Dallas-based nonprofit Against The Grain Productions is proud to announce the lineup of musical performers for their seventh annual Fashion for a Passion charity event on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 for Parties in the Dallas Design District. In an exciting new twist for this year’s show, Dallas singer songwriter Larry g(EE) will open and close the show while the slate of six other Asian American musicians and singers will play throughout the show and during this year’s new post-event wrap party.
“With the unintentional theme of ‘seven’ running throughout the show, we really do feel lucky to have the amazing array of talent for our event this year,” said Against The Grain President Tammy Nguyen Lee. “Our audience will enjoy the musical stylings of local favorites, a recent Kollaboration Dallas winner and even one of our 2015 ATG Artistic Scholarship winners. It will definitely be an evening no one will want to miss!”
The 2015 Fashion for a Passion musical performers include:
- Larry g(EE) – Special Guest Performer
- JONAVI
- Robbie G and Peter P
- Hannah Sansavath
- Yut and The Hot Four
This year’s Fashion for a Passion emcees include veterans LeeAnne Locken (Actress/Model and “She’s Got the Look” Finalist) with Elizabeth Dinh (CBS 11 Morning News Reporter/Anchor) along with new faces Tiffany Hendra (Actress/TV Host and Beauty/Lifestyle Expert) and Ben Smithee (Marketing Executive and TV co-host of “The Weekend Insider”). The evening includes afashion show with live auction, silent auction, art exhibit, tasty bites and sips and concludes for the first time with an extended wrap party for guests, artists and volunteers to mix and mingle until midnight.
Proceeds from the evening’s ticket sales, silent, art and lives auctions as well as generous sponsors benefit ATG’s supported orphanages and underprivileged children in Asia, scholarships for student artists and leaders and community outreach programs in the U.S. to inspire, educate and entertain the community.
General Admission and VIP Reserved Tickets range from $60-$110 and will be on sale at www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com/events/ffap starting today.
The 7th Annual Fashion for a Passion Musical Talent Line-Up
Larry g(EE) – Special Guest Performer
Dallas-based pop-soul singer-songwriter Larry g(EE)’s career has taken him all over the country and back here to Dallas for audiences to enjoy locally. Chosen to be one of Red Bull Sound Select’s emerging artists, a Chevy Music Showcase artist for North Texas and the “Best Funk/R&B Act” at the 2013 and 2014 “Dallas Observer Music Awards”, the Filipino American released his highly anticipated single “Days Like This,” the follow-up to his critically acclaimed EP “Weekends.” http://www.larry-gee.com/#!music
Describe your style/inspiration. g(EE)’s musical influences range anywhere from The Beatles and Michael Jackson to artists like Beyoncé and Sam Smith.
How did you go about choosing this field? Please list any honors/awards/achievements. He has been spotted with his five to fifteen-piece band gracing the stages of “Jimmy Kimmel Live”, South by Southwest Music Festival, ACL Live, Vans Warped Tour, Summerfest, Center of the Universe Music Festival, MusicFest NW and opening for an array of national artists, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Erykah Badu, David Guetta, The Alabama Shakes, J. Cole, Emeli Sande, Bootsy Collins, and ZZ Ward.
What does “Going Against the Grain” mean to you?
“Many of us in the Asian community are encouraged or expected to pursue to careers in medicine, law, or science (to name a few), careers that provide a form financial stability. For me, to ‘Go Against The Grain’ is to do something outside the norm. Pursuing a creative endeavor, as someone who actually has a degree in Corporate Communications, 100% with no regrets is definitely taking a risk. I’ve been fortunate enough to have two amazing parents who have always supported my musical endeavors under the condition that I finish school.
My Father, who is a physician, flies planes, rides a Harley and built and ran his own recording studio (even produced some records too). He has always lived his life on his own terms and that’s something that’s always inspired me.”
What does it mean to you to participate in Fashion for a Passion this year?
“Anything that continues to push the progress of the Asian-American community is important to me. I’m honored to be part of this special event.”
JONAVI
Singer/songwriter JONAVI was born in the city of Cebu, Philippines, where she discovered her love for singing and found her place in a performing arts program called the “Center for Pop Music.” In the Fall of 2001, JONAVI and her family packed their bags for America, where they settled in the beautiful state of Maine. At the age of 10, she began writing songs, taking classical piano, and even branched out into theater, taking several lead roles in Gilbert & Sullivan operettas.
In 2012, JONAVI moved to Dallas, TX to attend a university, where she began pursuing music as a career. It wasn’t long before she began performing at numerous campus events. In early 2014, JONAVI released her original song “If I Were.” Not long after, everything began to take off. JONAVI has performed for many organizations, including Kollaboration Dallas, Fashion for a Passion, as well as The Recording Academy®, the prestigious organization that presents the annual GRAMMY® awards. When she’s not writing new songs or recording in the studio, JONAVI loves performing at local Dallas venues, from eclectic coffeehouses, to the House of Blues. JONAVI is currently working with producer and songwriter Joey Pore on her debut album, “If I Were.” Her first single “Not for Me” is scheduled for a wide release in 2015, and has already received much critical acclaim. www.youtube.com/g1jojo
Describe your style/inspiration.
“These days I’ve been really inspired by artists in the Indie Pop and Alternative R&B genres — Kevin Garrett, Frank Ocean, and Sam Smith have been some of my recent obsessions. While I like electronic sounds and rhythmic melodies, I also value honesty and poetry in music. My affinity for all of these things combined has inspired the way I express myself through music.”
How did you go about choosing this field? Please list any honors/awards/achievements.
