There’s nothing like partying for a good cause, and tonight’s your chance to have big fun with Olive and the Dirty Martinis – and at the same time to help worthy students who otherwise might not be able to afford to attend Cal. The scholarship fund, sponsored by Cal’s Class of 1963, “provides quality higher education to a diverse pool of freshmen and junior transfer students who have significant financial need, face substantial barriers to a college education, are highly qualified, and volunteer in the community.”

Olive and the Dirty Martinis play rock and roll with gusto and passion. They’re an eclectic bunch from a wide range of backgrounds who love to make music with an irresistible dancing beat. Olive, aka Stefanie Coyote, is the intrepid lead singer. She takes the intensity of Janis Joplin, the fearless spirit of Grace Slick, and the cool crystal soul of Dusty Springfield, shakes it all up, and pours it into her heartfelt vocals. When she’s not belting a power ballad, she works in the realms of film, politics, and healthy food. Drummer Justin Ganz is the regional director for the Bandworks program in Marin. He’s been playing at local clubs, festivals, and benefits for over twenty years. Keyboard player Steve Riffkin has worked in music and theater for the past 35 years. He starred in the hit Nickelodeon show Kids’ Writes and served as Artistic Director of Peace Child International, becoming the first American to sing “Back in the U.S.S.R” in Russia with a Russian rock and roll band. In 1977, he was a landslide winner on TV’s Name That Tune, and he currently leads the performing arts program at Marin Country Day School. Lead guitarist James Redford is a screenwriter and filmmaker by day and a guitar slinger by night. Thanks to a timely liver transplant, he now is able to surf, ski, and spread the gospel on the miracles of organ donation. Self-proclaimed rock star Eric Lyons plays bass.

The Cal Jazz Choir is dedicated to exploring the wonders of vocal jazz. Under the direction of William Garcia Ganz, the choir draws its repertoire from traditional standards by such greats as Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Bill Evans, and Joe Garland, as well as from groups like Take 6, the Manhattan Transfer, Singers Unlimited, and the Real Group. These talented young singers are the face – and voice – of Cal!

Visit Olive & the Dirty Martinis' website

Visit the Cal Jazz Choir's website

Visit the Cal Class of 1963's website