Artists give back

A large part of art and music is representative of the human condition -- the joy we feel or the struggles we endure.

Aside from expressing these things through their works, artists and musicians are notorious for hosting charity art shows and concerts to raise money or awareness for those struggles.

The Life of Jesus Christ Organization concert planned for today comes to mind. Rochelle Steffen, a local artist, is planning an October show at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri to benefit the organization and the animals it rescues.

On Oct. 3, The Make a Difference Tour 2010 will bring its inspirational message and star power to Cape Girardeau for a concert at 7 p.m. at the Show Me Center. The tour benefits World Vision and involves inspirational author and speaker Max Lucado and musicians like TobyMac and Third Day.

Some say songwriters, poets and artists can create such passionate images both in word and imagery because they're more receptive to the world around them. They see more. They feel more.

I think they just acknowledge more and decide to do something about it.

You can do something about it by simply showing up.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization that helps sponsor children and families, working with them to gain independence and get out of poverty.

The River City Music Festival, which will take over downtown Oct. 1 and 2, tries to help with funding for music education. The money from the festival goes to a few scholarships for music students at Southeast Missouri State University and provides money to school and church music programs that need to purchase equipment or music.

These artists have organized to do some good. All you have to do is sit back, support and enjoy.