On Saturday, April 29, Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit will hold an intimate 60-person benefit concert as part of their Artists for Animals series, featuring Steve Acho with opening guest and presenting sponsor Peter Oleksiak, hosted by WWJ News Radio Anchor, Brooke Allen at the Detroit Design Center. Marrow of West Village in Detroit will provide strolling appetizers. Chef Sarah Welch is a finalist nominee for Great Lakes region’s Best Chef for the James Beard Foundation Awards. Read more from the Detroit Free Press here.

Event creator, storyteller and hip-hop artist Ellie St. Clair of Detroit as Told by Ellie, Black Card, and Detroit’s Castalia and Paramita Sound, will provide craft cocktails, wine and beer. Read about St. Clair in Michigan Chronicle. @detroitastoldbyellie

Tickets to the event are $150, sold here, with reservations being held at the door. The event runs from 7 -10:30 p.m. Proceeds raised will contribute to the organization’s annual operations fund.

Steve Acho is a Detroit-born singer-songwriter, who has traveled the world performing his music. Across the U.S. from NY to Las Vegas, and around the world from Italy and Australia to Japan – including performing on a popular Japanese TV show with 30 million viewers. His music has garnered over 50 million streams on Spotify alone, and is available on all platforms where music can be played. Steve has written and performed jingles for companies like Ford, Lifeway, Little Caesars, and has had his music featured in films.

Peter Oleksiak has been a singer-songwriter for over 35 years. Originally from the Detroit area, he now resides in and frequently plays showcases throughout the Nashville area. Peter is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International and has been recognized by that organization as a “One to Watch” songwriter. His musical style has been described as a blend of Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen, two of the major influences in his songwriting.

Brooke Allen is a voice you hear – but you don’t often see, she’s the afternoon anchor on WWJ. Brooke has always loved animals and has always had a dog – her latest is James – a rescue from Thailand’s meat market. In fact, she loves dogs so much she is currently working on her debut novel, “The Dogs in my life…” which is exactly about that – with a twist!

The Design Center offers unique objects, not mass produced products that can be ordered from a catalog.   Locally made, Detroit artists, world class. The 4,000–square-foot Detroit Design Center Gallery and event space is located in the heart of midtown’s shopping district at 4225 Third Street.