Seva Events: Concerts with Compassion & Visionary Speakers

Seva concerts have raised millions of dollars and have brought together a strong community of support, which has grown into a multi-generational extended family.

For over 45 years, Seva co-founder Wavy Gravy has inspired musicians to lend their time and talent to support Seva's work, resulting in more than 50 world class benefit concerts.

These concerts provide the opportunity for audiences to turn their compassion into action. Each ticket sold is equivalent to providing a cataract surgery to someone in need.

Seva's speaker series brings together thought leaders to discuss not only eye care, but social justice, spirituality, and compassion in action. Whether it's Jack Kornfield waxing on his days with Ram Dass, Muhamad Yunus sharing his latest innovations for equity, or Wavy Gravy and Jahanara Romney reminiscing on Seva's origins, you're sure to have fun learning something new.


There are no upcoming events at this time.

Seva's Artists

Thank you to all the amazing musicians who support Seva!

Seva has been producing incredible benefit concerts for over four decades — starting in 1979, when the Grateful Dead played a concert in Oakland, CA, that raised $100,000 and was instrumental in getting Seva off the ground.

Since then, hundreds of artists have donated their time and talent to support Seva's blindness prevention programs. Millions of dollars have been raised, and thousands of new friends have become Seva supporters.

Special thanks to the photographers who have donated their concert photos to Seva over the years. Featured photographers include: Jay Blakesberg, Ken Friedman, Bob Minkin, Susana Millman.

Video: Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead talks about how he supports Seva (circa 1980). He continues his support of Seva today and is an Honorary Lifetime Board Member.




Past Events Concert Restrospective


Something Good For A Change: A Celebration of Wavy Gravy's 87th Birthday

May 7, 2023 | Herbst Theatre, San Francisco
Steve Earle, Maria Muldaur, Taj Majal, David Nelson, Pete Sears, Barry Sless, Vince Herman, Sam Grisman, Helen Wicks Works, Trudy Goodman, Dr. Larry Brilliant as MC


Love for Wavy, Celebrating Wavy Gravy's 85th Birthday

May 14 16, 2021 | Online Quarantine Concert # 4
Bob Weir & Wolf Bros., Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Joan Baez, Bonnie Raitt & Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Chris Robinson & Los Hermanos Cósmicos, Steve Kimock, Graham Nash, Michael Franti, Ben Harper, Jorma Kaukonen, Ani DiFranco, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Ace of Cups, Maria Muldaur with host Wavy Gravy


Sing Out for Seva

March 26 28, 2021 | Online Quarantine Concert # 3
Achilles Wheel w/John Popper, Jim Lauderdale, Dave Alvin, Nina Gerber & Peter Rowan, Rising Appalachia, Corinne West, The California Honeydrops, Hot Tuna w/David LaFlame, Hot Buttered Rum w/Nicki Bluhm, ALO, David & Tracy Grisman, Ruthie Foster, Yonder Mountain String Band with host Wavy Gravy


Seva's World Sight Day to honor Ram Dass

October 3 8, 2020 | Online Quarantine Concert # 2
Joan Baez & Krishna Das with special guest Jackson Browne, hosted by Larry Brilliant & Wavy Gravy


Wavy Gravy's 84th Birthday

May 14 17, 2020 | Online Quarantine Concert # 1
Ani DiFranco, Blind Boys of Alabama, Bob Weir, Chris Robinson, Bonnie Raitt & Ruthie Foster, Hot Tuna, David Crosby & Graham Nash, Dr. John & Buffy Sainte-Marie, Jackson Browne, Jason Mraz, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Poor Man's Whiskey, Roy Rogers & Carlos Reyes, Steve Kimock, Rising Appalachia, Steve Earle Zero with host Wavy Gravy


The Thrill is Gone, A Tribute to BB King

February 16 & 17, 2020 | The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
Anthony Hamilton, Bob Margolin, Bobby Rush, Buddy Guy, David Hidalgo, Derek Trucks, Ivan Neville, Jamey Johnson, Jimmie Vaughan, John Scofield, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Little Steven, Robert Cray, Robert Randolph, Shemekia Copeland, Steve Cropper, Southside Johnny, Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, Wavy Gravy, William Bell.


Sing Out for Seva, Seva's 40th Anniversary

January 12, 2019 | Fox Theater, Oakland, CA
Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Osborne, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Pura Fe & Cary Morin.


