Our ninth "Women's Concert Series"! The series includes concerts throughout the year, so check out SPRING CONCERTS, SUMMER CONCERTS and FALL/WINTER CONCERTS. Please join us ... all concerts are FREE to guests!

• Laura Wood, January 25-27: Laura helps to kick off our concert series again this year with her annual "cross-country ski trek and women's series performance"! Her musical influences stem from many different directions, and this can easily be heard in her songwriting. The most important thing for Laura is that her lyrics ring true to people and that they can believe the words they are hearing. For Laura music is all about emotions, it’s the whole point in writing a song.  www.laurawoodmusic.com

• Emily Nyman & Lynn Berry, February 29-March 2: A favorite duo returns to the Inn! With her unique style, poetic lyrics, soothing vocals, and expressive piano and guitar, Emily Nyman's performance is always a treat. Emily has performed in venues from the Canadian Border to the Jersey Shore, and currently resides in the North East Kingdom of Vermont. She combines originals and cover tunes, providing an eclectic mix of folk, country, blues, classic rock, and standards. She and her life partner Lynn Berry have been co-writing songs since 1991 and have released 5 self-produced CD’s. Emily and Lynn’s music has been featured on Sirius Radio 109Q. In January 2007, Pat Marino aired their interview on his Sunset Cruise request show. This show marked the debut of “Poet-Painter,” a song inspired by the story of Jim Wheeler, a teen who ended his life in the wake of intolerance. Emily performed “Poet-Painter” at Equality Forum’s Teen Panel presentation in Philadelphia in May 2007. In addition to performing at the Highlands, Emily will offer guitar lessons at the Inn. cdbaby.com/cd/nyman cdbaby.com/cd/nyman2 cdbaby.com/cd/nyman3

  

 

SPRING CONCERTS - FREE!

We’re pleased to present an outstanding selection of performers this spring. Also see JANUARY/FEBRUARY CONCERTS, SUMMER CONCERTS and FALL/WINTER CONCERTS.

• Jennifer Matthews, March 7-9: Jennifer Matthews has had a prolific music career with six cds and an international touring schedule that encompasses Japan, Korea, Switzerland and England to name a few. She has received numerous awards over the years, her most current from Billboard World Music for "The Wheel" released on Thundamoon Records. Billboard President Jim Halsey wrote.."Only the highest quality songs make it to the top. This honor demonstrates the talent and dedication it takes to write a hit song."  Jennifer is also a very accomplished poet, photographer and artist. She was nominated for a poetry award by the Cambridge Arts Council for her book of poetry released under Somerville's Ibbetson Street Press, "Fairy Tales and Misdemeanors." Her photography has been shown in Boston area galleries. "Matthews rocks like a folk punk PJ Harvey and downshifts with the oblique nimble sensitivity of Suzanne Vega." See www.jennifermatthews.com/, hear tracks at www.myspace.com/sunroomsessions.

• Jess Yoakum, March 14-16: With a textured, mature vocal style and a playful yet commanding stage presence, Yoakum's audiences are treated to captivatingly bold lyrics that dare to reach beyond the comfort zone. "Lyrically refreshing, she hooks the listener with thoughts and ideas not often found in today's mainstream music..." -IMG Music Promotions. She tours primarily in New England and along the West Coast, and receives radio play on internet, community and college stations across the country. Jess has begun working on her sophmore album. www.jessyoakum.com

• Antara, March 21-23: Whether busy conjuring variations of rhythm folk poetry in song lyrics or exploring the percussive-like dynamics of her trademark guitar riffs, independent folk songstress Antara continues to establish herself as a 'new' folk artist who is expanding the forefront of women’s music and the independent folk movement (www.littleweirdgirl.com). Having performed professionally for a dozen years in more than 500 venues throughout New England, Canada, the Midwest and the South, Antara’s unique fusion of rhythmic folk music and interactive coffee house performance capitalizes on a consistent sharing of the sociological perspective that shapes her life, love and work.

• Rebecca Katz & Teresa Storch, March 28-30: Proud to be a songwriter contributing new material, like her hero Nanci Griffith, Rebecca Katz is devoted to passing on traditional songs and favorites by fellow writers.  Equipped with a clear, confident voice, Rebecca can as easily evoke laughter from her audiences as improvised harmony. Equal parts songwriter and storyteller, she is all-heart all the time, and brings her special touch to every room she plays. www.rkatztunes.com A nationally touring performer for the past four years, Boston-based singer/songwriter Teresa Storch is constantly moving. Her music has been described as a "bounding folk rock sound...mesmerizing vocal riffs" by Boston's Metronome Magazine and "...funky guitar work... fabulously catchy folk-genre'd tunes" by Boston Girl Guide. You will find Teresa wherever she can do what she loves, connecting with people through music, be it in clubs in Cambridge or a subway platform. www.teresastorch.com

 

• Liz Borden Band, April 11-13: The Liz Borden Band consists of Liz Borden on vocals and guitar, Kelly Davidson on guitar, and Kelly Johnson on bass. Drummer John Kokas and guitar player Senchant will be staying home for this gig. There will be special guests stars performing with the girls. Sporting wispy pop harmonies, the group vacillates from power chords to psychedelia, to jangly guitars and acoustic pop sensibilities. www.myspace.com/lizziebordenband

 

