Charity And Benefits

The Main Point benefit show (1975)
September 1975. benefit show(s) for The Main Point, Bryn Mawr. near Philadelphia. "The club was so well-loved among artists that when there was a bit of financial difficulty, Tom Rush, Joni Mitchell, Dave Van Ronk and Tom Waits all volunteered to perform in a benefit concert and straightened it right out." (Source: "Getting To The Point" cover story by Mary Armstrong for Philadelphia City Paper. October 17-23, 2003).

Top Jimmy benefit (1981)
December 27, 1981. Waits participated in a benefit at the Cathay de Grande. Los Angeles/ USA for "Top Jimmy and his wife Luci" who were busted for the possession of drugs in Oklahoma.

Red Hot + Blue aids benefit CD (1990/ 2006)
Red Hot + Blue (A Tribute To Cole Porter). Label: Chrysalis (Chrysalis F2 21799/ CCD 1799). Released in 1990, re-released in 1996 and 2006 (DVD by Shout! Factory). TW contribution: "It's All right With Me". Red Hot + Blue, featuring contemporary pop performers reinterpreting the great songs of ColePorter, sold over a million copies worldwide and was Stereo Review's 1990 Album-of-the-Year. It was one of the first major AIDS benefits in the music business and helped launch the current popular genre of tribute albums. Further reading: Red Hot And Blue.

L.A. Riot Benefit show (1992)
May 30, 1992: Concert appearance for the LA Riot Benefit at the Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles/ USA. Also appearing: Los Lobos and Chuck E. Weiss And The Goddamn Liars.

Brother Can You Spare Me A Dime? benefit CD (1992/ 1993)
Brother Can You Spare Me A Dime? (various artists compilation, recorded for the National Fund-Raising Day of Action, 1992) The Harburg Foundation (DIME 93). TW contribution: "Brother Can You Spare Me A Dime?".

Dead Man Walking benefit CD (1996)
January 9, 1996: American release: the album "Dead Man Walking", (Sony/ Columbia) by Tim Robbins. Benefit for: "Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation" and "Hope House". Tom Waits contributes "The Fall Of Troy" and "Walk Away" (only on soundtrack CD, not in movie). Further reading: Sister Helen Prejean, Murder Victim's Families For Reconciliation, Death Penalty Information Center,  Dead Man Walking opera, Tim Robbins fan page.

Don Hyde benefit show-1 (1996)
February 4, 1996: Concert appearance for the Don Hyde Benefit at the Paramount Theatre, Oakland/ USA. Hyde, a personal friend, and owner of the Raven Theatre in Healdsburg was accused of trading LSD. The benefit was to help Don Hyde pay for his legal defense. With: Joe Gore, Ralph Carney, Greg Cohen, Kenny Wollesen and Charlie Musselwhite. Tickets went as high as $ 300. Further reading: Sonoma County Independent, Raven Theatre.

John Huston Award For Artist's Rights Foundation benefit show (1996)
February 16, 1996: Concert appearance (short acoustic set) for: "John Huston Award For Artists' Rights Foundation" honoring Martin Scorcese at the Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles/ USA.

Don Hyde benefit show-2 (1996)
August 11, 1996: Concert appearance for the second Don Hyde Benefit at the Raven Theatre, Healdsburg/ USA (Storming Heaven). At this time accusations against Hyde were already dropped, but there were still more bills to pay. Further reading: Sonoma County Independent, Raven Theatre.

Allen Ginsberg tribute show (1997)
June 21, 1997: Concert appearance honoring Allen Ginsberg at the "Allen Ginsberg Tribute" at UCLA's Wadsworth Theatre, Los Angeles/ USA. Performing the Jack Kerouac song: "On The Road/ Home I'll Never Be". Further reading: Allen Ginsberg official site, Allen Ginsberg Memorial Celebration, Vonnegut's Ginsberg Tribute, Allen Ginsberg - Ashes & Blues.

