On Saturday, September 17, musicians all around the world will celebrate the first annual Playing for Change Day, a global day of action to raise money to bring music into the lives of young people.

In Ballard, Robin Moxey, a professional musician and one of the creators of Playing for Change, will host an "evening of music, wine, appetizers and fundraising" at Domanico Cellars to raise funds for local music programs as well as international programs through Playing for Change.

Started by Mark Johnson, Playing for Change began as a film about street performers and has since grown into a global multimedia movement to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music and arts education.

Today, Playing for Change is a foundation and movement that has gained support by the United Nations and celebrity musicians (like Bono and Yoko Ono) alike.

This year's event carries the theme Power to the People, drawing its inspiration from the spirit of John Lennon's activism and support from Theatre Within and Yoko Ono.

Moxey said he has been part of Playing for Change since the beginning, providing music and mixing for the first film.

"I've been with Playing for Change since the beginning and I still participate with them and am active in some of the new projects," he said.

Locally, Moxey is a teacher at the Secondary Academy for Success (SAS) in Bothell, an alternative school for at-risk youth.

Thanks to funding from the MAY Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing music education and performance experience to underserved youth, Moxey has been teaching the students the ins-and-outs of music production, recording, writing and performing.

Within one school year, Moxey brings these students together and morphs them into polished recording artists.

"[SAS] is a school for at risk kids but really it's a school full of musicians and artists," said Moxey. "These kids are amazing."

SAS students will make a special appearance at the Playing for Change event at Domanico Cellars on Saturday.

"Somehow I managed to bring all the strings together to culminate on this evening," Moxey said.

The MAY Foundation, SAS musical education, and Playing for Change all share the common goal of strengthening music and arts education.

"Right here in America, music and the arts are cut from many schools. All we seem to care about is SAT scores," Moxey pointed out.

"We need evenings like this to keep music alive."

On Saturday, Moxey will let the music do most of the talking as he will perform with his band, the Robin Moxey Trio, and the SAS students will join them for a special appearance as well.

"What better way to spend a Saturday evening than to come together, enjoy some food and wine, be entertained and support music for youth on a local and international level,' Moxey said.

The Playing for Change Day event will take place from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. at Domanico Cellars, 825 NW 49th Street.

Admission is free but donations will be collected at the event.