Feast for the future on ‘Bob Moog Day’: Local restaurants raise funds for foundation

Today, May 23, a group of local restaurants are coming together to celebrate what would’ve been Bob Moog’s 79th birthday by donating a portion of sales to the Bob Moog Foundation.

The founder of Moog Music and creator of the legendary Moog synthesizer, Bob Moog made Asheville the home of his family and his company in 1978. The city of Asheville has declared May 23 “Bob Moog Day” in his honor.

Founded by Moog’s daughter, Michelle Moog-Koussa, the nonprofit Bob Moog Foundation aims to inspire children through science and music education initiatives. For more details on the “Feast for the Future” fundraiser, see the complete press release from the foundation here:

May 23, 2013, Asheville, NC—The Bob Moog Foundation knows that the synthesizer pioneer himself didn’t like presents or big parties, but that he was a devoted believer in science and music education. In that vein, the Foundation will mark what would have been the inventor’s 79th birthday inspiring support for its innovative educational project, Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool.

Asheville area residents can participate in Feast for the Future throughout the day on the 23rd.  Eleven local restaurants are coming together for the community-based fundraiser to celebrate Moog’s birthday and support the Foundation’s innovative educational initiative, Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool. Early Girl Eatery, Moe’s Original BBQ, Wicked Weed, Chestnut, Laughing Seed Café, Jack of the Wood, Chai Pani, MG Road, Bouchon, Salsa’s, and The Local Joint will be donating a portion of their sales from the entire day to the Bob Moog Foundation. The Emerald Lounge will continue the celebration in their Toast to the Future event beginning at 9:30pm. More information about Feast for the Future including information about participating restaurants, can be found at www.bobmoogfoundation.org.

For those outside of Asheville, the Foundation has launched the “Celebrate the Legacy. Inspire the Future.” campaign to expand Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool to 50 additional classrooms in the 2013-2014 academic year. Supporters are encouraged to donate $23 to send a child through Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool and $79 to send four children to Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool. The Foundation aims to raise $25,000 by June 1st. More details about the campaign can be viewed at http://bit.ly/13IkhsE.

Proceeds from Feast for the Future and the birthday campaign will also benefit the expansion of Dr. Bob’s Sound School, the Foundation’s STEAM (science, technology, education, art, math) -based educational initiative that teaches second grade children the science of sound through the magic of music. Using electronic musical and acoustic instruments, as well as oscilloscopes and custom teaching materials, the innovative program engages children in the basic physics of sound through the parameters of Bob Moog’s pioneering legacy in electronic music. Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool recently completed its pilot year with resounding success, and is currently in 32 classrooms reaching over 600 students in Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools. The Foundation aims to expand the program regionally and nationally in the next three to five year.

Julie Stehnling, owner of Early Girl Eatery, reflects on her experience last year as the sole participant in Bob’s Birthday Salute, “Early Girl is so proud to be part of Feast for the Future.  Last year our staff and our guests had a blast celebrating Bob’s birthday. Remembering Bob as a kind man who was one of our own and also celebrating him as a visionary of our times is an honor all in Asheville are lucky to have. Both my children and I are inspired by the the BMF’s Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool curriculum.  Preserving Bob’s genius and working to inspire more folks both locally and nationally is work we are so happy to support”.