When: October 1st

Who: April Grisman, Bonnie Hayes, Christian Boyd, Colin Schlitt, Dan Durkin, Dave Vincent, Eileen Grady, Eric Jorgensen, Erika Alstrom, essence, Jamison Smeltz, Jay Trainer, Jesse Brewster, Jessica Grace, John Merkl, Karla Downey, Karey Gauthier, Liz Pisco, Lynn Asher, Loralee Christensen, Monroe Grisman, Pam Drummer-Williams, Pink Sabbath, Scott Foster, Susan Z, Tracy Blackman, Wes Anderson.

Why: Local singer/songwriter/actor, Susan Z, has been producing benefit concerts since 1998. Her mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor, which is why this cause is dear to her heart. Proceeds go to local breast cancer agencies, Zero Breast Cancer of Marin, which is helping find the reason Marin has one of the highest, if not THE highest, rate of breast cancer in the world... and To Celebrate Life Foundation, which is helping with education, awareness and patient services.  CANCER SUCKS! COMMUNITY RULES! MUSIC HEALS!

More info: www.susanz.com/wws/

When: Friday, April 8th, 9pm-12:30am

Where: El Rio (3158 Mission St., SF, CA)

RSVP & invite your friends: Official invite

Tickets: $5-500, Sliding Scale at the door.

All proceeds from the HeART to Help JAPAN benefit will be donated to the JCCCNC's Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. http://www.jcccnc.org/

Situations in Japan have grown more dire every hour. It's heartbreaking. On top of the rising number of victims from the earthquakes and subsequent tsunami, Japan is also facing the potential of one of the worst nuclear plant disasters in world history.

It may feel like there's little any one of us can do on our own to help. But, we can unite as a community and leverage our talents and resources as best we can.

Please join us for a silent auction featuring artwork from dozens of Bay Area artists plus live performances by:

Kelly Anneken (Co-host & Comedian): http://femikaze.tumblr.com /

Kelly Anneken is an Oakland-based writer/comedian. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Kelly has made a splash in the Bay Area as host of Stud Comedy Wednesdays, managing editor of humor journal Hobo Pancakes and founder of pro-feminist sketch troupe Femikaze.

Kristee Ono (Co-host & Comedian): http://rabidpixie.tumblr.c om/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rabidpixie

Asian from an early age, Kristee ate her first Burrito before most babies figure out how their lungs work. She also runs the Ladies Night at the Brainwash and has performed comedy at clubs all over the Bay Area.

"I am Japanese American, I do not have family in Japan but am involved in the Japanese American Community and have ties to the Japanese culture. When I heard about the earthquake I contacted my family and all of my JA friends to make sure all of their loved ones were alright. After really seeing the devastation of the earthquake I was that much more grateful that the people I knew and their loved ones were safe. I am trying to do as much as I can through donations to the Red Cross and participating in Japan benefit shows, hoping my silly jokes might help out some how."

Ishtar Monique (R&B / Soul / Neo-soul / Pop Vocalist): http://www.reverbnation.com/ishtarmonique

Ishtar has been singing since the impressionable age of 13, tapping into the many facets of her voice thanks to a school friend. She has spent over the last decade, honing, crafting, and diligently working on her incredible gift and performing in various venues across the bay Area.  She is well versed in many genres of musiik ranging from Pop, Soul, R&B, Hip Hop, Rock, Funk, and yes even Contemporary Country!

