Katy Perry Performs Benefit Concert and Buys Drinks for the Crowd

Katy Perry onstage at the Santa Barbara Bowl (Photo: Patti Gutshall)

Katy Perry bought a round of drinks for the crowd at her sold out Santa Barbara Bowl concert fundraiser for Montecito on Saturday.

The Santa Barbara-born pop star hosted her “Witness: Coming Home – A Benefit for the Community: Our Neighbor, Our Heroes” as part of her ongoing effort to raise money to rebuild the Montecito area after the deadly mudslides this past January. All ticket sales and Katy’s performance were donated. 

The Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade were highlighted for their ongoing volunteer efforts of physically digging out mud from people’s homes. Local resident Oprah Winfrey was featured in a moving video tribute to the crowd and the volunteers.

Perry sang a selection of her many hit songs from “Chained to the Rhythm,” “Roar,” and “I Kissed a Girl.” She mentioned some of her favorite locations like East Beach Tacos, Blenders in the Grass, and even changed some of the lyrics in her “California Girls” song to reflect Santa Barbara landmarks like Hendry’s Beach. 

An emotional moment during the event was when Lauren Cantin, a survivor of the Montecito mudslide who lost her father and brother, sang Perry’s hit song “Firework” along with the Santa Barbara Youth Ensemble Theatre. 

Towards the end of the show, Perry surprised the crowd by offering to buy everyone a drink. Understandably, people took her up on the offer. “Hey.. you guys it’s a good show, don’t everyone leave…” she said laughing while tons of people booked it from their seats to the bar areas. 

Katy Perry spoke to People Magazine about her offering stating that she felt a lot of men in the audience were most likely there to support their wives, girlfriends, or kids.  “I’m like, ‘You know what? I’m opening up the bar and buying everyone a beer!’ So all the men — even my own sister’s husband — left and they all came back double-fisting. It was amazing,” she said to People. 

As of Sunday night, the exact total and bill have not been determined.