Art for All Benefit Concert

The Lodi Arts Foundation announces the Art for All Benefit Concert featuring Singer/Songwriter Steve Seskin. The concert will be Friday, April 25th, 2014, at 7 p.m. in Kirst Hall at Hutchins Street Square. The funds raised by the concert will benefit various enrichment programs in Lodi, including Kids Write Songs, where Steve Seskin will lead songwriting workshops with children at a local elementary school. The workshops will focus on teaching tolerance and other anti-bulling efforts. The Art Tuition Assistance Program will also benefit from the concert. ATAP is a program that pays 50% of class fees for underserved children to participate in dance, music, drama, and art classes at Hutchins Street Square. The Lodi Arts Foundation assists the Lodi Arts Commission with other popular local events such as the First Friday Art Hop and the Annual Taco Truck Cook-Off. Both groups are looking for new members, if you are interested in applying, please e-mail the Arts Coordinator, Sabrina Willis-Bartram at swillis@lodi.gov or call 333-6800 ext. 2458. Information about Steve Seskin from his website (steveseskin.com): Steve Seskin is a successful songwriter who has written seven number one songs, including Grammy-nominated Grown Men Don't Cry, recorded by Tim McGraw, and Don't Laugh at Me, winner of NSAI Song of the Year and Music Row Magazine Song of the Year in 1999 as recorded by Mark Wills. His other #1 hits are No Doubt About It, and For a Change, both recorded by Neal McCoy, No Man's Land and If You've Got Love, both recorded by John Michael Montgomery, and Daddy's Money, recorded by Ricochet. Other chart toppers include I Think About You, recorded by Collin Raye, and All I Need To Know, recorded by Kenny Chesney. The video for Raye's I Think About You single was named the Academy of Country Music's Video of the Year in 1997, and the song and video were also given an award by the Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence. Recent recordings of his songs include Pictures, by John Michael Montgomery, We Shook Hands, by Tebey, and I'll Always Be There For You, by Brian McComas. While Steve is best known for writing hits, he is also a successful performer and recording artist. He is currently touring in support of his latest CD, Steve Seskin "Live". This is his 17th recording released on his own record label. Don't Laugh at Me, was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary and became the impetus for the Operation Respect/Don't Laugh at Me project, a curriculum designed to teach tolerance in schools. This program has already been implemented in more than 20,000 schools across the country. Steve now enjoys performing at school assemblies in support of this program. The song is now available as a children's book, Don't Laugh At Me, which was featured on PBS's Reading Rainbow in September 2002. Steve is also an active keynote speaker and songwriting teacher for the West Coast Songwriters Association, the Nashville Songwriters Association International, the Swannanoa Gathering, and the Song School at Rocky Mountain Folks Festival.