Songs in the Night

"Songs in the Night" will be a spring evening set in God’s house and filled with music to uplift and inspire. Recording artists Michael Kelly Blanchard and Cheryl Cormier Batter, along with guest performer Rob Carter and the Blueprints, will bring their special gifts to this benefit event. The concert will be held on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Center Congregational Church, 155 Main St. in Torrington. A meet-the-artists reception will follow.

For more than twenty years, "story-singer" Michael Kelly Blanchard has written songs, prose and plays which connect us to the merciful and loving heart of God. As a solo performer on guitar and piano with numerous CDs to his credit, Michael tells stories with a tender touch to help us laugh and cry at both the human condition and the renewing power of God’s unconditional love. His nonprofit Quail Ministries "seeks to be a tool in the belt of the divine carpenter, Jesus."

Cheryl Cormier Batter began her career singing commercial jingles but quickly staked her claim in country music, opening for the likes of Willie Nelson, Patty Loveless, Alabama, Vince Gill and many others. Today, Cheryl and her husband Jeff Batter have found their voice in Christian and praise-and-worship music, bringing their talents to assemblies throughout Connecticut and New England. Her vibrant CD, Wonderful, is receiving wide airplay in Europe, South America and the U.S. Their newest CD of Contemporary Christian music is due out later this year.

Rob Carter and the Blueprints will also perform, with wide-ranging personal compositions performed on piano and guitar. Rob’s original music is full of lyrical and spiritual integrity, and never fails to touch audiences.

All proceeds from the concert will benefit the work of the Christian Counseling Connection, a Torrington-based nonprofit agency that provides counseling services to individuals, couples and families. The Christian Counseling Connection is committed to helping people improve their lives emotionally and spiritually by offering counseling, therapy groups, training workshops and seminars.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 5-12), children under 5 free. Tickets are available at Heart & Soul Christian Book Store on Main St. in Torrington, or by calling the Christian Counseling Connection at 860-626-1112; tickets will also be available at the door. For more info call the church at 860-489-8301.