About 190 Hurricane Katrina evacuees will be treated to a jazz and gospel band performance at Elzie Odom Recreation Center today at 4 p.m. in Arlington.

The recreation center is at 1601 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd.

Faces band leader Dewayne Washington plays the saxophone and flute. As a former homeless man, Washington said he often plays at the Arlington Family Life Shelter for free. He decided to offer today’s free performance as a sign of hope for the many people whose lives have been disrupted by the hurricane’s devastating effects.

"I know how it can be when your whole mindset is just focused on ‘I need a place to eat’ or ‘I need a place to stay.’ I know what it’s like. I’ve been there," Washington said, adding that he now helps others find housing. "I just wish I had enough so I could put them all up, but this – offering a performance – is what I can do today."

Faces has previously performed at Texas Hall at the University of Texas at Arlington. Faces will perform at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth with the Blind Boys of Alabama on Dec. 14. The band’s internet address is www.facestheband.com.