Leslie Mendelson concert planned at The Gem Theater

Leslie Mendelson Photo by Rick Wenner

Grammy Award-nominated artist Leslie Mendelson will play in concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, at The Gem Theater in Bethel.

Mendelson, a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter, is riding a wave of acclaim for her most recent studio album “If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…,” as well as a solo acoustic EP “In The Meantime.”

Described by Relix Magazine as an artist with “a loyal, cross-generational audience that hugs the hippie, hipster, coffee shop and society crowds,” her timeless musicality and evocative songwriting indeed cuts a wide swath. All Music declares that Mendelson evokes “1970s songwriter influences in the vein of Carole King and Carly Simon,” while The Aquarian calls her “the closest thing one can get to a truly honest musical experience.”

Mendelson’s previous work, including the 2009 Grammy-nominated debut album “Swan Feathers” and a 2017 album, “Love & Murder,” dealt with matters of the heart. However, when it came time to compose material for her most recent studio album, she and her longtime writing partner Steve McEwan set out to examine the anxiety stemming from the current socio-political climate. It’s fitting extension of a more socially conscious outlook offered on “A Human Touch” — her duet with Jackson Browne for the documentary film, “5B,” which is also included on his 2021 Grammy Award-nominated album, “Downhill From Everywhere.”

If Mendelson’s only collaboration with a legendary musician was Jackson Browne, it would be a worthy point to celebrate. What’s truly telling is that she has also drawn the attention of The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir who recorded a duet with her on Roy Orbison’s standard, “Blue Bayou,” while no less than classic rock royalty The Who has invited her to open shows in the U.S. and U.K.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are “Pay What You Can” ($35, $30, $25, $20, $15, $10,$5). Select the ticket that’s right for you. All proceeds go to support future BAAM programming at The Gem. The Gem Theater is located at 48 Cross St., Bethel.