The Rex Foundation brings its special mix of fun and fundraising back to New York City by throwing a Black Tie Dye Ball with the band Dark Star Orchestra on Saturday, November 29th at the Nokia Theater.

For the Grateful Dead the music came before the money (and because of this the money usually followed), and the Rex Foundation – originally funded by direct contributions from the Dead – has relied on fundraising events organized around this same principle. Says Foundation Executive Director Sandy Sohcot, “benefit events are a great way to connect the musical community to grassroots philanthropy, furthering a tradition that began at the first Grateful Dead Rex benefit in the spring of 1984.”

According to Carolyn Garcia, Rex Foundation board member and wife of the late Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, “There is a very special community spirit that happens at these Rex events, where everyone – the musicians, fans, venue operators, promoters – enjoy connecting around music, having fun together while helping support worthwhile grassroots non-profits.”

The Rex Foundation has distributed $8.4 million in grants to over 1,000 programs across the U.S. and internationally since forming in 1983.

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EVENT DETAILS:
Black Tie Dye Ball
A Rex Foundation Benefit with Dark Star Orchestra
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Nokia Theatre
1515 Broadway (44th & Broadway), New York, NY 10036
Reception & Concert Tickets with Special Seating Access

5:30-7:00 p.m. Drinks, Food, & Reception with Artists
7:00 p.m. General Admission Doors
8:00 p.m. Show
For more event details and to order Reception and Concert Tickets call 415-561-3135 or visit www.rexfoundation.org.

Dark Star Orchestra is helping bring to life the 2008 Rex Musical Caravan in the Los Angeles Area. Together, we’re on the bus of the Rex Community Caravan, enjoying great music and kindred connections as a grassroots philanthropic community, while helping the Rex Foundation carry out its grant making, which is now $8.3 million to over 1,000 programs across the U.S. and internationally.

The Rex Foundation presented the first Black Tie-Dye Ball in Chicago in March 2004. Since then, there have been Black Tie-Dye Balls in New York City, Washington, D.C., Denver, Colorado and San Francisco. These festive occasions provide the opportunity to collaborate with gifted performers that care about the Rex Foundation and want to further what the Grateful Dead started 25 years ago. On September 27th, as at each Ball, enjoy a unique musical experience, while also celebrating each community’s talent, enterprise and community spirit. Proceeds support local non-profit programs.

Come early for the pre-concert reception with musicians, food, drinks, goodie bags, silent auction and GA Balcony Seating. Reception tickets and upgrades: Rexfoundation.org or call 415-561-3135

Proceeds will help support the following organizations:
Theatre of Hearts, Virginia Avenue Project and Hands for Hope.

Founded by the Grateful Dead - Furthered by YOU!

To order Reception and Concert Tickets call 415-561-3135 or download the ticket order form

the Rex stuff in the Store, including some new posters and a black t-shirt that I need to order soonest!

Hi folks--here's a heads up on a cool story I got to work on for the Rexes. It's about one of their grantees, via Mickey, who was invited to Iraq to teach drum circles as a peacemaking tool. It's a stunner of a story and I mostly try to stay out of its way...

There's also an interview with Mickey on the subject, which you can read in the text version or stream/download (click/right or control click) and listen. (Why yes, that doofus talking to MIckey is me, but take no notice; Mickey's in great form.)

Anyway, it's all here:

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

Check it out, and I hope you like it half as much as I liked working on it!