Greetings! It’s been a long time. We’re writing with an exciting R&J update, and a request for support.

A while back, we debuted a new project: Roses Are Blue, a staged a cappella piece based on the Gertrude Stein childrens’ book The World Is Round. We performed Roses in 2017 at ACT Theater in San Francisco with an incredible ensemble of 6 singers and narrator, and a fantastic team of creative collaborators. You can read/watch more about the piece here...

Since then, a lot has happened! Dina lives in Berlin, Jesse lives in Western Massachusetts, and we’re both involved in making fantastic new pieces and projects. But…what happened to Roses?

Recently, we re-listened to recordings of the 2017 performances and were reminded of the strength, beauty, strangeness, and complexity of this truly one-of-a-kind work. We agreed that Roses NEEDS to be heard and enjoyed, and we’ve committed ourselves to the goal of producing and releasing a professional recording.

Easier said than done! Getting six busy people from across the globe to a recording studio for a week is logistically and financially ambitious, to put it mildly. But, Roses must live! So we’re going for it, and we’re asking for your help.

In July, the original ensemble will gather at Spillway Sound in Upstate New York for a rehearsal and recording intensive with engineer Eli Crews. We’ll work with Brooklyn-based record label Infrequent Seams on PR and distribution. The outcome of will be a full-length studio recording that we can share with the world, and use to procure and promote future performances of Roses.

In order to pull this all off, we need to raise $12,000. This is where you come in. We’re calling on our amazing network of friends, collaborators, and fans to help us realize our vision.

Between now and May 31, you can make a tax-deductible donation through Weathervane Arts, our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. 

There are two ways contribute funds. Either way, please write “Roses” in the comment/notes.

·       Online here (we use Zeffy, which is the only digital donation platform that doesn’t take a cut); 

·       Or, by mailing a check to Weathervane Community Arts, 16 Taylor Hts, Montague, MA 01351. 

We can also use donations of airline miles or other in-kind donations. If you’d like to donate miles or something else, please get in touch via email!

We know with your support we can make this unique music available to the whole, round world.

In gratitude,

Dina and Jesse (Ramon & Jessica)