SSCA will host an evening of music on Thursday, Aug. 21 to support fundraising efforts by singer-songwriter Joe Dillstrom, selected as the 2025 musician ambassador for this fall’s citizen trip to Isesaki, Japan.

Dillstrom will perform from 7-10 p.m., Aug. 21, at Tie & Timber Beer Co., 1451 E. Cherry St., in Springfield’s Rountree neighborhood. There is no cover charge for the show. All donations will help Dillstrom raise funds for the trip to Japan in late September. The SSCA funds half of each year’s traveling musician expenses; the artist agrees to cover the other half of this year’s $4,200 cost of the 10-day trip to Sister City Isesaki and other cities and points of interest.

A college-level math educator, Dillstrom performs American classics on his own and is a member of the retro-romantic trio, The Paper Moons. Each year, SSCA selects a music ambassador to travel with the citizen group and perform at Isesaki’s City Festival and other venues such as schools. Springfield has enjoyed its sister-city relationship with Isesaki for 39 years.

“I am deeply honored to represent my Springfield community on the trip of a lifetime,” Dillstrom said.

Anyone interested in supporting this international music opportunity can make a tax-deductible contribution to SSCA’s Traveling Musician Fund.

“We want to express our appreciation to Tie & Timber for hosting this event for SSCA and we are excited to share Joe’s storytelling through music with our friends in Isesaki,” SSCA Executive Director Lisa Bakerink said.