by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFashionMag.com
Miss Fairfield County’s Outstanding Teen is hosting a fundraising concert this weekend in Litchfield to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.
Ashlyn Manuel, 16, a student at Litchfield High School and a 14-year veteran of competitive dance at Wolcott’s Triple Threat Dance Company, is the driving force behind the concert. The event will feature singer Maia Dobbs.
Dobbs has performed at the Apollo Theater in New York as well as weddings and festivals. Dobbs performs pop, top 40, classic rock, and country.
In addition to Dobbs, Manuel said Ava Onofreo of Wolcott and Miss Wolcott Jillian Duffy of Burlington are on the bill.
“I believe people will love these incredible performers because they are fun, upbeat singers that will get the audience engaged and having a great time,” said Manuel.
The host for the evening is Miss Fairfield County Savannah Giammarco. The evening also includes dinner, refreshments, and dessert. There also will be a photo booth and raffles.
“Raising money for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals (which covers Connecticut Children’s in Hartford) has been something so important to me these past two years,” said Manuel, who is vying for Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen in June. “I chose to host a benefit concert to raise money because I knew I wanted to host a fun and uplifting event so that everyone can have a great time while supporting CMNH at the same time.”
Money donated to CMN “goes directly to helping a parent afford treatment for their child or to pay for a toy or activity to make the child’s stay at the hospital a little bit more enjoyable,” said Manuel.
Manuel’s benefit concert will be held at the Litchfield Community Center on Friday, May 10 from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 and will be sold at the door.
For more information, contact Manuel at Ashlynmanuel15@gmail.com or Instagram @missfairfieldcountyot19.