Introducing Neel Singh!

by Neel Singh, SF Surfrider

Greetings followers of the MOP Blog!

My name is Neel Singh. I’ve just accepted the position as the new coordinator of the Music Outreach Program (MOP) for San Francisco’s chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. Nicole Parisi-Smith has done such an amazing job bringing the MOP from the DC Chapter to SF and has left me with physically small but substantially large shoes to fill! I’m looking forward to continuing the great outreach work she’s done with our MOP crew and the musical artists and venues that share in the Foundation’s values of protecting our oceans, beaches, coastlines, and the people and wildlife who share those environments.

Being from the Fiji Islands and a Surfrider member you’d think that I’d be an avid surfer. I must confess like Matt (DC MOP Coordinator) that I’m not, but I still feel at home being next to the ocean. There is no greater feeling of peace and serenity for me than sitting on the beach, listening to music and the waves with my dog, Miles. I am a huge music enthusiast of various genres, a hobbyist musician, and proponent of environmental protection. Joining SF Surfrider’s MOP has given me the opportunity to bring together the most important and fulfilling aspects of my life. It is my goal as our chapter’s new MOP Coordinator to work together with various artisits, venues, and our volunteers to reach out to people like you – fans of oceans, beaches, wildlife, and of course music.

Some of the shows we’ve had the blessing of being a part of include Jack Johnson, Katchafire, SOJA, My Peoples (formerly Kapakahi), Bayonics, Oceanroyal, and many more…

If you’d like more information or would like to become a member of the Surfrider Foundation and the Music Outreach Program please feel free to email me at neel[@]sfsurfrider.org, or visit the chapter website at www.sfsurfrider.org. Keep following our blog and twitter for upcoming concerts, beach cleanups, and other events. Hope to see you at the next show!

Introducing Matt Gove!

by Matt Gove, DC Surfrider

Hello MOP blog readers! My name is Matt Gove and I am currently running the Music Outreach Program for the DC chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. If you have been following our blog you may have noticed that I have been in this position for about a year. Last year we made it to 15 events, so thank you to all my MOP Volunteers who came out to help! I couldn’t run the program without you.

I’m going to come clean readers: I am not a surfer! I have attempted to surf 3 times, with water-logged and sand-scraped results. I am an ocean enthusiast however, snorkeling, diving, and fishing whenever I get the chance. I also work in the blue world, working with coastal managers for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). I am very excited to be volunteering for an organization that I have been watching peripherally for years—Surfrider is definitely well known in the ocean and coastal professional world!

For those of you not familiar with Surfrider’s Music Outreach Program: basically we spread the Surfrider message at concerts. Specifically, we partner with venues and artists to talk to concert-goers about Surfrider’s national and local initiatives, hoping to spark action or awareness in the general public. It’s extremely rewarding to have discussions with people about our oceans and coasts—and their favorite bands!

If you are in the DC area and want to volunteer, please send an email to govematt[@]hotmail.com and I will get you on the email list. Last year we were at shows for State Radio, Mason Jennings, Rogue Wave, Ben Harper, and the Dave Matthews Band. You don’t need any skills or knowledge to volunteer, just a love for our oceans and a willingness to help out. Thanks for reading!

Donavon Frankenreiter - 9:30 Club - 11/25/2008

by Chris Woods, DC Surfrider

Wow - this was an incredible night! Donavon allowed the members of DC Surfrider to come to the 9:30 Club early for sound check, and hung out with us before the doors opened to the public.


photo: me & Donavon

Then we had a great spot for the Surfrider table in the back of the venue, and were able to talk with a lot of Donavon's fans, who are psyched about the work that we are doing!


photo: Our DC Surfrider table

Many thanks to Donavon and his touring team!

Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys) - Warner Theater - 11/18/2008

by Chris Woods, DC Surfrider

Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys came through Washington, DC and was kind enough to let Surfrider DC set an outreach table up at his show at the Warner Theater. He was promoting his new album, That Lucky Old Sun.

Surfrider CEO Jim Moriarty interviewed Brian back in September. Awesome stuff! Check it out here.

Neil Halstead - Talking Head Club - 3/25/2009

by Chris Woods, DC Surfrider

Earlier in the month, on March 8, Surfrider's San Francisco Chapter set up an outreach table at Neil's show at the Great American Music Hall. He came through the Washington, DC area on March 25, and played at the Talking Head Club in Baltimore, MD. It was great to see him there.

Nicole and I really appreciated that he was personally in touch with us prior to the show, and took the time to talk with us at the shows. He's a great guy, and a fantastic musician. I'm really enjoying his new CD, Oh! Mighty Engine.

Just happened upon this interview with Neil:

Neil Halstead: My Green Buddy.

Here he is, playing with Jack Johnson and band, plus Zach Rogue, summer 2008:

Cloud Cult at the Black Cat

DC Surfrider’s Music Outreach Program was able to attend Cloud Cult’s show at the Black Cat last Monday November 1^st. Special thanks to Connie Minowa of Cloud Cult for getting us on the guest list! It was a learning experience for me as it was MOP’s first time at the Black Cat—their staff was very helpful and we got a great spot in the back by the merchandise table. I had some interesting conversations with a handful of attendees and about 15 people signed our ledger in support of passing a 5-cent bag fee bill in Virginia and Maryland. A few people mentioned Cloud Cult’s commitment to environmental causes—way to go Cloud Cult, hope to see you again next time you are in DC.

