On May 4^th, 2013, Livingston Taylor, Craig Cardiff, Meg’s Melodies, and The Rock to the Future House Band will perform to raise funds for nonprofit organization Rock to the Future. The benefit concert will run from 2pm-7pm at Asplundh Field House, located on 2775 Buck Road, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009. To purchase tickets online for the event please visit RocktotheFutureBenefit.org. If the event doesn’t sell out prior to the day of the event, tickets will also be available at the door.

High school student Jackie Shihadeh arranged this fundraising concert. Jackie, a multi-instrumental who wants to pursue a career in music business, realized the lack of music education students in Philadelphia receive. A senior at Academy of the New Church, Jackie decided to use her senior project as a fundraising opportunity to raise money for a musical organization. Jackie chose Rock to the Future as her charity recipient and secured national and international artists Livingston Taylor and Craig Cardiff, along with multiple event sponsors. There is also a donation page for those who wish to support Rock to the Future but cannot attend the concert.

All proceeds from this extraordinary event will benefit Rock to the Future. Rock to the Future’s mission is to provide music education to Philadelphia’s underserved youth at no cost to them or their families. Using music, the program ignites passion and creativity, supports academic achievement, and improves self-esteem. By empowering individuals, Rock to the Future is strengthening the community. In only three years time, Rock to the Future has grown from impacting only 13 youth to over 700 underserved, at-risk youth and has shown success in improving student academic performance, musical ability, and social skills.

Livingston Taylor, brother of singer-songwriter James Taylor, is a folk-rock singer who’s career has spanned forty years with over 15 albums released. With albums on both Capricorn and Epic Records, Livingston is the talent behind such songs as Pajamas, Boatman, and First Time Love.

Craig Cardiff, a Canadian folk singer, is known for his soft voice, digital vocal and guitar loops, and for the connections he makes with his fans. In 2012, Cardiff was nominated for a Juno Award for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year:Solo and for a Canadian Folk Music Award as Contemporary Singer of the Year.

Meg’s Melodies, the creation of and fronted by Meg Russell, is a children’s artist that has performed nationwide. Meg’s Melodies uses influences from Latin, big band, folk, and rock music to keep children and parents entertained. Meg Russell is a recent award winner of 2012 Creative Child’s Preferred Choice for her newest CD, Puzzle and a gold medal winner at the Great American Song Competition for the mid-Atlantic region.

The Rock to the Future House Band consists of students ages 12-17 that participate in Rock to the Future’s MusiCore afterschool program. These talented students have performed at renowned venues such as Union Transfer, World Café Live, 76ers basketball game, and community festivals.  While students at Rock to the Future do write their own original music, the House Band performs a variety of cover songs from The Beatles, Fun., Nirvana, Jackson 5, and other family favorites.

“I chose to raise money for music education so that I can help other less fortunate kids experience the same positive impact of music that I have had in my life. I’ve done extensive research on the positive impacts of music education for children and found that music helps children grow academically, socially and emotionally. I know a lot of schools have been cutting music education from their curriculum, and it makes me sad to think that those kids won’t get to experience the joys of music,” Jackie Shihadeh says regarding her choice of benefit event. “I’m planning this concert to ensure that programs like Rock to the Future can continue to provide children with the music education that they deserve.”

Rock to the Future is excited to announce our new Summer music programs! Our innovative music camps will inspire and excite your child as they learn guitar, drums, bass, or keyboard! Both camps are co-ed, ages 9-17 and are 5 days long (Monday-Friday) 8am-5pm with a live performance on the last Friday of camp. Only 20 spots are available each week and sign up before March 31st for a special discount- so don’t wait to register!

Learn and focus on the guitar during our Guitar Star week, or choose guitar, bass, drums, or piano and write songs with your own band during our Rock*A*Delphia week! Or choose both! Visit our Programs: Summer Programs page to register! Only 20 spots available each week, so register early!

On December 2nd, The Rock to the Future House Band will perform at the Piazza Winter Market! Sharing a stage that top bands such as Katy Perry, Fun., Matt & Kim, A New Found Glory, Of Monsters and Men, and Imagine Dragons have all graced, our own RTTF House Band will perform a variety of Holiday songs and cover songs.

Check out our students performing a RTTF arrangement of Carol of the Bells

In a decade where youth are surrounded by the internet and families bond over television, take a break to truly connect and expand creativity – sign up for a Rock to the Future FREE Saturday music workshop! Lower-income Philadelphia youth ages 3-8 and families children of ANY age can join us for engaging and interactive music workshops. Learn guitar basics, rhythm and tempo, melodies, playing together, and more at our fun workshops! No prior musical experience necessary! ONLY 15 SPACES AVAILABLE EACH WEEK – SO SIGN UP TODAY HERE

Presented through generous support of Macquarie Group Foundation

THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF ROCK AND READ FEST! Come support music education AND promote a love for reading and literacy in Philadelphia. Live story readings, poetry, and music, along with a book swap, will take place on September 16th at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St) from 5-10pm. All ages, family friendly!

Only $5 to attend (donated directly to Rock to the Future!), grab a new book to read, bring old books to swap, or just sit back to hear music from:

Rock to the Future will be accepting new students for our free afterschool program starting September 2012!!

