Women Musicians Network 16th Annual Concert, with guest CD Collins, March 7 at the Berklee Performance Center.

Women Musicians Network 16th Annual Concert, with guest CD Collins, March 7 at the Berklee Performance Center.

By Kirk Etherton

Award-winning poet, spoken-word artist, and activist CD Collins is the Special Guest at this year’s WMN concert. “We’re thrilled to have CD in the show,” says Lucy Holstedt, co-director, and concert M.C. “She is a great, courageous artist. I’ve admired her work for years.”

CD will be performing the title track from her just-released album, “Clean Coal/Big Lie.” In a recent radio interview, Collins thanked Holstedt for putting together a talented backing band of Berkee women students “who helped me take this piece to a new level.”

The concert—which is produced by the WMN student club at Berklee College of Music—has 13 acts this year. In original jazz, you’ll hear a contemporary big band, vocal soloists, and a virtuosic Israeli recorder player. Co-director Christiane Karam is bringing her Balkan choir to the show for the second time.

Other acts: R&B, rock, Scandinavian folk, and very hip Italian a cappella doo-wop. All together, 100 performers are involved (including about 25 male students). Men are definitely welcome on stage and in the audience.

Says CD Collins, “this is always such a fun, fine, and diverse show. I’m honored to be part of it this year.”

Tickets/ more info. at berkleebpc.com, or at the B.P.C. box office.

$8 in advance / $12 day of the show. The concert is 8:15 pm – 10:00 pm. Doors open at 7:45