Lisa Rankin
On August 18, On the Verandah will trade white tablecloths for something more spirited – a night of “Wine, Women, and Song,” celebrating the anniversary of the 19th Amendment and the power of women’s voices, both literal and figurative.
Conceived by longtime Highlands resident and award-winning songwriter Lisa Rankin – who will also host and emcee the event.
It will be an evening that blends live music, wine, art, and activism into a free-form celebration of women’s rights and creative expression.
Rankin will take the mic with a playlist that spans generations of female artists—from Ella Fitzgerald to Billie Eilish—punctuated by personal stories and guest appearances. She’ll also premiere a new original song, Strong Women, a historical anthem that traces the roots of the women’s suffrage movement, from the social conditions that sparked it to the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
The format encourages community participation, with Rankin inviting guests to share personal reflections on women’s rights and the continuing legacy of the suffrage movement. It’s a grassroots approach that transforms the evening into a shared space for dialogue and storytelling.
Rankin’s history as a protest songwriter – including works like Children of the Dragon, inspired by the Tiananmen Square protests, and Steinbeck Blues, about migrant grape workers – adds depth to the evening’s message and underscores her long-standing commitment to social justice through music.
Generously turning over his entire restaurant for the evening, Figel has assembled a women-led team across the kitchen, bar, and floor staff. Chef Jerri Fifer will offer a special dessert inspired by the women’s movement, and wines from women-owned producers will be highlighted. Female staff members will also contribute artwork to be displayed throughout the space.
Though the cause is serious, the format is refreshingly informal. Guests can make regular dinner reservations, enjoy the full menu, and opt into the celebration at their own pace. The event runs from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. and is designed to be as much about community as commemoration.
It’s fitting that the event unfolds at On the Verandah, a restaurant steeped in Highlands’ history and helmed for decades by the Figel family. Once a 1930s speakeasy, now a lakeside institution, the restaurant has always been a place for stories to be told and heard.
This August, one of those stories is about the power of song, the legacy of the vote—and the enduring impact of women who keep showing up, singing out, and reshaping the future.
Visit ontheverandah.com for reservations.
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