Bread & Roses Presents

10/20/2026

Mike Rufo and his band, No Exit, brought an afternoon of great music and good vibes to the residents of New Bridge Foundation in Berkeley. With a lively mix of rock, blues, bluegrass, and classics by Johnny Cash, Gordon Lightfoot, the Beatles, and Santana, the band had the audience singing along, smiling, and cheering.

But it was Mike's original songs, with their themes of hope, resilience, and new beginnings, that struck a particularly meaningful chord with residents. The band connected with the audience from the very first song, reminding us once again of music's remarkable power to bring people together, lift spirits, and inspire hope.

10/12/2026

We look forward to seeing you at the last Cookout Concert of the season at HopMonk Tavern Novato - San Francisco Tribute to Tom Petty this Saturday October 17 at 6 pm. It’s also your last chance this season to enter the raffle for a Gibson J45 guitar to be signed by Joan Baez with proceeds supporting our ongoing program of live music for those who are isolated in institutional settings around the Bay. Tix are going fast, so get yours soon at www.kcturnerpresents.com. A special thanks to Advisory Circle Member KC Turner for his steadfast and enthusiastic partnership with our mission to bring hope and healing through live music to those who need it most.

10/07/2026

The Sticky Thistles, a bluegrass/string band from Berkeley, brought their debut Bread & Roses performance to Ability Now Bay Area in Oakland and it was a big hit with this audience of developmentally disabled adults. With classic three-part harmonies and plenty of infectious energy, the band had the audience whooping, hollering, and joining in on their favorite moments. We were even joined by the 4th-grade class from Head-Royce School across the street, creating a wonderful mix of ages and abilities all sharing the same musical experience. Moments like this remind us of the incredible power of live music to bring people together. For people living in institutions or facing challenges that make it difficult to get out and experience concerts, Bread & Roses brings the music to them — creating moments of joy, connection, and community right where they are. Story and Photo by Producer Alexis Harte, Courtesy of Bread & Roses Presents

10/06/2026

We hope to see you this weekend at HopMonk Tavern Novato for a power-packed trio of KC Turner Presents Cookout Concerts with Toad the Wet Sprocket on Friday, 10/9, along with Jackie Greene on Saturday 10/10 with The Coffis Brothers and a don't-miss concert on Sunday 10/11 of Jackie Greene with Jon Chi & The Pacific Syndicate. The door is at 4 for a 6 pm start. Shows are selling out, so get tickets soon! A limited number of tickets may also be available at the door. Bread & Roses will be on-site at all shows, selling raffle tickets for a beautiful Gibson guitar to be signed by Joan Baez with proceeds to benefit our ongoing program of live music for isolated Bay Area folks. For more info, visit: www.kcturnerpresents.com

10/05/2026

“Let the Adventure Begin” with The Bohemian Highway! Doug and Nancy Blumer of Sebastopol recently brought the residents of Holderman Hospital at the Veterans Home of California - Yountville on a joyous journey of song. The wheel-chair bound veterans in skilled nursing were enthralled by all their original songs and stories from their long life together. They shared the special synergy of a musical duo that has been together for over three decades. Their concert was also a touching thank you to the veterans for their service as Doug relayed his history as a four-year Navy veteran, and Nancy reflected about her Dad who was a Marine and Army veteran in WWII. For more info about this talented duo and their amazing band, see www.thebohemianhighway.com.

09/30/2026

Please join us for the upcoming Hardly Strictly Bluegrass "Out of the Park" Cookout Concert at HopMonk Tavern Novato on Monday, October 5 with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock. We are so grateful for our partnership with KC Turner Presents and will be on-site at HopMonk on Monday night for the raffle of a beautiful Gibson guitar to be signed by Joan Baez with all donations benefiting our ongoing program of live music for isolated Bay Area audiences. Maybe we'll also see you this weekend at the 2026 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park with three days of outstanding live music with so many wonderful performers some of whom have performed institutional shows for Bread & Roses including Ismay and Marco and the Polos. If you can't make it to SF, you can livestream all six stages of music on all three days Oct. 2 - 4. For more info, visit www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com. For tickets to the HopMonk concert, visit www.kcturnerpresents.com. We look forward to seeing you live onsite or in the virtual audience!

Butch Hancock and I are heading to California next week, starting with a Joe Ely tribute set (with Flatlanders and some very special guests) at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass on October 4, then four more shows in the Golden State. We promise to sing all our best songs whether we can remember the words or not. Rob Gjersoe will be with us, ensuring complete perfection musically. First show of the run is an official Hardly Strictly Bluegrass "Out-of-the-Park" event on Monday Oct 5 at HopMonk Novato. Our good friend, the incredible singer and songwriter, Jaimee Harris is opening. Tickets still available for that show and Thursday at McCabe's in Santa Monica. Hoping to see all our California friends there.

Monday Oct 5 - HopMonk Novato https://kcturnerpresents.com/event/6658168/771551094/jimmie-dale-gilmore-butch-hancock-cookout-concert-series

Wednesday Oct 7 - Tales from the Tavern Santa Ynez (SOLD OUT)

Thursday Oct 8 - McCabe's, Santa Monica, CA
https://www.mccabes.com/product/jimmie-dale-gilmore-and-butch-hancock-thursday-show/

Friday, Oct 9 - McCabe's SOLD OUT

09/23/2026

Since the 70s, when our founder, the late Mimi Fariña, started Bread & Roses, we have served San Quentin State Prison in various capacities. We recently presented a concert in one of the chapels on site in partnership with the William James Association and longtime volunteer Kurt Huget Music who teaches guitar to the serious musicians inside. A collective of San Quentin musicians from this model rehabilitation program opened the concert given by singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Francesca Lee and Donovan Plant, who performed well-received originals and cover tunes. They reported uplifting and positive connections from the gift of live music among all who attended.

09/23/2026

Just a few tickets left for KC Turner Presents Cookout Concert at HopMonk Tavern Novato this Saturday night with Chuck Prophet & His Cumbria Shoes. Hope to see you there! Come by the Bread & Roses table to take a chance on winning a beautiful Gibson guitar to be signed by Joan Baez with all donations supporting our ongoing program of live music for isolated Bay Area folks.
For tix, visit www.kcturnerpresents.com

First time to play a KC Turner event in California at HopMonk Tavern Novato. KC is the man! Excited to see Chuck Prophet and his band. Come say hello!

Tickets: https://jackbarksdale.com/shows

09/22/2026

What a lovely afternoon with our community celebrating our amazing Bread & Roses volunteers!

Our volunteers are the heart of our mission, sharing their time, talents, and passion to bring joy and connection to our audiences. The celebration featured wonderful performances from many of our talented musicians, along with a delicious catered BBQ from WEBCOR Construction.

It was a joyful time filled with great food, music, laughter, and appreciation. Thank you to all our volunteers for everything you do!

09/16/2026

This year, we’re proud to continue our service for audiences at the Cedars at a new location, the Walter House in Novato. At this residential facility for developmentally disabled adults, singer/guitarist (and Bread & Roses Board Member) Raj Gopal played a bit of Elvis, the Beatles and Lionel Ritchie with Don Osborne on keyboard. Producer Anthony Taylor reported a positive connection with the men in the audience at this outdoor concert. Thank you Cedars Life for this continued partnership!