Melissa Manchester to visit Dowagiac this spring

Grammy award winning musician Melissa Manchester will rock Dowagiac with new material later this spring, as her concert will cap-off the 2015 Dogwood Fine Arts Festival.

The singer is the latest headliner announced for this year’s festival, which takes place from May 8-17. Manchester will take the stage inside the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center on Saturday, May 16.

A native of New York City, Manchester was on the shortlist of musicians considered for this year’s concert, which is one of the tent-pole events of the 10-day festival every year, said Dogwood Secretary Bobbie Jo Hartline. Last year, the organizers brought in classic rock-and-roll artist Mitch Ryder.

“We try to mix it up a bit each year,” Hartline said. “There tends to be a formula that the committee goes by in terms of who would be entertaining for visitors during a particular year.”

Manchester is a natural fit for Dogwood, as she has been exposed to the fine arts from an early age, as her father was a bassoonist for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra while her mother was one of the first women to design and found her own clothing firm.

A published poet from the age of 15, Manchester learned songwriting from Paul Simon while attending New York University. She later landed a staff writing job at Chappell Music, performing on the side as a solo singer/pianist in the clubs of Greenwich Village.

The artist received her first major break in the industry after receiving the opportunity to sing backup for Bette Midler at a concert in Carnegie Hall, in the process fulfilling one of her childhood dreams to perform inside the renowned concert hall. Six months later, she received a recording contract, with her name headlining at Carnegie Hall.

With hits such as “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” “You Should Hear How She Talks About You,” “Through the Eyes of Love,” “Midnight Blue,” “Whenever I Call You Friend,” and “Just You and I,” littered throughout her performing career, Manchester continues to write and perform. Her newest album, “You Gotta Love the Life,” goes on sale Tuesday.

“She’s on tour right now,” Hartline said. “She was just in Florida. One of my friends saw her and told me that she still has got it.”

One of the things that made her standout to organizers was how personal her music is, Hartline said. She often describes the story and inspiration behind her work during her concerts, which intensifies the connection between her and the audience.

“It will be fascinating to hear about her life, her career, and where she is going next,” Hartline said. “People will get more than they originally anticipated when they paid their ticket.”

Tickets for the event are currently available, for $25, $35 and $45. For reservations or more information, call (866) 490-2847 or (269) 782-1115.