Wavy Gravy Turns Birthday Into ‘Fun-draiser'

Screaming fans, a bass guitar, a drum set and a vision of "peace through music"-it is not another Woodstock, but poet and activist Wavy Gravy's birthday and benefit concert.

For the past 23 years, Wavy Gravy, who emceed the original Woodstock, has thrown a birthday party for himself as a means of fundraising for an international service organization, the Seva Foundation. Gravy, who has just turned 65, is expected to continue the tradition tonight and celebrate his birthday at the Berkeley Community Theatre.

"My birthday is an excuse to bring together good musicians to do something good in the world," Gravy said.

The night will feature an acoustic show with an extensive list of performers-Dr. John, Mickey Hart, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Paul Kantner & Diana Mangano, Indigenous, Box Set, Pete Sears and Maria Muldaur-with Gravy himself as the master of ceremonies.

All money raised from the show will go directly to the Seva Foundation.

Gravy established the foundation in 1978 to support health and developmental programs around the world. For the past 23 years, Gravy has been calling himself an active "fun-draiser" for his foundation.

"What I hope to get out of this event is to raise some funds for the Seva programs and a feeling of love and support for the work that Wavy has done and continues to do and the work Seva has done to make the world a better place," said Tamara Klamner, special event coordinator.

She said Gravy seems to have found a winning formula.

"For some, 65 is equivalent to retirement, but for Wavy it is unlikely because he loves his work," she said. "It's simple. He is just a great activist, clown, frozen dessert and temple of accumulated error."

The foundation funds eye clinics in the Himalayan nations, agrarian self-sufficiency projects in Latin America, and health and community building projects among Native Americans in the United States.

The foundation derives its name from a Sanskrit word meaning service.

The city of Berkeley has been very supportive of Gravy, who has lived here for 30 years, and even designated May 15 as Wavy Gravy Day.

"Berkeley is my yard," Gravy said. "(The city) is very supportive of us and has actually helped us a lot with getting our costs lowered, or even eliminated, for the show."

Dale Bartlett, who works for City Councilmember Maudelle Shirek, said officials are supportive of Gravy because of all he has done for the community.

"I think anytime we can get people together to celebrate what's positive in the community is necessary," Bartlett said. "It's all about building a sense of community, and that is what Gravy is all about."

Though the show attracts a diverse crowd, Gravy said he hopes to draw more young people.

"People come from all over the world, but it's the young people-the young people give me nostalgia for the future," he said.

The theater houses 3,500, and planners said they expect the show to be sold out.

"At Woodstock, I was the emcee and I opened up by declaring 'what we have in mind is breakfast for 400,000,'" Gravy said. "But tonight it's going to open up a bit differently-'Good evening. What we have in mind tonight is a good time for 3,500.'"

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