"Brothers & Brothers for Brothers"

Inviting The Smart Brothers to perform with The Makepeace Brothers to raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County, was one of my most favorite "creative generosity" twists. I actually sat in my room a few months back and laughed out loud thinking how clever I was. hahaha...who would have thought it would have been so much fun...I DID. I DID. That is why we did it.

There is something magical that happens in a room full of people when you say "Thanks for choosing to be here...because you're here you are contributing to _______."
It's like everyone sits up a little taller, smiles a little wider, and sings a little louder. That has been my view anyway. It's been amazing to watch.

If you don't know The Smart Brothers yet, I invited you to check them out. Their sound is like no other and they are all so very talented....it's truly mesmerizing how they come together so beautifully.
Cute as can be too.

And how about our dear friends The Makepeace Brothers!!! They sing and dance right into your heart. I thought I discovered them 3 years ago and then later realized they were a HUGE part of my community of friends already. I still say I discovered them. :)

Do your ears a favor and take a listen to the "Thank You" song written for The Feeding the Soul Foundation.
YES! This will be on our CD....BEST CD EVER!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County, we honor you for all the work you do to bring one on one relationships to children in need of them. THANK YOU!
Didn't make it to the show? Doesn't mean you can't donate or volunteer for BBBS San Diego!

Thank you to The Makepeace Brothers & The Smart Brothers and YOU!
In Music & Contribution,
~Melissa 

Family Photography Charity Event

It is our pleasure to be a part of a special event created by our dear friend Natalie Warr. Natalie has been our event photographer since the start. She had donated countless hours to our vision and we are honored she asked for our support in her vision...a Family Photography Charity Event to benefit Mental Health Systems Family Recovery Center in Oceanside.

Families will join us at a Oceanside beach location on November 13th where our talented photographers will take family style photos for just $25.00...which will be donated to the Mental Health Systems Family Recovery Center. Each family will work with 3-5 different photographers that will then put their photos into an online gallery for families to decide which photos they would like on a CD.
The cost is only $25.00 per CD.
Just in time for the holidays right!?
If you are interested in being one of our families for this event, please contact us:
feedingthesoulevent@gmail.com

Photographers wanted!!! This is a free event for you! We do ask that you donate a future photo session & a new toy....bring your cameras, fliers and/or business cards. Let's get your talent seen!!!
If you are interested in being a photographer for this event, please contact Natalie at:
http://www.nataliejennettephotography.com/

Plus, there will be raffles, games, and hula hooping...YES PLEASE!

Feeding the Soul is all about creative generosity, and this is one of the most creative ways to raise money that we have seen yet. Thank you Natalie for coordinating this and for introducing us to Mental Health Systems Family Recovery Center...the work they do is wonderful and we are honored to contribute to them.

For more information please contact:
http://www.nataliejennettephotography.com/

Attendance, attention, and enthusiasm

This weekend I did one of my very favorite things with some of my very favorite people.

In fact, great times with great folks is a regular occurrence here at Feeding the Soul Foundation -- it makes up a great part of our mission. All the same, this weekend was special.

FTSF friend and supporter Jason Mraz ended his tour in at the Santa Barbara bowl Friday night. It was an event filled with friends from far and wide, plus singing and dancing along in the GA pit. Vallie, Mel and I had a blast in the front row for a spectacular show. I'm renowned for making a fool of myself celebrating at Mraz shows; I may have been accused of an over-abundance of enthusiasm. This reminded me of something I wrote about a year ago: "if you don't have enthusiasm for the people in your life, there's a good chance you need new people in it."

Friends, enthusiasm, and celebration at the Santa Barbara Bowl

We were back to San Diego on Saturday for FTSF's 3rd showing of May I Be Frank. Frank Ferrante and Conor Gaffney came to conduct the Q&A after the movie, and inspired the multitude assembled at The Centre. Our gratitude and love to Frank and Conor, plus Abby, Kelly and the entire crew at the LGBT Centre for making everything so easy and pleasant.

On Sunday, Bushwalla charmed a packed house at Jitters Coffee Pub. Keith Benton backed him up, and he did duets with Dawn Mitschele and Jason Mraz. It was a room full of people that can be counted on to answer "Where my people at?" with "Right here!!"

