Maitri’s Bliss 2016 Signature Gala and Auction hosted by Comedian Leslie Jordan

Emmy award winning actor/comedian Leslie Jordan will be the MC/Host for Bliss 2016. Ballet troupe Man Dance Company, Guitarist Andre Morgan and Oakland jazz vocalist Branice McKenzie will be the performers. Several top California officials have confirmed attendance. The event will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2016, at the Mission Bay Conference Center-UCSF beginning at 4 pm. The Sponsorship Packages start at $1000.00 and Individual tickets are $225.00. The event will include 4-star dinner menu with wine and cocktails. flaggers, drummers and massage.

Host/MC Leslie Jordan is the prestigious Emmy Award winner in 2006 for “Will & Grace”. He has enjoyed rapturous reviews for his original stage plays (“My Trip down the Pink Carpet”, “Stories I can’t tell Mama”, “Fruit Fly”), and supporting presence in one of Hollywood’s most prestigious, message-minded films of the last decade (“The Help”, 2012). He’s been singled out with great notices for his off-Broadway musical theatre debut in 2011 (“The Lucky Guy”). His defining role as “Brother Boy” in the cult film sensation “Sordid Lives” evolved into a well received prequel on the Logo Channel.

Man Dance Company is the first company of its kind in America, and it prides itself on bringing audiences more than just the experience of great male dancing!  Founded in 2009, Founder Bryon Heinrich designed MDC for dancers who can express their athleticism, sensuality and compassion free of restraint.

Oakland Jazz Vocalist Branice McKenzie sings with a sensitivity, intonation and eloquence that mark her as a fine proponent of jazz in song”. With her four-octave range, this artist has partnered with greats from Belafonte to Masekela touring the world, composing songs for a time such as this, a teaching artist with our children and ministering via music every Sundaymorn.  Harry Belafonte, Roberta Flack, Gregory Hines, Carly Simon, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and Ledisi are some of the artists with whom she has toured and shared the stage. She is a vocal alchemist and a voice for our time. The New Standard is Branice McKenzie.

Guitarist Andre Morgan will be playing at our VIP reception. Based in Northern California, his music features a blend of soul, folk, and jazz. Andre’s soft, soothing sound is uniquely original. His music comes from his heart. His compositions include jazz, soul, rock, funk, blues, folk, and country. His DreamForward CD was described by a Bay Area magazine, as “a sentimental journey through time and space.”