August 9, 2006

PHOENIX – A unique two-day program scheduled at Glendale Arena, Sept. 1 and 2, 2006, aims to empower more than 10,000 Valley youth, ages 9 to 18, by promoting diversity and helping them develop a strong, positive outlook on themselves and their ability to be successful in life.

The 1st Annual Choices Empowerment Party & Prize Fest includes a Grand Assembly of Schools and the “GimmeTheMusic’s Concert & Artist Expo” on Friday. Saturday’s events include a community empowerment event, a celebrity meet and greet, basketball and video game tournaments, rock climbing walls, raffles, door prizes and a grand prize giveaway of $5,000. Miss USA 2006 Tara Connor and other celebrities are scheduled to attend Saturday. Tickets for the two-day event, excluding the Grand Assembly, which is reserved for registered schools only, and the tournaments, are $15. Registration for the 2-on-2 basketball and video game tournaments cost $60 each, and includes admission to all events. Participants can also sign up for a 3-point challenge, free-throw shootout or dunk off for $30 each, including event admission.

Friday night’s concert and expo will bring together artists, promoters, studios, vendors and more. Attendees can listen to all genres of music and network with people involved in Arizona’s music scene. Tickets to attend the Friday music event only, are $6, or included in the all-around $15 event ticket. To buy event tickets and register for the tournaments as well as music auditions, visit www.whatischoices.com.

Friday morning’s Grand Assembly, which is a private event, includes an assembly for grades 4-12. Students will be treated to a mini-concert, round table interviews, multi-media presentations and leave with tips on how to become better students for the upcoming school year. They will be exposed to the main message of the Choices Program: “U-KAN!”

“Being in the entertainment industry has afforded me opportunities to present to students and influence them on why education is important to their futures,” said Jones, whose entertainment career includes roles in “Three Kings;” “Hoop Soldiers;” “The Salena Incident;” “Any Given Sunday;” and “Wild Seven,” which premiered at the 2006 LA Film Festival. Additionally, he has performed at the “Miss USA Beauty Pageant” and has a new CD out titled, ANTITHESIS. “We get students to take ownership of their education so they want to succeed in school and in life, because it’s important to them,” Jones added.

Choices is unique and successful at reaching and connecting with young people because:

• The message is delivered in a powerful high-energy multi-media format.
• Choices offers the youth a mirror and the opportunity to decide for themselves what direction they are headed in.
• The focus is on the positive and accentuates hope, accountability, and control - not on the punitive that focuses on blame, victimization, and the perception of things being beyond control.

Valley resident, Larry “Tank” Jones, who is an actor, musician and motivational speaker for youth founded the 501(c)(3) non-profit CHOICES Program, and is reaching out to schools and individuals across the Valley who are interested in attending, as well as garnering support of the local and national business community. Organizations such as Wal-Mart, Pepsi, GMAC Mortgage, The Miss Universe Organization, Cox Communications, New Times, CarLoansNow.com, CASHFLOW Technologies (owned by Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad), Arizona Department of Health Services, The Arizona Department of Transportation, Harkins Theatres and the Coyotes Charities have pledged their support.

For more information about sponsorships, involvement or tickets and Tank Jones background, please call 480-209-1737 or visit www.whatischoices.com or www.tankjones.com. All proceeds benefit the Choices Empowerment Program to help youth develop a positive outlook on themselves and their ability to be successful in life.

All content and imagery on this site © ZMR, Inc., dba blue 22 pr 2004-2007. All rights reserved.