• Katherine Rhoda, April 18-20: Folksinger, song leader, and multi-instrumentalist Katherine Rhoda has a passion and a gift for engaging and connecting with her listeners. She shares heartfelt music fostering authentic human connection, bringing a lucid and refreshing quality of intelligent, respectful, openhearted presence to her work. In the face of so many forces that separate and isolate us, her goal is to be joyfully subversive, drawing her listeners into an experience of contact, ease, mutuality, gusto and Big Fun. She sings in a sensitive and rousing voice, and plays a variety of fascinating instruments including the Marxophone, violin-guitar, Lithuanian kankles, and more. www.katherinerhoda.com

• Becky Chace & Marcy Lang, April 25-27: Chosen Best Local Female Vocalist 5 times in 6 years (2000-2003, 2005) by the readers of the Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll, Becky Chace has been said to have "the voice of an angel who just got her heart ripped out by the devil" (The New Haven Advocate). Becky's voice is unforgettable, much like the women to whom she is compared such as Melissa Etheridge or Bonnie Raitt. As an artist, Becky is many things: a crooner, a crass commentator, a sympathizer, an activist, a lover of profanity and polite behavior ... she is real to herself and her audience. (www.beckychace.com) With

  multi-year nominations for Best Female Vocalist in both the Providence Phoenix and Motif Magazine Best Music Polls, Marcy Lang has carved out a name for herself in the Rhode Island music scene and all over New England and the Northeast. With her powerful vocals melted together with an aggressive guitar style reminiscent of early Melissa Etheridge - Marcy puts it all together with her original and powerful songwriting. She bares it all in a suprisingly simple, yet heart wrenching package that will leave you wanting more. Marcy has recently relocated back to her roots in New York City and is currently taking time to finish writing the songs for her upcoming sophmore CD release. Look for it in the SPRING 2008!! www.myspace.com/marcylang

• Christine Havrilla, May 2-4: Named "One of the Top Ten Indie Artists" by The Advocate Magazine in 2006, Christine Havrilla is currently touring in support of her latest release, "Velocity." The new album features her six piece band and an eclectic collection of songs. Her sound is difficult to pigeonhole. The first release off of "Velocity," entitled "Hole in the Ground," topped Sirius Satellite Radio's Hot 20 chart at #1 to start off 2007 and the second release, "Letting Go" spent 12 weeks on the chart. "I am absolutely enthralled with (Havrilla's) latest, Velocity. From the start of the first song, "Hole in the Ground," I'm completely blown away and hooked," writes Madalyn Sklar (Founder/Publisher, GoGirlsMusic.com - Houston, TX).  Philadelphia Magazine simply states, "She rocks!" www.christinehavrilla.com

• Truth or Dare, May 10: Truth or Dare, the all-female cover band from Rhode Island, will play at the Highlands' 25th birthday party on May 10. Click here for info about the party!

 

• Vange Durst & Heather Rose, May 16-18: Vange Durst has been playing and singing her own brand of folk/funk for many years. A founding member of Sisterfunk, she played lead guitar and sang with the "sistas" for 5 years. She has opened for Maceo Parker, The Pointer Sisters and many others and was voted Hartford Advocate's Guitarist of the Year in 2005. Since then Vange has formed her own band, EV3. She released a new 13 song CD "My Soul" in Feb. 2008, and is looking forward to a great time at the Highlands Inn! www.vangedurst.com Named Motif Magazine's Best Female Vocalist 2007 and winner of 4 Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll Awards (including Best Female Vocalist and Best Song), Heather Rose is an artist on the move! Whether she's performing solo or rocking the stage with her band Heather Rose & The Drama, Heather's pop-rock sensibility and numerous musical styles create a new interpretation of rock to make you think, feel and move. www.myspace.com/HeatherRoseRocks

• Sunday May 25, Emily White: Emily White's sophomore release "12 Ways to Live" delves into new territory for the Chicago singer/songwriter. She's still playing her signature guitar lines and singing the disarmingly honest lyrics that have made her popular with fans throughout the country, but the new album takes a decidedly more indie approach to the folk-rock style that has garnered attention in songwriting circles. Emily has been performing throughout the Midwest and Northeast over the past two years, sharing her introspective songs and candid stage presence with audiences from Omaha to Miami. Check out her music at www.emily-white.com and be sure to come to the show!
  

• Vicki Blankenship & Shelly Ryan, May 30-June 1:Vicki Blankenship has been dubbed the female James Taylor and a Janis Joplin reincarnate with vocal ranges from sweet and pure to gritty rock. Her solo debut on the Indie music circuit was in 2004 with her "Don't Forget To Breathe" CD, followed by her 2005 CD "Horizons." Winner of several songwriting awards and a nomination for Outmusic musician of the year, Vicki has performed in over 300 venues and 50 festivals and conferences around the U.S. With all this to her credit she is probably best known for her activism in the fight against cancer and for promoting Indie artists as founder/president of Indie Music For Life (www.indiemusicforlife.org) and as CEO of Indiegrrl (www.Indiegrrl.com). Visit her personal website at www.spottedkivaproductions.com. Inspired by sketch comedy, Comedian Shelly Ryan began her adventure in 2004 by joining other writers at SketchWorks, where two of her scripts were produced in a showcase. She also co-wrote a piece that appeared as the closing act in one of their mainstage performances. After graduating from Funny Farm University in late 2005, Shelly's been on stage at several of Atlanta's comedy clubs and has emceed for a variety of local events. Shelly's closest brush with fame was the Nickelodeon at Nite's Funniest Mom Contest. WARNING: She's NOT your average mom! cdbaby.com/cd/shellyryan
  

 

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