Not In Our Name - Dead Man Walking benefit show (1998)
March, 29, 1998: Concert appearance for the benefit: "Not In Our Name: Dead Man Walking, The Concert" at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles/ USA. Featuring with other artists from the Dead Man Walking soundtrack. The event was sponsored by: "The Hope House" and "Murder Victim's Families For Reconciliation". Supported by: Helen Prejean. Further reading: Sister Helen Prejean, Murder Victim's Families For Reconciliation, Death Penalty Information Center,  Dead Man Walking opera, Tim Robbins fan page

Sounds For The Soul benefit CD (1999)
January, 1999: Released "Sounds For The Soul" with Waits contributing "Jersey Girl". "Sounds for the Soul" is the commitment of five community-based agencies to address the broad basic needs of those people in New Jersey whose lives have, in one way or another, been extremely difficult. This CD features music representing the focus of each agency (emergency financial assistance, domestic abuse, HIV/AIDS, grief/loss, and hunger) along with music by artists from New Jersey or songs written about the State and its communities. All profits will go directly to services for those in need.

Tomas Y Tomas project (1999)
1999: Both Tom Waits and Kathleen Waits-Brennan are involved as "director" for this nonprofit corporation. Tomas y Tomas charter: "We are a publicly supported 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to build libraries for children in Mexico, which includes the survey of locations for libraries, purchasing of books, shipping, cataloging, training, maintenance of books, the setup and operational support of libraries, and the construction and reformation of buildings to house libraries. We work with governments, our affiliates and local people to promote the mental, emotional and educational well being of under privilege children in Mexico by providing them with libraries. We take no ownership in these libraries, their contents or buildings. Our purpose is to create libraries, provide training, and operational support. The ownership of these libraries remain with the communities in which they reside." "Our Team: Tomas Tomas has been fortunate to incorporate the talents of seven wonderful people: Kathleen Brennan is a music and film producer and public relations manager; Ruth Mankin has traveled extensively throughout Mexico working with children and has a strong background in fund raising; Moona OToole has a trade business with Mexico and has both lived and travels in Mexico; Linda Wren has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit charitable corporations; and Dr. Brian Shears was the Director of CSU International Program in Mexico City from 1996 to 1998 and is currently Professor of Education at Sonoma State University; Tom Waits is a singer/song writer/film actor and two time Grammy winner; Tom Sawyer is a consulting engineer." Further reading: Tomas Y Tomas official site.

Annual Bridge School benefit show (1999)
October 30, 1999: Concert appearance at the Annual Bridge School benefit (Neil Young's Charity) at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View/ USA. "The Bridge School is an educational program dedicated to ensuring that children with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities through the use of augmentative & alternative means of communication (AAC) and assistive technology (AT) applications. Bridge School has established an outreach program to share what is developed at the school with parents, professionals and users of AAC/AT across the world." Further reading: Bridge School official site.

Free The West Memphis 3 benefit CD (2000)
June, 2000: Released: "Free The West Memphis 3" (A Benefit For Truth + Justice). Aces And Eights Recordings. With "Rains On Me" by Tom Waits. Further reading: Free The West Memphis Three official site.

Groundwork benefit CD (2001)
Groundwork 2001: Act To Reduce Hunger. Various Artists. September, 2001. Label: Groundwork/ Starbucks. Benefit CD. Groundwork is part of the global Telefood campaign of the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. TW contribution: "Buzz Fledderjon". Further reading: Telefood official site, Groundwork 2001.

For The Kids benefit CD (2002)
For The Kids. Various artists. November, 2002. Label: Nettwerk Records. Compilation CD to benefit Nettwerk America and VH1's "Save The Music Foundation". TW contribution: "Bend Down The Branches". Further reading: For The Kids official site.

