight of the evening will be the Online Silent & Live Auction, featuring exclusive items and extraordinary packages, offering attendees one-of-a-kind opportunities to support cancer research. This year’s Live Auction will be Hosted by writer, producer, and host Kimlai Yingling, bringing her signature energy and charm to the stage.
Writer, producer, and host Kimlai Yingling
This year, the Concern Foundation is proud to team up with Modern Luxury Angeleno on Angeleno Avenue to celebrate their 25th Anniversary, bringing even more game and giving to the festivities, as they provide additional avenues for enjoyment and support by making a financial contribution to the Concern Foundation, furthering the mission of advancing cancer research.
Photo Courtesy of Concern Foundation
The funds raised here don’t just disappear into a vast abyss. They are meticulously directed to the brightest minds in cancer research—to young, brilliant post-doctoral scientists whose innovative projects are the building blocks of future treatments and early diagnoses.
Concern Foundation focuses its funding in the areas of immunology, immunotherapy, genetics, and cell biology – the very keys to unlocking the mysteries of this disease and turning the tide. This is not just abstract science; it’s the hope for another birthday, another graduation, another moment with family that cancer tries to steal. Thanks to a strong and ever-growing core of multi-generational volunteers and an administrative overhead of less than 10%, millions of dollars have been granted to research projects locally, nationally, and abroad.
Photo Courtesy of Concern Foundation
This year, we honor Lisi and Steve Teller, whose enduring generosity has illuminated countless paths, and Dr. Alexandra M. Levine, a Special Lifetime Achievement Honoree whose dedication has shaped the very landscape of hematology. They represent the tireless spirit that fuels this fight.
Concern Foundation invites all to enjoy the exquisite food, the lively entertainment, and the camaraderie of over 4,000 fellow guests, as we remember the heart of it all. Remember Beverly Wolman. Remember every life touched by cancer. And know that on this night, at Paramount Studios, we are not just playing a game; we are uniting in a profound, heartfelt mission. We are Dining for a Cure, and with every dollar raised, we are closer to the day when cancer is truly checkmated, and hope reigns supreme.
Join the Fight: The Concern Foundation’s 50th Annual Block Party will take place on Saturday, July 19th, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Tickets and sponsorships are on sale now. For more information, please visit Concern Foundation 50th Annual Block Party Tickets.