"I believe that love cures all pain and and hurt. So it's my duty as an artist to love, care, and Serve! And for that very reason is why I am grateful to take part in this wonderful event. giving japan all my love which is musiik ♥ love always -ishtar"

Kazumi Kusano (Japanese Actress and Comedian): http://www.kazumikusano.com/ 

http://kazumikusano.wordpress.com/

Born and raised in Japan, actress and comedian Kazumi Kusano was inspired as a child by Japanese comedians, The Drifters, and in 1995, she began performing improvisational comedy in Tokyo.  After she moved to the U.S., she created the sketch comedy duo, The Kazumi and Jane Comedy Hour, which performed in the Bay Area including a run of shows as part of The Identity Shift at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.  Kazumi has appeared in such projects as Ten Red Hen’s Clown Bible, as well as commercials for the Japanese Consulate and Cache Creek Casino Resorts.  She performs stand-up comedy all over San Francisco, and you can catch her at venues such as Castagnola’s and the Marsh in Berekeley.

"Save Japan with your Love and Good Karma. Our positive energy make a big difference."

 Jay Trainer Band (Blues-Rock): http://www.jaytrainer.com/ 

Jay Trainer combines thick, prolific guitar riffs and stark lyricism, while drawing on the traditions of funk, rock, blues, and psychedelia to craft a modern classic. The singer/songwriter possesses a unique ability to effortlessly negotiate tone and volume, moving from a quiet, almost jazzy tone to a booming thunder at any given moment.

As the Founding Director for Artfulchange, Jay sets the mission and vision of the organization, raises funds, and coordinates events. He works diligently to find non-profit sponsors whose work Artfulchange can support.

Aimee Suzara: (Filipino-American Spoken Word / Performance Artist): http://aimeesuzara.net/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aimee-Suzara/146731845337825

Oakland-based Filipino-American writer/performer, "Aimee Suzara writes and performes with an unhurried beauty, lyricism, and love of words that contains all of her urgency and fierceness as a woman of color." - Aya de Leon, poet/performer

Suzara's mission is to create, and help others create, work that builds community, fosters healing, and provokes important questions through poetry, movement and theater.

Jhameel (Classically-influenced Pop): http://www.jhameel.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Jhameel

Jhameel presents a blend of orchestral instruments, tight percussion, fierce vocal melodies, and rich synthesizers. His lyrics reflect the intricacy of the sound, and stand alone from the music as poetry. They at times express the triumphs and struggles of the human condition, and at others strive to give voice to the silent margins of society.

"I've learned that tragedy can lead to the greatest humanity. Let's show our friends in Japan that they don't need to overcome this alone."

The winning raffle entry will be drawn on Feb. 15th. The prize package includes movie tickets, iTunes gift card, music lessons and more donated by many generous sponsors.

Take action in 2010!

Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQKo5ku6LqU to enter!

The goal of the event is to catalyze environmental action through the arts. Artfulchange sees the web as a way to create a great music experience, bring people into the studio, work with other artists and reduce the carbon footprint of the entire experience. Learn More

The Carbon-Neutral concert will be part of 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action on October 24, bringing both awareness and action toward finding solutions for climate change. Artfulchange will offset the carbon emissions from their studio time and the server-energy used for the online concert itself. Donations and product purchases during the concert will be donated to San Francisco- based environmental causes.

Visitors to the online concert will find a streaming concert from the Jay Trainer Band, videos from a variety of bands for download and audio downloads. In addition, there will be an array of visual art created by local artists for sale. Visitors will be able to donate money to the cause or purchase any of the video, audio or visual downloads- all proceeds will go toward environmental causes.

As Jay puts it, "The core principle behind Artfulchange is using our passion for the arts to have an impact on the environment. The carbon neutral online concert is about helping people have a good time while they make an impact. We are creating opportunities to enjoy the arts and have their money make a difference."

Concert proceeds benefit important causes. The Energy Action Coalition is one of the groups that was chosen by Artfulchange to recieve a portion of the proceeds from the fundraiser. The Energy Action Coalition unites a diversity of organizations in an alliance that supports and strengthens the student and youth clean and just energy movement in North America. Learn More

On Saturday, October 10th, Rocket Dog Rescue will be taking over the gorgeous, spacious back patio of El Rio and turning it into a musical extravaganza for the dogs! We have a fantastic line-up including, Scranton, The Solid, Jay Trainer Band, and DJ Lady Fingaz!