Teddy Edwards memorial concert (2003)
May 4, 2003: Tom Waits appeared at the memorial celebration held for Teddy Edwards at the Hollywood Musician's Union/ USA. Other attendants: Bernie Hamilton, Clora Bryant, Pete Peterson, Ernie Fields Jr., Louie Bellson, Diane Witherspoon, Gene Diamond, Bebop "Chuck" Niles, Gerald Wilson, Sweet Baby J'ai, Carol Chapin, Ernie Andrews, Carl Saunders. "Also equally enchanting, but unexpected was Tom Waits' raspy singing and light piano playing for a solo performance of "Little Man." He mentioned being on the road with Edwards and their continued friendship afterward.... Overall, the memorial was a great sendoff for musician that did things on his own terms and didn't believe in holding back. Proceeds from the event went to a scholarship in Edwards' name at Compton College." ("Teddy Edwards Tribute", Jazz Times Magazine. May 4, 2003). Tenor jazz saxophonist Teddy Edwards has died of prostate cancer. He was 78. Waits toured with Edwards in the early '80s (Tour promoting 'Heartattack And Vine'. November 1980 - October 1981. TWS) and recorded the "One From the Heart" film score with Edwards in 1992. Waits also resurrected Edwards' career in the early '90s when he hooked up Edwards on the Antilles label and sang two of Edwards' compositions on the album "Mississippi Lad."  (Source: Los Angeles Times. Apr. 22, 2003) Tom Waits: "Teddy Edwards always sounded like he was drinking champagne on a train and wise to the ways of the world. A consummate arranger and composer, Teddy Edwards was one of the original architects of bebop. An elegant man with a large heart and generous spirit, he always carried himself with poise and confidence. Kathleen and I have lost a friend, the world of music has lost one of the most innovative presidents of jazz and we all have the gift of the great music he left behind." (Source: "Teddy Edwards, Tom Waits' longtime Saxophonist has passed away..." By: Rob Partridge at Coalition in London Apr. 24, 2003). Teddy Edwards (1991): ''Tom Waits is the one who got me my conract with PolyGram. He's wonderful, he's America's best lyricist since Johnny Mercer. He came down to the studio on the ''Missisppii Lad'' album, that's the first one I did for PolyGram, and he sang two of my songs, wouldn't accept any money, just trying to give me the best boost that he could.'' Further reading: Teddy Edwards at All About Jazz, Teddy Edwards at Jazzhouse.org, Tony Gieske interview, Teddy Edwards memorial concert.

The SIBL project benefit CD (2003)
2003: Tom Waits donates the song "A Good Man Is Hard To Find" for the benefit CD "The SIBL Project: Songs Inspired by Literature - Chapter Two". This is a benefit CD. All net proceeds from the sale of this CD benefit Artists for Literacy - a nonprofit that connects artists and their work to English teachers who are on the front lines of the fight against illiteracy. The Songs Inspired by Literature Project - SIBL - a project of Artists for Literacy - is made up of artists who care about creating a more literate world. Each of the artists on this CD responded to a call for songs inspired by books, plays or poems. We held a contest - 382 songwriters sent in songs from 35 states and 6 countries. Further reading: Artists For Literacy.

Dianova promotional film (2003)
Promotional film "Lighter or Darker: look at the drugs problem with different eyes" (aka Black or White) for Dianova. Dianova is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping substance abusers through residential treatment. The original music, "Coney Island Baby" is a courtesy by Waits. The film was produced March 2003 (TBWA advertising agency and AZUL production agency in Spain) and aired until late 2005. The film has received several prizes both in Europe and in America. Further reading: Dianova official site.

Across The Laguna benefit CD (2003)
June 6, 2003: Tom Waits donates the song "Walk Away" for the benefit CD "Across The Laguna". West County musicians raising money to benefit the Palm Drive Health Care Foundation (Palm Drive hospital, Sebastopol/ USA(Sonoma West Times & News. May 29, 2003). Further reading: The Press Democrat article, Sonoma West article, Palm Drive Hospital.

