Greek Tenor Mario Frangoulis Teams with Give US Your Poor to Help End Veteran Homelessness

Online, June 4, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The American Music Project: Voices for Veterans, an initiative of Give US Your Poor, is partnering with Sony recording artist and world renowned Greek tenor, Mario Frangoulis, at his June 6th concert at 7:30pm at the Berklee Performance Center. An information table will be hosted by staff looking to engage Frangoulis' fans in their work to end veteran homelessness, including ways to donate to and volunteer with a local homeless veteran shelter and housing organization.

The initiative focuses on utilizing the power of music to help end veteran homelessness forever. By partnering with musicians, the goal is to raise funds for targeted housing services and awareness regarding veteran homelessness.

Named 2011 Best Male Classical Crossover Artist, Frangoulis has been described as, "the kind of tenor sound that brings down the house!" With "Beautiful Things," he has created an emotional and inspiring musical journey that will transport audiences to all corners of the world, singing in English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Greek.

His show will feature talented guests, an eclectic repertoire, and engage audiences through Frangoulis' charismatic live performing, backing vocals by an international and talented vocal ensemble, "Women of the World," from Italy, Japan, India and the United States, and a world-class group of musicians from all over the world, including Martin Zarzar of the famed "Pink Martini."

Frangoulis is a longstanding friend and supporter of Give US Your Poor, having performed benefit concerts for Give US Your Poor in the past, as well as appearing on a compilation album of the same name. "I love partnering with Give US Your Poor. With over 63,000 homeless veterans on the street any given night, the work they're doing now to end veteran homelessness is crucial and timely. It speaks to the heart and it is strategic." The acclaimed tenor will speak about the cause on stage and encourages his fans to stop by the initiative's table.

Give US Your Poor is a national public education campaign addressing homelessness founded by John McGah. It began in 1999 as a documentary film project looking at homelessness and has grown into a wider education campaign utilizing networks, media, public support, and the latest research on homelessness.

Its later CD project, Give US Your Poor, is an eclectic collaboration involving homeless musicians paired with celebrity artists. Celebrity artists included Frangoulis, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Jewel, Keb' Mo', Natalie Merchant, Mighty Sam McClain, Pete Seeger, and others.

Other work the organization has been involved with includes the documentary short, "There is No Good Reason," - chronicling the making of one song featured on the CD, performed by Natalie Merchant and a group of homeless and formerly homeless musicians, as well as Finding Grace - Lynn Blodgett's photo essay profiling the humanity and dignity of America's homeless, comes from working with more than 1,500 homeless men, women and children during 50 sessions from 2004-2007.

Give US Your Poor's latest work - the American Music Project: Voices for Veterans - seeks to raise awareness of homeless veterans and their families by utilizing the connective power of music, partnering with other national organizations serving homeless veterans through targeted efforts, and engaging at least 1,000,000 Americans in a call to direct action.

The organization is planning a national concert including A-list artists along with nationally known artists of diverse musical genres and age groups coinciding with the return of U.S. troops from Afghanistan spring of 2014. Smaller regional events will also take place in various parts of the country where there is the greatest concentration of homeless veterans. Lastly, touring bands will engage their fans at concerts and via social media to help the cause. In addition to teaming with Mario Frangoulis, Give US Your Poor also piloted this engagement model with Grammy winning artist, Steve Earle, in May 2013.

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Contacts:
For Mario Frangoulis:
Demetra Anagnostopoulos
617-869-9811
www.mariofrangoulis.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarioFrangoulis
Carole Myers [email protected] 310-440-0046

For Give Us Your Poor:
Cassie Meltzer
617-964-3834 ext. 206
www.giveusyourpoor.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Give-US-Your-Poor/211178572577
Twitter: www.twitter.com/giveusyourpoor