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I've never encountered a sweeter soul and more considerate artist than Sarah Dash. I first met her at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on 42nd Street in 2011.
My mom had died and I'd just returned from Florida after the funeral. My good friend, Kevin Scott Hall, a cabaret critic and performer, knew I loved Sarah both for her solo work and as part of the glam-rock group Labelle, along with Patti Labelle and Nona Hendryx.
At the time, I didn't feel I was ready to go to a show as I was in mourning, but my friend insisted. And so, I went.
Sarah didn't disappoint. During her performance, she talked about the death of her own mom.
At the meet and great after the show, I told Sarah about the death of my mom and how touched I was hearing about hers. We both broke into tears and hugged. The club's handlers had to break us up so the line of greeters could move along.
Sarah is a woman of true heart and soul. Warm, caring, sensitive.
Four years later, I attended her birthday brunch at 54 Below. It was a great show with tributes by the likes of Melba Moore and her former Labelle partner, Nona Hendryx, who tooked to the stage with Ms Dash to sing "Lady Marmalade." As for Miss Patti, she sent a congratulations via video.
Prior to that epic afternoon, I had met Patti afternoon, I saw Ms Dash at a tribute to the recently deceased Lesley Gore. I got to meet her once more after her performance, also at 54, where I first met Denise Spann-Morgan and The "Marvelous" Marvelettes. Sarah remembered me from our Laurie Beechman moment.
It was my privilege and pleasure to briefly get to know Sarah in my lifetime, a beautiful woman inside and out.
Sarah Dash's 70th birthday celebration at 54 Below was an epic luncheon that included a two-course meal, birthday cake, a cocktail named and surprise guest Nona Hendryx of Labelle and, prior to that, of Patti Labelle & the Bluebelles. It was three hours long -- but made us want even more!
A packed house turned out for the $100-per-seat affair. As for me, I ordered the poached eggs w/ chipotle hollandaise on grilled bread with spinach and a side of asparagus. I was seated with two very personable table companions, April Sette of the NJ Buzz Radio show and her friend Nancy Pertschuk, a professional shopper. I also saw friend/ musician Tracy Stark on my way into the club.
Sarah, like Pia Zadora, is a diva with her own drink. Pia has her Piatini, Sarah has her Sinner Man. I said no, I said no, I said no no no... but the cocktails kept coming. Four to be exact. Sinner Mans are prosecco with oj, honey syrup and grenadine. Yummy! I had coffee afterwards to help me get over them when the whipped cream-with-fruit cake slices came for dessert.
A Sinner Man
Best of all, however, was the entertainment. Melba Moore belted out a couple of her numbers, including "You Stepped Into My Life" and D-Train got the house up on its feet with his soulful hiNRG. The ladies from Chic (now known as Next Step) sang some '70s gold, including 'Le Freak,"I Want Your Love" and "Everybody Dance." I got to speak with Luci Matin, with whom I recently did a Q&A along with Alfa Anderson & Norma Jean Wright.
As For Nona, she praised her singing partner of many years but, unfortunately, had nothing prepared for singing. Understandable as she flew in from the West Coast at the last minute to be a part of this affair. Nona had some pretty funny things to say, like how she loved but hated Sarah for bringing her into the world of entertainment when she wanted to be a teacher.
Nona, Sarah and Melba. Photo by April Sette
Nona said, with a straight face, that Patti Labelle wanted to be at 54 Below but couldn't because she was in Maine, catching crabs. "No, really," Nona assured us, "That girl loves her crabs!"
When Sarah Dash took to the stage at the end of the show, she sang her ballad "Im Still Here" (not the song from Sondheim's Follies), "Sinner Man" with Ari Gold and a few other guests, and, finally -- of course -- "Lady Marmalade" with a host of friends. Sarah played her birthday wishes from Patti via cell phone, with Patti saying she was unable to come because she was catching crabs. Poor dear.
Sarah said she was proud to be a groundbreaker in her support for transgendered people and the LGBT community. We love her right back.
Ms Dash said she had a cold but was in fine voice as far as her sold-out crowd was concerned. We spoke briefly after the show. Sarah Dash is a great performer but, more importantly, a survivor, an inspiration, and a kind, sweet individual it is a privilege to know. Expect a Q&A shortly.
By the way, when I mentioned Piatinis, Sarah asked if it was good. I told her it was more potent than a Sinner Man and that one doesn't fall out of a golf cart and get a concussion without a few Piatinis under her belt. I love making a diva laugh out loud.
Through this Polar Vortex, divas are still heating up NYC dancefloors according to the Billboard Dance/Club chart end-dated February 1st. And who's absolutely on fire? None other than Scary Spice herself, Mel B, who flares up from last week's 22nd spot to this week's 13th with "For Once in My Life," a brilliant, uplifting and energetic new number.
Cher also blazes ahead, now at #2 with "Take It Like a Man," the second huge hit, after "Woman's World," off her new album. Seems gender is a hot ticket lately. Let's see if it trounces Demi Lovato's "Neon Lights" from the #1 roost next outing.
Last week's #1, Deborah Cox's "Higher," simmers in the 11th position. And club queen Kristine W pulls off a fairly rare event by moving back up the chart. This hot number radiated enough interest to take it from 19th place to 17th. It's been on the chart for 11 weeks and peaked in 2nd place.
Lady Gaga's "Do What U Want," from the new ArtPop album, is upwardly mobile in the 9th spot. The last time we looked, it was #11.
Meanwhile, PrideSource recently asked none other than the divine Patti Labelle about divahood. I love what she had to say in her interview with Chris Azzopardi. Here is that portion of their interview: For you, what does it mean to be a diva? [Patti:] That word is used so loosely that I don't even consider myself a
diva. I always considered myself a woman who sings her heart out and who
gives 120 percent. "Diva" is a word that I wouldn't wanna call myself
because it's so loosely used. It's not cute anymore. Is there a negative connotation to it now? Yeah, because all these little heifers who can't sing are called
divas! It doesn't mean anything to me and probably to some of the other
ladies who have been doing it for as long as I have: Gladys Knight,
Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick. You know, I'm speaking for me - I don't
know if they like to be called divas - but I know I wouldn't call them
divas, because it's not in good company. But it used to be a respectable term at some point.Well, for opera singers, and for ladies who earned it, but that was
way, way back when. Now you can look up to them, but you might not see
what you wanna see. A hot mess! People who are doing it and doing it
with about 40 people on stage with them to hide their pitifulness -
that's not a word, but you know what I mean.
And so, until next time, m dance music diva lovers, Dj Buddy Beaverhausen says keep warm and embrace your inner heifer. Uhhh..., I meant your inner diva, of course!
Happy Birthday to diva Patti Labelle, 69, who has had a long and distinguished solo career. But that was after fronting the girl group Patti Labelle and the Bluebelles, who later morphed to greater success as, simply, Labelle.
Dj Buddy B's tribute is to post my fave Bluebelles song: "Academy Award."
