Annual Community Awareness Concert: A Celebration of Song w/ Kalu James, Dustin Welch & Vanessa Lively

Home Street Music, a nonprofit founded by Austin-based musician Vanessa Lively, presents its annual community awareness event on March 23-24, 2019, at Austin Central Library. Home Street Music empowers people who have experienced homelessness by building community, restoring confidence, and reclaiming dignity through the healing power of song.

The event kicks off Saturday, March 23, with a performance of an original song composed by a participant of Home Street Music. Richard Devore. For 13 years, Devore lived on the streets of Austin battling addiction before moving to Community First! Village and getting sober. As a participant of Home Street Music, he composed his first song. He will be joined on stage by fellow Home Street Music participants and volunteers. A concert follows with performances by Kalu James, Vanessa Lively and Dustin Welch.

On Sunday, March 24, Home Street Music presents a songwriting workshop led by Welch and Lively. Dustin Welch founded Soldier Songs and Voices, a program that hosts a weekly songwriting and guitar workshop veterans of the Armed Forces. No prior songwriting experience is necessary, and all genres are encouraged. The workshop is best suited for adults and aspiring songwriters, but all ages are welcome.

A Celebration of Song Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2032604063442831/ Saturday March 23 - Sunday 24, 2019 1 to 3 p.m.

Austin Central Library, Special Events Center, 1st Floor 710 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78701 These events are free and open to the public.

Home Street Music is a nonprofit that empowers people who have experienced homelessness. Through the healing power of song, Home Street Music helps people to build community, restore confidence, and reclaim dignity.

In 2017, Vanessa Lively was honored with the “Artist Activist Award” from Music to Life, a nonprofit founded by Noel Paul Stookey (of folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary) and his daughter, Elizabeth Stookey Sunde. With their award, Lively launched a music program that works directly with people who have experienced homelessness.

Home Street Music began hosting musical gatherings at Community First! Village in 2017. Since then, its team of professional musicians has led music gatherings with people who have experienced homelessness. Together with volunteers and a SIMS Foundation mental health provider, Home Street Music creates a safe place for self-expression and creativity. From jam sessions to songwriting exercises, these experiences attract people of all musical abilities, and all walks of life.

Home Street Music is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.