Melissa Etheridge: RISE

THANK YOU GALA 2026

Melissa Etheridge stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. Her popularity grew with originals such as “Bring Me Some Water,” “No Souvenirs” and “Ain’t It Heavy,” for which she won a Grammy in 1992. Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, Yes I Am (1993), featuring the hits “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” which brought her a second Grammy for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995 she released Your Little Secret, featuring the single “I Want to Come Over,” and in 1996 she received the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards.

Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained a notable singer for decades. In February 2007 she won an Academy Award in the “Best Song” category for “I Need to Wake Up,” written for the documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Earlier in her career she publicly acknowledged her sexual orientation. In October 2004 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and later returned to perform on the 2005 Grammy telecast, singing “Piece of My Heart.”

On October 7, 2016 Etheridge released Memphis Rock & Soul, recorded at Royal Studios in Memphis. She followed that with The Medicine Show in April 2019. In June 2020 she launched The Etheridge Foundation to support research into treatments for opioid use disorder. In 2021 she released One Way Out, a 9-track collection of songs written in the late ’80s and early ’90s that had not been previously released.

In October 2022 she returned to the theatre with her one-woman show, My Window — A Journey Through Life, which premiered at New World Stages on October 13 and opened at Circle In the Square Theatre on Broadway in September 2023. In 2024 she released Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken, a two-part docuseries (Paramount+) and accompanying live album recorded within the grounds of the Topeka Correctional Facility.

Funds raised by the Bardavon Gala help underwrite programs that cannot support themselves, especially education programs and school residencies that bring artists and musicians to local schools.

Gala guests will enjoy a PRE-SHOW cocktail party—details to be announced soon.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Bryan Zellmer at bzellmer@bardavon.org.

Ordering directions:
- Preferable way to purchase tickets is in-person at the Bardavon or Ulster Performing Arts box office.
- You may also buy online at Ticketmaster.com (Ticketmaster fees will apply).
- Bardavon Member benefits and special discounts are not available through Ticketmaster.
- The Bardavon/UPAC box offices and Ticketmaster are the only official sources for tickets; be aware of secondary outlets selling tickets at inflated prices and other scams.

Become a member:
Purchase tickets over the phone, get early access to pre-sales, and more when you become a Bardavon Member. Learn more by calling our box office today.

Accessibility:
Please be advised that there is no elevator at either of our theaters—call or email the box office to arrange ADA seating.