**EVENING EVENT** SPEAKER: DAVID FRIEDMAN; ENTERTAINER: RAISSA KATONA BENNETT

To accommodate those who haven’t been able to meet for lunch, we will have a 5:30pm Happy Half-Hour, dinner at 6, followed by our program, wrapping up at 8pm. $52 admission includes a three-course lunch payable at the door by cash or check only

DAVID FRIEDMAN: After 5 weeks after experiencing the devastating and unexpected breakup of a 15-year relationship, renowned composer/conductor/author David Friedman was lying in bed one night, thinking his life was over, when an encouraging thought suddenly came to him. He realized that whomever he was going to meet next was already in the world, possibly even looking for him, and all he had to do was walk through his life and he would find love at the right time in the right place. That thought became a song (You’re Already There) and as part of his recovery, David began interviewing couples of long-standing to find out how they met. What he discovered was that every meeting is random, you never know when, you never know where, and you never know how. 

Those interviews became a book called How They Met underscoring the point that no matter how lost we feel, how far from our goals we may think we are, everything can change in one moment, in ways we couldn't have imagined. 

You will have an opportunity to buy the book and a CD of related songs after the evening. Whatever is going on in your life, whatever you are dreaming of, this should be an inspiring evening filled with laughter, love and encouragement. Don’t miss it! 

RAISSA KATONA BENNETT: In addition to being the Entertaiment Chair of the Dutch Treat Club, Raissa appeared on Broadway as “Christine Daae” in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, CHESS in concert and the First National Tours of CATS, PARADE and A CHILD’S XMAS IN WALES.  Recently, she appeared in BEAUTY & THE BEAST as “Mrs. Potts” at Summer Theatre of New Canaan, FUN HOME at Music Theatre of CT as “Helen” in TV’s “Law and Order SVU”. She's headlined at Feinstein’s, Metropolitan Room, Iridium, Beechman Theatre, Green Room 42 and guest starred at Carnegie Hall, Rose Hall/Lincoln Center, Town Hall, 54 Below, Algonquin’s Oak Room & the Rainbow Room. She has 3 Solo CD’s on LML Music Label at Amazon & iTunes, one of which is titled "What I Was Dreaming Of", written by her good friend, David Friedman and she's thrilled to be sharing his music with you all for this program www.raissakatonabennett.com