The Heartbeat - Volume Six - October 2020
A Message From Our Executive Director:

We are maintaining a positive outlook and pivoting successfully to meet our current challenges. We continue to serve isolated Bay Area audiences in a variety of ways – through video concerts, Zoom shows and music outdoors where it is safe to do so. 

New initiatives include a partnership with the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank to provide music at a couple of their larger locations; benefit house concerts; online music classes and the offering of a limited edition giclée of our founder the late Mimi Fariña signed by artist Joan Baez with all proceeds to benefit our ongoing programs.

We are grateful for the unwavering support, from volunteer performers to hosts, individual donors to foundations. We will continue to work everyday to get through these “new abnormal” times.

Dave Perron
Executive Director
Featured Articles
A New Collaboration: Music at San Francisco - Marin Food Bank
Bread & Roses Presents has lived up to its name in a new way! This summer we began a new collaboration with the San Francisco - Marin Food Bank. The Food Bank provides the “bread” and we are providing the “roses” by bringing the healing power of music to their Kerner site in San Rafael and their Cow Palace location in SF. Article and photo by Lisa Starbird.

Online Zoom Music Classes with Bread & Roses Performers
Bread & Roses is now offering online music lessons on Zoom! Learn to play the music that you love with our wonderful community of teachers in the comfort of your own home practice space. Create good vibes during these difficult times, help sustain local musicians and experience the many health benefits of learning to sing or play an instrument. Video from Class Facilitator, Producer and Performer Francesca Lee.

Francesca’s “Back to School” Playlist
Enjoy this fresh mix of classic and contemporary songs themed around school. Francesca's Back To School Playlist will be sure to get you ready for the fall season and the new school year. Photo of Paul Simon's album cover for "Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard."

Board Profile: Donna Mezias
Donna Mezias recently spoke to Heidi James about her contributions to Bread & Roses. A partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Donna has been an invaluable Board Member since 2016, currently serving as Board Secretary and on the Executive Committee. Dave Perron notes “She has the uncanny ability to blend common sense with intellect. We are darn lucky to have her on our team!”

Exclusive Offering of Mimi Fariña Print by Joan Baez
A hundred limited-edition archival prints of a portrait of Mimi Fariña signed and numbered by Joan Baez are available from our Corte Madera office for a donation of $1,000. This is a unique opportunity to acquire a piece of highly collectible art. Thanks to Joan Baez and the Seager-Gray Gallery for their generosity in helping to support our ongoing programs.

Staff Profile – Heidi James
Heidi James, our V.P. of Development, came to Bread & Roses Presents a little over a year and a half ago with decades of experience leading successful fundraising campaigns for Bay Area nonprofits. Jordan Moore recently sat down with Heidi to learn more about her journey in the world of nonprofits, what she loves most about Bread & Roses and her successful revamping of the Mimi Fariña Heritage Society.

Marian’s “Did You Know” Column
Did you know that the confessions of the limo drivers recall some very memorable moments? Bruce Davis and Ken Harrison were just two of the volunteers brought on by our founder, the late Mimi Fariña, to help with transportation for the artists that performed at the Bread & Roses Festivals of Music at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley from 1979 to 1991.

Volunteer Testimonial Acknowledges 2020 Awards
To recognize their extraordinary accomplishments, we recently sent Certificates of Appreciation as well as Annual Awards in a wide variety of categories to our volunteers. Zach Lee, who won an "Outstanding Youth Performer" award, sent a testimonial afterwards about what it meant to him. You can share your testimonials on the Great Nonprofits website before October 30, 2020, to help us retain our award as a "2020 Top-rated Nonprofit." Photo by Peter Merts.

Circle of Advisors/Community Partner Profile – Andrea Schultz
One of Bread & Roses many community partners is Bon Air Center in Greenbrae, CA. Community leader and philanthropist Andrea Schultz is president and CEO of the Bon Air Center and Greenbrae Management. We are fortunate that she is also on our Circle of Advisors. Carolyn Gauthier reflects how we appreciate our partners like the Bon Air Center more than ever during this complex time.

“In the News” ‘Incredible Gift’ of Joan Baez Art
Reporter Keri Brenner at the Marin Independent Journal recently wrote a headline story about Joan Baez’s ‘Incredible Gift’ of art to benefit our ongoing program during this challenging time. The signed archival prints of her portrait of her late sister Mimi Fariña can only be obtained from our office. The proceeds will help us bring more live music to isolated audiences including the San Francisco – Marin Food Bank.

Photo of Julia Harrell and Kurt Huget at the Food Bank’s Kerner site in San Rafael by IJ Photographer Sherry Lavars. 
Welcome Jordan Moore
Development and Communications Associate Jordan Moore is the latest addition to our Bread & Roses family. Born in New Jersey and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Jordan recently graduated from Missouri State University with a B.S. degree in Marketing and Advertising. He really likes that music connects so many different people and looks forward to learning more about Development.

Bread & Roses Sponsors “Marin’s Rock Art Scene” at MarinMOCA 
We are honored to be a sponsor of “Marin’s Rock Art Scene” the current exhibit at MarinMOCA, which runs through Nov. 8 in Novato. On display are three pieces from our archives, as well as Joan Baez’s original portrait of Mimi Fariña. Twenty percent of all art sales will be donated to Bread & Roses. Don’t miss this fabulous overview of Marin’s rock music history as it chronicles some epic moments in time. Photo by Jim Marshall.

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