Guitarist STEVE VAI has generously donated an Ibanez prototype guitar, as well as a private lesson, for the winners of two eBay auctions currently underway in support of Hollywood Arts. Click on the links for information and to check out the auctions:

Prototype Ibanez

Private lesson with Steve Vai

Hollywood Arts is a foundation offering classes in the visual and performing arts that inspire and transform at-risk and homeless young adults. Click here for details.

As previously reported, Vai and guitarist JOE SATRIANI have announced plans for a benefit concert supporting music industry veteran and friend, Cliff Cultreri. A Benefit for Cliff II will take place on Sunday, July 10th at the House of Blues, Hollywood, and will feature performances by both Satriani and Vai, as well as special guests, to be announced.

Cliff Cultreri is the A&R; executive who ‘discovered’ both Satriani and Vai, as well as many other popular recording artists, while working at Relativity Records. Cultreri is suffering from a host of Auto-Immune and Connective-Tissue disorders that are simultaneously attacking his immune system, a 1 in 100 million occurrence that causes severe pain and physical debilitations. In 2006, Satriani and Vai joined forces for the first Cultreri benefit show. They raised money as well as attention to the devastation this disease takes out on both the patient and their family. Satriani and Vai hope to raise even more funds with this year’s benefit to help Cultreri and his family’s financial needs.

Cultreri was most recently VP of A&R; at Koch Entertainment. During his years in the industry, Cultreri has served as A&R; for a number of top names, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, ALLAN HOLDSWORTH, BILLY SHEEHAN & TALAS, PETER FRAMPTON, MEGADETH, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, EXODUS, ANTHRAX, DEATH, VENOM, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, CRADLE OF FILTH, GODFLESH, OUR LADY PEACE, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, THE CURE, and many others in all genres of music. In addition, he has received 18 Grammy nominations, 13 Gold and 14 Platinum, and Multi-Platinum awards for albums on which he was the executive producer, co-producer or A&R.; He won Grammy’s for “Song of the Year” and “Album of the Year” with BONE THUGS 'N HARMONY, for which he served as A&R.;

“Cliff has been a musical force and guiding light in my career and my life for two decades. He introduced and championed my music to the recording business. He is a dear friend and musical ally and quite the guitar player himself,” said Satriani. “Steve and I wanted to help Cliff and the idea of a show in LA with other members of the guitar community seemed to be the obvious way to celebrate and help him.”

Tickets prices start at $75 for general admission and are set to go on sale Friday, May 6th at 10 AM (PT). A limited number of VIP and Platinum VIP packages will be available through Satriani.com and Vai.com. Doors will be at 7 PM with the show set to begin at 8 PM.