Spend an Evening with Lady Day

You have the heard the phrase, "run, don't walk" and never have I used it here before now. RUN, don't walk to see Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. It is one of the best performances I have seen in Austin or anywhere. Gospel sensation and former Tri-ni-tee 5:7 brings Billie Holiday to life in all her vocal glory and personal tragedy. She captures the unique vocal stylings of a woman who brought her heart and soul to each note she sang despite rampant addictions.

I received tickets for the purpose of this review. The opinions are all mine.It is my Universe, after all.

As incredible as Ms. Chanel is singing "Strange Fruit" and "God Bless the Child" and she is incredible, her heartbreaking turn as a woman facing her mistakes and their repercussions is beyond incredible. As a fellow actress, I was impressed by her emotional dexterity and skill. As an audience member, I forgot all that and was lost in the art of her performance. Truly moving.Can you tell I love it?Seriously, if you are in Austin, please plan to spend an evening with Chanel and her glorious backup jazz band including Kris Keyz as her pianist Jimmy. The stage is set as a cabaret club with audience members sat onstage and a working bar available to patrons before show and during intermission. It is a unique way to draw the audience in even further into the experience.The show runs through April 30th. You can buy your tickets here. Run and get them before they are all gone. You won't regret it.