Jan Kudelka to Bring Janis Joplin's Birthday Bash to Hugh's Room This Winter

Gone at 27, the Queen of Psychedelic Soul is back for one night only! After smashing sold-out shows in 2015 and 2016, singer and performer Jan Kudelka conjures and celebrates the beloved blues/rock trailblazer Janis Joplin with a 74th birthday bash on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Hugh's Room (2261 Dundas St. W.).

Janis Joplin's Birthday Bash is an intimate journey into the epic voice and tender heart of the Janis Joplin legend.

Known for her powerful voice and mesmerizing presence, Jan Kudelka sings full throttle and with eerie accuracy in this riveting evening of celebratory song and storytelling about the legendary icon. She performs 18 songs from the Joplin music catalogue. Piece of My Heart, I Need a Man To Love, Cry Baby, Ball and Chain, Me and Bobby McGee and Mercedes Benz are just a few of the soulful blues rock songs Kudelka brings to the stage.

She is backed by her brilliant JanisWorld band: David Gray on guitar, Tyler Wagler on bass, Michelle Willis on keyboards and Martin Worthy on drums.

Jan Kudelka is both a playwright and an extraordinary entertainer who grew up in a creative family alongside photographer Matthew Kudelka and choreographer James Kudelka. Her storied career spans four decades: from the original cast of Hair at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre (where she met Richard Pochinko and devoted several years to working with him on sacred mask technique), to principal roles for two seasons at the Stratford Festival with Maggie Smith and Jessica Tandy, to ten seasons on land and horseback with the legendary Caravan Farm and Stage Theatres. Her original works include Circus Gothic and the musical American Demon (earning a Dora nomination as a creator), both of which have been performed across Canada. In the last decade of the 20th century, she experienced five recurring dreams of Janis Joplin. In response to this spirit-world nudge, she created and performed a multimedia, one-woman play-in-concert entitled Janis/Janus. She performed it throughout 2001-2007, garnering rave reviews and sold out venues in a 35-date British Columbia tour.

Janis Joplin's Birthday Bash is the offspring of that critically acclaimed play, adapted to a concert setting by veteran theatre actor Maggie Huculak. Janis Joplin's Birthday Bash is produced by Maggie Huculak and Jan Kudelka.

3rd Annual Janis Joplin'S BIRTHDAY BASH. Created by and Starring Jan Kudelka with the JanisWorld Band. Adapted by Maggie Huculak. Produced by Maggie Huculak and Jan Kudelka. One Night Only! Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 8:30pm at Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON M6R 1X6. Tickets are $27.50 in advance or $35.00 at the door. Dinner packages available as well. For tickets, visit hughsroom.com or call 416-531-6604.

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