I'm left with a profound gratitude to everyone who makes these events possible -- both the ones Feeding the Soul plans and the ones we are honored to attend. I'm inspired by our performers, our hosts, my partners Vallie and Mel, and by ALL of you who attend.

Join us again, please! The Makepeace Brothers will be at Jitters later this month, and we're looking forward to another fantastic night of fun.

-- Cat

Nice to meet you!

Yeah, we have officially launched our blog! Thanks to our talent friend Allison Le we're up and running! YES!

Hi there...it's nice to meet you!
We're the Feeding the Soul Foundation and we're here to spread the message of creative generosity!!!
What is creative generosity you ask? Well, our recipe varies.
Mostly it is us (Vallie, Cat & Melissa) coming together saying "what inspires us and who can we benefit?"

Our next step is coordinating an event to raise money for a charity that is out there making a difference. It's our intention that everyone involved in that event gives and receives equally...whether it is letting us use your venue for an event in trade for a ladder...or using your gift of music to sponsor girls to get out there an use their gift of music...whatever we choose it to be it is...and we are committed that every event has an even flow of giving and receiving...for everyone!

The Feeding the Soul Foundation is:
Vallie Gilley, Founder & President
Cat Bramhall, Director of Finance & Administration
Melissa Grove, Director of Events

and YOU!
You are part of our foundation and our growth...Thank you, for becoming a part of our vision. Let's do this!

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. - Helen Keller

Thank you....for feeding our soul.
Melissa, Vallie & Cat

10.22.10 - The Makepeace Brothers & Smart Brothers

Date: Friday, October 22nd 2010
Time: Doors at 7pm, Music at 7:30pm
Location: Jitters Coffee Pub
510 North Coast Hwy
Oceanside, CA
Tickets: $12.00, all ages. Click here to purchase tickets!

FTSF will donate a protion of the proceeds to Big Brothers San Diego because we are inspired by what they do! The Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County Mission: To improve the lives of children by creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships with proven results.

The Smart Brothers....Jay and Lou Smart are two brothers from California who have been traveling around the country for the past few years living lives full of the sort of adventures you’d expect from a couple of young, fun-loving traveling singers. Drawing on a rich heritage of roots music reminiscent of Bob Dylan and the Everly Brothers, the loveable Americana sound of the Smart Brothers will transport you to faraway places that maybe aren’t so far away after all.

The Makepeace Brothers....Yes. Their last name really is Makepeace – they’ll even show you their driver’s licenses to prove it. Home grown in the vibrant music community of Ithaca, New York, the Makepeace Brothers; Aidan, Liam, Finian and Ciaran, were surrounded by a constant soundtrack of Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, as well as diverse acts from around the world, making their original music as worldly and positive as their message.

Buy your tickets online because this show WILL sell out!

Thank you for feeding our soul,
Feeding the Soul Foundation

10.9.10 - May I Be Frank movie screening

Date:  Saturday, October 9th 2010
Time: Doors at 6:30pm, Movie at 7:00pm
Location: San Diego LGBT Community Center
3909 Centre Street
San Diego, CA 92103
Tickets: $10.00

Feeding the Soul Foundation is privileged to have the May I Be Frank crew back!!! This movie will transform your life, bring you tears and laughter all at once. We are also honored that Frank will be there to answer any questions you may have after the movie. THANK YOU FRANK!

May I Be Frank documents the transformation of Frank Ferrante’s life. Frank is 54 years old, obese, depressed and addicted. He stumbles into a local raw, organic and vegan restaurant in San Francisco, Café Gratitude. When Ryland, a server at Café Gratitude asks Frank “What is one thing you want to do before you die?” Frank replies, “I want to fall in love one more time, but no one will love me looking the way I do”.

View the teaser trailer:

Read more about this amazing movie here!

A special THANK YOU to the Center for allowing us to use their amazing auditorium. The mission of The San Diego LGBT Community Center is to enhance and sustain the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV communities by providing activities, programs, and services that: Create community, Empower community members, Provide essential resources, Advocate for civil and human rights, and Embrace, promote and support our cultural diversity.
Read more about the Centre at theCenterSD.org.

Click here to reserve your tickets now!

You inspire us,
Feeding the Soul Foundation