Month: September 2016

  • Does ending forced labor (slavery) interfere with maintaining free markets? Should 21,000,000 lives matter.

    Force Labor today - 2016
    Force Labor today – 2016

    It is amazing that we are “still” talking about this, right?   Jewish slaves that were forced to work for Germans, Japanese slaves that were forced to work in American camps, and Australian slaves had at minimum an “official” apology.  Some even received reparation payments for the maltreatment and theft their forefathers have experienced.  The “Black Lives Matters” recently put reparation payments for the descendants of American owned slaves back on the national agenda.  They are trying anyway.

    A lot of people are so tired for those ancient stories.  Yet unfortunately they are not ancient stories they are current and very much part of the 21st Century stories.  According to the International Labor Organization approximately 21,000,000 slaves are alive today.  Yes, today!

    Anti-slavery.org educates us that even today:

    There are many different characteristics that distinguish slavery from other human rights violations, however only one needs to be present for slavery to exist. Someone is in slavery if they are:

    • forced to work – through mental or physical threat;owned or controlled by an ’employer’, usually through mental or physical abuse or the threat of abuse;
    • dehumanized, treated as a commodity or bought and sold as ‘property’;
    • Contemporary slavery takes various forms and affects people of all ages, gender and races.
  • Rolando Morales performing for Sionfonds for Haiti Party & Fund Raiser to Support Children & Their Families in Haiti on Sunday, September 25 at Venga Paella

    Rolando Morales performing Sionfonds Fundraiser for Haiti Families at Paella Venga on Sunday, September 25, 2016
    Rolando Morales performing Sionfonds Fundraiser for Haiti Families at Paella Venga on Sunday, September 25, 2016

    Sunday Sept 25, “Sionfonds for Haiti Presents: Party & Fund Raiser to Support Children & Their Families in Haiti,” Venga Paella, 229 Brush Street (at 3rd St.), Oakland 4 to 8pmRolando lends a hand to some dear friends in their mission to provide education, nutrition, job training, community improvements and health care to rural Haitian families.  Enjoy a great party at this cool Oakland spot that will serve up a splendid paella dinner and drinks.  Bring a friend and meet smart, fun, caring people while Rolando Morales provides live entertainment on solo guitar and voice.  Bid for unique local and Haitian crafts and amazing services you’ll want, such as Haitian crafts, catered dinners with live music with Rolando Morales and more!  $45 includes dinner. http://www.pingg.com/rsvp/pk8a76g22yq3zbkhp

    Enjoy fundraiser to assist kids like this cute little girl.
    Enjoy fundraiser to assist kids like this cute little girl.

    Sionfonds supports Haitian Families, through education, opportunity and healthcare. All of our programs are conceived and implemented by Haitian families, teachers, doctors, farmers, social workers and community leaders. When appropriate we bring visitors from outside Haiti to share their skills and expertise in order to further the cause of Haitian autonomy. Learn more by visiting Sionfonds.org.

  • Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with Rolando Morales at Don Pico’s on Friday September 16, 2016

    Rolando Morales at Don Pico's Bistro on Friday September 16, 2016
    Rolando Morales at Don Pico’s Bistro on Friday September 16, 2016

    Friday Sept 16, Don Pico’s Mexican Bistro, 461 El Camino Real, San Bruno, 6 to 9 pm.   Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with Rolando  as he returns on solo guitar and voice in the intimate Restaurant Room.  (650) 589-1163 and see www.donpicosbistro.com.

  • 9/11 experience; Rolando’s in Danville Tues; San Bruno Fri; Pleasanton Sat; Walnut Creek Sunday

    Tonight Rolando Morales with Bob Harrison at Maria, Maria Cantina, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA,
    Tonight Rolando Morales with Bob Harrison at Maria, Maria Cantina, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA,

    Sept 13, 2016

    Hola, Mi Gente!

    I wrapped up another jam-packed week with an intimate patio performance on Sunday September 11 at Maria, Maria in Walnut Creek. The full, attentive patio (and even those inside) were receptive to an impromptu musical tribute to the significance of the day. I allowed the gentle wind to select the songs from my book for my 9-11 segment and shared them with the audience. From Stevie Wonder to John Lennon to Djavan and beyond, the wind chose songs I hadn’t done before and the lyrics, mood and passion were perfect for the moment. Very special.
    One never knows what’s going to happen from gig to gig. Every day is different. I enjoyed a great private concert up in Oakville on Friday with my talented friends Carlos Reyes, Janice Maxie-Reid, Estaire Godinez, Gary Brown and myself. We created stirring and entertaining moments.
    And on Saturday, at Pairings Cellars, a unique version of my Trio — drummer Celso Alberti, bassist Dewayne Pate and myself— surprised and excited the Pleasanton audience with forms of music they weren’t used to seeing there! Hell, I even surprised the band with some of the tunes I called out. Several we had never done before, but I wanted to take advantage of the talent. We hit them strong.
    This week I have some big private weeknight events with my band in store, alongside solo public appearances Tuesday at Maria, Maria in Danville, at Don Pico’s Friday, Barone’s Restaurant on Saturday Sept 17 and Maria, Maria in Walnut Creek on Sunday. Details below.
    Remember, too, to make your reservations for the annual fund raiser put on by my beautiful friends at Sionfonds to benefit the children and their families in Haiti. It happens next week on Sunday Sept 25 from 4-8pm at Venga Paella in Oakland. These people really do exceptional work, have big hearts and kick it all off from right here in Oaktown. It’s a great night out with authentic paella dinners, sangria and other libations, Haitian crafts, and I’ll be providing the musical sound track. I urge you to click on their site to learn more and make your reservations. www.sionfonds.org.

    You can also reserve here: http://www.pingg.com/rsvp/pk8a76g22yq3zbkhp.
    See you at the show!
    Ciao,
    Rolando