(KINGSTON, N.Y.) – Grammy Award and Juno Award-winning artist Sarah McLachlan, the pop-rock singer-songwriter who founded Lilith Fair in 1997, performs at the Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) on Sunday, November 29 at 7:30pm. With over 25 years in the recording industry, Sarah McLachlan is a multi-platinum singer and songwriter best known for her intimate vocals and confessional lyrics.
McLachlan’s sophomore release, “Solace,” went gold and solidified her as a rising star in Canada. With two successful albums under her belt, McLachlan began penning the lyrics for “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy,” which contained the haunting single “Possession.”An immediate hit in Canada, the album became her breakthrough release in the United States, making it onto the contemporary charts.
McLachlan’s next album, “Surfacing,” was released in 1997 and became her best-selling release to-date. “Surfacing” peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and went eight-times platinum in the U.S. The album won a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance for “Building a Mystery” and another for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for “Last Dance.” “Surfacing” also provided McLachlan with four Juno Awards in her native Canada.
In 1997, McLachlan also founded the Lilith Fair tour, showcasing female artists and bringing over two million people together during its three-year run. Lilith Fair raised more than $7 million for women’s charities and helped launch the careers of numerous women performers. The festival was the most successful all-female music event and was the top-grossing touring festival at that time.
In 2001, McLachlan was bestowed another honor by being appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest recognition, for excellence and lifetime achievement, was given to her for her dedication to bettering the lives of her fellow citizens.
While taking a break from recording, McLachlan continued her philanthropic efforts by laying the groundwork for a non-profit music education program in Vancouver. When she first envisioned a music school at no cost, she knew that in order for her vision to thrive, she would have to think outside the box. The Sarah McLachlan School of Music officially opened its doors in 2003 with a mission to provide top quality music instruction at no cost, in a safe and nurturing environment, for at-risk and underserved children and youth. The School reaches hundreds of young people every year, providing them with the space and the tools they need to express themselves and it offers a secure, inspiring place to learn, practice, and ultimately connect with others and with themselves.
Returning to the studio in 2003, McLachlan burst back into the spotlight with “Afterglow.” Reaching double-platinum, “Afterglow” featured hit singles “Fallen,” “World on Fire” and “Stupid.”
In 2010, McLachlan released “Laws of Illusion,” her first studio album of all original material for the first time in nearly seven years. Produced by her longtime collaborator Pierre Marchand, the album featured 12 new songs and debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200. The album featured the single “One Dream,” which became the official theme song of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. McLachlan then went on to perform her hit “Ordinary Miracle” at the opening ceremony of the Olympics in her home city of Vancouver in front of an estimated 3 billion television viewers worldwide.
McLachlan’s latest album, “Shine On,” was released in 2014; it explores her personal journey over the last three years navigating love, loss and change. “Shine On” celebrates the human ability to grow from our experiences, thrive and shine on. Today McLachlan continues to call Vancouver home, where she resides with her two daughters, India and Taja.
Sarah McLachlan Tickets are $80-$120 (based on location) and may be purchased at: at the UPAC Box Office, 601 Broadway Kingston, 845.339.6088 or Bardavon Box Office, 35 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, 845.473.2072 or online at Ticketmaster: 800.745.3000. Note that Bardavon Member benefits are not available through Ticketmaster.