EC-CHAP Special Event: "Songs for Ukraine II" - A Benefit Concert for the People of Ukraine

Tickets: $40.00

Doors: 7:00pm / Performance: 8:00pm

*** THIS IS NOT A “B.Y.O.B.&F.” EVENT ***

NO FOOD OR BEVERAGE ALLOWED INTO THE VENUE

FULL BAR - SOFT DRINKS - PACKAGED SNACKS AVAILABLE WITH TICKETS

Tickets for Alcoholic Beverages, Soft Drinks, and Snacks may be purchased in advance below or at the event.

If you are unable to attend the concert, or would like to make an additional donation, please click below!

The People of Ukraine Need Your Support!

On September 24, 2022, EC-CHAP planned and executed a benefit concert, “Songs for Ukraine” at The Packing House. 100% of all proceeds raised were provided directly to support the people of Ukraine. We felt a need to support these people then; and with the recent issues and developments, we feel a need to respond again in these uncertain times.

As a result, we are offering a second benefit concert, "Songs for Ukraine II" featuring performances by five past CT State Troubadours including: Kala Farnham, Kate Callahan, Lara Herscovitch, Pierce Campbell, and Thomasina Levy.

During the evening, resident artist Jack Broderick will be creating a drawing of the performance “live”. This original drawing will be given to a raffle winner at the end of the concert.

We are grateful for these incredible performing and visual artists sharing their creative talents for this important cause.

Please join us for an evening of original acoustic works and arrangements by these talented artists. This program is hosted by the "Eastern Connecticut Center for History, Art, and Performance" (EC-CHAP). 100% of ALL proceeds generated through Ticket and Merchandise sales, Donations, Sponsorships, and Raffle will be forwarded to our partner Direct Relief for distribution to Ukraine.

MEET THE TROUBADOURS (click their photos for more information):

Kala Farnham crafts folk songs with roots and wings, weaving age-old truths into modern grooves. Drawing on a background in classical piano and musical theater, she reimagines the folk tradition, infusing fairytales, historical fiction, and mantra-based narrative medicine into vivid portraits of the familiar world. Her intimate, fireside-style sonic tapestries—featuring soul-stirring vocals and mystical folk harp, piano, and guitar—invite listeners on a transcendent journey that lingers long after the final note fades.

Kate Callahan is an American singer-songwriter and member of In Trine, a vocal harmony trio based in Connecticut. Her latest album, Lay it Down, is a welcome reprieve for anyone who needs a deep breath. She takes listeners through the mountains of China, to the front lines of the climate crisis, and into a state of compassion as only Kate knows how: by embodying her songs with every cell.

Lara Herscovitch is a singer-songwriter-poet-performer-author gem. As described in The Boston Globe, she brings "a luminous voice and a buoyant stage presence... big-hearted lyrics embrace the sum of life...Herscovitch's music blows on the embers of a lagging spirit or a dormant creative life." Lara leads with authenticity, integrity, humor and heart. Sound Waves Magazine described her music as "expertly written prose... songwriting at its best... good for your ears AND your soul."

Pierce has been playing guitar and singing most of his life, receiving high praise for his dazzling guitar work, superb songwriting, and powerful vocals. His performances are versatile, humorous and engaging as he jumps from guitar instrumentals, to vocal ballads, to Irish sing-alongs, all of which take the listener down a road of unexpected twists and turns. Pierce is a full time musician and has released five solo CD’s. He plays over 260 shows a year throughout the Northeast at municipalities, libraries, festivals, Irish pubs, coffeehouses, and senior centers.

Thomasina Levy, is an award-winning songwriter, poet, and internationally recognized mountain dulcimer player whose performances weave together the best of traditional and contemporary folk music. She is a popular virtual workshop leader whose workshops frequently sell out. Her music has been aired in over twenty countries across the globe. Described as a charismatic performer, she touches audiences with a simplicity, humanity, and strength drawn from the deep roots of the folk tradition.

Thank You For Your Support!

EC-CHAP Acoustic Artist Series: An Intimate Evening with Musician and Actor Alicia Witt

Performance Tickets: $30.00 Advance (Online) / $35.00 Door

Doors Open: 6:30pm - Performance: 7:30pm

“Meet & Greet” Tickets Also Available!