A Benefit for Seva

June 27, 2018 | Mystic Theater, Petaluma, CA
Dark Star Orchestra.


A Celebration of 40 Years Service!

June 2, 2018 | UC Theater, Berkeley, CA
Rising Appalachia, Dead Winter Carpenters, The Sam Chase & the Untraditional.


Sing Out for Seva – A Concert to Honor Ram Dass

March 4, 2017 | Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Kahului, HI
Jackson Browne, Joan Baez, Krishna Das & Wavy Gravy.


Seva Holiday Party

December 17, 2016 | UC Theater, Berkeley, CA.
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Poor Man's Whiskey, Corinne West.


Wavy Gravy's 80th Birthday, Benefit for Seva

May 22, 2016 | Sonoma Mountain Event Center, Rohnert Park, CA.
Yonder Mountain String Band, Steve Earle, John Popper, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Dead Winter Carpenters, Achilles Wheel, The T Sisters, Grateful Bluegrass Boys, Sambadrop, Clown Conspiracy, and Prescott Circus.


Wavy Gravy’s 80th Birthday Party

May 15, 2016 | Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley CA.
Steve Kimock & Friends, ALO and Doobie Decibal System Duo.


Sing Out for Sight

October 10, 2015 | Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley CA.
Bob Weir, Steve Kimock, Robin Sylvester & Jay Lane. Plus Salman Ahmad and Samir Chatterjee.


Wavy Gravy's 79th Birthday, Benefit for Seva

May 17, 2015 | Sonoma Mountain Event Center, Rohnert Park, CA.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Steve Kimock & Friends, The California Honey Drops, Hot Butterred Rum.


Crosby & Nash, A benefit for Seva

April 11, 2015 | The Nourse Theatre in San Francisco
David Crosby & Graham Nash with their band, Joel Rafael and host Wavy Gravy


Blues Against Blindness - Seva Holiday Party

December 12, 2014 | Great American Music Hall in San Francisco
The Blues Broads, Elvin Bishop, Roy Rogers & Carlos Reyes with special guest Terry Haggerty and host Wavy Gravy


A Benefit for Seva

June 30th, 2014 | Mystic Theater, Petaluma
Chris Robinson Brotherhood, The Fall Risk, Corinne West Band & host Wavy Gravy


A Benefit for Larry Brilliant’s 70th Birthday

May 3, 2014 | Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
Jason Mraz w/special guest Bob Weir, Salman Ahmad, hosted by Wavy Gravy


Seva’s 35th Anniversary

November 2, 2013 | The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
Hot Tuna, The Blind Boy’s of Alabama, Dumpstaphunk, hosted by Wavy Gravy

SEVA GALA

November 2, 2013 | Julia Morgan Ballroom, San Francisco, CA
The Blind Boys of Alabama, hosted by Peter Coyote, Wavy Gravy & Larry Brilliant

SEVA KIRTAN

May 27, 2013 | Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA
Snatam Kaur, Jai Uttal, C.C. White, Shimshai, hosted by Wavy Gravy, Jack Kornfield & Larry Brilliant

ZERO for SEVA

April 6, 2013 | Sebastopol Community Cultural Center
Zero with special guests & host Wavy Gravy

Seva’s 35th Anniversary

February 19, 2013 | Mystic Theater, Petaluma, CA
Leftover Salmon, David Nelson Band, Hot Buttered Rum & special guests with host Wavy Gravy

Sing Out for Seva

May 20, 2012 | Rio Theater, Santa Cruz, CA
Steve Earle, John Trudell, Peter Rowan, Nina Gerber, Jim Lauderdatle, Dave Alvin, Jeremy Goodfeather, hosted by Wavy Gravy.

A Benefit for Seva

January 21, 2012 | Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, Sebastopol, CA
Zero, David Nelson & Friends, hosted by Wavy Gravy.

Wavy Gravy's 75th Birthday

May 27, 2011 | Beacon Theater, New York, NY
Ani DiFranco, Jackson Browne, David Crosby & Graham Nash, Dr. John, Steve Earle, Bruce Hornsby, Jorma Kaukonen, Steve Kimock, Buffy Sainte-Marie.  Hosted by Wavy Gravy & Larry Brilliant.

Wavy Gravy's 75th Birthday Boogie

May 14, 2011 | Craneway Pavilion, Richmond, CA
Bob Weir & Friends, Mickey Hart Band, Zero, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Hot Buttered Rum, Ace of Cups and special guests, including Henry Kaiser, Barry Melton, Snookie Flowers, Barry Sless, Mark Karan, Robin Sylvester, John Molo, Jeff Chimenti, Nicki Bluhm, Bobby Vega, Dave Schools & Pete Sears.  Hosted by Wavy Gravy.