Matthew Sperry memorial (2003)
July 31, 2003: Tom Waits plays at a tribute show for Matthew Sperry (benefit for Matthew Sperry family) at San Francisco's Victoria Theatre/ USA. Setlist (Tom Waits solo on guitar and piano): Rain Dogs, Yesterday is Here, All the World is Green, Long Way Home, Cold Water, Heart of Saturday Night, Coney Island Baby, Invitation to the Blues, Take Care of All My Children, Cemetery Polka, Hang Down Your Head, Lucky Day, Innocent When You Dream (encore), Take It With Me (encore). (As sent to Raindogs Listserv Discussionlist by Alex Walker. July 31, 2003). "With a last-minute announcement that Tom Waits had joined the bill, the Matthew Sperry Memorial Concert, held at the Victoria Theatre last Thursday, had them lining up down the sidewalk holding "I Need a Miracle" signs. Whether Waits really did sign on to the show at the last minute or, rather, kept his name off the publicity to ensure Sperry's family and friends a first shot at tickets is a matter of speculation, but the show itself was definitely worth every cent of whatever the scalpers were hawking them for outside. (Granted, the show was a benefit for Sperry's wife and daughter, so you scalpers with high-speed Internet connections can pretty well figure out where to send your extra change.) Sperry, the Oakland bass player who was struck and killed by a truck June 5 while on his bicycle, left an indelible legacy for those who knew him. He was probably the Bay Area musician likeliest to elicit the most diverse memorial concert, and his cohorts and collaborators on the bill included the aforementioned Waits, with whom he played on the records Alice and Blood Money, and who put on a mesmerizing solo set using both guitar and piano, encoring with "Innocent When You Dream" and "Take It With Me." (Source: "Camper Van Beethoven reunite; Tom Waits and others remember Matthew Sperry; plus comedian Rob Cantrell" by Beth Lisick, SF Gate.com. August 6, 2003). Further reading: Matthew Sperry official site, Matthew Sperry in memoriam.

Healing The Divide benefit show (2003)
September 21, 2003: "Tom Waits Joins Leading Musicians from Around the World For Healing The Divide A Benefit Concert For Peace And Reconciliation At Avery Fisher Hall At Lincoln Center, Sunday, September 21st, 2003. His Holiness The Dalai Lama To Give Special Address At Concert. (August 25, 2003, New York, NY) - It was announced that Tom Waits will be participating in an exclusive, one-night-only performance at the upcoming Healing the Divide benefit concert at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center on Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 7:00 PM. Waits will join an extraordinary and eclectic line-up of world-renowned musicians that will perform for the benefit concert dedicated to the theme of peace and reconciliation. Making a rare visit to New York City, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and one of the foremost spokespeople for peace in our time, will give a special address for the occasion." (Press release as sent to Raindogs Listserv Discussionlist/ Tom Waits Yahoo Groups discussionlist by Stuart Ross. August 23, 2003) . September 21, 2003: "The star isn't usually the opening act at a concert, but things work differently with the Dalai Lama, who begins his daily spiritual practices at 3:30 a.m. Since he had to be in bed early, he spoke at the beginning of the concert on Sunday night at Avery Fisher Hall to benefit Healing the Divide, an American organization that tries to use technology to preserve and provide access to ancient cultures like that of Tibet... Tom Waits, who closed the show in his usual guise as a lowlife sage, wisecracked: "So his holiness goes to bed at 7:30? That's not the holiness I used to know." Mr. Waits was the welcome, indecorous oddball in what had been a concert of richly meditative music. Playing to a hall with many Buddhists, Mr. Waits started his miniset singing about Jesus and Satan. "Gotta help me keep the Devil way down in the hole," he sang in his slurred growl... In a concert filled with genre-straddling collaborations, Mr. Waits was accompanied by the Kronos String Quartet and Greg Cohen on bass. The quartet arrangements worked ingenious variations on Mr. Waits's waltzes and hymnlike tunes, skewing the oom-pah-pah to various places around the beat and applying dissonances that brought out Mr. Waits's Kurt Weill connections. The quartet was most effective in "What's He Building?," a paranoid recitation that the quartet accompanied with eerie atonal creaks and scrapes. Mr. Waits's set moved through songs about death, greed, loss, love and finally faith and hope. "Always keep a diamond in your mind," he sang." (Source: "Star Starts a Show; Tom Waits Ends It" by Jon Parales. The New York Times (Arts) September 23, 2003) . Further reading: Healing The Divide official site.

Fund For Constitutional Government/ ACLU's Capital Punishment Project (2003)
October 18, 2003: Waits donates two autographed black and white photos, a tour t-shirt, and an autographed CD to online celebrity charity auction on Yahoo Auctions for the Fund for Constitutional Government and the ACLU's Capital Punishment Project/ USA. (Email message as sent to Tom Waits Supplement. Julia Buckmaster. October 18, 2003). Further reading: The Fund For Constitutional Government, American Civil Liberties Union.

