Contact: Sharon Frochen

New Directions, Inc.

                                                                                                         (310) 914-4045 ext 165      Email: sfrochen@newdirectionsinc.org

Release Date: March 13, 2006          

NEW DIRECTIONS CHOIR TO MAKE LIVE RECORDING

AT UNURBAN COFFEE HOUSE IN SANTA MONICA

Los Angeles, CA — The New Directions Choir will make a live recording of their award winning harmonies at the UnUrban Coffee House in Santa Monica on Saturday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. The nine-member choir consists of current and former residents of New Directions Inc., a long-term residential treatment center serving more than 800 homeless veterans a year.  The performance is free and open to the public.

The New Directions choir sings a cappella renditions of doo-wop, soul and traditional gospel music. The choir has been featured on E! Entertainment Television and the NBC Nightly News, and has performed at more than 100 events, including the Donny and Marie Show, the Democratic National Convention, and for members of the United States Congress.

New Directions provides drug and alcohol detoxification, intensive substance abuse treatment, and job training for homeless veterans in the Los Angeles area.  The non-profit agency is located on the grounds of the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. An estimated 27,000 homeless veterans reside in Los Angeles, comprising 33 percent of the area's homeless population.

New Directions' choir director and songwriter George Hill was homeless for 10 years, living in MacArthur Park. A graduate of New Directions, he is now majoring in computer science at Santa Monica College. "Through singing, we hope to let other vets who are still out there know there is another way," Hill said.

The UnUrban Coffee House is located at 3301 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, California.  Free parking is available in the bank parking lot across the street.

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