Rocket Dog Rescue, the name says it all. We are an all-volunteer nonprofit group dedicated to saving homeless and abandoned animals from euthanasia in overcrowded Bay Area shelters. We literally give them a second chance at life. And everybody deserves a second chance.

It will be the perfect day to sit outside, sip on a margarita and listen to these great bands! We'll also have a fabulous raffle with all sorts of fabulous prizes! Suggestion donation of $10-$20 at the door but nobody will be turned away! As usual, EVERY PENNY RAISED GOES TO THE DOGS!! So please be as generous as possible!

We'll see you on October 10th to rock out with our dogs out!! Oh yeah, dogs are welcome at El Rio so please bring your pooch!

Read more about the bands:
DJ Lady Fingaz
Jay Trainer Band
The Solid
Scranton

Once a month 111 Minna hosts Sketch Tuesdays featuring live drawing from local Bay Area artists. They drink and create and then sell their works for ridiculously low prices.

Each month the gallery hosts an evening of live art making featuring both established and emerging Bay Area artists. Inspired by Southern Exposure’s Monster Drawing Rally, 111 Minna offers patrons the opportunity to see local artists at work and get acquainted with them. It is also a way for artists to meet each other and to be inspired by each other’s creative process.

Sketch Tuesdays offers the local arts community a place to congregate, to talk, to create and to be seen. There is usually room for artists to just drop in and start drawing, but the good seats are reserved for the invited artists.

"The basic idea is that artists get together and hang out and make art and then they put it up for sale. The prices are exceptionally magnanimously marvelous, tonight ranging from $6 to $30, most under $20. And we're talkin' good art by good artists. So for those of you who love art, but who aren't doctors, lawyers, investment bankers, shipping magnates, patricians, children of privilege, and so on and so forth, Sketch Tuesdays is very possibly the best option in town to jump start that art collection you've always dreamed of having." Alan Bamberger of ArtBusiness.com

At Artfulchange, we believe that art - and artists - can change the world. And now, there's a lot about the world that needs the change that art can bring. That's why we provide the social action network that brings artists and environmental groups together: Artfulchange.

Once a month San Francisco Green Drinks holds a large social networking event for several hundred green professionals at 111 Minna, a popular art gallery and bar just south of Market Street.

A broad range of community partners, businesses and non-profits contribute to the event, enriching our community with their knowledge, opportunities and ongoing services. Artfulchange creates art & music events to raise funds for other environmental and social nonprofits.

Artful Change shows you how you can become involved on a local, national or even global level. We'll provide updates on environmental issues, access to information about environmental groups, and all the information you need to plan your own fundraising event.

Jay Trainer Band plays Sept. 1 Green Drinks Jay Trainer is a singer and songwriter with a deep respect for life and the planet we live on, Jay Trainer created Artful Change to bring two of his passions together.

Please join us on Fri. March 6th for the next ArtfulChange.org event @ Root Division - using our passion for the arts to make a difference! Gallery reception Happy Hour at 5:30 and bands start at 7:00.

Connect the Dots is a nonprofit effort dedicated to lowering the environmental footprint of nonprofit organizations as they deliver their social missions. Do good without doing harm. Their 3-month Green Start program concentrates on easy conservation practices that yield high impact to "jump start" organizations towards sustainability. Its comprehensive service connects nonprofits to single-issue incentive programs (water conservation, energy efficiency, waste management, etc.) to quickly bring about environmental and financial savings.

They aim to serve more under-resourced and critical Bay Area communities. Check out their work at Hamilton Family Center, a San Francisco-based organization focused providing food, shelter, and a comprehensive array of support services to promote self-sufficiency to low-income families as they find and maintain housing. Learn More about their work to "green" nonprofit organizations.

Root Division - 3175 17th Street (between South Van Ness & Shotwell), San Francisco