Rocking in the New Year with The Coverups
By Rachel Dragas
On January 1st, six hundred plus concert goers rocked in the New Year for a good cause at a fundraiser organized by Project Chimps board members. Featuring a live performance by The Coverups, Ultra Q, DJ Kevin Preston, as well as a silent auction, all ticket sales and auction proceeds went directly to Project Chimps.
Meet Adrienne Armstrong
Ever since Adrienne Armstrong was a kid, she’s had a strong pull towards social and environmental issues and has been involved in many different causes over the years. “It’s amazing to see change and be a part of progress. It can also be incredibly frustrating seeing how long it can take. One great thing about Project Chimps is that there is an end goal – a finish line: move the rest of the chimps out from the labs so they can live out their lives in sanctuary.”
As a founding board member of Project Chimps along with her husband, Billie Joe, Adrienne recognizes the need to be able to support the sanctuary until that end. “A lovely woman I met through another sanctuary, Chimp Sanctuary Northwest, asked if we would help two hundred plus chimpanzees in a research lab find a home. She had found an abandoned gorilla sanctuary in the Blue Ridge mountains of Georgia. Some amazing people and friends contributed to help get us off the ground, and the story began.”
Meet Dean Johnsen
Dean Johnsen, another board member at Project Chimps along with his wife Judy, has been captivated by TV and movies for as long as he can remember and knew early on that he wanted to work in the entertainment industry. Planet of the Apes, in particular, was one of his favorite movies growing up. Dean’s wife, Judy Greer, and Billie Joe Armstrong were in a movie together called Ordinary World in 2016. “At some point Judy shared with Billie Joe that, as a gift to me, she played a chimpanzee named Cornelia in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. That is what gave Billie Joe and Adrienne the idea to reach out to Judy and I about getting involved in Project Chimps. The rest is history.”
With so much to worry about these days, including broken politics, the climate, and human rights, Judy and Dean try to pick a few things that are important to them and focus on helping in that arena. This is a value they also try to instill in their kids, Emilee and Lucas, in making the world a better place.
#ProjectNYE24 – The Cover Ups
It’s a heavy time in the world and Adrienne felt a New Year’s Eve party would be a great way to rock in the new year with friends, hope, and good music. Held at the legendary El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, the event featured a live performance by The Coverups, led by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, as well as a silent auction.
People from all over attended, including Europe, Nashville, and other parts of the country. All proceeds from the event went directly to Project Chimps. “I’d really love to see Project Chimps raise the money they need to expand the sanctuary, so they can move the rest of the chimpanzees that are still waiting in the lab,” says Adrienne.
Alyssa DeRoush and her husband attended #ProjectNYE24 as VIP guests. “The event was planned to perfection, and everyone involved was supportive and inspiring. Talking to Billie Joe and Adrienne Armstrong influenced us to become sponsors of chimp Taz at Project Chimps. On a night where lifelong dreams came true, we wanted to spread the spark of positive impact.”
Favorite Chimp at the Sanctuary?
Dean’s favorite chimp, Stirlene, passed away last February. “I keep a picture of him on my desk. He had amazing eyes and almost felt human and Planet of the Apes-y. As sad as I am, my heart was happy knowing he got a chance to live his best life outside of a lab before he passed.”
Adrienne doesn’t have a favorite chimp at the sanctuary. “There are so many personalities, and they are all unique. There are even twins there – Buttercup and Charisse! But look them up… Gracie, Oscar, Harley… all of them.” Adrienne is really excited to visit the sanctuary this year. “They now have hiking trails you can explore. Imagine going for a walk and hearing the chimps while you’re out.”
Hopes for Project Chimps in 2024
Looking ahead, Dean says “we just want people to know that helping these chimpanzees is finite and super achievable; we have amazing facilities to give the remaining lab chimps a forever home.” In addition to rocking in the New Year with #ProjectNYE24, Project Chimps will host several new events in 2024 as a part of the 10th anniversary celebration around their founding. Adrienne and Dean are hopeful that 2024 is an impactful year for new support.
Learn more about Project Chimps and ways that you can support here.
