Jazz vocalist TONI JANNOTTA has been selected as a grantee for an Artist in the Community Partnership Grant via the Ventura County Arts Council. Her grant will allow her to produce a musical storytelling concept piece entitled, "VOICES OF THE HOMELESS."

"VOICES OF THE HOMELESS" will showcase members of the homeless community telling their own stories while backed musically by jazz improvisers. The hope of this performance concept, registered with the WGA, is to educate the community to what homelessness really is and not merely what it looks like, to raise the level of self worth of those suffering from homelessness, and to expose the community to a new experience of musical improvisation. Music heals. The goal is to hear each other.

Helping TONI along the way is her community partner, Project Understanding, whose mission is to serve Ventura's poor, hungry, and oppressed with compassion and mercy

The performance of "VOICES OF THE HOMELESS" will take place August 21st at the WAV (Working Artists Ventura), the newly opened artistic community in the heart of Ventura's Downtown Cultural District.

TONI JANNOTTA, concept designer and producer, is a jazz vocalist, vocal instructor, and 13-year Ventura resident. Originally from Los Angeles, TONI has released three vocal jazz CD's, has taught and performed internationally, and plays regularly at local Ventura nightspots.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Toni Jannotta (805) 653-5114
Or e-mail tonij@tonijannotta.com
Feel free to visit tonijannotta.com
or her Electronic Press Kit at karionpresskits.com/tonijannotta/tonijannotta.html

Links related to "VOICES OF THE HOMELESS" project:
Ventura County Arts Council -venturacountyartscouncil.org
Project Understanding - projectunderstanding.org
WAV (Working Artists Ventura) - cityofventura.net/cs/arts/wav

The Ventura County Arts Council (VCAC) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation committed to supporting and strengthening the arts throughout Ventura County by championing artistic excellence, accessibility, communication, awareness, and mutual support of the arts within the boarder community, and serving Ventura County Artists, arts organizations and arts in education by forming strong partnerships with arts supporters, businesses, foundations, and community leaders.

2010 Recipient
Artist in the Community Partnership Grant
Voices of the Homeless

PROMOTION Some of the South Coast's homeless are going to be on stage this weekend, to tell some of their stories about life on the streets. KCLU's Lance Orozco gives us a look at this unique combination of social commentary, and art.

Jazz musicians, homeless work to change perceptions By Mark Storer

KKZZ AM Radio Interview with Kimberly Reid January 4, 2011

VOICES OF THE HOMELESS - THE PERFORMANCES