The Garde Arts Center welcomes theatre goers to a magical place where chocolate is a vegetable, wine is in the food pyramid and shopping for shoes is medicinal as it presents the Four Bitchin' Babes and their latest musical revue "Diva Nation... Where Music, Laughter and Girlfriends Reign!" on Friday, October 15, at 8 p.m. To celebrate this "diva" event, the Garde will also host a pre-show Health & Happiness Expo for all attendees.

A fabulous female "folkestra" of four hysterically funny and multi-talented musicians, Four Bitchin' Babes was founded in 1990 by singer-songwriter Christine Lavin. After the successful release of "On a Winter's Night," a compilation album she produced, Lavin decided to put together a road show comprised of artists who appeared on the album: herself, Patty Larkin, Megon McDonough and Sally Fingerett; the group soon evolved into the Four Bitchin' Babes.

The Four Bitchin' Babes' line-up rotated over the years until it hit its current roster consisting of Sally Fingerett, Debi Smith, Nancy Moran and Deirdre Flint in 2005. Their latest release "Diva Nation...Where Music, Laughter and Girlfriends Reign!," the foursome's witty view on how the new millennium has changed the face of "The Diva," was released in 2009.

Before the show at 7 p.m., all attendees are welcome to attend the Garde's female-focused Health & Happiness Expo, featuring hot deals on jewelry, cosmetics, home decor, fashion accessories, skin care, prizes, surprises and more. Participant list to be released closer to show date.

Tickets for "Diva Nation...Where Music, Laughter and Girlfriends Reign!" are $45 (Garde Circle), $35 (orchestra and loge) and $26 (balcony). Tickets are available at the Garde Box Office, 325 State St., New London, Conn. The Garde Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and two hours prior to the curtain on performance days. Tickets may be purchased online at www.gardearts.org or by phone during regular box office hours at (860) 444-7373, ext. 1.

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About the Garde Arts Center
Now in its eighty-second season, the Garde Arts Center is southeastern Connecticut’s non-profit center for the performing arts. The Garde owns and operates the historic 1450-seat Garde Theatre and the 130-seat Oasis Room where it presents musicals, opera, orchestras, contemporary music, film, dance, and family events. Home of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, hosts performances by regional arts organizations and provides educational programs for more than 12,000 young people. Under the leadership of Steve Sigel, executive director, since 1988, the Garde has become a major catalyst for the cultural and economic revitalization of New London.