In this “season of giving,” the Jerry Garcia Foundation is once again honored to announce that it will be producing its third annual “Imagine There’s No Hunger” holiday benefit concert in support of WhyHunger and Yoko Ono Lennon's mission to alleviate hunger and poverty worldwide.
The “Imagine There’s No Hunger” program draws inspiration from the iconic song Imagine written by Yoko Ono and John Lennon and based on the writing in Yoko’s book, Grapefruit.
The “Imagine There’s No Hunger” concert audience will be invited to participate in sing-along presentations of Lennon’s Imagine, Give Peace a Chance, and the Grateful Dead's Ripple. This year’s production will be presented at 7 PM (doors open at 6:30) on December 16th at the picturesque Viansa Sonoma Winery located in the San Francisco area. Door proceeds benefit WhyHunger.
Hot Tuna is headlining the benefit concert featuring Grammy Award-winning artists Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady and drummer Justin Guip.
Hot Tuna, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady perform with a well-honed and solid power -– always in the groove derived from years of experience and mutual inspiration. What started as a side project during their Jefferson Airplane days, Hot Tuna’s constant has always been Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, the very definition of Hot Tuna. The two boyhood pals have never wavered in one of the most enduring friendships in Rock history. “Hot Tuna is a Psychedelic-Blues Institution” – Rolling Stone Magazine.
Special guests include: emerging artist, singer-songwriter Greg Winser, Bob Steeler on drums, Waynard Scheller on Hammond B3 Organ, Matt Aaron on violin — all accompanied by gospel vocalists Ariel Marin, Keelin Garcia, Ron Rosson and Dawaun King.
“The Jerry Garcia Foundation is honored to present the ‘Imagine There’s No Hunger’ benefit concert to support the important humanitarian work of Yoko Ono Lennon and WhyHunger. We are grateful to Hot Tuna, the Viansa Winery and to all that have extended their generosity on so many levels,” said Keelin Garcia, Co- Founder of the Jerry Garcia Foundation.
“The Imagine spirit of generosity is a blessing and a gift to the greater community,” added Manasha Garcia, Jerry Garcia Foundation Co-Founder.
The benefit’s setting itself is where dreams are made. Located just north of San Francisco, Viansa Sonoma winery is situated on 33 acres of estate vineyards, 97 acres of natural wetlands with 270° views of the Sonoma Valley-San Pablo Bay, Mayacamas Mountains and “King’s Highway.” The beauty of the land pairs perfectly with the beauty of giving.
The visual art of Jerry Garcia will be on exhibit in the Grateful Friends Charity Village at the concert. All art proceeds benefit California Wildfire recovery efforts via the “Heart of the Vine” Foundation.
Ben & Jerry’s and Levi’s are sponsoring this year’s holiday benefit. Levi’s has donated a sustainable Trucker Jacket inspired by Jerry Garcia's fine art. Proceeds from the Levi’s Truckers Jacket will benefit WhyHunger.
Rock poster artist Stanley Mouse has created a benefit poster for the art/music event. Mouse has produced art for both the Beatles and the Grateful Dead.
The “Imagine There’s No Hunger” benefit will be streamed live around the world by Stage Trip Productions. Viewers of the free live stream are encouraged to donate directly to WhyHunger via their website: whyhunger.org.
