Thanks to the support of our sponsors, volunteers and attendees, the Bowlful of Blues and our 2016 nonprofit partner, the Ojai Mardi Gras Wake-Up! Krewe, were able to use proceeds from the 2016 Bowlful of Blues festival to purchase musical instruments for after-school and summer music programs at the Ojai Recreation Center. Enough gear was provided to equip an entire blues-rock band including two electric guitars, electric bass guitar, keyboard and stand, drum set, and amplifiers for all instruments.

Ojai Rec Center music teacher Ben Buttner has been teaching music lessons with the City of Ojai for over 3 years. He offers keyboarding and guitar lessons all year long, and during the summer he offers a Rock N’ Roll Camp. The music classes are held at the Sarzotti Park Boyd Center, 510 Park Road. Participants can register on-line by visiting the Ojai Recreation Department website at OjaiRec.com. For more information on the music classes, please call the Recreation Department at 805-646-5581 ext. 390.

“Donating to music education for local youth has always been a big part of the mission of the Bowlful of Blues. They are the future performers at our events,” said Lanny Kaufer, co-producer of the festival, who attended the unveiling of the instruments on behalf of his brother Michael Kaufer. “We are thrilled to be able to enhance the Ojai Rec Center’s music program which is a branch of the City of Ojai. It’s a perfect fit because the funds were generated at an event held in the city’s own Libbey Bowl.”

Here is a video of the students showing what they have learned on the donated instruments: