Asbury Park Musicians Stand Up For Joyful Heart Foundation
Singer-Songwriter Flores Organizes Benefit Concert At The Saint
A group of local musicians have joined forces with singer-songwriter Pamela Flores [shown in featured photo] of Glass Fox Productions to produce a concert in support of actress Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation.
Created in 2004 following the content of fan mail she received from her role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special 
Victims Unit, Joyful Heart Foundation is a nonprofit with a mission to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, while supporting survivors’ healing, and working to end the violent behavior.
“The Joyful Heart Foundation is a huge catalyst for opening up the conversation for sexual abuse,” Flores said in a written news release. “They stand up with the victims and give them a voice.”
Scheduled for 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 28 at The Saint on Main Street, the lineup of performers include TV Tramps of Little Dickman Records), Little Vicious, Doug Zambon of The Vansaders, Fast Clare, Emily Bornemann of Dentist, and Chris Brown.
Flores, an instructor at Lakehouse Music Academy, said she carefully chose the talent list.
“I wanted musicians who represent this community and who will bring a high energy to the night,” she said. “This is a sensitive subject to many people, and I know these musicians can handle it while being incredibly supportive.”
With the goal of giving victims a voice in order to build a sense of community, the event will feature special guest speakers, including victims who have volunteered to tell their stories.
“Apart from this cause being a personal matter, I believe in the fight to stop making sexual abuse victims feel ashamed,” Flores said. “We need to allow them to have a safe, supportive platform to talk about what has happened to them.”
Through Glass Fox, a non-profit network based in Asbury Park, Flores and a group of volunteers produce events to raise funds and awareness for local and national charities.
Flores, who has a background in nonprofit work, is the co-founder of Lakehouse Voices, a group that organizes youth to bring music into local senior living centers. A part of the Alive Inside Foundation featured on PBS, a followup to their Sundance Award-winning documentary will include Flores’ recording of a Griffin House song.
Tickets are $10, available at The Saint website and at the door. The Saint is located at 601 Main Street in Asbury Park.
—————————————————————————–
Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.
