Bread And Roses

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of Bread & Roses founder, Mimi Fariña. Yet, her legacy lives on through the work that Bread & Roses accomplishes every day by bringing quality live music to individuals who are isolated and institutionalized. This work is made possible through the generosity of our volunteers and donors. And right now, there has never been a more exciting time to support our work...

• Because you have witnessed the power of live music to transform and and inspire in profound and unexpected ways.
• Because we urgently need your help to continue our important work.
• Because 100% of the board have contributed to a challenge grant to thank you for your generosity - thereby doubling the impact of your gift.
• And because right now, a gift of any size will make you a founding member of our new FOUNDER'S CIRCLE - established in honor of our founder, Mimi Fariña.

Thirty-seven years ago Mimi Fariña founded Bread & Roses with the compassionate desire to offer hope and joy to isolated audiences through the healing power of live music. Since then, Bread & Roses has grown considerably, presenting nearly 600 shows ayear to nearly 27,000 individuals being cared for in 120 Bay Area facilities.

These are some examples of how our audience members have responded to Bread & Roses shows:

"The music makes me want to live longer," said an elderly woman living apart from family and friends in a convalescent home for low-income residents.

"Today became the best day of my life," said a teen at a juvenile hall after a Bread & Roses performer invited her to the stage to sing.

"Please know that your organization will be remembered the duration of my lifetime for the gift of hope you have given me through music and song," said Don, a man recovering from addiction.

Join the Founder's Circle today and ensure that Mimi's caring legacy lives on. In doing so, you will inspire hope, change a life, and bring comfort to those who need it most.

Video courtesy of Michael Mc Connell at Media Local Studios.

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Lisa Bautista (left) with Joyce DeWitt, actress from Three's Company, and Kris Koskela, RRazz Room office manager, at the venue’s 3rd annual “RRAZZiversary” earlier this year.

We are grateful that The RRazz Room’s first annual “Season of Giving” in December will benefit Bread & Roses.  Throughout the month, San Francisco’s Premier Nightclub is presenting many performers who support Bread & Roses including:  Maria Muldaur (Dec. 7) and Pete Escovedo & Family (Dec. 9-11).  Donations will be requested for Bread & Roses at each concert from Dec. 1-30, 2011. 

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Is it Opera??

More than a few of you have called to ask this about our Fall Benefit Concert featuring mezzo soprano Frederica von Stade.

So, is it opera?

Not according to Frederica. There will be operatic elements, but Frederica's repertoire will more closely resemble an intimate classical recital. "It will be My Life in Song," she said when we posed the question to her. "I will be singing excerpts from Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking, an aria from Werther, and a special song by John Musto titled, 'Litany,' which is based on Langston Hughes' poem 'Shadow of the Blues.' "

When asked why she chose to lend her talents in support of Bread & Roses, Frederica warmly responded by saying:

"People who are suffering, who are down and out, who are living in poverty, don't know that they are loved. Bread & Roses is about healing and helping them. We remind them that they are God's special creatures, even when the world tells them they're not."

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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.

By Liz Donaldson

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Bread & Roses hosted a community gathering at a special happy hour at The Tavern at Lark Creek on Thursday, September 8.  On the side patio of this beautiful, historic restaurant in Larkspur, many people from diverse parts of our ever-expanding community gathered to share good cheer.  With festive sangria, margaritas, wine and beer for sale to benefit Bread & Roses, we visited with each other under the redwood trees and enjoyed the lively folk-rock music of the talented Rant Brothers.

 Susan Gilardi, Bread & Roses Board Chair Emeritus,  first had the inspiration for the second annual event along with restaurant manager TJ Jacobberger and Bread & Roses Executive Director Cassandra Flipper.  While Susan was helping to greet people, her husband Dennis Gilardi parked his 1922 Model T Ford in the driveway to draw attention to the event.   

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Holiday Open House and Shopping Event
Saturday, December 11th - 11 am to 2 pm

Special offers, tastings, treats and product demos.

Hear live music by Bread & Roses performer, Kurt Huget!

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Bread & Roses enjoyed yet another fantastic event, a special Happy Hour Fundraiser at The Tavern at Lark Creek in Larkspur.  We were thrilled with the number of people who turned out and are so grateful for this collaboration with The Tavern.

The setting was ideal... a balmy, summer evening in a beautiful venue with seating and service indoors and out; live music played from an outdoor stage among the redwood grove by our very own Kurt Huget and Jesse Lee Kincaid; refreshing drinks - custom recipes designed especially for Bread & Roses - mixed and served by our board members and staff; and best of all, a huge turnout of happy hour revelers, including so many of our supporters and friends old and new!

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The Epworth Music & Arts Ministry will present a concert to benefit its ministry & Bread & Roses on Friday June 18 at 7 pm.  Suggested donation for tickets is $15.  Tickets available at the door at 6 pm. Performers include Bread & Roses volunteer Eve Decker (in photo on left)  along with Anne Weiss, Dave Smallen, Ghosts of Electricity, Lissy Walker, Brazen Squirrels & The Albany All-Stars.  The Epworth Music & Arts Ministry is part of Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins Street in Berkeley.  Bread & Roses brings hope and healing through live music to people in institutions in eight counties throughout the Bay Area. We bring programs to the Center for Elders Independence, Harrison House and New Bridge in Berkeley.

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