Rex Foundation

Rex Foundation's 2001
JERRY GARCIA AWARD

Established in memory of Grateful Dead guitarist and founding Rex board member Jerry Garcia (1942-1995), this award is designed to honor and support individuals and groups that work to encourage creativity in young people.

The Loco Bloco Drum and Dance Ensemble of San Francisco provides youth with a "hands on" introduction to musical, dance and theater traditions of the Diaspora, as well as to offer a vehicle to acquire experience in public performance. Members of the group are boys and girls of many nationalities and ethnicities, ages 5-17, who live in various areas of the city. All of the participants are low income, and many are in special education programs or are academically challenged. Ninety percent of Loco Bloco youth come from single parent homes and many from immigrant families.

Loco Bloco conducts classes and activities covering percussion, dance, theater, and visual arts. Classes are taught year- round, culminating each quarter with a major community event. Students are involved not only in the creation of their live performances, but also in the decision-making processes of the organization. Loco Bloco is a unique organization supporting youth in San Francisco. Students who started in their early years have stayed on to take leadership roles and become teachers. Loco Bloco has helped raise children into outstanding citizens who become teachers, professional musicians and artists, and who have a commitment to give back to the community at large.