Judy Collins Makes Segerstrom Center Debut Tonight

Grammy Award-winning artist Judy Collins makes her Segerstrom Center for the Arts debut in her Holidays and Hits concert tonight, December 6 in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. It will be an evening of beloved holiday songs and music from her five-decade career that has produced such legendary interpretations as "Both Sides Now," "Send in the Clowns" and "Amazing Grace." The New York Times states, "Watching Ms. Collins perform ... is like studying a jewel that reveals new facets as it is slowly turned into the light." Joining her will be the Passenger String Quartet.

Single tickets are available online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787. For inquiries about groups of 20 or more, call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236. The TTY number is (714) 556-2746.

Judy Collins has inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs and a firm commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and steely determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Five decades later, her luminescent presence continues to shine brightly as new generations bask in the glow of her iconic 50- album body of work and heed inspiration from her spiritual discipline to thrive in the music industry for half a century.

The award-winning singer-songwriter is esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards and her own poetically poignant original compositions. Collins' stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" from her landmark 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Her dreamy and sweetly intimate version of "Send in the Clowns," a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical A Little Night Music, won Song of the Year at the 1975 Grammy Awards. She's garnered several top ten hits as well as gold and platinum- selling albums. Recently, contemporary and classic artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Arlo Gutherie, Joan Baez and Leonard Cohen honored her legacy with the album Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins.

Collins has also authored several books, including the powerful and inspiring, Sanity & Grace. For her most recent memoir, Sweet Judy Blue Eyes: My Life in Music, she reaches deeply inside and, with unflinching candor, recalls her turbulent childhood, extraordinary rise to fame, her romance with Stephen Stills, her epic victories over depression and alcoholism and her redemption through embracing a healthy and stable lifestyle and finding true love with Louis Nelson, her partner of 30 years. In addition, she remains a social activist, representing UNICEF and numerous other causes. With Jill Godmillow, she co- directed an Academy Award-nominated film about Antonia Brico, the first woman to conduct major symphonies around the world and Collins' classical piano teacher when she was young.

Collins, now 74, is as creatively vigorous as ever, writing, touring worldwide and nurturing fresh talent. She is a modern day Renaissance woman who is also an accomplished painter, filmmaker, record label head, musical mentor and an in-demand keynote speaker for mental health and suicide prevention. She continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts applauds Omaha Steaks for its generous support of Judy Collins: Holidays and Hits. Kia is the Official Automotive Partner of the Center and United Airlines, Official Airline of the Center. Time Warner is the Media Partner of the Broadway and Curtain Call Series.