LADIES TAKE THE STAGE Set for Flemington's Stangl Factory Tonight

In celebration of Women's History Month, CUT artisan. hair. design. presents Ladies Take The Stage, at Stangl Factory in Flemington tonight, March 7 at 7pm, featuring Nalani & Sarina, The Still Small Voice, Brianna Nelson, and Francy, with lighting by acclaimed lighting designer Julian Rain.

Peach and Danielle Hardy, of CUT artisan. hair. design., explain, "We are fortunate to be a place that attracts community and creative individuals. We are privileged to serve and rub shoulders with some extremely talented and well known musicians. CUT has decided to "pull out all the stops" and deliver a phenomenal event by partnering with these national touring performers. This evening will honor the cultural legacy that women have created in the world of music."

Nalani & Sarina cite Carole King and Aretha Franklin as their musical influences. This talented twin sister duo have built a large following from their performances throughout the Northeast at such places as World Café Live? Godfrey Daniels, John & Peters, The Bitter End, and The Stone Pony.

Brianna Nelson (of Newtown, PA), a contestant on The Voice, season 6, first realized she could sing when she was ten years old when her mom took her to a voice teacher for the first time, to prepare for an audition for the school play. The first song she learned was Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why," and to this day, Jones remains one of her major musical influences.

All the artists on the program credit their parents for introducing them to music. Born to folk music-loving parents, Nalani and Sarina attended concerts and sing-a-longs "in the womb," eventually raising their voice in song at about age five. They credit their mother for making sure their music education included all the greats -- songwriters Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen as well as the Beatles and Alanis Morissette. Sarina recalls "I told my mom that I fell asleep thinking about music and woke thinking about it, too. I think that's when she knew she was in trouble."

It was also a dream spurned Christiana Benton, front woman for The Still Small Voice, to become a musician. "When I was 13 I had a dream that I was playing guitar. When I woke up the next day, I told my dad and he went out and bought me one."

Francy grew up in a home surrounded by music. "I've always struggled with a stutter, and what really galvanized music as a career path for me was when I realized that my stutter lost its power when I sang," he states.

Brianna Nelson admits "No one in my family is musically inclined. It's still a mystery where I go got musical interests." But she credits her parents as her biggest fans and supporters.

Ultimately for each of these talented performers it is the sharing that comes from performing live in front of an audience. "I love sharing something that might relate to another human being," explains Christiana Benton." Nalani & Sarina add, "Our favorite thing about performing is the audience interaction. Connection is everything."

All tickets $15, and can be ordered online at www.ladiestakethestage.com or call (908) 788-4288.

Hand-crafted espresso based drinks and light pastries will be available from partner company Factory Fuel Co. Coffeehouse. Blue Fish Grill will be providing take out from their small plates selection or food can be ordered from their main menu. Ladies Take The Stage is sponsored by CUT artisan.hair.design., Stangl Stage, and Factory Fuel Co. Coffeehouse. www.ladiestakethestage.com.

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