Musicians Without Borders’ Post

Danny Kean story here, nearly 40 years of free music for all, read below and support if you can: On the road for almost 40 years, the same pickup truck with a piano in the back shared freely with everyone. After 20 years as a fee based performance vehicle, for the last 18 years the Traveling Piano has been operating with no fees, tips or commercial affiliation... no hook and with nothing but with pure Musical Fun, Friendship and Respect through Empowerment and Inspiration. Piano Man Danny Kean with his first pup Bo-ner in spirit and now Traveling Piano pup Mo, they have been focused on community outreach and especially for those struggling in life. Over 100,000 people have been on the piano seat and all through one-on-one individual musical interactions. Having originated in Philadelphia, PA the Traveling Piano has established itself now as a Downtown Las Vegas for the last eight years. Travels have happened throughout the entire Northern Hemisphere of America. The journey has been blogged daily since 2006 on the Traveling Piano's website www.travelingpiano.com The Traveling Piano operates in the most simple way possible without financial reserves, obligations, expectations, salaries or self-serving agenda for attention. 100% of all contribution is put into the truck, work and equipment. Online fundraisers happen only when the situation becomes dire for truck and equipment needs. The act of not accepting contribution in person with the Traveling Piano experience keeps the agenda pure. It creates trust and opportunity for healing in vulnerable environments where communities are severely hurting from tragedy. Giving freely without an exchange leads to intimate and personal interactions of trust and is a huge aspect of why the Traveling Piano's work has been successful. Currently the Traveling Piano truck is in a dire situation. Funding is necessary in order to continue operation. Specifically, a new carburetor and brakes are needed and for the sake of present-ability, serious cosmetic work as in a paint job, new front window and a replacement dashboard to get the speedometer and emergency lights working. The heat is destroying the piano and its sound system and a backup keyboard and speaker is necessary. Over the years people have suggested a new vehicle. This will not work considering the Traveling Pianos unique life and deep emotional and personal history. Cleaning it up and restoring its parts is the only way to go. The world needs the Traveling Piano's mission of truth in spirit. It is a safe space with positive energy and love and lets not forget the fun for all who come in contact with it. We all need fun now especially, eh? Will you help keep it alive? Please contribute... again and again. Just once is great too! And please share this contribution link on your social media and in groups. Spotfund: https://lnkd.in/e54Ra5hk Website: https://lnkd.in/ecXeC6Ji Venmo: Dan Kean @travelingpiano

"Happy" is an ode to Ananya's personal struggles with mental health, and the importance in being able to share that with the world. In alignment, Ananya will be raising funds for her nonprofit organization, Nani Wellness Project, which looks to support the youth in Zimbabwe who struggle with their mental wellness. Watch the video below and consider donating to Nani Wellness Project here: https://lnkd.in/gvfMwicp

Roll up, roll up!

Check out this article about an incredible organization and how families support their loved ones at Ability Beyond.

For all my friends facing fiscal year end or tax season, here is my playlist that keeps me pumped up for the emotional rollercoaster that is audit time. Please note that not all lyrics are office appropriate. #music #audit #taxseason #fiscalyearend #nonprofit #charity #charityfinance #finance #tax

🍽️ Has your annual dinner lost its spark? Are the same faces filling the room year after year, and you're wondering how to reignite the energy? Don't let your biggest fundraiser plateau! Our trusted partner, Fundraising Masterminds, has helped ministries just like yours breathe new life into these pivotal events. If you're ready to turn things around, this is your moment! They're now accepting applications for their next cohort—but only for a couple more weeks. Don't miss out on this opportunity! Visit fundraisingmasterminds.net to learn more and apply. ✨ Plus, when you mention FundEasy, you'll receive 15% off this powerful investment into your ministry's growth! #fundraising #nonprofitgrowth #nonprofitsupport

QUESTION: Why don't the musicians play for free? ANSWER: Quality costs money. Period. We expect our musicians to provide concert-hall equivalent quality in venues that often have low-ceilings, carpets, function as walk-through lobbies or multi-purpose rooms. They play for audiences who are generally wonderful but who often have unexpected outbursts, cannot respond as one might expect, and who frequently are new to this music. We pay because they play with such skill and compassion that people smile, cry, laugh, as the music helps them remember moments, places, and people they have loved. And quality makes a difference when you spend your days lonely and isolated as so many seniors do. Do you believe in the value of quality music for seniors – and the importance of paying artists fairly? If so, consider supporting Concerts in Care Ontario. Your donation can keep the music flowing for some of our province's most vulnerable seniors.  Visit our website to learn more, and to make a donation.  #FAQ #LearnMore #MusicForSeniors #BenefitsOfMusic #MusicAndAging #ConcertsInCareOntario https://lnkd.in/gjc64zQb

#APTipTuesday – Integrating music into your gala program adds fun, energy and entertainment value to the guest experience, and can also help inspire generosity. Here are three ideas for enhancing and elevating your program with music: 1. Use live music to help connect your guests with your mission. An inspiring song right before your fund-a-need can provide the right emotion to set the stage for generous giving. 2. Work with your AV partner to identify upbeat “walk-on” music to play as your speakers are entering the stage. 3. Identify a song that ties in with the theme of each of your live auction items. Playing a snippet of a song as each item is described is a great way to add playfulness and a little drama to your auction.     #AnnPlans #TipTuesday #NonprofitEvent #FundraisingEvent #CommunityEngagement #Philanthropy #EventPlanning 

This note took ten years for me to write. I began the The Philadelphia Jazz Tap Ensemble as a project-based experiment, funded by two small grants and plenty of ideas. Since the beginning, I’ve invested 100% of my time in creating high-quality work that employs the best people and gives the audience the best programming results. One thing I haven’t done well at all is ask for money from our audience members. I have relied on grant organizations, event sales and the occasional corporate sponsorship to fund our work. This is a model that can work through pure muscle and grit, but grants are unreliable and so are the trends and agendas of foundations. Donation drives and the ‘ask’ really come down to what is important to you. I’m reaching out to see if your interest in supporting NEW tap dance works that innovate and inspire NEW audiences is meaningful enough to see these programs into reality: - We have a new residency at the Ryerss Museum in Northeast Philadelphia, through which we will be offering FREE public tap and jazz performances “on the porch” in April and October; - We have partnered with Fringe Arts to present ‘Evenings of Jazz Funk and Fusion,’ starting in April; - The Barnes Foundation has commissioned us to create a new premiere alongside the Mickalene Thomas exhibit; - We are creating a new ‘jazz story’ about Beryl Booker that will premiere at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival this Fall. (Will we win another “Fringie”? That’s our goal!) - We are starting a monthly community jazz jam at Bob and Barbara’s, (see you April 3)! - We have partnered with the Athletic Recreation Center to house our tuition-free tap dance youth program are initiating the first ever Philadelphia Youth Tap Summit at the Center on May 23; - We are creating a documentary to celebrate Germaine Ingram and the 30th anniversary of “Plenty of Good Women Dancers.” Can you help the company - and tap dance - grow today? Your tax-deductible donation of any size can be earmarked to support our artists, our programming or our youth initiatives. You tell me what is important to you, and I will make sure your gift is put to good use. To donate securely online, just navigate to https://lnkd.in/eY2av2kw. Checks can also be mailed to our fiscal sponsor at Philadelphia Dance Projects, c/o Phila Jazz Tap Ensemble, 9 N Preston Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Thank you! (Feel free to share).