Micah Press and his jazz combo at the San Rafael farmer's market.
Fall is a time when many nonprofits step up their fundraising efforts in order to meet end-of-year goals. This fall, Bread & Roses was delighted to be on the receiving end of the generosity of thirteen-year-old Micah Press, who took our mission to the streets with the help of his school’s jazz combo.
We first met Micah a few months ago when he set out to raise money in support of our organization. Being a musician himself, he said that of all the Marin nonprofits he could support, he felt most aligned with the mission and impact of Bread & Roses. In order to raise money, Micah played with his jazz combo at the San Rafael farmers market and requested that for his bar mitzvah, his guests make contributions to Bread & Roses in lieu of gifts.
In an ironic turn of events, we were recently able to give back to Micah when he spent time at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital for a neck problem. Singer/songwriter Francesca Lee (who is also a Bread & Roses producer) performed a bedside concert for Micah, reminding him that through his generosity, he had become a cherished member of the Bread & Roses extended family.
Recently, Micah was discharged from the hospital, and one of the first things he did was to deliver his donation. Amazingly, he exceeded his goal of raising $1,800, a number he chose because in Judaism, the number 18 is an expression of life. Micah says that he will continue to raise money for Bread & Roses with the help of his jazz trio once he is fully recovered. In the meantime, we will use his generous gift to sponsor shows for kids in other pediatric hospitals throughout the Bay Area.
Thank you Micah. A whole lot of hope, healing and joy will soon be shared thanks to your generosity.
With red, white and blue balloons bobbing cheerfully in the breeze, the band Moonalice played an upbeat Bread & Roses concert for the veterans at the VA Hospital in Menlo Park on Labor Day 2011. Blessed with beautiful sunny weather, this early afternoon special event was held on Monday, September 5 on a small stage in a grassy area to the right of the front door of the Community Living Center.
Our audience was a mix of veterans -- most from World War II who lived in the nursing unit close by and enjoyed the performance from a covered deck. They were assisted by other vets from the Vietnam era who came from a residential rehab program in a nearby building.
Photo: Moonalice performing a Bread & Roses show at Delancey Street Foundation in San Francisco.
A band of seasoned musicians, Moonalice features Roger McNamee on rhythm guitar, bass and vocals; Ann McNamee on keyboards and vocals; Pete Sears on keyboards, guitar, vocals and bass; Barry Sless on lead, pedal steel and bass guitars; and John Molo on drums and vocals.
Pete Sears launched the set with "Down the Road", a crowd pleaser and apt metaphor for this traveling band that goes all over the country playing outdoor festivals and parks as a living embodiment of their belief that music is a communal experience that should be shared.
OIGC Director, Terrance Kelly takes a turn at the microphone.
Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir -- their name says it all. Buddhists, Christians, Jews and others join their voices to sing traditional and contemporary Black Gospel music. Many races and ethnicities blend into one beautiful chorus. Residents of Crossroads Homeless Shelter in Oakland were engulfed by the powerful sound that filled their dining hall during a recent Bread & Roses concert there. Some laughed, some cried as songs of trials and faith touched their hearts. “Never Alone,” “All I Need,” and upon request “Amazing Grace” buoyed the spirits of folks facing a hard time in their lives.
Volunteer host Barb Withers who attended the show wrote, “There was a shared energy in the room and it just kept encircling everyone with love and strength. It was hard to believe how much the music filled the room, and as it did, more and more of the audience stood smiling, clapping and singing to the inspiring music.”
After the show, a young choir member said that she was especially happy to be working with Bread & Roses. She had been inspired by seeing shows while attending a high school for students with special needs. She was now able to give back to the organization that gave to her.
OIGC has been blessing Bread & Roses audiences since 1990, performing regularly in detention centers, rehab facilities and shelters.
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Having written songs recorded by Emmylou Harris and Joe Cocker, Marshall Chapman is very plugged in to the songwriting socket. Her styles range from Alternative Country to Rock 'n Roll, and her intelligent humor pervades all of her writing including her books. While in the Bay Area recently to promote her new book, They Came to Nashville on West Coast Live, she performed her first institutional concert for Bread & Roses.
