August 25, 2010

Music festival highlights talent of homeless

By John Gleason

On Aug. 21 the air in Civic Center Park was filled with music. Music of hope and the dignity of spirit as homeless men, women and children took part in the inaugural Street Beatz Gimme Shelter Music Festival.

Sponsored by the Denver Homeless Ministry (DHM)—a Catholic apostolate for young adults to provide service to the homeless—the concert was held to raise awareness of the talents of those who are living on the street as well as those who are making the transition to permanent housing. 

The daylong event was held at the Greek Amphitheater in the park beginning with prayer at 9 a.m. by Father Michael O’Loughlin, pastor of Holy Protection of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in Denver, and continued through to 6 p.m. when the Parker Praise and Worship Band took to the stage to lead the closing song set.

Tanya Cangelosi, founder of DHM, told the Denver Catholic Register the initiative was due to divine inspiration.

“This idea came from the Lord,” she said.  Then, with a laugh she added, “And truthfully, I wasn’t sure it was all going to come together until it actually happened.”

In addition to Parker Praise and Worship, music was provided by Samaritan House’s St. Francis Soul Choir and the Elvin Ross Blues Band.

“We have some guys from the shelter who are musicians who played back-up for other bands,” Cangelosi said.  “It sounds like a musical free-for-all but we had so many people who wanted to take part.” 

Denver Homeless Ministry provided lunches during the event and volunteers from Denver’s Holy Ghost Parish brought in snacks throughout the afternoon.  Information tables were set up by DHM, Stand Up for Kids and Urban Peaks.  Art supplies were also provided for those who wanted to create their own artwork while listening to the music.

According to statistics from DHM, from 1.2 million to 2.8 million children and teens are homeless in the United States—and more than a third of those youths have been on the streets for over three years.  Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. It’s estimated that each day 13 homeless youths die due to physical assault, illness or suicide.

But Cangelosi emphasized that homelessness isn’t about numbers; rather it’s a grim reality of the daily struggle for basic human necessities, including love and dignity.  As one who lived on the street herself, Cangelosi experienced firsthand the life-changing benefit of caring people and the help they gave her so she could attend school. Now, she strives to live that same Christian charity by aiding those in need. 

“People need to know and feel that they’re special,” she said in a statement.  “They all have talents and know they can make a difference.”

Under the noonday sun the crowd listened to some of the city’s most enthusiastic bands.  As the band Tribal Alignment took to the stage, one man in the audience stood up and began to strum his own guitar.  The man, who gave his name as Brad, said he heard about the concert by word of mouth and couldn’t wait to attend.

“I haven’t played my guitar for a long time,” he said, tapping his foot to the beat, “and I was told that I could play along if I wanted to.”

Cangelosi has high hopes the Street Beatz Gimme Shelter Music and Art Festival will become an annual event of the magnitude of the People’s Fair.

“This year we had so many people who came to be part of this,” she said. “If we can build on that, we’ll have a great festival again next year.”