The Dick & Jane Project will release eight songs in the form of a concert on the west plaza of the Ohio Statehouse on August 21 from noon to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public with the audience invited to pack a lunch. Additionally, the CD102.5 FM ice cream truck will be on location. In the event of rain, the performance will be held inside the Statehouse within the Capitol Atrium.

The Dick & Jane Project, in partnership with the Jazz Arts Group’s Jazz Academy, the Godman Guild, JPMorgan Chase, CD102.5 FM, and the Ohio Statehouse, is celebrating the release of “Insteption” – a CD featuring lyrics written by middle school students participating in the Dick & Jane Project’s “Central Ohio Call for Writings.” Eight submissions were selected to be transformed into songs that were arranged and recorded at the Jazz Academy by members of Columbus country-swing band, the DewDroppers.

Six high school students, employed through the Godman Guild’s STEP (Summer Teen Employment Program) from June through August at the Jazz Academy, have been fulfilling the roles of: publicist (plans the events and helps with advertising and writing press releases); communications manager (maintains contact between the lyricists and artists by means of email and an online collaborative Dick & Jane Labs application); artists and designers (create song art, cover art, and design merchandise); journalist (writes about current work and updates social media network outlets); and assistant sound engineer (works with recording equipment both in the studio and the computer lab by making beats for songs). More information is available at www.thedickandjaneproject.org.

About the Dick & Jane Project:

The Dick & Jane Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping students, teachers, and communities discover the unique power and perspective within the written work of young people. Dick & Jane host workshops in which middle school students write song lyrics and Columbus musicians transform the words into song.

About the Godman Guild:

The Godman Guild promotes strong families and communities in Columbus, Ohio by offering a variety of programs and services designed to encourage self-sufficiency, leadership development, economic growth, and success in daily life.