Little Kids Rock program (2003)
October 21, 2003: Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, Jason Newsted and Norton Buffalo join "Little Kids Rock" program, at Spring Valley Elementary San Francisco/ USA, that brings music instruction to elementary schools: "[Bonnie] Raitt inveigled her old pal Tom Waits to join her on piano and sing a duet of "Sweet and Shiny Eyes," a song they knew from touring together a few years back when Jerry Ford was still president. Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, currently playing with Ozzy Osbourne, picked up his bass, and Norton Buffalo added a little harmonica... They were all sitting in a circle in the Russian Hill school cafeteria Tuesday afternoon, swapping songs with the music students, beneficiaries of a program called Little Kids Rock that brings music instruction to elementary schools in four states. While TV news, radio reporters and photographers recorded the session, Little Kids Rock Executive Director David Wish, a former Redwood City second-grade teacher, led the second-, third-, fourth- and fifth- graders in writing a song, while the professional rock musicians backed them up... Tom Waits allowed that trumpet was his first instrument and that playing bugle for the Cub Scouts was his first gig. He also recalled his first piano, a trashed upright that had been left out in the rain and was given to him even though many of the keys no longer worked... "I was fine with that, though," he said. "I just played the ones that were working. I used to make up little songs when I was angry or sad. I'm still doing that." Waits, who has children of his own, told the kids he didn't remember how many movies he made. "I write songs for movies, too," he said. "They're supposed to make the movies better, but sometimes you just can't save them." (Source: "Raitt, Waits, Buffalo jam with S.F. schoolkids" Joel Selvin, Chronicle Senior Pop Music Critic. Thursday, October 23, 2003. San Francisco Chronicle). Tom Waits: "Little Kids Rock brings cool water to the desert. Unfortunately, a desert is what the arts in public education has become." Further reading: Little Kids Rock official site.

Where We Live benefit CD (2003)
November 11, 2003: Released: benefit CD entitled "Where We Live - Stand For What You Stand On. "Many of the world's most outstanding musicians have contributed tracks for a new benefit CD entitled "Where We Live - Stand For What You Stand On." The project, released for the holiday season, is being distributed globally through EMI and on EMI's Higher Octave label in North America. Proceeds from the CD will support Earthjustice's Where We Live campaign to promote the universal right to clean air and clean water. The benefit CD is a soulful collection of hard-to-find tracks that remind us about the importance of standing up for your rights, staying strong, and celebrating when ordinary citizens achieve victories in protecting the planet we live on. Artists include Mose Allison, Captain Beefheart, Rub�n Blades, Bob Dylan, Michael Franti & Spearhead, John Hammond & Tom Waits, Norah Jones, Los Lobos, Maria Muldaur & Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, The Neville Brothers, Karen Sav�ca, Pops Staples & Ry Cooder, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Tina Turner & Robert Cray, Dan Zanes (with Lou Reed & the Rubi Theater Company). (Source: "Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt know "Where We Live"" From Earth justice Tuesday, November 11, 2003). Tom Waits contribution is "I Know I've Been Changed" (John Hammond version). Further reading: www.wherewelive.org.

MoveOn.org benefit CD (2004)
June 30, 2004: "R.E.M., Blink-182 and Fountains Of Wayne are among those who have contributed to a compilation CD that will raise funds for MoveOn.org and other like-minded political advocacy organizations. Organized by They Might Be Giants principal John Flansburgh, "Future Soundtrack for America" is due Aug. 10 through Seattle-based indie Barsuk Records... Although not yet released, Tom Waits' "Day After Tomorrow" will also be included on his forthcoming studio album, "Real Gone," which is due in October through Epitaph's Anti- label.." (Source: "Future' Compilation Supports Political Change". Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y. Edited by Jonathan Cohen. June 30, 2004. Copyright 2004 Billboard). Future Soundtrack For America. Various artists. August, 2004. Label: Barsuk (sponsored by MoveOn.org), also included in the book "The Future Dictionary of America" (McSweeney's August, 2004). TW contribution: "Day After Tomorrow" (first release). Further reading: MoveOn.org official site.

