Carlos Santana to Headline Benefit Concert for the Milagro Foundation

Press release
Source: The Milagro Foundation

Deborah and Carlos Santana's Milagro Foundation was established in 1998 to support non-profit organizations serving underprivileged and under-represented children and youth worldwide. On October 16, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Carlos Santana and the Santana Band will perform a benefit concert for Milagro - which means "Miracle" - at Bill Graham Presents' 12,500-seat Chronicle Pavilion at Concord. It is the final date of Santana's 2005 North American "Embrace Your Light" Tour. Pedal steel virtuoso Robert Randolph and the Family Band will open, and fans will also experience the next generation of Santana music with a set from the Salvador Santana Band. Doors open at 5PM, with the main stage concert beginning at 6:30PM.

While Deborah and Carlos - Milagro's Vice President and President, respectively - work tirelessly on behalf of their Bay Area-based Foundation, the event marks the first full-scale, Santana-headlined concert where all net proceeds from sponsorships and ticket sales will directly support Milagro's work. Executive Director Shelley Brown reports that the Milagro Foundation has granted nearly $2 million to over 260 grassroots, community-based, tax exempt agencies globally since its inception.

Milagro Foundation Benefit sponsorship and premium first/second row seating packages for the October 16 concert are completely sold out. Among the many sponsors are "Carlos By Carlos Santana" Shoes/Brown Shoe, Markham Vineyards, PRS Guitars, Whole Foods and Mumm Napa, whose just-released "tete de cuvee" Santana DVX Sparkling Wine will be poured at the benefit's special pre and post-show sponsor/VIP receptions. Catered by Jeffrey Weinberg Catering, these intimate events will also feature jazz from Marcia Miget, and a silent auction offering Santana-signed treasures including a PRS Guitar, Latin Percussion Congas and Santana DVX. After the concert, guests who purchased "Miracle Maker," "Shaman" and "Angel" packages will also meet with Deborah and Carlos Santana.

The festive evening will also feature performances on the venue's grounds and lawn area, before and between sets, by middle and high school-aged children from two agencies that have received Milagro grants. Attendees will experience Brazilian dancing and drumming from Loco Bloco, an arts program based in San Francisco's Mission District, and jazz from the Oakland, CA-based Oaktown Jazz Workshops. Life-sized graphics picturing young people from many agencies supported by Milagro have been created by Digital Pond, another concert sponsor, and will be displayed throughout the Pavilion.

Deborah Santana's debut book, the acclaimed memoir "Space Between The Stars: My Journey To An Open Heart", is available in both hardcover and audio editions from Random House. GRAMMY(R)-winning music icon Carlos Santana will release the 38th album of his extraordinary career, Arista Records' "All That I Am" - featuring the hit single "I'm Feeling You," with Michelle Branch - on November 1.