I have a massive amount of respect for a new nonprofit, Music National Service, that currently has its first class of MusicanCorps fellows in public schools, hospitals and community spaces around the US. (And not just because I’m tone deaf–the work that the fellows are doing to introduce digital arts instruction and music therapy is too often underfunded). Local musician Kiff Gallagher started the organization with seed money from the Hewlett Foundation, and fellows are now serving in Chicago, Seattle, New Orleans, and the Bay Area (not a bad roster, especially considering the model carries over some AmeriCorps themes).
The music service will be playing at tonight’s Latino Heritage Month Celebration at the City Hall rotunda in honor of the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts and other organizations. The attire? “Ethnic festive.”