On June 19, 2011 Marshall shared songs and stories with the men and women working on their sobriety at New Bridge Foundation in Berkeley. "Music and 12-step programs saved my life," she told them. Songs about her life before, during and after recovery (from substance abuse) were met with great enthusiasm and empathy. "Why Can't You Be Like Other Girls" told of how she didn't fit the mold growing up in South Carolina. "Goodbye Forever" chronicled her obsession and difficulty in kicking a bad relationship. And the happy ending song reminded everyone that "It's Never Too Late to Have a Happy Childhood."
The "Enriching Lives Through Music (ELM)" student ensemble delighted the residents of the Aldersly Garden Retirement Community in San Rafael with a recent musical performance for Bread & Roses. It is a community based music program for elementary school students who have a talent and passion for music. Using voice, recorders and xylophones and with the help of three teachers, the students presented a program of music from various countries. Soloists and different-sized groups of musicians performed, sometimes accompanied by their leader, Jane Kramer, on guitar and sometimes by clapping or rhythm instruments. The musicians all proudly wore their green or yellow tee shirts with the "ELM" logo on them.
The students came with soprano, alto and base xylophones as well as soprano and alto recorders. They sang a song in Spanish and played an Irish song, among others. In their last song each recorder represented a different instrument, like a trumpet, which made an interesting piece. Everybody came forward for the finale. These budding musicians "did themselves proud!" The audience loved hearing the students perform and meeting them after the show. It is always a treat for them to have young people perform and do it so well. It was a most enjoyable afternoon for all. Story by Volunteer Host Sally Peter
Volunteer hosts introduce our performers and write stories describing the effect of Bread & Roses programs on our institutional audiences. We bring hope and healing through live music and other performance art to isolated people throughout the San Francisco Bay Area in over 600 concerts every year. We are always recruiting more volunteers — and especially need more performers for diverse youth audiences. We appreciate your support and referrals. Click here for online volunteer application or to donate.
What: Bread & Roses Program - January 29, 2010 Who: Derique at Transition Learning Center, San Pablo Where: Volunteer Host & Story by Henry Kaiser
Derique performed at an outreach event for Bread & Roses at the Bay Area Discovery Museum. A volunteer performer for almost ten years, Derique has done over 15 programs for youth who are isolated in Bay Area institutions.
At the Burt Children's Center and Raphael House, San Francisco
Marian Hubler recruited a talented performing group from Hawaii, the Pacific Heart Players, through the Bread & Roses web site. Kate Schuerch, performer and puppeteer, contacted us via e-mail in advance of an upcoming tour to California. Along with her partner, puppeteer Karen Blue, the Pacific Heart Players performed two extremely interactive shows for Bread & Roses children´s audiences at the Burt Children's Center and Raphael House in San Francisco.
Carolyn Brandy, Janet Koike and Tina (Bean) Blaine are three stunning artists who combine the art and cultural history of Japanese Taiko drumming with Middle Eastern, African and Afro-Cuban percussion to create a performance and teaching experience for young people.
The teenagers at Marin Juvenile Hall approached them with their social masks in place, faces impassive, arms folded, heads slightly bent, looking up from under skeptical brows. The distance between audience and performer was shattered immediately by the powerful drumming and compelling personalities of these three women who, between them, have 70 years of musicianship.
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 "Enriching Lives Through Music (ELM)" student ensemble delighted the residents of the Aldersly Garden Retirement Community in San Rafael with a recent musical performance for Bread & Roses. It is a community based music program for elementary school students who have a talent and passion for music. Using voice, recorders and xylophones and with the help of three teachers, the students presented a program of music from various countries.
The students came with soprano, alto and base xylophones as well as soprano and alto recorders. They sang a song in Spanish and played an Irish song, among others. In their last song each recorder represented a different instrument, like a trumpet, which made an interesting piece. Everybody came forward for the finale. These budding musicians "did themselves proud!"
