April 5, 2013 -- Supporters of Paul Conrad's “Chain Reaction” are trying to get the ball rolling on finding the $450,000 Santa Monica officials say they need to repair the 26-foot-tall sculpture.

In order to help raise money for the cause, Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier will hold a benefit concert organized by high school students and featuring the New Roads Jazz Band with Kaya Mandissa.

“The special event is a locally organized fundraiser being coordinated mostly by high school students, but all ages are cordially invited,” said Jerry Rubin, who has been a vocal supporter of “Chain Reaction” since the City recommended taking it down last year.

Rubin has gone so far as to go on a hunger strike in support of the mushroom-cloud-shaped sculpture made out of chains. Rubin believes the sculpture, which was donated by Conrad in 1990, sends an important anti-nuclear message.

The concert, which will go from 8 to 11 p.m. on April 27, will also feature music by the Lefteous Sisters, the Sessions Stars and Half Brother.

Activists hope that the concert, which will cost $10 for students 18-years-old and younger and $20 for adults, will give the fundraising effort the boost it needs to meet its goal. To date, the Conrad family has managed to raise $8,700 toward preserving the landmark sculpture.

In order to ramp up the fundraising effort, Paul Conrad's son, Dave, started working with long-time grant writer Abby Arnold.

Supporters plan to solicit funds from larger organizations and conservancies which may be able to contribute more money than individuals. But first, supporters want to drum up a significant part of the cash themselves.

In January, the City Council voted to give supporters of the sculpture another year to find the money to repair it. The Council also set aside $20,000 for any immediate patching up the sculpture would need while its ultimate fate is determined.

The Council also committed $50,000 to further repairs if supporters could raise the rest of the money.

Dave Conrad said that the City's commitment would make it easier to raise money because it “sends the right message.”

The exact amount that would be needed to repair the sculpture is actually a point of controversy.

While the City maintains that repairs could cost as much as $450,000, the lowest estimate was $85,000, set by Art Conservationist Steve Colton.

For more information about “Chain Reaction,” visit ConradProjects.com. To buy tickets for the April 27 event, visit savechainreaction.brownpapertickets.com