Wavy Gravy's All Star Jam

June 16, 2010 | Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
Steve Kimock, Mark Karan, Billy Kreutzmann, Melvin Seals, Papa Mali, Dan Lebowitz, Dave Brogran, Bo Carper, Reed Mathis, Matt Hubbard, special guest Bobby Vega, and hosted by Wavy Gravy.

Sweethearts for Seva - Valentine's Day

February 14th, 2010 | Bimbos 365 Club, San Francisco
Joan Baez, Steve Earle, David Grisman, Tracy Grisman, Tuck & Patti, hosted by Wavy Gravy and Jahanara Romney.

Seva Holiday Party

December 12, 2009 | Throckmorton Theater, Mill Valley, CA
David Nelson Band, MoonAlice, Peter Rowan and the Rowan Brothers,, hosted by Wavy Gravy.

Seva Foundation’s 30th Anniversary

September 27, 2008 | Paramount Theater, Oakland
Bonnie Raitt, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Los Lobos, Ruthie Foster, Nina Gerber, with special guests Elvis Costello and Hot Tuna, hosted by Wavy Gravy & Peter Coyote.

Wavy Gravy’s 71st Birthday

May 18, 2007 | The Grand Ballroom, San Francisco
Mickey Hart & Friends, Zero with Steve Kimock and Melvin Seals, Tea Leaf Green, Chris Robinson and The Wooden Family, Sikiru Adepoju, Wavy Gravy, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Baby Gramps.

Wavy Gravy's 70th Birthday

May 20, 2006 | Berkeley Community Theater
Bob Weir & Ratdog, Mickey Hart with Kitaro, The Rhythm Village & Joan Baez, Gillian Welch & David Rawlins, Steve Earle, David Lindley, Linda Tillery & Nina Gerber, Clown Conspiracy, The Prescott Circus, Wavy Gravy.

Wavy Gravy's 69th Birthday a Benefit for Seva

May 15, 2005 | Berkeley Community Theater
Phil Lesh & Friends, Ben Harper, Hot Buttered Rum String Band, Emory Joseph, Corinne West, Clown Conspiracy, Wavy Gravy.

A Brilliant Birthday Bash

May 8, 2004 | Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
The Waybacks with Bob Weir, The Flying Other Brothers, Emory Joseph Trio, Terry Haggerty & Pete Sears, Wavy Gravy, Mr. Youhoo.

Seva's Silver Anniversary

December 13, 2003 | Berkeley Community Theater
The Dead, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Norton Buffalo, John Popper, Steve Earle, Buffy Sainte Marie, Wavy Gravy and special guests.

Ani Difranco

October 25 & 26, 2002 | Paramount Theater, Oakland
Ani gave a portion of the proceeds from her performances to Seva.

Blues, Brunch & Beyond

October 8, 2002 | Coventry Grove Amphitheater, Kensington, CA
Dr. John & Maria Muldaur, Mr. Youhoo, Mitch Stein, Sammy Johnston, Stevie B., Wavy Gravy.

Lagunitas Brewery Beer Train

Sept. 14, 2002 | Willits, CA
The Flying Other Brothers, Stomach, Wavy Gravy.

Wavy Gravy’s 65th Birthday Benefit for Seva

May 15, 2001 | Berkeley Community Theater
Hot Tuna, Zero with Steve Kimock, Dr. John & Maria Muldaur, Indigenous, Mickey Hart & Friends, Bob Weir, Paul Kantner w/Diana Mangano, Box Set, Will Scarlet, Mr. Youhoo, Wavy Gravy.

Ben Harper

Sept. 15, 2000 | Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA
Ben gave a portion of the proceeds from his performance to Seva.

Sing Out for Seva CD Release Party

November 30, 1999 | The Fillmore, San Francisco
The David Nelson Band with Henry Kaiser and Phil Lesh, Dan Bern, Roy Rogers & Shana Morrison, Merle Saunders, Martin Fierro.

Ani DiFranco

July 9, 1999 | Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA
Ani gave a portion of the proceeds from her performance to Seva.

