Seva Special Events: The Story

For more than 30 years, Seva Foundation co-founder Wavy Gravy has been producing benefit concerts to raise FUNds (as he likes to say!) for Seva and to spread the word about our work.  We've been fortunate to have dozens of great artists donate their time and talent to support the cause.  

It all began back in 1979 with The Grateful Dead, who donated $100,000 from one of their concerts in Oakland, California.

Most recently, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, and Los Lobos with surprise guest Elvis Costello performed at The Paramount in Oakland on September 27, 2008.

Over the years, an amazing array of artists has helped Seva become a well-known organization that is strongly supported by the music community.  The concerts bring together artists, volunteers, staff, donors and the general public for a common cause — to alleviate suffering and build sustainable solutions to poverty and disease.

Seva's concerts have raised several million dollars to support our programs around the world. As Wavy often says, "With every ticket sold, there's one less blind person in the world."

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You might enjoy reading a historical retrospective of Seva concerts.