War Child Music download (2004)
September 9, 2004: War Child Music offers "Baby Gonna Leave Me" for download. "Warchildmusic.com is a not-for-profit company set up by War Child. For every �1 you spend downloading tracks War Child will receive around 70p to continue their work in some of the world's most troubled regions. The charity is currently active in The Congo, Afghanistan and Iraq and continues to work with children in the former Yugoslavia almost 10 years after the war there subsided. warchildmusic.com is a unique proposition. Not only will the majority of the money raised be going directly to the relief work undertaken by War Child, but it is also different to other music download sites. Where other sites offer a huge selection of tracks off the peg, we offer a bespoke service." Further reading: War Child Music.

Bread & Roses private supporter (2004)
Bread & Roses is dedicated to uplifting the human spirit by providing free, live, quality entertainment to people who live in institutions or are otherwise isolated from society. In carrying out this mission, Bread & Roses seeks to create a social awareness of people who are isolated from society, and to encourage the development of similar organizations in other communities. Both Tom Waits and Kathleen Waits-Brennan are longtime supporters and donators. Further reading: Bread & Roses official site.

 From The Big Apple to The Big Easy benefit (2005)
September. 20, 2005. Benefit for Hurricane Katrina victims. Radio City Music Hall/ N.Y.C./ USA. Line up: Larry Taylor: Bass; Stephen Hodges: Drums; Smokey Hormel: Guitar; Charlie Musselwhite: Harp and Marc Ribot. Set list: Way Down in the Hole, Jesus Gonna be Here, Get Behind the Mule, Murder in the Red Barn, Take Care of All My Children, I Wish I was in New Orleans, House Where Nobody Lives, Make it Rain (encore with Marc Ribot). New York Times: "But the night's most memorable performance came from perhaps the least jubilant performer: Tom Waits. "I'm telling ya right now, I wish New Orleans was dry and Washington was under water," he growled, and when he returned for the night's only encore, he did a squint-eyed version of "Make It Rain." He sounded a bit like the city he commemorated: old and weird and set in his ways and intent � no matter what � on staying the same." (Source: "Funk, Blues, and Jams That Were Big and Easy" By Kelefa Sanneh. The New York Times. September 21, 2005). Further reading: From The Big Apple to The Big Easy official site.

Academy Of Art University benefit (2005)
September 21, 2005. An auction hosted by the San Francisco Academy of Art University to benefit the victims of hurrican Katrina has raised over $17,000. Amongst the items sold, was artwork by Tom Waits. Further reading: Academy Of Art University official site

Katrina Urban Outfitters/ Filter Magazine benefit CD (2005)
September 23, 2005. An exclusive track featuring Tom Waits and the Kronos Quartet (What's He Building) leads the lineup for a double-disc compilation from clothing retailer Urban Outfitters and Filter magazine. The project was available in mid-October in 80 Urban Outfitters stores and through the company's Web site. Proceeds were donated to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Only 10,000 copies were made available. (Source: Billboard magazine. By Katie Hasty, N.Y. Edited By Jonathan Cohen. September 23, 2005)

The Actors' Gang Theatre Company and OPCC benefit (2005)
October 25, 2005: Tim Robbins, Marisa Tomei, Don Cheadle, Eva Mendes, Alfre Woodard, and Tom Waits performed a staged reading of "Impossible Boulevard", adapted from the book 40 Lives-From Homelessness to Hope at the Kirk Douglas in Culver City, CA. The evening, hosted by Arianna Huffington, included the performance and a post-show reception with the cast. Proceeds would benefit The Actors' Gang Theatre Company and OPCC, a Westside network of shelters and services for homeless youth, adults and families, battered women and their children, and people living with mental illness. Waits performed: "Cold Water", "Tom Traubert's Blues" and "You Can Never Hold Back Spring" and he joined the actors for a hand-holding lineup bow. Further reading: OPCC official site.

Chez Panisse Foundation private supporter (2005)
In 1996, Alice Waters, pioneering cook, restaurateur and food activist, created the Chez Panisse Foundation in commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of her restaurant, Chez Panisse, in Berkeley, California. The Foundation supports an educational program that uses food to nurture, educate and empower youth. "The Foundation envisions a nationwide public school curriculum at all levels that includes hands-on experiences in school kitchens, gardens, and lunchrooms. This curriculum will inspire students to choose healthy food and help them understand the impact of their choices on their health, the health of their communities, and the planet. In addition, we envision public school systems providing delicious, healthy, freshly prepared meals for all of their students as a regular part of each school day-in lunchrooms that appeal to all the senses and are ecologically designed. To create real change in students' eating habits, we must rethink their education and experiences with food, beginning with their experiences in school." Further reading: Chez Panisse Foundation official site.

