"Snazzy is as Snazzy Does!"
Gwen Joy is an artist who specializes in colorful folk art paintings.
Life experience is her subject matter which is translated in a lyrical/mythical fashion.
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Mary Wilson's nearly two hour set was candid and full of spunk. She demonstrated she is indeed a live wire with her fun retort to a male cat caller and her dialogue with friends and family members including former Supreme Florence Ballard's daughter Michelle. She dedicated "Look at Me I'm Changing" in her set which was in the film Dreamgirls to Flo. Dreamgirls was a film about The Supremes. She put out a book after the film came out about her experiences called "Dreamgirl My Life as a Supreme." Twenty three audience members joined her on stage for some singing and dancing. She singled out the best dancer who happened to be young, attractive, and male. Earlier Mary commented her favorite things are her grand children and men. Her set was polished and classy yet filled with fun and heartfelt moments like these. Ms. Wilson's three costume changes, top notch choreography, lovely visual slides to accompany the mood of each song, and a stellar mix of Supreme classics, a jazz standard, a few Rolling Stones songs, a soaring Aretha Franklin number, and other goodies delighted the crowd.
The Blaque Starlets of the Ages at the Motor City Java House occurred the following evening.
Rachel McCollough was the MC and coordinated the event. Rachel had a hilarious off the cuff kinda delivery and even did a striptease. She kept on quizzing the audience on their burlesque history knowledge. Five ladies performed as legendary greats Diana Ross, Lottie the Body, Florence Mills, Catherine Dunn, Nina Simone, Lena Horne and more. The evening was indeed sensual and educational. A free jazz duo with an especially superb drummer opened up the night and a stunning A cappella rendition of My Funny Valentine added to the excellence of the night.
