Over 300 supporters and guests joined us for a successful and spectacular night of music for our 2019 Spring Benefit Concert at the Great American Music Hall on Thurs. April 25. Thanks to Laurie and Jeff Ubben for helping again this year to bring Lucius and The Nude Party to San Francisco for our annual fundraising event.
Bread & Roses Presents Executive Director Dave Perron welcomed the crowd, acknowledged board and staff, and introduced our Musical Host Matt Jaffe. Much appreciation to Matt who kicked off the evening in magnificent style with two original songs and shared how much it has meant to him to be involved with Bread & Roses as a board member and volunteer performer for over a decade.
Matt then introduced The Nude Party, a six-piece brotherhood of rockers, who launched an upbeat opening set followed by the stunning art rock indie-pop band Lucius who wowed the crowd with the majestic lead vocals of Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, along with the superb musicianship of guitarist Peter Lalish and percussionist/producer Dan Molad.
All who contribute to our ongoing program of over 600 concerts a year around the Bay Area help us sustain bringing live music to youth, adults and seniors who are isolated and need it most. Support for our youngest preschool audiences was the focus of this year’s benefit fund-a-need. About a third of our annual performances are for low-income, disadvantaged children from high-risk neighborhoods. Many are homeless, or from immigrant families, or single-parent households who would otherwise not have access to high quality music or interactive shows.
A special prize drawing was held with this year’s fund-a-need campaign with three different donors winning the Sports Extravaganza, Rock Out and Live Music Experience packages. We are so grateful for all our in-kind donors, including Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott who donated two autographed jerseys, along with a lunch for two. Billy Beane also donated a lunch for two. Santana and The Doobie Brothers donated a meet and greet, along with tickets to an upcoming concert.
Thanks to all our In-Kind Donors including: Another Planet Entertainment, “Money Ball” Billy Beane; David Duysen of InnerWorkings Inc.; Adam Fells; Gibson Brands, Inc.; Hafner Vineyard; Kirk Hammett Guitar Straps; H.E.A.R.; Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant; Kokomo Winery; Donna Mezias & Jonas Honick; Moonalice Posters; Michael Morf; Schubert Bakery and Sound Logic. Recognition also to our special contributors: Film-maker Dan Foldes of Pint of Soul Productions; GIGART Artist Gregg Gordon; Photographer Ken Friedman; Graphic Designer Brianne Lucke and Event Producer Kim Teevan of Teevan Productions.
We are so grateful for the broad support from our Benefit Sponsors and all who bought tickets to support our ongoing program of healing live music for those in institutional settings around the Bay. Sponsors Include Platinum Artist: Heather & John Botti, Marin Community Foundation and Nancy P. & Richard K. Robbins Family Foundation; Hall of Fame: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Robin Eber & Ron Zech, Paul & Mary Alice Kirincic; Show Stopper: Burd Health LLC, Pam Polite Fisco and Dennis Fisco, Forever Strong Fund, Ken Fulk, Inc., Donna Mezias & Jonas Honick, Philip & Cynthia Pillsbury, Danny Scher Headliner: Colleen & John Amster, Bon Air - Greenbrae, Donahue Fitzgerald LLP, Raj Gopal, Andrea Greenburg & Alex Wellins, The Hale Family, Catherine Less, Michael McElligott, Terry P. Noyer, Tucky & John Pogue, Kathy Taggares & Chris Gorog, John Van Camp Dentistry; Media Sponsors: Marin Arts, Marin IJ/Giving Marin.
The generosity of our contributors this year will help us bring more interactive programs to isolated children and increase the number of performers for these ethnically diverse audiences. The support is essential for Bread & Roses to continue to bring joy and educational experiences to our youngest audiences at their most formative time of life.
Photos by Ken Friedman
Photo Captions:
1) Music supporters Laurie and Jeff Ubben.
2) Executive Director Dave Perron welcomes Musical Host Matt Jaffe to the stage.
3) Testimonial from Matt Jaffe about his experience volunteering with Bread & Roses.
4) The Nude Party plays a set of upbeat music.
5) Clip from Lucius' riveting performance.
6) A little girl from one of our preschool audiences expresses joy. Photo by Peter Merts.
7) The Fund-A-Need helps to support our ongoing program.
8) Supporters Armando and Brigid Quintero present Lucius band members with gift of hand-made drumsticks (with l-r Peter Lalish, Dave Perron, and Dan Molad)
9) Platinum sponsors Heather and John Botti.
10) Lucius dazzles with their spectacular vocals and musical ensemble.