it began on the banks of the red sea...
Joni first became personally aware of worldwide humanitarian crises while exploring Egypt at the age of seventeen, where she saw widespread destruction, poverty, and unhappiness.
It was during those first explorations that she decided to do something personally to help improve conditions in this world.
Since then, she has regularly created and hosted artistic charity events to help fund causes that matter to her.
Feel free to browse a selection of just some of these events below!
If you are interested in having Joni help you organize and plan your next big event, head over here to get things started.
It was during those first explorations that she decided to do something personally to help improve conditions in this world.
Since then, she has regularly created and hosted artistic charity events to help fund causes that matter to her.
Feel free to browse a selection of just some of these events below!
If you are interested in having Joni help you organize and plan your next big event, head over here to get things started.
April 2008: food aid in egypt
In April 2008, she turned to Amnesty International for more information on Middle Eastern trouble spots. In the following months, she visited refugee camps in Egypt to learn more about the drastic poverty situation. She later expressed her shock at what she had witnessed. The conditions were terrible. Joni went on her first field visit, an 18-day mission to Sinai. After creating a fund-raising campaign and reaching out to everyone she knew, Joni was able to raise $2000 and distribute aid in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables, medicine, first aid kits, and water.
Not only did Joni keep a detailed blog of her experiences, but her efforts were briefly covered by the Jerusalem Post.
Not only did Joni keep a detailed blog of her experiences, but her efforts were briefly covered by the Jerusalem Post.
September 2008: empowerment in israel
In September 2008, Joni completed a three-week tour of upper Israel in poverty-stricken and underserved neighborhoods. Along with her team of three other volunteers, Joni was able to assist in the delivery over twenty lectures on safety, morality, kindness, and the dangers of drugs. These lectures were attended by at-risk children, 50% of whom are expected to join a gang and/or commit a crime by the age of 14.
July 2009: combating drugs in schools
In July 2009, Joni organized and hosted a Luau Benefit in Irvine, California. The event featured a traditional Hawaiian-style pig roast and luau dance lessons, and ended up raising $500 to fund anti-drug education programs in local schools.
August 2009: beach cleanup
In August 2009, she led a beach cleanup effort along the coast of Laguna Beach, California. The two-day event had twenty volunteers and removed 197 bags of trash from the beautiful Orange County coastline.
JULY 2010: human rights campaigns
In July 2010, Joni created an art fundraiser which raised $250 for Youth for Human Rights International, a non-profit organization formed to teach youth around the globe about human rights, thus helping them to become valuable advocates for the promotion of tolerance and peace.
October 2010: internet safety
In October 2010, Joni wrote an internet safety education program for use in private and public charter schools.
The technology that has so dramatically changed the world outside our schools is now changing the learning and teaching environment within them, and many schools lack the resources to effectively educate their students about this exciting and dangerous tool. With 17 million youth ages 12 through 17 using the Internet it is crucial to empower them to make responsible decisions online. The Internet provides immediate access to a wealth of information and the ability to communicate with friends and family all over the world. However, it is also important to understand the potential risks children can be exposed to including inappropriate material, sexual solicitation, cyberbullying, or theft of personal information.
Joni's internet safety curriculum was well received by local school systems, with teacher reviews such as "quick and easy to deliver", "simple enough for the kids to understand, but effective enough to get the job done", and "exactly what internet safety education has been missing". It is tailored to the attention span and needs of each audience from kinder through eighth grade.
The technology that has so dramatically changed the world outside our schools is now changing the learning and teaching environment within them, and many schools lack the resources to effectively educate their students about this exciting and dangerous tool. With 17 million youth ages 12 through 17 using the Internet it is crucial to empower them to make responsible decisions online. The Internet provides immediate access to a wealth of information and the ability to communicate with friends and family all over the world. However, it is also important to understand the potential risks children can be exposed to including inappropriate material, sexual solicitation, cyberbullying, or theft of personal information.
