Rock-A-Thon

Hey there! Just wanted to let you all know that we are honored to be playing at this year’s United Way Walk-A-Thon fundraiser at Aneheim Stadium.  The United Way is well known for their amazing contributions to the community and for the good work they do in helping people move to from dependence to sustainability. I personally have a real heart for their work  and are thrilled to participate in their fundraiser.  If you want to know more about them go to www.unitedway.com, if you are not doing anything Sunday June 13th at 9am, come on out to Angel’s stadium to support some true angels and get a double dose of music with Christa Mae and the Brigade, and Give Up The Girl.

Jaggedy Kaye has arrived!

It truly is an amazing time to be alive.  The modern marvels of technology have opened doors to artists that have once been closed.  With the advent of the internet and all is current capabilities, it gives opportunities to record music and put it online – make videos and upload them as well.  Create images , and illustrate the imagination bouncing around in your head, at the end of it all share them with the world.  At this point, it is all available- the only thing now is to do it.

Since my brother came back from Honduras we have started playing around with a camcorder and some of the images he has collected from his travels all over the world.  I will keep you posted on more videos as they are created.  Just search for Jaggedy Kaye on Youtube, and we’ll keep on making them in the meantime.

Malaria No More

After holding the benefit for Heifer International,  I thought about the power of an individual or a  community coming together for a certain cause, and what an enormous amount of help that can be done with such a small amount of money and effort.  I think it’s typical to see the world as a place that has so many problems, it’s impossible to do anything about them all, so we tend to do nothing.  Of course, there is no way to abolish all the suffering in this world, but their is an opportunity to make a difference in a person’s life, not knowing how they can impact another and another. 

One awesome way to do that is through an organization called Malaria No More.  They hope to significantly reduce the amount of unnecessary deaths caused by the spread of Malaria through mosquitoes.  For about 20 bucks you can purchase a mosquito net to to protect a person while they are sleeping. Malaria is a disease that claims thousands of lives, even though it can be eradicated through vaccination.  Check out their website and see what they are doing.

http://www.malarianomore.org/

Boogaloo la la!

Just have to give it up once again for the city of Long Beach for putting on free concert series on Pine and Broadway this summer.  It’s called the SAM ( summer and music ) festival, and though I know a lot of cities do this type of thing, I have yet to come across one that this good.  I know they are out there so let me know… But  this past Sunday they hosted ALO, Money Mark, The High Fidelity DJ Dennis ( whoop whoop) and a really fun kickin band The Boogaloo Assassins!  Talk about gettin the party started!  I had sooo much fun spinning my 2 year old in the street and dancin to that latin beat as the sun set behind the street.

http://www.myspace.com/theboogalooassassins

I just love that shows like this are around to bring attention to the talent that is in a cities backstreets, neighborhoods and alleys.  Another jem is Deep Sea Diver, I through a clip of a very scaled down version of the song “Hangin On”, which I just love.  Reminds me of the ol buskin days… if you like that check out their studio stuff. Can’t argue a voice like hers…

http://www.myspace.com/deepseadivermusic

You can also check out more upcoming FREE shows in downtown LBC

http://www.summerandmusic.com

“Spanning from June to August, and running the gamut from jazz to funk to pop, Summer And Music (SAM) will be the first to feature local musicians and a variety of creative curricula for free on the streets of downtown Long Beach.”

Baaaaeutiful day!

Just thought I would give a quick update regarding the Heifer International Benefit we had.  What a great day…clear skies, good people and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Heifer and hear about some of the lives they are changing.  We were able to purchase 3 flocks of ducks , a bee hive, a plantation of tree seedlings , and with all the sales from the hot dogs and other donations we were able to buy a sheep! Just imagine a family who have previously been unable to earn enough money to make a living may now have the opportunity to become self reliant through these generous gifts. What an awesome blessing!

Thank you too all the people who came out, the musicians who played and to Heifer International for providing all that they did to make this day a success!

Rock For Livestock!!!

I am really excited because I have finally set a date for a benefit that  has been on my mind for quite sometime.  I recently found out about an amazing organization called Heifer International.  The more I learn about what they do, the more impressed I am, and the more I want to help.  

Basically they build community redevelopment by empowering individuals to attain self sustainability.  They do this by giving families livestock; such as a flock of chickens , a goat, even a cow (hence the name Heifer International) The families live anywhere from Rwanda to Inner City Chicago.  In addition to the actual animals, Heifer also provides education and resources to their project members.

It may seem foreign to us, but the possibility of a flock of ducks can be life changing.  It can mean eggs for nourishment, a means of revenue, and hope for a future. Their pass the gift program ensures others in the community will be given offspring, so it brings the community together in very real and powerful ways.

To me, their ideology  is so exciting because I think people gain self confidence through their ability to take care of themselves and their children, and everyone should have the chance to do that.  

If you want to learn more about what they do please check out www.heifer.org

And if you want to hear some great music and support a great cause come to the “Rock For Livestock” benefit , June 14th @ 4pm at Polly’s Gourmet Coffee Shop 4606 e. 2nd street, Long Beach, CA 90803.  It should be a great day!