Los Angeles band Venice, known for their rich four-part harmonies, will hold a book signing for their new children's book, "The Family Tree Will Always Grow," on Jan. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Small World Books.
The bookstore is located at 1407 Ocean Front Walk on the boardwalk, adjacent to the Sidewalk Café.
The members of the band Venice will be in attendance: Michael, Kipp, Mark and Pat Lennon, to perform their song "The Family Tree," which inspired the book. Michael, Kipp, Mark and Pat are brothers and cousins of the famous 1950s vocal group The Lennon Sisters, who appeared regularly on the Lawrence Welk Show from 1955 to 1968, before landing their own variety show, "Jimmy Durante Presents The Lennon Sisters," which led to a 10-year residency in Las Vegas with Andy Williams.
Also present at the signing will be co-author of the book, John Vester, a Venice singer-songwriter who has written and co-written songs recorded by Venice since 1997, including "The Family Tree," "We're Still Here," "When I Come Back (The Hummingbird Song)" and many more.
After 25-plus years of live performances of "The Family Tree," countless memorial recitals, with over 3.6 million plays on Spotify and 1.2 million YouTube views, the lyrics of this heartfelt song have been reimagined as a children's book about a family of birds, their sad loss, a new nest, and a new life, to help those experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one.
Accompanying the pages filled with the song's lyrics are colorful illustrations by visual artist Kate Jarvik Birch, whose art can be seen in major stores such as World Market, as well as in films and popular TV shows like Glee, Transparent, and 21 Jump Street.
The book is $17.95, hardback with dust jacket, 32 pages.
"Both Venice and The Lennon Sisters were born and raised in Venice, California, so it seems fitting to hold our first book signing at such an iconic Venice bookstore," Michael Lennon said.
For more information about Venice and their 40 years of California folk/rock music, visit www.venicetheband.com. The recording appears on the band's "Spin Art" album from 1999.
Edited by SMDP Staff