5:30pm - 6:30pm - $50.00 (additional)

SPECIAL NOTE: We are honored to have Musician and Film Actor Alicia Witt grace The Packing House stage this season! Her career as a TV/Film Actor and musical Performer spans nearly 4 decades. My recollection of first seeing Alicia in film was her portrayal of the high school clarinetist (Gertrude) in “Mr. Holland’s Opus”. This is a very special evening, and as such, we are offering an additional Ticket for a Special “Meet & Greet” session for a private session with Alicia from 5:30pm to 6:30pm - prior to doors opening to the public. This is certainly a show not to miss!

TDB

 Listen to Alicia Witt’s March 7th interview with Mark Ramone, host of “Something Different” WECS Radio 90.1FM

Witt's full length self-produced Christmas album, “I Think I'm Spending Christmas With You”, came out in November 2024. Witt has performed on film, TV and stage for four decades. A classically trained competitive pianist, Alicia's music has been described as 'sharply personal, boldly melodic pop originals in the Carole King/Billy Joel vein' (Philadelphia Inquirer).

 In 2023, Witt appeared on Fox's The Masked Singer, winning her first episode with her rendition of Over The Rainbow. She is also a familiar face to Hallmark Christmas movie fans, with 9 original Christmas movies (2013-2020), many of which feature her original music.

 Alicia was on the Billboard Top 30 chart for 5 weeks with 2021's piano power ballad Chasing Shadows, off her album The Conduit, which she co-produced. A competitive classical pianist as a child, she supported herself by playing piano in the restaurants and bars from the age of 10, including in the lobby lounge of the famed Beverly/Wilshire Hotel from ages 16-19. The Nashville Scene said of her Ben Folds produced album Revisionary History: "... a piano-pop gem that sounds by turns like Grey Seal era Elton John, an alt-universe Fiona Apple and a film-noir chanteuse notching her nights in cigarette burns on the fallboard."  She has played all over the world, including at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, and has opened for Ben Folds Five, Rachel Platten, Bob Schneider, Jimmy Webb and John Fulbright. 

Alicia has performed her original piano-driven pop music all over the world, including at the renowned Grand Ole Opry. She has also opened for Ben Folds Five, Rachel Platten, and Jimmy Webb, to name a few. Her 2018 release, 15000 Days, was produced by Grammy-winning producer Jacquire King (James Bay, Norah Jones, Kings of Leon, Dawes). Witt’s previous album, Revisionary History, was produced by Ben Folds and was described as ‘Grey Seal era Elton John, an alt-universe Fiona Apple, and a film noir chanteuse notching her nights in cigarette burns on the fallboard' (NASHVILLE SCENE).

Alicia's career as a TV/film actor began with David Lynch's DUNE at age 7. Her over 100 credits include Netflix's 2022 hit I Care A Lot; Orange Is The New Black; The Walking Dead; ABC's Nashville; FX's Justified; Twin Peaks; Two Weeks Notice; Mr Holland's Opus; The Sopranos; Cybill; Urban Legend; and Fun, which earned her acting awards at the Sundance Film Festival and the Gijon International Festival, and an Independent Spirit Award nomination. She has also been nominated for Screen Actors' Guild and Saturn Awards. 

 Witt has played multiple roles combining her skills as a musician and an actor, including as country singer Autumn Chase on ABC's Nashville. She can be seen playing the piano in David Lynch's original Twin Peaks in 1990 - a role she reprised in the return in 2018. Alicia's skills on the piano were also worked into her character, Zoey, on the sitcom Cybill (1995-1998) and in the film Playing Mona Lisa (2000). She also sang on the hit series Ally McBeal, including a performance with Randy Newman, and twice portrayed singer-songwriters in her Christmas movies, including Christmas Tree Lane, which she wrote the story for and produced, as well as contributed two original songs.

Join us for a special intimate evening with Alicia Witt! This program is hosted by the "Eastern Connecticut Center for History, Art, and Performance" (EC-CHAP). Doors 6:30pm / Show 7:30pm. Tickets $30.00 Advance (Online) / $35.00 Door.

Private “Meet & Greet” segment with ALicia Witt - 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Additional ticket $50.00.

Soft drinks and snacks available. We are pleased to offer our exclusive "BYOB&F" TM model - Bring Your Own Beverage & Food (Wine & Beer Only - I.D. Required).  You can also bring your paid ticket to Willington Pizza House (or WP Too) for eat-in or take-out the night of the show and receive 15% off your meal purchase. Ask for "The Packing House" pizza! Click HERE for secret recipe. 

 For more information, please visit: www.thepackinghouse/upcoming or call 518-791-9474.