Marin City Blues, Jazz & Soul Party in the Park 2013

Dear Fans and Supporters of the Marin City Blues, Jazz and Soul Party in the Park:

The founders of the Marin City Blues, Jazz and Soul Party in the Park have decided the event will not be held this year on Labor Day 2013. After thoughtful consideration regarding the ongoing health and success of the event, our goal is to continue in the fall of 2014.  Performing Stars of Marin, a non-profit organization, sponsors this annual event as a major fund raiser for our music education program.

 We are taking this year off to develop new ways to make the event financially sustainable, including raising more funds.  Rest assured, we remain dedicated to pursuing opportunities to assist in presenting an amazing, exciting and financially sustainable event on Labor Day, 2014. One of the highlights of the this annual event in Marin City, is  “Keeping the Blues Alive” in this a one-of-a-kind celebration of our community’s rich cultural diversity.  We want to preserve the history and legends of this musical genre. This internationally known event attracts Grammy Award winning artists and it places Marin County on the map as an important cultural, progressive trailblazer in promoting the blues.  The event provides safe play and activity areas for our children, showcases the flavorful range of our ethnic food and provides a venue for important information on health, community and civic matters that pertain to us all. 

It also takes a lot to produce.  Over the past 15 years, this event has evolved from an audience of about 100 people to one that surpasses 6,000.  Simultaneously, our costs have ballooned. Last year’s event cost over $90,000 to present, and because of a shift in grant funding and a decrease in individual donations, we need to secure ample financial commitments to go forward. 

We are looking for ways to restructure the event to give it a viable and sustainable future.  There are plenty of opportunities for members of the community to get involved:

·         Join the Friends of Marin City Blues, Jazz and Soul Party in the Park

·         Corporate and Small Business Sponsorship Opportunities

·         Direct Donations

·         Volunteer Opportunities

This is truly a community celebration and endeavor.  We would like to thank our funders:  Marin Community Foundation, Marin County Board of Supervisors, Marin Housing Authority, Bill Graham Foundation, Monterey Pop International Festival Foundation, Marin City Community Services District, Huey Lewis, Ray Menaster Charitable Trust;  also our community partners the Marin County Sheriff and Probation Department and Lawyers for One America, musicians and other supporters who are too numerous to name.  

This is your event and we welcome your help in continuing to present one of the only celebrations of the Blues as an art form left in Northern California.  Equally important, your participation and investment in this event helps to support music education for our multi-cultural youth in Marin County.

Please contact me with any questions you may have or if you would like more information.  We look forward to your help and insights in preparing for Marin City Blues, Jazz and Soul Party 2014.

Sincerely,

Felecia Gaston

Executive Director, Performing Stars of Marin

Producer, Marin City Blues, Jazz and Soul Party in the Park

Board of Directors

Dr. Virginia Edwards, Dr. Wyna Brown, Andrea Norwood, Karin Larson