Bay Area EEFC Scholarship Created

Longtime Mendocino Kids’ Band teacher Greg Masaki Jenkins reports:

Balkan Evenings is a series every Sunday night at Cafe Revolution (22nd & Bartlett in San Francisco, from 8:30-11:30) organized by Sean Tergis that features Bay Area Balkan bands or an open brass jam with a rotating house band. Since this last time it fell on the day after the Mendocino Balkan Camp, I knew it would be mobbed, and I had the idea to use the proceeds to raise money for a half-scholarship for camp. We ended up raising $515, which is more than enough!

We made some money from the bar but most of our take came from tips contributed by the musicians. The whole thing wouldn’t have been possible if the following folks (most who have been to Mendo before, some returning from their first year!) hadn’t shown up and donated their time and kefi:

Peter Bonos, Tano Brock, Dan Cantrell, Shane Cox, David Fine, Joey Friedman, Darren Johnston, Jenavieve Kachmarik, Larry Leight, Will Magid, Matthew Fass, Marco Peris, David Solnit, Evan Stuart, Balder ten Cate, Sean Tergis, Wayne Van Lieu, as well as Mendo 2014-15 sax and clarinet teacher Vlado Pupinoski, who brought the music to new heights of excitement and soulfulness.

It was a great party, complete with a crowd-surfing Ivan Velev (getting dangerously close to the ceiling fans) and a packed house full of joyous dancers. Special thanks to all who passed the bucket around. Proceeds will go towards the EEFC Kef Scholarship Fund, and will be designated for a Bay Area musician and first-time camper—hopefully someone who will join us for future Balkan Evenings!

Inspired?

Consider donating to the EEFC Scholarship fund.

Want to help raise funds in your own community, to support the work of the EEFC? We’re happy to help get you started. Contact us.