Vermont singer, actress and artist Sally Olson makes a special appearance in Middlebury to present “A Song For You” on Saturday evening, January 23, 7:00 p.m. at the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Charter House Coalition, providing emergency shelter housing during the winter months and free community meals every day of the week throughout the year.
Sally is a graduate of Middlebury College (class of 2003), Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Florence Academy of Art in Italy. She has been acting and singing since childhood. Sally has also attended the acclaimed Circle in the Square Theatre School. She can be seen in local/regional commercials, theatre and cabaret performances.
This unique program draws on the Carpenters Tribute Concert that she originally performed in early 2015 with the Bill Reed Voice Studio, and has taken on tour throughout the state. In her tribute show, Sally performs the brother-sister duo’s greatest hits and covers. She also offers commentary on the history behind the Carpenters’ music, as well as Karen Carpenter’s rise to fame and her sudden and tragic death at the age of thirty-two, due to complications of anorexia nervosa. The Middlebury performance will be accompanied by Tim Guiles, who also provides back-up vocals, well known locally as music teacher, musical theater director, and accompanist of the College Community Chorus.
Through her tribute concert, Sally desires to honor Richard Carpenter’s musical genius and Karen Carpenter, one of the greatest female singers of all time. She incorporates authentic vintage costumes into her show to help recreate the world of the Carpenters. Reviewers of the show have noted that Sally Olson’s voice, appearance and stage-presence bear an uncanny resemblance to that of Karen Carpenter. Sally accepts this wonderful compliment and feels deeply honored to be able to pay tribute to the Carpenters through her singing. Sally notes “her strong affinity for the music of the Carpenters” and that she “relates to Karen and her soulful voice quality and sincerity. When Karen sings, it sounds likes she is experiencing everything for the first time.” The original production was conceived by Bill Reed (musical director & piano) and Sally Olson (artistic director & vocals). The set list includes many beloved Carpenters’ hits and covers that you’re sure to recognize, such as: Top of The World; We’ve Only Just Begun; Rainy Days And Mondays; (They Long To Be) Close To You; When I Fall in Love; At The End Of A Song; A Song For You; and Thank You For The Music.
Proceeds from the program (suggested admission $15, but any amount is welcome) will help the Charter House Coalition continue to provide ermergency overnight housing on frigid nights, and longer term housing at the Charter House in Middlebury for up to four families throughout the winter, in a warm, welcoming environment. Its meal programs – provided by area congregations, organizations and volunteers – serve more than 25,000 meals throughout the year, including homemade lunches every Monday through Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening suppers, Saturday morning breakfasts, and Sunday afternoon grill dinners. The Coalition also supports community housing on North Pleasant Street in Middlebury with five fully-furnished apartments, open all year, to help families in transition into independent living. The Coalition’s Farm-to-Table initiative raises and distributes about 5000 pounds of produce each year, used in the Charter House meal programs and donated to local food shelves. The Coalition extends sincere gratitude to CVUUS, one of the many area organizations that support its meal programs, for hosting this concert. Limited parking may be found at the Church; plenty of parking nearby adjacent to the high school football field.
You can catch a preview at www.carpenterstributeconcert.com on the web. Please join us for a wonderful evening of song and support this important community organization!