After two successful years, Rock to the Future will again be expanding capacity for the 2012-2013 program year! Students at Rock to the Future have fun rockin’ out and increase grades while socializing with peers in a safe, positive environment. The program is FREE for participants (a $50 deposit is requested and returned upon program completion).

Students at Rock to the Future get to learn guitar, bass guitar, drums, or keyboard, form bands, write original music, and perform throughout the year at various community events and venues. Students also receive daily homework help to improve their grades. The program has shown a significant positive impact on student academic performance.

The only requirements to apply are students must be ages 9-14 by September 1^st, 2012, must reside in Philadelphia, and must be lower-income and/or at-risk. Rock to the Future is located at 2139 E Cumberland Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125 and students attend Monday-Friday from directly after school until 6pm. To apply please visit the APPLY tab on our website or email RocktotheFuturePhilly@gmail.com for more information. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE JULY 31^st!

CALLING ALL VENDORS! REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Sell crafts, art, apparel, junk, home goods, etc. at the Rockin’ Rummage Sale on June 2nd at the First Unitarian Church (Center City – near Rittenhouse Square!).  Space is limited – reserve your table today!

All spaces are 10ft long and include a 6 foot event table and one chair.

Indoor Table Registration: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=DL4Z5BP3LKXRN

OUTDOOR table Registration (Only 5 outdoor tables available!) Right on Chestnut Street! https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=QA6Z3AE5TEWLE

Come out to the First Unitarian Church (21st and Chestnut) on Saturday June 2nd from 10AM to 4PM for a Rockin’ Rummage Sale! One person’s junk is another’s treasure! Come search through flea market items, local artwork, crafts, and support Rock to the Future! Live music and food! Rock to the Future is a Fishtown/Kensington-area nonprofit that gives local kids the chance to get homework help and rock out every day after school! To learn more, visit http://www.RocktotheFuturePhilly.org/.

Test your knowledge of Philadelphia in the 1st Annual Race and Rock Scavenger Hunt on April 14th, 2012 presented by Rock to the Future. The super fun, family-friendly event will start at noon (registration begins at 11am!)  at Rock to the Future located at 2139 E Cumberland Street in Fishtown, Philadelphia, PA. REGISTER FOR THE EVENT AT RACEANDROCK.EVENTBRITE.COM

Find a friend (or ride solo!) and purchase either a Bike Team, Walk Team, or Solo ticket. A team is TWO people! Children age 12 or under can participate for free with a registered adult.

If you choose to bike, we will give you a map along with riddles, puzzles, and objects to find within Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Center City, South Philadelphia, and The Art Museum Area. If you choose to walk, you will solve puzzles, clues, and gather objects within the Northern Liberties and Fishtown neighborhoods. Ride or Walk at your own pace and enjoy the warm Spring weather with your team! When all clues are solved and objects gathered, head to our all ages after party to solve the final puzzle, win prizes, eat food, and hear some great live music!

All participants will receive:

-Free event tee shirt

-Free entry into all ages after party featuring music from Cheers Elephant, Conversations with Enemies, Vintage Kicks, and Plumes at Kung Fu Necktie

-Free beverages from sponsoring beverage company

-One free raffle ticket if you register online

-That warm fuzzy feeling in your heart knowing that you are supporting a good cause while enjoying Philadelphia on a nice Spring Day

You know we love the World Cafe Live! You haven’t been? Well this Sunday is a great opportunity for you to check out one of the hottest small venues in Philadelphia and support an awesome cause!

This Sunday, February 5th, come to World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street) to see local music and the Rock to the Future All Stars!

There will be live performances from local bands:
Polar Ice Cap
Polar Ice Cap is a Philly based three-piece indie rock band. They formed late in 2008 when some old high school friends decided they wanted to be back in a band that played straightforward fun, loud, and catchy music. They have been described as blending the tried and true pop sensibilities of bands like Built to Spill, Weezer, and Pavement, with the commanding wall-of-sound dynamics of Hum and My Bloody Valentine
The Danger O’s
A Full on spectrum of influences can be found in The Danger O’s sound including 60’s pop and psychedelia, 70’s punk, shoegaze, lo-fi, and classic alternative rock. The band is more comfortable than ever worshiping their rock heroes, and you can hear the influence of the Pixies, Elvis Costello, Guided by Voices, the Velvet Underground, the Ramones and many more throughout the bands new album”Play Their Hits.” For the first time, the Danger O’s recorded, produced, and mixed the entire record, and their inexperience and limited resources give the record a lo-fi charm.
Fast Car
Fast Car is a pop rock band from Philadelphia, PA. The group is a 3 piece that creates a captivating soundscape by infusing synth, piano, and violin parts with traditional hard-hitting drums and guitar.
Jampa!
“Jampa (“path” in Armenian) is an original jazz/blues/rock/world-beat musical adventure — a journey through complex rhythms, infectious grooves and evocative lyrics. Sounds of the Caribbean, Brazil, Africa and the Middle East infuse the unique sound of this jazzy sextet of top-notch performers.”

And to hear some tracks from the Rock to the Future All Star Band visit http://rocktothefuture.bandcamp.com .

The event is $8, all ages, and begins at 7:15!

You can also win: Dr. Dre Monster Beat Headphones (courtesy of Best Buy!), Cantina in South Philadelphia Gift Certificates, Lola Bean Cafe Gift Certificates, and signed posters from Katy B and The Horros (courtesy of MTV)!