“Ever since I was four years old, I loved to sing and perform. My parents saw this passion within me and enrolled me in a music program, which further ignited my interest for music. Ever since, I have used music to express my thoughts, my situations, and my observations. Music can connect people, and I love being able to write a song knowing it can mean the same thing for someone else. I am currently the president of my sorority, Sigma Chi Eta. I have also performed for the Recording Academy (the organization who produces the annual GRAMMY awards).”
What does “Going Against The Grain” mean to you?
“’Going Against The Grain’ means doing something unconventional. It means standing up in the midst of opposition and fighting for what you believe in.”
What does it mean to you to participate in Fashion for a Passion this year?
“I am overjoyed to be joining Fashion for a Passion again this year. I had so much fun last year, from the fashion that was presented on the runway to the music that was performed. I love what the event stands for and what the organization is seeking to do through it, and I am privileged to be a part of something so relevant.”
Robbie G and Peter P
Having started out as solo artists, Robbie G and Peter P have been a musical duo for five years. Their music ranges from high energy dance/pop to an array of slow melodic love songs. With their charismatic charm, catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, it is hard not to like these guys or dance to one of their songs. They have the drive, determination and all the tools to become successful in the industry and possibly help open more doors for Asian Americans out there. https://soundcloud.com/robbieguanlao/p-r-let-go-ft-chaz
Describe your style/inspiration.
“Our style is R&B Pop Acoustic inspired by all genres of music throughout the ages.”
How did you go about choosing this field? Please list any honors/awards/achievements.
“We didn’t choose MUSIC, music chose us. We both grew up singing in the choir environment and developed a passion for music.”
What does “Going Against The Grain” mean to you?
“For us, ‘Going Against The Grain’ means to never give up even when there are naysayers. Many people think that mainstream music is predominately white or black and that Asian Americans can’t succeed unless they go back to their home country.. and we’re here to go ‘Against The Grain.'”
What does it mean to you to participate in Fashion for a Passion this year?
“FFAP is a great opportunity for us to connect with the community and showcase our talent by doing what we love. We hope to inspire others to pursue their passions!”
Hannah Sansavath – 2015 ATG Artistic Scholarship Winner
“I am a native-born Texan. I started my musical journey from a young age learning piano when I was four along with music theory. I constantly played in piano competitions growing up and in high school went to UIL State for piano and violin every year and came back with top ratings and earned the coveted UIL Solo Outstanding soloist for piano twice. At the age of 12, I joined the school orchestra and played violin, where I was concertmaster throughout high school. In addition to school orchestra, I became the youngest person to audition into and be accepted into the Sherman Symphony Orchestra where I still continue to play. I am currently fourth chair in the first violin section. At the same time, I also learned traditional Thai instruments and regularly performed.”
How did you go about choosing this field? Please list any honors/awards/achievements.
“When I entered college I knew for sure I wanted to keep music close to my heart while also pursuing a career in the health field. My freshmen year I joined Delta Omicron, the international professional music fraternity where I was first vice president and later president. During the summer of my sophomore year, I decided I wanted to try the Miss Asian American Texas pageant, and that year, I brought home the title of Miss Asian American Texas 2013-2014. I was also awarded the Laura Shoap’s Fellowship my sophomore and junior year, an honors music award given to the most outstanding music student chosen by the Austin College music faculty. After I graduate this fall, I plan to pursue my Masters in Public Health while continuing my love for music by hopefully performing in local orchestras and giving lessons to future aspiring musicians.”
What does “Going Against The Grain” mean to you?
“Going ‘Against The Grain’ for me means doing something different from the general public. Something unique while following your own goals.”
Yut and The Hot Four
Yut and The Hour Four is a contemporary Electronic Dance Music (EDM) group, 2014 Kollaboration New York finalist, first-prize winner in the CUNY’s Got Talent 2015 and 2015 Kollaboration Dallas winner. Hailing from New York, Y&H4 covers the greatest hit songs on classical stringed instruments with a constantly rotating roster of first-class musicians. They aim to successfully fuse popular music with classical techniques. They recognize music as a language without barriers and hope to spread their music internationally. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPyJpGPJ5SY
Describe your style/inspiration.
“My style is just raw energy and passion. I want my audience to feel the passion I have when I’m performing the violin. I get inspired by everything and everyone around me.”
How did you go about choosing this field? Please list any honors/awards/achievements.
“There are many pathways to choosing this field, but if you want to be successful you just have to keep on going and never give up. Always work extremely hard and do you best and believe in yourself. I started by playing in the streets and subways of NYC and at first it was not easy. But after working really hard everyone in NYC started to know me and the amount of talent and skill that I have. Achievements and honors would be being able to perform at every major hall in New York City including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Headlining for artist such as Cyndi Lauper, Robert De Niro, Kevin Spacey, etc. Being featured in every major newspaper publication in NYC including the NY Times, Daily News, etc. Being the go-to violinist of the “New York Times”. So many things have happened to me by working hard and never giving up.”
What does “Going Against The Grain” mean to you?
“I didn’t know much about ATG until I met [President] Tammy, and she told me about her organization. I did my research, and this is an organization I can truly connect with. It promotes support for Asian Americans in many aspects such as helping them become leaders, artists, helping underprivileged kids go to college by helping them with scholarships. When I first started out my career, I dreamt of going to college, but, unfortunately, I had no money and help from nobody. I basically would enter the subway and play for eight hours a day, and that’s how I managed to pay for my one semester at college. After that, I started to become well known and was offered full rides by generous people who heard my story. I’m glad I can be part of this event this year and help kids go to college and achieve their dreams. Everyone deserves a chance in life no matter the circumstances they’re born or raised in.”
What does it mean to you to participate in Fashion for a Passion this year?
“I honestly don’t know what to expect from Fashion for a Passion. However, what I can say is that I will perform with all my passion, help with anyway I can and will be extremely happy to donate my talent to help this organization fulfill its philanthropic goals!”
