FEMALE ROCKERS: Backed by local musicians, this group of women will trace the paths of rock pioneers from the 1950s to the present at a free concert in Hinds Plaza on June 9.

Five diverse female vocalists, backed by Princeton-area musicians, celebrate and trace female rock pioneers across time in a special after-hours show, presented by Princeton Public Library, in Hinds Plaza on June 9 at 7 p.m.

Women have been performing rock music for nearly 80 years, and are often under-appreciated and under-valued in the genre of rock ’n’ roll. This event celebrates these pioneers who changed the world with their voices and messages. The performance features music by female rockers from the 1950s to the present, backed by rock musicians currently performing in Princeton area bands. 

In the event of rain, the performance will be held in the Community Room.

Lead vocalists are Eunice Franklin-Baker, Abena Sunshine Glazer, Olive Joseph, Dana Pontani, and Lisa Theodore. Band members are Bob Belloff (vocal director, guitar, vocals), Kathy Haynie (music director, keys, vocals), Laura Manfredi (bass, vocals), John Mazzeo (lead guitar), and David Ross (drums, percussion).

The performance is being produced by Haynie, an Oberlin College graduate in music (piano performance) who has been directing and producing music for decades. She is a co-founder of Princeton’s Einstein’s Alley Musical Collaborative, and is active in area rock bands, chamber music groups and collaborative musical projects. She holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Stanford.

Franklin-Becker has been singing in bands on and off since college, and has been active in a number of collaborative musical projects and tribute shows in the Princeton area since 2018. She studied history at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a master of public health from Emory University.

Visit Princetonlibrary.org for more information.