Blues Against Blindness

December 19, 1998 | Berkeley Community Theater
Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Hornsby, Jorma Kaukonen Trio, Joe Louis Walker & Big Bones, Maria Muldaur, Roy Rogers with Shana Morrison, John Lee Hooker, Scoop Nisker, Wavy Gravy.

Sing Out for Seva

May 15, 1998 | Berkeley Community Theater
David Crosby, Graham Nash & Phil Lesh, Bob Weir & Rob Wasserman, Jackson Browne, Odetta, Dan Bern, Iris DeMent, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Charlie Musselwhite, John Trudell, Ram Dass.

The Wavy 60th Birthday Benefit for Just About Everything

May 15, 1996 | Berkeley Community Theater
Box Set, Maria Muldaur, John Trudell, Paul Kantner & Diana Mangano, Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings, Bob Weir, Leftover Salmon with Pete Sears, Txi Whizz, Derique, Mr. Youhoo.

Concert Honoring Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

February 10, 1995 | Berkeley Community Theater
United Indian Nations Dance Ensemble, Jesse Colin Young, Buffy Saint-Marie, John Trudell & Bad Dog, Michelle Shocked, Jackson Browne, Wavy Gravy.

A Musical Reunion of Old Friends

February 13, 1994 | Masonic Center, San Francisco
Country Joe McDonald with Stephen Barsotti, Keta Bill, Casey “Jones” Bastiaans, Annie Sampson & Will Scarlett, Richie Havens, Paul Kantner with Jack Casady, Tim Gorman, Diana Mangano & Alexander Kantner, Arlo Guthrie, Hot Tuna with Jack Casady, Michael Falzarano, Jorma Kaukonen, Pete Sears & special guest Bob Weir, David Crosby & Graham Nash with special guests Phil Lesh & Jeff Pevar, Wavy Gravy.

Blues Against Blindness

January 25, 1992 | Berkeley Community Theater
Lisa Kindred, Joe Louis Walker with Big Bones, Hot Tuna with special guest Bob Weir, Dr. John with special guest Maria Muldaur, John Lee Hooker with Roy Rogers.

A Benefit for Seva’s Native American Project Fund

October 10, 1992 | Esalen, Big Sur, CA
Arvol Looking Horse, John Trudell & Grafitti Man, Timbuk Three, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Little Bear Tom Nason, Charles Lloyd, Jimmy Messina, Kenny Loggins, Joan Baez with Mimi Farina, Olatunji.

Sing Out for Sight

March 1990 | Vancouver, Washington
Rick Danko, Jorma Kaukonen, Bob Weir, Rob Wasserman, Connie Kalder, Spirit of the West.

Sing Out for Sight

March 1990 | Eugene, Oregon
Rick Danko, Jorma Kaukonen, Bob Weir, Rob Wasserman, Connie Kalder.

Home Aid

November 26, 1988 | The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York
David Crosby & Graham Nash, Paul Simon, Carly Simon, Gyoto Monks, Maria Muldaur, Dr. John, Laurie Anderson, Mickey Hart, Baba Olatunji, Sweet Honey and the Rock, Michael Hinton, Margo Kipper, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Adams, Willem Dafoe, Treat Williams, Wavy Gravy, Paul Gorman, Allen Ginsberg, Ram Dass.

Helping One Another

April 16, 1988 | Pasadena Community College
David Crosby, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Weir & Brent Mydland.

Cowboys for Indians

May 9, 1987 | Austin, Texas
David Lindley, David Crosby & Stephen Stills, Jerry Jeff Walker, Timbuk Three, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Max Gail, Peter Rowan, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Wavy Gravy & Charlie Hill.

Wavy Gravy’s 50th Birthday

May 15, 1986 | Berkeley Community Theater
Jerry Garcia, John Kahn, Paul Krassner, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart Shaman Tree, Ken Kesey & the Thunder Machine Band, Jorma Kaukonen, Wavy Gravy & the Wavettes.

Cowboys for Indians

October 14, 1985 | Berkeley Community Theater
Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Kinky Friedman, David Nelson and friends, Peter Rowan, Kate Wolfe, Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Jerry Jeff Walker, Wavy Gravy and Bill Wah Pepah.

One for the Trees

May 5, 1985 | Julia Morgan Theater, Berkeley, CA
Danny Kolb, Diane Di Prima, Jonathan Richman, Paul Krasner, Bob Weir, Wavy Gravy.

The Third Eyeball

June 22, 1984 | Toronto, Canada
The Band and The Grateful Dead

Sing Out for Sight

April 29, 1982 | Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, Country Joe McDonald, Odetta, Holly Near, Kate Wolfe, Robert Hunter.

