Bread And Roses

Annual Celebration Thanks Volunteers

Volunteers are the essential backbone of Bread & Roses, and each year we hold a special event to make sure they are thanked and publicly appreciated. This event, "The Jam," is a day that includes food and drink, an awards ceremony, a special featured performance and opportunities to play music together.

The festivities took place at the Falkirk Cultural Center in San Rafael, beginning with a delectable lunch on the lawn. The elegant old mansion and beautiful grounds were the perfect setting for this event. Dozens of people drifted in, filled their plates and joined over two hundred guests at Bread & Roses' annual volunteer recognition celebration. A warm breeze and just enough shade created a relaxed, Saturday picnic feeling. Volunteer performers, hosts and committee members shared an afternoon of ceremony, music and socializing.

The emcee for the day was motivational speaker Michael Pritchard. His humor and inspirational stories brought home the importance of Bread & Roses' mission of providing free quality, live entertainment to isolated audiences in Bay Area institutions. Michael has brought his message of empathy and compassion to youth audiences throughout the Bay Area and nationally.

Awards (pop up window) were given to volunteers who have been with the organization for as long as 30 years. Jim Rothermel was the "house sax player" at the Greek theater shows beginning in 1974. Twenty-five-year performers Karen Drucker, Joe Leon, Keta Bill, Peggy Salkind and Dan Hicks were honored along with 20-year performer Neil O'Neill. Host Edna Trimm and performers Brian Jones, David Maloney and Gary Rowe received 15-year awards. Several other categories of outstanding service awards were given for generous contributions to Bread & Roses.

A featured performance by the Palm Wine Boys got everyone in a mellow mood. Their music is inspired by West African highlife, soukous and township jive. Four talented musicians wove their melodies into the texture of the day and set the tone for sharing styles and stories.

Jamming took place in three different areas at the Falkirk Center. The living room was transformed into a jazz salon where pianists, bassists and guitarists accompanied singers and other soloists. The Rose Garden became Picker's Paradise where dobro, fiddle, mandolin and singing saws were joined by banjo players and guitarists in fine form. The main stage was a showcase for talented singers, songwriters and spontaneous combinations of musicians which delighted those lounging on the lawn.

A community feeling permeated the day. There was much networking among performers and opportunity to exchange stories about Bread & Roses experiences at institutional shows. There was a wide diversity of talents and people, which made the Jam, once again, a wonderful place to make new friends and share common interests in music and volunteerism.

See the Video, Photo Exhibit, and  Award Winners (pop up windows)

Bread & Roses thanks the 2004 Sponsors, In-Kind Donors and Volunteers

Sponsors
Ken & Julie Burns
Christine Champion & Cynthia Halvorson
The Coppola Family Trust
Ken Harrison
Keegan & Coppin
David Lusterman
George Lucas
Windfall Foundation

In-kind Contributors
Albertson's - Bell Market - Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream - Bovine Bakery - Calistoga Mineral Water - Comforts - Cosmopolitan Cafe - Costco - Epic Roots - Frantoio - Guaymas - Harvest Ranch Market - Insalatas - Jil's Patisserie - Judy's Breadsticks - Klein's Delicatessen - La Tempesta - Lark Creek Inn - Left Bank Restaurant - Marin Brewing Company - Mollie Stones Market - Naked Juice - Noah's Bagels - Peet's Coffee & Tea - Red Robin Caterers - Safeway Inc. - Semifreddi's - Servino Ristorante - Sweet Sue's - United Market - US Pure Water Corp. - Whole Foods Market

Event Volunteers
Phil Bearce - Drew Bradbury - Walter Cinollo - Susan Clay - Preston Cox - Aram Daneshpajouh - Lisa DeJournet - Coleen Delozier - Kathleen Edwards - Martha Fleischman - Ingrid Gillies - Greg Harning - Ken Harrison - Lisa Lewis - Dennis McIntyre - Peter Merts - Lloyd Minthorne - Clyde Niesen - Susan Pease - Sally Peter - Ira Potovsky - Laurie Reemsnyder - John Robinson - Dottie Rosso - Molly Susag - Tommy Tatro - Marie Taylor - Jennifer Terrell - Lisa Trustin - Ed Walker

Special Thanks To:
Molly Tuttle for invitation and certificate design
Clyde Niesen of Sonic Stew for sound
Kim Clark and Luane Beck of BlueBox Productions for videotaping
Andrew DeLory, Susan Hyde and Ken Friedman for photography
Donna Stewart for coordinating in-kind donations
Carolyn Gauthier, Event Producer