Joni's internet safety curriculum was well received by local school systems, with teacher reviews such as "quick and easy to deliver", "simple enough for the kids to understand, but effective enough to get the job done", and "exactly what internet safety education has been missing". It is tailored to the attention span and needs of each audience from kinder through eighth grade.
November 2010: music education programs
In late 2010, Joni participated in an art collective that raised money for a music education charity in Orange County.
The show was attended by 490 people over the course of two days, and was widely covered in local press.
The show was attended by 490 people over the course of two days, and was widely covered in local press.
January 2011: Artists for human rights
In January 2011, Joni organized an art collective to raise money for Artists for Human Rights.
218 artists contributed to this show, and all proceeds from the show benefited Artists for Human Rights (AFHR), a non-profit organization with the purpose of promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as adapted by the UN in 1948.
As a united front, our intention is to enlighten and elevate the culture by raising our voices together thus bringing about increased sanity and tolerance in our troubled world.
Artists have the ability to touch the society so profoundly that positive change can come about as a direct result. Our greatest thinkers throughout history have always thought outside the box.
Artists have always been the greatest advocates of human rights because they know so well how vital it is that the individual’s freedom of self-expression is protected.
Artists for Human Rights brings about greater awareness among all peoples of the world of all of our human rights as laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Because artists have the ability to elevate the culture, we as artists, uniting to make known the human rights of all people of the world, can bring about greater peace and tolerance.
218 artists contributed to this show, and all proceeds from the show benefited Artists for Human Rights (AFHR), a non-profit organization with the purpose of promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as adapted by the UN in 1948.
As a united front, our intention is to enlighten and elevate the culture by raising our voices together thus bringing about increased sanity and tolerance in our troubled world.
Artists have the ability to touch the society so profoundly that positive change can come about as a direct result. Our greatest thinkers throughout history have always thought outside the box.
Artists have always been the greatest advocates of human rights because they know so well how vital it is that the individual’s freedom of self-expression is protected.
Artists for Human Rights brings about greater awareness among all peoples of the world of all of our human rights as laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Because artists have the ability to elevate the culture, we as artists, uniting to make known the human rights of all people of the world, can bring about greater peace and tolerance.
May 2011: artists for women's rights
In May 2011, Joni hosted "What She Did", an art charity exhibition featuring the work of whimsical women.
Mujeres Latinas en Acción empowers Latinas through providing services which reflect their values and culture and being an advocate on the issues that make a difference in their lives. To do this, Mujeres will provide comprehensive services with integrated activities to assist in exploring choices, make informed decisions, develop self-esteem, and enhance daily living and problem-solving skills; and undertake policy analysis and advocate with and on behalf of our constituency. Our programs focus on the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, women in transition, parent support, Latina leadership, child care services, and sanctuary, among others.
This event raised $150 for Mujeres Latinas en Accion.
Mujeres Latinas en Acción empowers Latinas through providing services which reflect their values and culture and being an advocate on the issues that make a difference in their lives. To do this, Mujeres will provide comprehensive services with integrated activities to assist in exploring choices, make informed decisions, develop self-esteem, and enhance daily living and problem-solving skills; and undertake policy analysis and advocate with and on behalf of our constituency. Our programs focus on the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, women in transition, parent support, Latina leadership, child care services, and sanctuary, among others.
This event raised $150 for Mujeres Latinas en Accion.
June 2011: artists for Forestry Stewardship
In June 2011, Joni hosted "Forests, Faeries, and Mudberries", a reforestation-themed charity fundraiser.
This event was sponsored by Tree People and Green Peace.
The purpose of this event was to raise awareness and funding for reforestation of our planet. All art was fairy, forest or woodlands themed, and the artists dressed up. ...Our incredible evening included games, face painting, dancing, crafts, story time, snacks, and lots of fun fairy merriment. This event raised $500 for charity.
This event was sponsored by Tree People and Green Peace.
The purpose of this event was to raise awareness and funding for reforestation of our planet. All art was fairy, forest or woodlands themed, and the artists dressed up. ...Our incredible evening included games, face painting, dancing, crafts, story time, snacks, and lots of fun fairy merriment. This event raised $500 for charity.