Broken Coast in Annapolis

Thanks to Broken Coast for hosting DC Surfrider in Annapolis last Sunday. It was a gorgeous evening for some live reggae at the Federal House. Thanks to Eric Weimer of Proud Lion Music and Artistry for inviting us out and to Lexi Noruk for coming out and volunteering!

DMB in 100+ DC Heat!

The Dave Matthews Band ripped Nationals Stadium Friday night, playing from 8:30 until 11:30! Surfrider volunteers Matt Gove and Steve Reidy were on hand to hand out some reusable shopping bags and sign people up to support DC Surfrider’s goal of passing a bag-fee bill in Maryland and Virginia. Much thanks to Reverb for hosting us at their Eco Village—specifically, thanks to Amy Makowiecki and Greg Hansen! It was ultra hot, but the huge crowds and Surfrider love from concert goers made for a great evening.

DMB at National's Stadium

The Dave Matthews Band is playing Nationals Stadium. This is only the second time this huge venue has hosted a musical act. Reverb has been very kind to invite DC Surfrider to be a part of their set up once again at a show, and we are excited to spread the Surfrider gospel to the masses! If you can wade through the crowds, come and say hi to our volunteers!

Gipsy Kings

The Gipsy Kings are bringing their internationally flavored dance party to Wolf Trap next Friday July 2^nd. Surfrider will be outside the gates talking about plastic bags and possibly handing out reusable bags. Come on out and join us!

The Drifter

The DC Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation partnered with DC Adventure Films for a showing of The Drifter at the Arlington Cinema and Draft House. Volunteer Matt Gove talked with a lot of stoked Surfrider fans about all of the DC Chapter’s ongoing political efforts and activities. The Drifter had some beautiful footage and focused on surfer Rob Machado’s efforts to get away from it all and back to surfing’s roots. Definitely worth checking out!

Mason Jennings

Mason Jennings played just outside of the District at The State Theater in Falls Church,Virginia, last week. Surfrider was there, talking to people about our push to add a bag fee in Virginia. Thanks to Mason for letting us tag along!

State Radio at Wolf Trap

State Radio was back in DC for a riotous show at Wolf Trap last week. Before the show the DC Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation partnered with Calling all Crows and the DC Chapter of the Sierra Club for a service project at Groundwork Anacostia River DC. Thanks to the 30 or so volunteers who showed up for a muggy but rain-free day of serious yard work!

State Radio - The Independent, San Francisco. Sat 5/22 & Sun 5/23/2010

by Nicole, San Francisco Chapter volunteer

I love that State Radio and their fans are participating in local nonprofits' community service projects on the band's current tour! When the band was in town the weekend of May 22 - 23, they joined the Surfrider San Francisco Chapter for our May 23 beach cleanup!

The night before the cleanup San Francisco Chapter members Garrett, Jay and myself set up a Surfrider outreach table at the band's show at the Independent.


photo: myself, Garrett, and Jay

State Radio's Chad Urmston gave Surfrider a shout out from the stage, and talked about our May 23 beach cleanup. Chad pointed our outreach table out to the crowd, and encouraged the band's fans to come talk with us about the cleanup and the other stuff that we're working on. It was a very thoughtful and thorough shout out!


photo: State Radio on stage @ the show

We ran into Chapter member Carolynn at the show, and signed up a new Surfrider Foundation member!


photo: Carolynn & myself, in a San Diego Chapter Rise Above Plastics t-shirt!


photo: newly registered new Surfrider Foundation member!

We also got to see the San Francisco Giants' Barry Zito play drums with the opener, Kelley James:)


photo: Barry Zito & Kelley James on guitar (right)

The cleanup the next day, on May 23, was awesome. 37 State Radio fans had pre-registered for the cleanup through State Radio's service organization Calling All Crows, and some fans came out to the cleanup decked out in State Radio gear.


photo: fans with Chad and Matt from State Radio


photo: orientation. photo by Aldrin Bulayo.


photo: signing in. photo by Aldrin Bulayo.

They were really excited to get to see Chad, his wife Sybil, their dog Lefty, drummer Mike “Mad Dog” Najarian, and tour members Matt Wilhelm and Jody Stegens Wilhem, as well as Emma Jones Samler from another State Radio nonprofit partner, Facing History and Ourselves.


photo: Chad from State Radio. photo by Aldrin Bulayo.


photo: "Mad Dog" and Jody from State Radio, Emma from Facing History and Ourselves.

We collected about 20 bags of trash, and got some great photos. Thanks to Chapter member Neel who brought his girlfriend and some friends, including professional photographer Aldrin Bulayo who took about 50 AWESOME shots for us!


photo: the cleanup crew! photo by Aldrin Bulayo.


photo: cleanup in progress. by Aldrin Bulayo.

On Monday evening I joined State Radio and their fans for a public event hosted by the Global Fund for Women, Facing History and Ourselves, Calling All Crows, Asylum Access, and a number of other organizations, held at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.


photo: myself and my friend Brittany, in front of the "meet & greet" area. Thanks to Emma for adding me to the VIP reception guest list!

The event was a community conversation between Global Fund for Women's Kavita Ramdas and Sheryl WuDunn, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide." There were a lot of people there, and it was a very well done event.


photo: the event

As always, I continue to be impressed with State Radio and Calling All Crows - they are amazing! Thanks, too, to the Independent for hosting us! I got to meet the Independent's General Manager, Glen, who stopped by to check in on us. Thanks to Matt and Eric from Calling All Crows for setting everything up for us, and for being so awesome!