MusiCares MAP Fund benefit (2006)
The second annual MusiCares (a Grammy Awards subsidiary) MAP Fund benefit concert, honoring singer/songwriter/guitarist and Metallica co-founder James Hetfield and concert promoter and manager Bill Silva, will be held on May 12 at The Music Box @ Fonda. All proceeds will benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial situation. Hetfield will be honored as the recipient of the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his dedication and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund and his devotion to helping other addicts with the recovery process. Silva will be the recipient of the MusiCaresFrom the Heart Award for his unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization. The evening will feature a buffet dinner and performances by a range of special musical guests. Tom Waits and Larry Taylor will be performing a few songs. Tickets are offered at three price levels: floor placement in a private living room grouping of 10 for $10,000; floor seating for $1,000 each; and balcony seating for $250 each. For ticket information, please call Wynnie Wynn at 310.392.3777. (Source: MusiCares official site. April 24, 2006)

American Civil Liberties Union benefit auction (2006)
Sepember 20, 2006: Waits has contributed an autographed jacket from his personal collection, and an autographed issue of All Story magazine (which he designed) to an eBbay auction benefitting the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California. The jacket is his Levis size 44 corduroy signed with a message to the winner: "To the new owner: I raised a lot of hell in this jacket, but it's a lucky one. My wife wants me to get rid of it cause it's all ripped up. May the new wearer wear it well." Further reading: ACLU official site.

The Farm To Feast Auction (2007)
Online auction running from April 16 to May 16, 2007, with proceeds going to Santa Rosa's Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm in order to support tuition assistance. Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan donated two of Waits' "oil spot photos" as previously printed in Zoetrope's All-Story 2005 Winter issue (November 2, 2005). Photo sold for $ 3.000,-. Further reading: Farm To Feast online auction

ACLU of Southern California auction (2007)
Online auction running from October 19 to November 2, 2007, with proceeds going to ACLU of Southern California. Waits donated one of his autographed "oil spot photos". Picture sold for $ 1.300,-. ACLU is fighting to preserve and expand the rights guaranteed by the USA bill of rights. Further reading: ACLU

Annual Bridge School benefit show (2007)
October 27-28, 2007: Concert appearance at the Annual Bridge School benefit (Neil Young's Charity) at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View/ USA, with the Kronos Quartet. "The Bridge School is an educational program dedicated to ensuring that children with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities through the use of augmentative & alternative means of communication (AAC) and assistive technology (AT) applications. Bridge School has established an outreach program to share what is developed at the school with parents, professionals and users of AAC/AT across the world." Further reading: Bridge School official site.

The Farm To Feast Auction (2008)
Online auction running from March 10 to 20, 2008, with proceeds going to Santa Rosa's Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm in order to support tuition assistance. Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan donated one of Waits' "oil spot photos" as previously printed in Zoetrope's All-Story 2005 Winter issue (November 2, 2005). Photo sold for $ 1.700,-. Further reading: Farm To Feast online auction.

Glitter and Doom tickets auction (2008)
June 11-19, 2008: Premium tickets to the sold out shows in the USA and Europe were auctioned off through Ticketmaster to benefit various charities: The Young Adult & Family Center, Summerfield Waldorf School, Catholic Charities, Children's Village of Sonoma County and NAMI - Sonoma County.

Feeding America campaign (2008)
Advertising campaign launched by the Advertising Council and Feeding America to raise awareness of the issue of hunger in America uses the Waits song Never Let Go as its soundtrack. Tom Waits: “We all need to be reminded that the folks who need help getting back on their feet are all members of our family.”

The Farm To Feast Auction (2009)
Online auction with proceeds going to Santa Rosa's Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm in order to support tuition assistance. Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan donated one of Waits' "oil spot photos" as previously printed in Zoetrope's All-Story 2005 Winter issue (November 2, 2005). Photo sold for $ 2,601,-. Further reading: Farm To Feast online auction.

*** No longer updated. Please refer to the official Tom Waits site and the Eyeball Kid blogspot ***