"Music is a great teacher and healer. Music carries a deep message, it brings people together. It opens up channels in the brain that are beyond thinking. It creates a bond among people, crosses barriers of age, race, gender, language and border."

Tamara Klamner: The Lotus of Offering

Tamara Klamner, founder of Tapestry Productions, has been coordinating fundraising events since 1994. She has produced events for the Seva Foundation, the Bill Graham Foundation, KPFA/Pacifica Foundation, Changemakers, Earthdance Northern California, Camp Winnarainbow & MoveOn. These events have played a major role in raising significant funds and public awareness of the foundation. Tapestry Productions is a Petaluma based organization whose mission is to raise funds for and awareness of non-profit organizations through live music events. Weaving together the talents and good will of musicians and community members, Tapestry Productions produces authentic events that help make the world a better place.

Tamara Klamner and Wavy Gravy, San Francisco. Photo by  © Jay Blakesberg

Tapestry Productions works with many organizations dedicated to doing good work in the world, including Seva Foundation, Bill Graham Memorial Foundation, Rex Foundation, KPFA, Pacifica Foundation, Changemakers, Earthdance International, The Hogfarm, Camp Winnarainbow, MoveOn.org, The Kate Wolf Music Festival, Another Planet Entertainment, The Sebastopol Community Center, Creating Our Future and more. “Public assemblage is a powerful tool for fundraising and awareness building. When we come together for a common cause, we build a stronger community and are able to have a greater impact towards the things we care about”. Tapestry Productions produces events that help bring about that connection while creating the space for everyone to have a wonderful and unique experience.

Interview by Michael Limnios

What were the reasons that you started the Social, Spiritual, Cultural and Activism researches and experiments?

I decided to work in the field of service because I spent a lot of time traveling when I was young and realized that the distribution of wealth was very unequal in the world and I wanted to help those who were in need.

How started the thought of Tapestry Productions? What characterize Tapestry’s philosophy and mission?

Tapestry Productions is a vehicle to put the good will of artists and members of the music community to work on events that can help people who are in need.

Which is the moment that you change your life most? What´s been the highlights of Tapestry Productions so far?

The moments of my work that change my life most are every event, when I see how the good will of so many people can come together to help others. It is an honor and a privilege to organize all the energy of people when I know the outcome is helping people around the world. Personally the times I’ve been able to work with Bonnie Raitt have been most exciting for me. She is an artist that I have always been inspired by. Through this work I have been able to get to know her and I have learned a lot from how she manages her career with 100% integrity.        (Photo: Tamara Klamner & Ram Dass, Maui)

"What the world needs is a spiritual revolution. We need to wake up and realize that we are all one, one consciousness, one people, one earth. If we genuinely feel that connection we will all work together to insure that our planet stays healthy and all its creatures are protected." 

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice has given you?

Best advice is follow your heart and put your good energy where it can do the most good!

Are there any memories from Wavy Gravy which you’d like to share? What is the legacy of Seva Foundation?

Seva Foundation comes from a need to do good in the world. To help others is the only way to feel good about one self. Seva is inspired by these truths from a spiritual understanding of altruism. We have dedicated ourselves to helping cure unnecessary blindness in the world because being blind in a developing country where there is little access to medical care is like being a mouth with out hands, it s very difficult for people to survive if they are blind and they become a burden on their families and communities. With a little help from Seva, they are able to be working members of society again.

What has made you laugh lately and what touched (emotionally) you from Seva’s benefit events?

Wavy Gravy is the consummate clown. He always makes me laugh, even when he is talking about serious things. He has the ability to be real with issues that we are facing and bring humor to the conversation at the same time It is a real talent and he is a saint. He teaches us how to face adversity while keeping a smile on our face.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I miss the music and freedom that was expressed in the music of the 1960’s. I hope that the people of the future find a way to experience that feeling through music in the future.

"What the world needs is a spiritual revolution. We need to wake up and realize that we are all one, one consciousness, one people, one earth."

What do you learn about yourself from the Rock n’ Roll culture and what does “Buddha Eyes” mean to you?

I have learned a lot about myself through my work. The most important thing is that I am meant to be of service, to help others by raising their awareness to the realities of our times and to find ways to contribute to the good of all. I believe that true happiness comes from knowing you are working for the good of all, not for self. My concerts give people to opportunity to experience that first hand while having fun.

What is the impact of music to the human rights, cultural survival, education and socio-cultural implications?

Music is a great teacher and healer. Music carries a deep message, it brings people together. It opens up channels in the brain that are beyond thinking. It creates a bond among people, crosses barriers of age, race, gender, language and border.

What is the biggest revolution which can be realized today? What do you think the major changes will be in near or far future of the world?

What the world needs is a spiritual revolution. We need to wake up and realize that we are all one, one consciousness, one people, one earth. If we genuinely feel that connection we will all work together to insure that our planet stays healthy and all its creatures are protected.

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day..?

I would like to visit the earth before humans had an impact on it. I want to see the untouched forests, the oceans clean and full of life, the majestic lakes and rivers flowing freely. I want to see all of god’s creations living in harmony.

Tapestry Productions - Home

Tamara Klamner and Joan Baez, San Francisco. Photo by  © Jay Blakesberg