Please Help the beloved Mr. B!

Hi, I am Angela Kline, Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, but more importantly a big fan of Mark and Wendy Braun as artists and dear friends.

Mr. B means the world to Ann Arbor (and beyond). We are honored that he has been the musical heartbeat of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original for nearly 5 decades. When I heard of the terrible trauma to his hand, I just knew that anyone that has ever met Mark would want to help him through this difficult time. If you know Mark personally, you know that he would never ask for help…so I am asking for him.

Mark suffered a terrible injury to his left hand in his workshop on February 9th. It was a severe table saw kickback injury wherein a sharp edged piece of wood was thrown back into his left hand. There was significant muscle damage, and minor tendon damage. Emergency surgery was needed, but thankfully a full (or nearly full) recovery is expected.

However, the anticipated recovery period is 3 months. Mark has lost 20 concert bookings in addition to a European tour of Spain and the Netherlands which had included 6 performances to date, with others likely added. Also affected is Mark's furniture making, with no work allowed during this period. As you can imagine this is a double whammy financially. Mark’s livelihood comes entirely from his hands. We can all empathize with mounting medical bills and day to day expenses that can be astronomical when you are unable to work for months on end.

Many of you know Mark not only for the joy he has brought to all of our lives through his piano but his decades of philanthropy in our community as founder of Mr. B's Joybox Express 501c3, a retired organization that raised over $100,000 for children's arts and athletic programs. Let’s repay that love and show Mark how much he means to us!

If you are able to chip in to help the amazing Mark Braun during this hard time it would be deeply appreciated.

Other ways to help….

In wonderful news Braun+Braun Woodworks has been accepted to exhibit at the 66th annual Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original this July 17- 19! Plus Mark (Mr. B) once he is healed will be playing piano for his 46th Street Art Fair! Please stop by and visit them to give them your well wishes on North University Avenue.