News

Michael, along with international shoe charity Soles4Souls, have announced an eight-city “Barefoot Concert Series” as a part of Michael’s The Sound of Sunshine Tour set to kick off on September 22nd at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. The series is part of a Franti/Soles4Souls effort to sponsor 100,000 pairs of shoes to raise awareness of the need for footwear both nationally and internationally. 

The “Barefoot Concert Series” will allow fans to donate/sponsor shoes and learn more about the Soles4Souls initiative. Fans will be able to donate funds via text message by texting keyword “FRANTI” to 20222 or via www.michaelfranti.com and www.soles4souls.org. Local distributions, as well as additional promotions (including impromptu “busking” performances by Franti), will be held in select cities throughout the tour.

For every dollar that is raised, Soles4Souls will donate a pair of shoes to someone in need through the charity’s “$1 equals 1 pair” program.  The partnership is especially significant for 2010, as it marks anniversaries for both Soles4Souls (the distribution of its 10 millionth pair of shoes) and for Franti, who decided to go shoeless 10 years ago after traveling the globe and seeing the poverty and lack of shoes worldwide.

For over two decades, the Bay Area born Michael Franti has been bringing our world exceptionally powerful, deeply felt music. The Sound of Sunshine is Michael Franti & Spearhead’s seventh studio album and the follow-up to 2008’s Top 40 hit All Rebel Rockers. The album is set for release on September 21st and the album’s title track was #1 on AAA charts for 8 weeks and is currently in the Top 30 at Hot AC.

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people around the world. The shoes are distributed, free of charge, to people in need across the globe. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 10 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal, and the United States. Soles4Souls is a 501©(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.

“Barefoot Concert Series” Tour Dates:
9/22        Los Angeles, CA        Club Nokia
10/7        Minneapolis, MN        The State Theater
10/8         Chicago, IL            The Riviera Center
10/13     Nashville, TN            Ryman Auditorium
10/28        New York, NY        Terminal 5
10/30     Philadelphia, PA        The Electric Factory
11/13     Cleveland, OH        House of Blues
11/14     Pontiac, MI            Crofoot Ballroom