November 2011: the dream of a lifetime
In November 2011, Joni was 1 of 30 fund-raising performers (selected from an audition pool of 700) to help Marina Abramovic create an alternate reality for guests of the Museum of Contemporary Art's annual ball.
Imagine a party with previous guests including Brangelina, Jeff Koons, Vera Wang, James Franco, Ed Ruscha, Miuccia Prada, Devendra Banhart and John Baldessari. Now imagine Lady Gaga playing a Damien Hirst-designed piano in a Frank Gehry-designed hat. Now imagine Kanye West performing on in Takashi Murakami-designed set. This is not a dream. This is the annual MOCA Gala, known in the art world as the most epic party of the year...
This year's event took place November 12, and featured a one-night-only Marina Abramovic production. Joni re-enacted some of Marina's most famous performance art pieces as Marina served as a master of ceremonies, directing gala guests in a series of participatory activities as they experienced live art installations, décor and dinner.
Imagine a party with previous guests including Brangelina, Jeff Koons, Vera Wang, James Franco, Ed Ruscha, Miuccia Prada, Devendra Banhart and John Baldessari. Now imagine Lady Gaga playing a Damien Hirst-designed piano in a Frank Gehry-designed hat. Now imagine Kanye West performing on in Takashi Murakami-designed set. This is not a dream. This is the annual MOCA Gala, known in the art world as the most epic party of the year...
This year's event took place November 12, and featured a one-night-only Marina Abramovic production. Joni re-enacted some of Marina's most famous performance art pieces as Marina served as a master of ceremonies, directing gala guests in a series of participatory activities as they experienced live art installations, décor and dinner.
January 2012: Chautauqua
To celebrate the new year, Joni worked with esteemed Los Angeles choreographer Stacy Dawson Stearns to create a very unique modern dance performance for the Off Center Festival at the Segerstrom Orange County Center for the Performing Arts. The piece was included in the "Chautauqua!" play, and was performed at 1/13/2012 - 1/15/2012. “An underground theatrical coup. . . A triumph of style and stagecraft” - Time Out New York. One of the most exciting and experimental troupes around, the National Theater of the United State of America presents Chatauqua!, inspired by the Chatauqua Circuit, a wildly popular travelling lecture series, that flourished from 1874 to the Great Depression, where scholars, scientists, magicians, jugglers, and dancers gathered in circus tents across the country to educate and entertain the common man. Chatauqua! brings this American tradition into the 21st Century, straddling high and low culture as it weaves lectures on history, culture and capitalism with live music, magic, slapstick, and dance. Each night’s Chatauqua! features special guest lecturers from our community.
February 2012: The Love Project
In creating this short workshop, Joni hoped to bring hope and a new direction to the meaningful relationships of life. "I wanted to give people a new way to understand our most crucial relationships: with our spouses, with parents and children, with friends and co-workers, and with ourselves." Participants explored how to create healthy, fulfilling, and loving relationships in every part of life, and left with customized action plans for personal and spiritual growth.
April 2012: noh8 campaign
In April 2012, Joni assisted celebrity photographer Adam Bouska in hosting NOH8 Campaign's mobile studio at The Jupiter Hotel in Portland, Oregon. The NOH8 Campaign is a charitable organization whose mission is to promote marriage, gender and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest. On November 4, 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of initiative within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response. The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with "NOH8" painted on one cheek in protest. Three years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 20,000 faces and continues to grow at an exponential rate. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more.
May 2012: QDOC FILM FESTIVAL
In May 2012, Joni was delighted to help host the Q Documentary Film Festival in Portland, Oregon. QDoc is the only festival in the United States devoted exclusively to queer documentaries. More than a screening series - it is a fun, inspiring, and community-building event. Filmmaker attendance is a big part of the mix, with guests joining us from around the world to discuss their work. Russ Gage and David Weissman co-founded and co-direct QDoc. These documentaries continue to creatively and energetically engage with the core issues of queer identity, politics, history, culture, family, aging and coming out issues, diversity, and sexuality. The added benefit of conversation between filmmakers and audience creates a rich and stimulating communal event.
