Hear Me Talkin' to You: Womxn & Blues
Music of Ethel Waters, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin
Thu, May 16 at 7:30pm
Doors: 6:30pm
Advance tickets can only be purchased online-we do not sell advance tickets at the venue. Refunds are not available within 48 hours of the event. Tickets do not guarantee seating during shows at the Royal Room.
We are now accepting reservations for diners! After purchasing tickets, please visit the Reservations page to book a table. Table reservations require advance tickets, and are only for guests who plan to dine at the Royal Room. We do not take reservations over the phone.
Seating for non-diners is first come, first served. Please arrive early to guarantee a seat!
The Royal Room is All Ages until 10pm.
Immerse yourself in the stories, songs and voices of womxn and non-binary artists through blues and blues-rooted repertoire. Year two of this dynamic series, Hear Me Talkin' to You: Womxn & Blues, will feature local artists interpreting Bessie Smith, Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, Ma Rainey, Koko Taylor, Ruthie Foster, Memphis Minnie, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Bonnie Raitt, Ethyl Waters, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin as well as showcasing original music. Shows the 3rd Thursday from March through June, curated by Reese T and sponsored by KNKX.
Rani Weatherby is an Indian-born singer, songwriter, arranger, and leader of the Seattle-based soul band, Champagne Honeybee. Rani has performed her unique blend of jazz, funk, and ukulele soul all over the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, East Coast, and India. She is an endorsed artist with Lanikai Ukuleles, and a member of 4Culture’s Touring Arts Roster. Champagne Honeybee has released 2 EPs of original music, and has a full-length studio album in the works.
champagnehoneybee.com
Najamoniq Todd is a rare breed of integrative artist that draws bridges between worlds. A singer rooted in the rich soil of gospel, jazz and blues, she blends fundamentals into her own musical fabric. Backed by homespun house beats and distorted guitars she delivers indie-soul anthems about freedom and self-love, inspiring her audience to dance it off, dream big and heal by overcoming obstacles and swerving on haters. When she’s not instigating dance parties she is crushing the business world as owner & CEO of her own beauty salon, Mirror Ready Glam, while settling the score on outmoded beauty standards as a plus-size model in her spare time. She lives with her partner and musical collaborator, Tony Jones in Tacoma.
Genre bending-blending singer/songwriter/guitarist Cyd Smith is hard to pin down. An accomplished guitarist and stellar vocalist with years of experience performing in the Northwest, she can deliver a self-penned song with depth and charm or give new meaning to a vintage swing standard. Or perhaps she'll get your feet tapping to a ripping guitar arrangement of an old piano rag or heat up the room with a classic blues ballad.
From her first open-mic performances at the O.K. Hotel in Seattle, Washington to her performances at Benaroya Hall, J.R. Rhodes’ belief in the transformative power of music are distilled into songs of quiet intensity that traverse spirituals, folk, blues, jazz, and rock.
Ms. Rhodes is currently working on two new albums. One recording is a folk album including music inspired by the lives, works and wisdoms of women of colour including Alice Walker, Nikki Giovanni, Elizabeth Cotten and more. The other recording is a collection of songs of African-American heritage including spirituals, slave songs and lullabies. Ms. Rhodes is also currently expanding her music business to include a philanthropic aspect focusing on uplifting girls and women of colour by creating and sharing community outreach events and workshops around health & well being including mental health as well as financial wellness.
jrrhodesco.com