Sing Out for Sight

April 25, 1981 | Berkeley Community Theater
Country Joe McDonald, Rosalie Sorrels with Mitch Greenhill, Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Kate Wolf with Nina Gerber & Ford James, Odetta, Wavy Gravy.

Sing Out for Sight

September 19, 1980 | Carnege Hall, New York
Bob Gibson, John Herald, Odetta, Tom Paxton, Peter Rowan, John Sebastian, Jeremy Steig, The Josh White Singers, Peter Yarrow, Ram Dass, Wavy Gravy, Happy Traum.

The Grateful Dead

December 26, 1979 | Oakland Auditorium


WavyGravy87th

WavyGravy85th

SingOutForSeva

2020 World Sight Day

Wavy_Gravy_84

BB King Event

40th Event

Rising_Appalachia

Dark_Star

Maui Event

Holiday Event

wavy 80th

wavy 80th

wavy 79th

zero 2012

poster beacon

skolnick.jpg

seva 20th

seva 30th

SEVA-Valentines

WG70th_1.jpg

3rdEyeBall.jpg

AllStarJam.jpg

WG70th_1.jpg


Ram Dass and Bob Weir wearing Seva shirts.

Support Seva by buying a Vintage Shirt like Ram Dass and Bob Weir rocked back in the day!
Other Seva merchandise includes Wavy Gravy Movie DVDs & more!

All sales will benefit Seva's sight programs around the world.



Photo

“Seva has given so much help to so many thousands of people for so many years — such a wonderful example of love in action.”

Bonnie Raitt
Singer / Songwriter

Photo

"Seva has made an extraordinary contribution to the world — not only through their international programs, but here in some of the most impoverished communities in North America, on Native American reservations. Thank you Seva."

Jackson Browne
Singer / Songwriter

Photo

"Seva takes the impulse towards generosity and turns it into compassionate action that helps people in real need. I honor my friends and relations by giving to Seva in their name — the entire world benefits. I hope you'll join me."

Peter Coyote
Actor / Writer

Photo

"Compassion and caring for people in need - that's simply a moral necessity. But it's not always easy to do. Seva makes it easy. They know how to put your donations to work in ways that truly benefit people."

Joan Baez
Singer / Humanitarian Activist

Photo

"When we met the folks at Seva, we knew we were among kindred spirits, joining to bring people together in service to others. Whether preventing blindness in Nepal, assisting native peoples in Guatemala and Mexico, or helping our own Native Americans, Seva has been there to help alleviate suffering and improve people's lives. Long may they rock!"

Phil Lesh
The Grateful Dead

Photo

"Seva's efforts create hope and happiness worldwide for so many people in difficult conditions. I've always been amazed and cheered by their good works and I've been very happy to help them in their fundraising efforts."

Bruce Hornsby
Singer / Songwriter

Photo

“I admire Seva's spirit of innovation. Seva is constantly looking for new ideas that can benefit the world, especially the poor, and they aren't afraid to try something that no one has ever tried before."

Dr. Muhammad Yunus
Nobel Prize Winner / Seva Partner / Founding Chairman of Grameen Health Services

Photo

“I congratulate Seva Foundation for the magnificent work they continue to do."

Odetta
Legendary Folk Singer

Photo

“Seva has done an incredible job all over the world helping people who really need it. I am proud to be one of the many who followed Wavy and his friends down this particular yellow brick road.”

David Crosby
Singer / Songwriter

Photo

“Such dedication to others — how could you not love Seva and what they accomplish? Well done!”

Graham Nash
Singer / Songwriter



photo

In support of Seva Foundation, William Wolk (1951-2022) honors Wavy Gravy in "Bubblicious" – the final piece the artist completed prior to his passing.





Share our vision

Don't miss out on more good news.

 

Sign up today and get life transforming stories and event announcements.

* We won't share your email and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Holiday Impact Prize GuideStar Charity Navigator BBB Accredited Charity The Life You Can Save Charity Watch

Follow Seva:

Seva Foundation Seva Foundation Seva Foundation Seva Foundation Seva Foundation

Contact Us | Search | State Disclosures | Privacy Policy | Job Opportunities | Sign In

Seva Foundation 1786 Fifth Street Berkeley, CA 94710 phone: 510-845-7382 fax: 510-809-3364
Seva Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. © 2024 Seva Foundation. All rights reserved.