Keller Williams Releases "Rex" for Digital Download

We are pleased to announce the release of Keller William's "REX"- Live at the Fillmore, featuring Williams, Keith Moseley (The String Cheese Incident), and Jeff Austin (Yonder Mountain String Band), now available for Digital Download.

On April 29, 2008, this very special evening of music became available for digital download at iTunes and other digital retailers. 100% of the net proceeds of REX: Live at the Fillmore will go to The Rex Foundation.

Rex Foundation wants to express its deepest appreciation to Keller and the musical community for this generous support.

The 2008 Rex Musical Caravan travels on with a special performance from New Monsoon and special guest ALBINO! at the Great American Music Hall.

Rex Supporter Al Futransky: What I'm Doing With My Tax Rebate

I am not a fan of the $600 tax rebate we will soon be receiving. I think it is going to cost a lot of money that could be better spent on other things, and it will not accomplish the stated goal of stimulating the economy. Since I don't plan on returning it, I needed to find a way to use it in a way that can help stimulate the American economy and still be something I can feel good about.


Spending it on consumer items will only help the economy of the large corporate CEOs who already have enough of my money. It also has a good chance of helping to exploit a worker in another country while taking jobs away from Americans. A donation to the Rex Foundation does none of those things.

I know the money will be spent here at home, helping someone on the grass-roots level who can use the help in some way. I trust the Rex board to donate the money to organizations whose work I will most likely approve. So the decision is easy: Give the money to a foundation that has a history of good works done in a great spirit. What more can I ask from my $600?

Perspective on the Digital Divide

In the latest Rex Foundation newsletter, Ken McNeely, President – External Affairs for AT&T California, suggests that there must be a “will to change” among the public at large with regard to broadband Internet service -- and the importance of ensuring universal access to that service. He notes it will take corporate political will, in combination with policy makers, to effect the changes needed to ensure digital inclusion.


Looking at earlier products or services that were deemed so essential as to require subsidized access for those who couldn't afford them, he asks, "Is broadband on the same level as subsidizing food and public education? Should every student have a computer and Internet access?"

Read more...

Mickey Hart: Drumming As Peacemaking Tool

Mickey Hart says:



"Humans are rhythm machines. That’s what life is built on, rhythm, so when you share that with someone you make a connection at a very deep level. You get to understand their emotions, their hopes, dreams, fears, whatever.

"When you entrain you get in sync, you have common ground, you’re touching the essence of life. You’re sharing some kind of sacred space with these people. That makes peace.

"I don’t ever remember coming off of a stage where people were really passionate about playing music at that moment, and feeling bad towards them. It’s always a heightened experience; it’s always enlightening in some way, and it makes you feel good. And it’s fun."

More...

Rex Foundation Seeks Associate Director

We're looking for an associate director to help us build support for the Rex Foundation's work and communicate its successes. The half time position, based in San Francisco, involves event coordination and public outreach, in both the physical and online worlds.

Visit the Rex Web site for more info.

Drums for Peace

We're really excited about the latest Food for Thought story on the Rex Foundation site. It's about a recent project in which Christine Stevens, renowned drum circle leader and friend of Mickey Hart, was invited to come to Iraq and teach drum circles to local people as a peacemaking tool. The results were very moving, and we're really proud to have been part of this project.

The story also includes a text and/or audio interview with Mickey on the healing power of drumming. Check it out!


http://www.rexfoundation.org/foodforthought/drumsforpeace.html

Rex Foundation completes 2007 grant cycle

The Rex Foundation is Furthering a Tradition of Grassroots Giving by completing the 2007 grant cycle designating recipients for its three major foundation awards and grants.

Rex is proud to announce the Jerry Garcia Award to Jazz Masters Workshop. In memory of Grateful Dead guitarist and founding Rex board member Jerry Garcia, this award is designed to honor and support individuals and groups that work to encourage creativity in young people. Since 2000, JazzMasters Workshop has held 2,000 workshops for children of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. The program has a host of accomplishments, from assisting with admittance to schools, conservatories and summer camps, helping find scholarship assistance for needy students, acquiring musical instruments for talented young people without the resources to procure one and providing numerous performance opportunities.

Rex awards the Ralph Gleason Award to Allen Toussaint. This award is in memory of music journalist Ralph J. Gleason, a major figure in the advancement of music in America in the 1960s, whose openness to new music and ideas transcended differences between generations and styles. Allen Toussaint's work and art have never gone out of style and he has continued to mentor musicians and represent New Orleans in the finest fashion. Producer, songwriter, arranger, session pianist and solo artist, Allen Toussaint represents artistic excellence. His music crosses multiple generations and inspires new generations.


The Rex Foundation's Bill Graham Award has been designated to The Cambodian Children's Fund. In memory of pioneering producer and founding Rex board member Bill Graham, himself a refugee, this award is for those working to assist children who are victims of political oppression and human rights violations.The Cambodian Children's Fund (CCF) services Cambodia's poorest, undereducated and most vulnerable children by providing them with the care, education and training they need to reach their full potential. CCF seeks to create a safe, open place for children to thrive, learn and grow and to provide protection and support needed to overcome the barriers that prevent human development.

In addition to the three major awards, the Rex Foundation provided grants to thirty-two non-profit organizations. The list and description of grantees is at the web site linked at Rex 2007 beneficiaries.

The Grateful Dead was always known for generosity and the performance of numerous benefits. In the fall of 1983, the Rex Foundation was established as a non-profit charitable organization by members of the Grateful Dead and friends to further this tradition. The Rex Foundation enabled the Grateful Dead to go beyond responding to multiple requests for contributions, and proactively provide extensive community support to creative endeavors in the arts, sciences, and education. The first benefit concerts for the Rex Foundation were held in the spring of 1984 at the Marin Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. Since 1984 the Rex Foundation has granted $8.2 million to some 1,000 recipients.

Continuing to embody the spirit of generosity and concern that evolved in the culture surrounding Grateful Dead concerts, the Rex Foundation is on a new path that seeks to include and engage many people. With activities that honor the spirit of community, service and creativity, Rex is building the funding necessary to carry out our mission. Thanks to the resounding response of so many generous supporters, since December 2001 we have granted $911,000 to 171 programs, across the United States and internationally. We plan to multiply our grant making each year so that we can once again support many grassroots programs across the United States and beyond that might otherwise be overlooked by mainstream funders, yet work in innovative and bold ways to bring about helpful solutions to challenging situations.

Freddy Hahne
Rex Foundation Board President