“ ...with Truth Is she has once again delivered a beautiful album, which has a little more impact every time you hear it...Highly recommended.” - Erwin Zijleman, Krenten uit de pop (The Netherlands)

Shows

Home Street Music Annual Concert Event!

Home Street Music Annual Concert Event!

St. Martin's Lutheran Church, 606 West 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701, Austin, TX

Home Street Music’s 6th Annual Community Awareness Event: A Celebration of The Healing Power of Music

The Saturday, May 18th Event Is Free, Family Friendly and Features Live Music from Home Street Music Artists

Home Street Music is proud to announce its 6th Annual Community Awareness Event, set to take place on Saturday, May 18th, from 5-7 PM at St. Martin’s in downtown Austin.

In alignment with their mission to foster inclusive and therapeutic musical experiences, Home Street Music invites the public to meet the artists, volunteers and organizers of this innovative program as they celebrate the power of music to transform lives and build inclusive communities.

Advance tickets are strongly recommended due to limited capacity and there is plenty of on-site parking. This free, family-friendly event is open to all ages and will feature live music performances by Home Street Music musicians.

Home Street Music's 6th Annual

Community Awareness Event

SATURDAY, MAY 18

ST. MARTIN’S

606 W. 15TH ST. AUSTIN, TX

5-7PM

FREE / ALL AGES

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/home-street-musics-6th-annual-community-awareness-event-tickets-873415127157

Founded in May 2017, Home Street Music is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a vibrant music program directly to individuals who have experienced homelessness. Recognizing the healing power of music and the importance of supportive communities, Home Street Music offers weekly music gatherings where professional musicians, volunteers, and participants come together for 90 minutes of music, self-expression, and creativity. The organization operates out of East Austin’s Community First! Village, the transformational residential program which was recently featured in The New York Times and run by Mobile Loaves And Fishes.

"Our goal is to create a safe space where individuals can express themselves through music, art, and community," says Vanessa Lively, musician and founder of Home Street Music. "Through our programs, we have witnessed transformative changes in our participants, including boosted self-confidence, proud self-expression, and stronger connections to the greater community.”

Johann Wagner (right) jams with Home Street Music musicians (photo by Marti Corn) Johann Wagner (right) jams with Home Street Music musicians (photo by Marti Corn)

Johann Wagner is the Home Street Music Gathering Leader as well as musician (performing as J Wagner) and two step dance teacher that has been leading Home Street Music circles since 2020. “Some of them are musicians and some are barely musicians when we start out,” he explains. “We try to bring that out in them. I just try to find their strength.”

When Wagner arrives at 11:45 a.m. for the 12:00 p.m. music circle, the musicians already have chairs set up and are waiting outside. And then they help clean up afterwards. “It really makes you feel special,” smiles Wagner. “The sessions are really cover band meets original band meets best party in the world.”

Blair Racine (far left) directs a Home Street Music music circle

At the center of these gatherings is where you will find Blair Racine, who was living in isolation when he first moved to the Village, but is now an active and enthusiastic participant in music circles. Wagner says in the beginning Racine would say hello, but wouldn’t sit with them, and “now he is always there and often brings in his friends.”

Always the first to offer ideas and inspiration as well as making others feel at ease and included, Racine has become so social that he has been nicknamed “The Mayor”. He functions as sort of a group conductor, dancer and cheerleader, keeping the energy up at all times and doling out hugs as needed.

Scott Osborn in a Home Street Music circle (photo by Margaret Licarione)

Also performing will be guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Scott Osborn, who rediscovered his love for writing and performing through Home Street Music as well as his confidence. Wagner praises, “Scott is a phenomenal songwriter. He is one of my favorites because though he's had years of bad luck on the streets, here you get to see his talent. He is truly the writer of the group and has a tremendous ear.”

Other musicians joining Blair Racine and Scott Osborne will include Jeff Vestal, Al Perez, Jim Lanzrath, poet Kate Stevenson and more.

“I have personally witnessed seeing residents showing up angry and jaded and then just completely transforming,” Wagner observes. “It speaks to the power of building community through music. They get so excited to perform and to see that change… it's beautiful.”

“It’s a really good program,” Osborn agrees. “It makes the world a better place.”

About Home Street Music Home Street Music is a therapeutic, inclusive music program directly serving people experiencing homelessness. Founded in 2017, Home Street Music believes in the healing power of song and supportive music-based community. Through weekly music gatherings and public events, Home Street Music provides participants with opportunities for self-expression, creativity, and community engagement.

FREE

FREE

Get tickets
Share
View on Google Maps
View previous events