Melissa Etheridge: RISE to Headline 2026 Bardavon Gala

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Bardavon Presents is thrilled to announce that Grammy and Academy Award-winning rock icon Melissa Etheridge will headline the 2026 Bardavon Gala on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 7:30pm at the historic Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie, NY. The concert is part of Etheridge’s newly announced “Rise” tour and marks a powerful return to the Hudson Valley.

The Bardavon Gala is the organization’s signature annual fundraising event, celebrating the transformative power of the arts while raising critical support for Bardavon’s education programs and school residencies. “Yes, this is our most important fundraiser of the year,” said Bryan Zellmer, Bardavon’s Executive Director, “but more importantly we focus on the fun for our attendees and present the best of the best for the concert.” Gala guests will enjoy a pre-show cocktail party (details to be announced), followed by an unforgettable evening with one of America’s most beloved and fearless singer-songwriters.

Melissa Etheridge’s career spans more than three decades of chart-topping hits, raw confessional songwriting, and trailblazing advocacy. From “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One” to her Oscar-winning anthem “I Need to Wake Up,” Etheridge has built a legacy of resilience, authenticity, and rock-and-roll soul. Her recent Broadway run, acclaimed docuseries I’m Not Broken, and the launch of The Etheridge Foundation underscores her continued commitment to healing, storytelling, and social impact.

Melissa Etheridge's tour is called "Rise" to represent a message of overcoming adversity and finding hope. “We’re adopting the theme of Rise for this year’s Gala,” said Zellmer, “as it can easily speak to the growth happening in Poughkeepsie, Kingston, and throughout the Hudson Valley. Despite the division in our world, we’re seeing a community come together. That’s a message of hope—and hope is something we all need right now.”

Tickets go on sale this week:

Bardavon Member Presale: Wednesday, October 22 at 12:00pm EDT
Public On Sale: Friday, October 24 at 10:00am EDT

Ticket Options:

$275 – Gala ticket + pre-show cocktail party + tax-deductible donation
$150 – Gala ticket + tax-deductible donation
$100 – Gala ticket only

Tickets available at Bardavon and UPAC box offices (Tue–Fri, 10am–4pm) or online anytime at ticketmaster.com (fees apply). Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Bryan Zellmer at bzellmer@bardavon.org for more information.

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