June 2012: North American Organic Brewers Festival
In June 2012, Joni assisted in the coordination of the North American Organic Brewers Festival. In this weekend festival, two of Portland's beloved industries - organic beer and sustainability - come together in an annual celebration designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living. We served up organic beers and ciders from around the world, accompanied by live music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors, non-profits and a children's area - all in a beautiful tree lined setting that overlooks downtown Portland.
June 2012: Mystery Box Show
In June 2012, Joni on signed as Marketing Director with The Mystery Box Show, a wildly-popular live storytelling series in Portland, OR with one simple focus: real people confessing their true stories of adventures in sex and sexuality. The events are doubling in size here in Portland due to their unique and intimate nature, and the bonds that are created between storyteller and audience. Over the course of the evening you’re likely to hear stories of awkward first times, bizarre one-night stands, explorations, and fantasies come true. The stories are funny, surprising, touching and heartfelt. They may remind you of a time when you felt vulnerable, or on the edge of something new, or they may inspire you to chase after recently-awakened desires. The Mystery Box has shows every two months, so keep in touch for updates and future shows.
June 2012: Eco Symposium
Wouldn't you like to live in a world where:
There is a community that is making this world possible. In June 2012, Joni was delighted to co-host the EcoSex Symposium, a three-day conference about exploring ways we can create such a world. You may ask yourself, "What is EcoSex???" It is a new discipline at the intersection of sexology and ecology, it is a way of life, a way to date, a way to go green on a deeper, heart level. It is a movement to change how we see the earth, from Earth as Giver to Earth as Lover. It is about reclaiming the erotic and sensual in everyday life in a way that fills us up so we aren't so driven to acquire and consume. It is a statement about making conscious choices and satisfying the needs of Mother Earth while nourishing ourselves.
We are madly, passionately, and fiercely in love with the Earth, and we are grateful for this relationship each and every day. In order to create a more mutual and sustainable relationship with the Earth, we collaborate with nature. We treat the Earth with kindness, respect and affection.
- Sex is not taboo and disgusting but instead is viewed as natural, healthy, and good for you?
- We live closer to nature & are in tune with the Earth & her cycles?
- We have fulfilling, ecstatic relationships with ourselves, our partners, our communities, and Mother Earth herself?
There is a community that is making this world possible. In June 2012, Joni was delighted to co-host the EcoSex Symposium, a three-day conference about exploring ways we can create such a world. You may ask yourself, "What is EcoSex???" It is a new discipline at the intersection of sexology and ecology, it is a way of life, a way to date, a way to go green on a deeper, heart level. It is a movement to change how we see the earth, from Earth as Giver to Earth as Lover. It is about reclaiming the erotic and sensual in everyday life in a way that fills us up so we aren't so driven to acquire and consume. It is a statement about making conscious choices and satisfying the needs of Mother Earth while nourishing ourselves.
We are madly, passionately, and fiercely in love with the Earth, and we are grateful for this relationship each and every day. In order to create a more mutual and sustainable relationship with the Earth, we collaborate with nature. We treat the Earth with kindness, respect and affection.
JULY 2012: Cathedral park jazz festival
In July 2012, Joni coordinated for the Thirty Second Annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival. Working with Sean O. and his team of local jazz enthusiasts, they brought the festival back to life and created a delightful three-day weekend festival that was attended by thousands and enjoyed by all. The mission of the festival is: To perpetuate jazz heritage, expand jazz boundaries and increase opportunities for jazz musicians through live performances, education, and active participation with local businesses and community.
September 2012: TIME-BASED ART FESTIVAL
In September 2012, KBOO 90.7 community radio took Joni on to cover the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art's Time-Based Art Festival! This exciting decade-old festival pushes the boundaries of performance art year after year. Read Joni's coverage of the festival at InterArts.us.