Multi-GRAMMY Award winner Jason Mraz will perform two very special shows in his hometown of San Diego at Spreckels Theatre February 15 and 16. “SHINE,” a musical based on the singer-songwriter’s catalog, will feature performances by local arts education non-profit groups, including Banding Together, who brings music opportunities to individuals with special needs; Malashock Dance, whose education program is designed to bring access to dance for under-served students, low-income families, individuals with disabilities, and promising pre-professional dancers who may face financial barriers; and transcenDANCE, who guides young people in underserved San Diego County communities to transcend barriers, expand their ambitions, and create positive change for themselves, their families and community, through dance and performance. Grants from the Jason Mraz Foundation have empowered and inspired these groups to interpret some of Mraz’s most beloved songs through movement, singing, and visual arts. Additional participating organizations will be announced soon.
Tickets for the shows will go on-sale at jasonmraz.com on Friday, September 6 at 10am.
“Each of these organizations was chosen because of their commitment to inclusive arts education and the advancement of equality,” said Mraz. “I am humbled to provide my songs as a framework for them to express their unique points of view. By shining a light on these programs serving our local community’s youth, I want to underscore the importance of access to arts programming for all children in all communities – no matter their gender, race, ability level, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Every child should have the opportunity to find their voice through the arts.”
The concept of “SHINE” centers around the local community and celebrates the city of San Diego. The show follows Mraz and friends as they wake up and experience a full day in their Southern California neighborhood. They play at a local park, explore a farmer’s market, dance into the night, and fall asleep under the stars. Each participating cast member will have their moment to “SHINE” as they explore their community through movement, singing, and visual arts.
ABOUT THE JASON MRAZ FOUNDATION:
The mission of the Jason Mraz Foundation is to shine for inclusive arts education and the advancement of equality. The purpose is to cause peace in the world. Since 2011 the Jason Mraz Foundation has donated more than $1 million to various charities supporting these ideals, including Harmonic Humanity, True Colors Fund, Life Rolls On, SPARC, Rock n’ Roll Camp For Girls, and American Foundation for Equal Rights. In 2017, the Foundation transitioned from a donor advised fund into a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. For more information, visit jasonmrazfoundation.org.
ABOUT BANDING TOGETHER:
Launched in 2009, by certified neurologic music therapists Julie Guy and Angela Neve Meier, Banding Together provides music opportunities to young people with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other developmental disabilities. The duo initially created Banding Together to offer scholarships for music therapy and free community music programs, such as their Jam Session program. Since 2010, Banding Together has tripled in size and has awarded 183 scholarships totaling over $100,700 and has 150 Artist Ambassadors (professional musicians who have participated in fundraisers and events) including: Ziggy Marley, Jason Mraz, Michael Franti, The English Beat, Elvin Bishop, Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks. Since the Jam Session program’s inception in 2012, San Diego locations have quadrupled. The program was piloted at a fifth national location in Miami, Florida in 2017. Each year, 56 Jam Sessions are held totaling 257 sessions to date. Historically, this program has served 600 individuals ages 13-38 with special needs with 50% of these individuals aged 18 or under. Over 300 volunteer mentors have been trained.
ABOUT MALASHOCK DANCE:
Malashock Dance advances the art and experience of dance by creating original programs that communicate, educate, challenge, entertain, and encourage new forms of personal expression. Since 1988, Malashock Dance has created and performed over 100 original dance works, produced annual performances and workshops, and collaborated with other renown artists and cultural organizations to critical acclaim. Founded by John Malashock following his extensive career in dance and theater, the Company performs in various San Diego venues and events and has toured nationally and internationally. The Malashock Dance School expands the Company’s connection to the community through a robust schedule of dance classes, workshops, and performances for individuals of all ages and abilities. The organization also offers unique in-school programs that serve communities that lack affordable arts programming.
ABOUT transcenDANCE:
TranscenDANCE was founded in 2005 as a youth-driven organization where young people have a platform to positively impact the world through dance and performance. Our programs provide a safe space and an outlet for self-expression that promotes social-emotional resilience and creative problem solving as an alternative to violence and conflict. transcenDANCE is unique because of its holistic approach to youth development that includes an expressive arts-based social change curriculum, therapeutic services, mentoring, and leadership training.