Columbus, OH – The Jazz Arts Group (JAG) presents the Columbus Jazz Orchestra led by Byron Stripling in “A Concert to End Homelessness,” January 17 and 18 at the Capitol Theatre – Riffe Center. Partnering with the Community Shelter Board (CSB), this unforgettable, inspiring evening of song and dance will raise awareness and funds to help people find secure housing and rebuild their lives.
“Our community has experienced a sharp rise in homelessness, with ravaging effects on our neighbors,” stated Michelle Heritage, Executive Director of the Community Shelter Board. “It’s time to bring an end to the fear and hopelessness that comes from a life on the streets.”
“I decided to create this concert because every fiber in my being said, ‘enough is enough,’” shared CJO Artistic Director Byron Stripling. “Every person I passed that appeared homeless seemed to be speaking directly to me and my heart cried out saying, ‘it's time to act.’ Inspired by the great Quincy Jones and the artist that created ‘We Are the World,’ the Columbus Jazz Orchestra will perform a concert that will joyously uplift the city of Columbus. With music, dance and actors, this concert will demonstrate and highlight the amazing work of the Community Shelter Board.”
Audience members are asked to bring towels, deodorant, bars of soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste – items most needed for a new shelter that will open in the spring of 2014.
Trends underscoring the significant need:
• People are turning to shelters in record numbers. Over the last three years, the Community Shelter Board’s shelters have served 65% more families and 14% more single men and women. • More than 2,400 children were homeless last year. • On too many nights, adults have nowhere to go – turned away from shelters that are filled to capacity. • Poverty continues to be a problem in Columbus with rates as high as 20% – that’s one out of every five people. Our housing is becoming increasingly expensive – topping Cincinnati, Nashville, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minneapolis and other cities that we benchmark ourselves against.
With choreography and direction by Alexis Wilson, the full cast includes 18 musicians, two singers, three dancers and two actors. The concert will include inspiring music by the Columbus Jazz Orchestra from all genres including, pop, jazz, gospel and soul featuring the vocal talents of Jonathan Elliott (The Floorwalkers) and Talisha Holmes (Liquid Crystal Project, Talisha Holmes Ensemble).
Single tickets are on sale for $35 (lower main floor), $30 (upper main floor) and $25 (mezzanine) and available through the CAPA Ticket Office at 614-469-0939 and through all Ticketmaster outlets. Student tickets are available for $15 with valid ID at the door. $5 of each ticket sold will be donated towards the efforts of the Community Shelter Board. For more information call 614-294-5200 or visit jazzartsgroup.org.
The Columbus Jazz Orchestra receives ongoing support from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council, The Reinberger Foundation, Ann & Tom Hoaglin, and The Westin Columbus. Concert sponsorship for “A Concert to End Homlessness” is provided by Grange Insurance with media support from The Columbus Dispatch, WBNS 10TV and WOSU Public Media.
About the Jazz Arts Group:
The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) is America's oldest not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to producing, performing and promoting jazz. JAG is the third largest performing arts organization in Columbus and consists of four focus areas: the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO), one of the world's finest professional jazz orchestras; the Jazz Academy, JAG's extensive instructional programs educating both students and adults about jazz and American music; Inside Track, a jazz and blues performance series produced at the historic Lincoln Theatre and beyond; and Affiliate Musicians, a program providing employment opportunities for professional musicians.
About The Community Shelter Board:
The Community Shelter Board, established in 1986, is a public-private partnership organization that creates collaborations, innovates solutions, and invests in quality programs to end homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County. Community Shelter Board allocates over $14 million annually to support homeless programs and services. Last year, these programs served more than 9,000 families and individuals experiencing homelessness. Community Shelter Board is funded by the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the United Way of Central Ohio, The Columbus Foundation, Nationwide, American Electric Power Foundation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of Ohio, and other public and private donors.
“Our community has experienced a sharp rise in homelessness, with ravaging effects on our neighbors,” stated Michelle Heritage, Executive Director of the Community Shelter Board. “It’s time to bring an end to the fear and hopelessness that comes from a life on the streets.”
“I decided to create this concert because every fiber in my being said, ‘enough is enough,’” shared CJO Artistic Director Byron Stripling. “Every person I passed that appeared homeless seemed to be speaking directly to me and my heart cried out saying, ‘it's time to act.’ Inspired by the great Quincy Jones and the artist that created ‘We Are the World,’ the Columbus Jazz Orchestra will perform a concert that will joyously uplift the city of Columbus. With music, dance and actors, this concert will demonstrate and highlight the amazing work of the Community Shelter Board.”
Audience members are asked to bring towels, deodorant, bars of soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste – items most needed for a new shelter that will open in the spring of 2014.
Trends underscoring the significant need:
• People are turning to shelters in record numbers. Over the last three years, the Community Shelter Board’s shelters have served 65% more families and 14% more single men and women. • More than 2,400 children were homeless last year. • On too many nights, adults have nowhere to go – turned away from shelters that are filled to capacity. • Poverty continues to be a problem in Columbus with rates as high as 20% – that’s one out of every five people. Our housing is becoming increasingly expensive – topping Cincinnati, Nashville, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minneapolis and other cities that we benchmark ourselves against.
With choreography and direction by Alexis Wilson, the full cast includes 18 musicians, two singers, three dancers and two actors. The concert will include inspiring music by the Columbus Jazz Orchestra from all genres including, pop, jazz, gospel and soul featuring the vocal talents of Jonathan Elliott (The Floorwalkers) and Talisha Holmes (Liquid Crystal Project, Talisha Holmes Ensemble).
Single tickets are on sale for $35 (lower main floor), $30 (upper main floor) and $25 (mezzanine) and available through the CAPA Ticket Office at 614-469-0939 and through all Ticketmaster outlets. Student tickets are available for $15 with valid ID at the door. $5 of each ticket sold will be donated towards the efforts of the Community Shelter Board. For more information call 614-294-5200 or visit jazzartsgroup.org.
The Columbus Jazz Orchestra receives ongoing support from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council, The Reinberger Foundation, Ann & Tom Hoaglin, and The Westin Columbus. Concert sponsorship for “A Concert to End Homlessness” is provided by Grange Insurance with media support from The Columbus Dispatch, WBNS 10TV and WOSU Public Media.
About the Jazz Arts Group:
The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) is America's oldest not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to producing, performing and promoting jazz. JAG is the third largest performing arts organization in Columbus and consists of four focus areas: the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO), one of the world's finest professional jazz orchestras; the Jazz Academy, JAG's extensive instructional programs educating both students and adults about jazz and American music; Inside Track, a jazz and blues performance series produced at the historic Lincoln Theatre and beyond; and Affiliate Musicians, a program providing employment opportunities for professional musicians.
About The Community Shelter Board:
The Community Shelter Board, established in 1986, is a public-private partnership organization that creates collaborations, innovates solutions, and invests in quality programs to end homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County. Community Shelter Board allocates over $14 million annually to support homeless programs and services. Last year, these programs served more than 9,000 families and individuals experiencing homelessness. Community Shelter Board is funded by the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the United Way of Central Ohio, The Columbus Foundation, Nationwide, American Electric Power Foundation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of Ohio, and other public and private donors.
