Recording artist Erin Dickins is pleased to announce a CD Release Party and benefit concert scheduled for October 21st at the historic Avalon Theatre.
Joining Dickins for this special event will be the talented Stef Scaggiari on the piano and popular singer-songwriter Kentavius Jones. A graduate of Washington College, Jones is scheduled to perform the opening set, which will begin at 8:00 PM.
Dickins promises an evening of jazz and sultry tunes to celebrate the release of her long-awaited first solo CD, which, she says with a laugh, has been in the works “since high school.”
It will be ‘Bette Midler meets Diana Krall’ when Erin performs her mix of elegant jazz, sultry ballads, original material and offbeat humor – beautifully accompanied by Scaggiari on piano and an all-star lineup of jazz musicians, many of whom can be heard on the new CD, Nice Girls.
A founding member of the original jazz vocal group Manhattan Transfer, Dickins has actually worked with Midler, and has extensive experience in the recording studio and on stage as a recording artist, singer, producer and performer. Dickins recently completed work in New York on her new CD, produced by Jesse Frederick and arranged by Rob Mounsey.
In addition to a dizzying array of commercial work for the likes of McDonalds, Dickins’ long list of credits includes performing/recording with James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Gregg Allman, Bette Midler, The Talking Heads, Yoko Ono, Melissa Manchester, Jim Croce, James Brown, Randy Newman, Laura Brannigan, Janis Ian, Roberta Flack, Peabo Bryson, Barry Manilow, Patti Austin, Ashford & Simpson, Leonard Cohen, Dr. John, Paul Butterfield, Levon Helm and of course, the Manhattan Transfer.
Tim Hauser, a co-founder of that famous vocal group, said, “I have known Erin since 1969 . . . I have always thought she was a great singer. I thought so then, and I think that now . . . because she sings from her heart, and those kinds of singers are my favorites.”
Dickins is a well-known figure within the recording industry . . . but here at home on the Mid-Shore, she is perhaps best remembered for her work as one-half of the driving force behind three hilariously successful “Follies” live stage productions. Together with director Alex Handy, Dickins conceived and produced hilarious skits, spoofs and musical numbers – starring an amazing roster of local talent that reads like a Talbot county Who’s Who – for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity on the Mid-Shore.
In addition, Dickins served as board member, president and executive director of the Community Alliance for the Performing Arts (CAPA) for more than ten years. During her tenure, Dickins produced several wildly acclaimed theatrical productions – including High Society (2006), Little Shop of Horrors (2007) and Plaza Suite (2008) – and developed CAPA’s SummerFame theatre program for children and teens (2002-2008).
Proceeds will help homeless cats
Dickins has loved animals since her early childhood in Long Island, NY. She favors dogs, cats and horses, and participated in many equestrian activities in her younger days. The child of a Naval Academy graduate/musician/father and a Rockette/drama critic/mother, Dickins developed a passion for the arts at an early age. Now a philanthropist and a respected artist in her own right, she wanted her first solo project – her new CD and concert – to benefit animals in need. Accordingly, all net proceeds from the show will benefit TomCat Solutions, a new non-profit organization. TomCat Solutions’ mission is to reduce the number of free-roaming, abandoned and homeless cats on the Mid-Shore – a widespread problem created by humans, which can be fixed by humans. Details can be found at www.TomCatSolutionsOnline.org or www.Facebook.com/tomcatsolutions .
Save the date: Oct. 21
Tickets for this swanky, not-to-be-missed evening will be available through the Avalon and Ticketmaster beginning August 1. Call 410-822-7299 for further information. There will be three levels of ticket prices: Limited general admission seating at $20.00, General Admission at $30.00, and Patron Tickets for $75.00. Patron tickets will include preferred seating, a champagne reception with the artists at Scossa Restaurant (following the concert) and a signed copy of Erin’s new CD, Nice Girls.
For more information, or to buy tickets please visit www.AvalonTheatre.com and www.ErinDickins.com .