Mark MacInnis is a filmmaker. Big whoop. Mark MacInnis directed a great documentary about urban farmers in Detroit. OK, now I’m intrigued… Mark MacInnis is starting a project to build farms at urban high schools around the country, starting with LA. OK, that’s AWESOME. And that’s why he’s the winner of the latest 1K Awesome Grant from Awesome Foundation – LA! Mark’s Urban Roots/Field of Dreams project has committed to getting urban farms going at five LA high schools, starting with this big plot of nothin’ at Garfield HS in East LA: It’s a big job, and we hope that 1K from us will be a good start. But just in case it’s not enough (spoiler alert: it’s not enough), we’re helping to throw him this fundraiser on December 3rd. Buy a ticket at Eventbrite and be there, or be square. PS – We’re not the first Awesome Chapter to get amped up by urban farms (see Awesome Foundation NYC). This is one instance where we are happy to be copycats. Excelsior!
Come one, come all to our 2nd ever Awesome Foundation Los Angeles party to celebrate our new grant recipient, Jail Door Guitars! We definitely had a lot of fun last time (incriminating pics here). Details about the Fresh Bruises party can be found here and make sure you RSVP here. The $5 cover goes straight to the bands performing and will get you in for an open bar all night long! The fun night is hosted by our friends at Family Industries and sponsored by Brand X, Indigenous, and FILTER magazine. In addition to a ton of awesome live bands playing (Tape Deck Mountain, Handshakes), there will be live screenprinting, an art gallery, Grill Em All food truck, AND (everyone’s favorite) a hosted bar with drinks all night long from PBR, Red Bull, Alexander Valley Vineyards, and Jarritos! We love seeing ya’ll out there so please join us for this awesome event!
Drumroll please…Awesome LA has decided to award our 2nd grant to Jail Guitar Doors! Jail Guitar Doors USA is a non-profit that believes in providing new solutions for prisoner rehabilitation. They provide musical instruments, public concerts, and outreach programs to inspire hope and creativity in prisoners who have taken an oath of non-violence. In just 18 months, they have delivered over 30 guitars and various amps into 6 different prisons in California, Texas and New York state! Here’s how it all began (according to the Jail Guitar Doors website): In 1978, The Clash released the song, “Jail Guitar Doors.” The song tells the story of the imprisonment of their fellow musician Wayne Kramer. In 2007, to honor the life of Clash founder, Joe Strummer, Billy Bragg launches an initiative in England to provide musical equipment used to rehabilitate inmates serving time in Her Majesty’s Prisons in the United Kingdom. His initiative is named for that very same song, “Jail Guitar Doors.” In 2009, Wayne Kramer partners with Billy Bragg to found Jail Guitar Doors USA. Together, their combined effort continues the mission for prisoners in America. The circle is unbroken. This Awesome grant will go towards their next visit to the… read more →