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photo by Bruce-Michael Gelbert
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Jada Valenciaga (seated) with Mila Bello, Cameron Mitchell Bell & Kristina Nicole Miller
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Singer Jada Valenciaga (William Louis Bailey), well remembered from shows at the Ice Palace, made a triumphant return to the Grove on June 15, at the Community House, in “Lady Gay: All of Me,” a benefit for the Grove Doctor’s House, run by Northwell Health. Supporting Jada were backup singers Kristina Nicole Miller, Cameron Mitchell Bell, and Mila Bello, and pianist Yas, guitarist Meghan, bass guitarist Magda, and drummer Tindell.
Jada dazzled with familiar favorites, original songs, and tributes to performers that she loves. She introduced herself, singing “I Am Jada,” a zesty number with the backup singers, and followed it with a song, brave and moving, that she wrote about being homeless in New York, her solo rich in melismas, followed by a reprise with the backups. She recalled Lady Day, Billie Holiday, with the wrenching “Strange Fruit,” about lynching, written by Abel Meeropol, sung with understatement and with feeling.
Jada paid tribute to Beyoncé with the catchy “Hold Up (they don’t love you like I love you)” and to Jess Glynne with “Ain’t Got Far to Go.” She saluted her father, on the eve of Father’s Day, with a touching “I’m Not My Father’s Son,” by Cyndi Lauper, from “Kinky Boots.” In a tour de force, Jada paired proud anthems “I’m Here,” from “The Color Purple,” and “I Am Changing,” from “Dreamgirls,” while changing on stage from red gown to gold and black, assisted by the cast, and removing wig and makeup, and continued with additional rousing assertions of survival and strength.
Welcome home, Jada!
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