FODfest

Last year, my daughter joined a children’s singing group to raise money for orphans of war.  One night, she tells me she’s singing at FODfest.  I had no idea what she was talking about, but I dragged myself to the event, despite having a huge writing deadline.  As I sat outside waiting, I kept thinking, “man, I have so much work to do… why am I here?” 

Then, the music began. 

Damn.  Amazing.

I am now not only a FODfest supporter, I am also FODfest’s pimp.   

If you really want to get a feel for FODfest, watch clips of the founder, Todd Mack, and performances of the festivals.   http://www.youtube.com/fodfest

By the way, FOD stands for "Friends of Daniel Pearl".  Todd has a picture of Danny taped to his guitar.   His love for his fallen friend is what birthed this beautiful organization.  We should all be so lucky to have a friendship like theirs.

History

In addition to being a journalist, the late Wall St. Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was a talented musician who believed in the power of music to bring people together regardless of the differences between them.  FODfest promotes this ideal through its programming and multimedia productions.

Founded in 2005 by musician, writer, and producer Todd Mack, a close friend and former band mate of Danny’s, FODfest has grown considerably from its humble beginnings as an informal backyard jam to a full-fledged internationally touring organization. To date, FODfest has visited more than 50 communities across the globe, featured nearly 750 musicians, and has reached thousands of people from broad demographic backgrounds.

Mission

FODfest, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen, empower, and educate communities through the universal language of music. 

FODfest produces free, publicly accessible concerts, school programs, and multimedia productions that promote its community-building mission with an interest in serving underserved areas and communities where there is a history of conflict.  FODfest 2010 will include events and school programs throughout the US, Israel & the Middle East.

Programming

FODfest Community Concerts are free, open community music events that bring together diverse groups of artists and audiences.  Incorporating a unique performance format that is part concert, part song swap, and part jam session, many of the musicians participating are meeting for the first time on stage.  Through sponsorships and an innovative fundraising model, FODfest concerts raise funds that are funneled back into the local community through the FODfest in the Schools program.

FODfest in the Schools educates, inspires, and empowers students.  Designed for junior high and high school students, the program focuses on the community building power of music and takes place in local schools or community centers where FODfest concerts take place.

FODfest Abroad are international tours that incorporate FODfest concerts and school programs with a focus on underserved communities and areas with a history of conflict.

FODfest Multimedia Productions broaden the reach of FODfest programming to a worldwide community via the internet.  Their message of tolerance and unity counters the exploitive use of multimedia and the internet to propagate hate and violence.

Support

FODfest, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation that relies almost exclusively upon individual contributions.  Your support is gratefully appreciated. Tax-deductible donations can be made here.