The fifth annual edition of the summer series will showcase the songs of eight songwriters who are the semifinalists in the first Concerts for City Greens Songwriting Contest. Throughout the summer, their songs will be performed by prominent guest artists from the worlds of Broadway, jazz, cabaret and classical music.

Produced and hosted by Raissa Katona Bennett, the eight songwriters include the two-time Grammy nominee Larry Kerchner, Judy Kellersberger, Will Reynolds, and Kristine Mills. Among the newcomers are the songwriting duo of Benjamin Bonnema and Arianna Rose, songwriting collective Inland Traveler (consisting of Katie Locke, Lucas Madrazo and Gerald Edward), and Lauren McCall. Charles Bloom, penned a song with Karl Gadjusek in their first collaboration.

The contest's blue-ribbon jury consists of Neil Sedaka, Amanda McBroom, Ann Hampton Callaway, Michael John LaChiusa, David Friedman, and Matthew Parillo.

The contest's top three songs, chosen after the summer through a combination of online and jury voting, will be performed at a special concert at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency, in the fall or winter of 2012.