Mama Lee and Rose Lawler will return to the stage this week at Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theater, and a tribute to the legendary artist Prince featuring Dawnette Darden of the HooDoo Loungers will happen next weekend.
The Lawlers will join Ms. Darden and the HooDoo Loungers for "Women of Soul," a celebration of Women's History Month, on Saturday at 8 p.m. Asked what brought her and her mother back to the stage six years after their "technical" retirement, Rose offered a simple answer: Joe Lauro of the Loungers. "He convinced us." Asked what brought her and her mother back to the stage six years after their "technical" retirement, Rose offered a simple answer: Joe Lauro of the Loungers. "He convinced us."
But there was more to it. "I've always said whenever people ask me, my mom, she'll always downplay it, but she's always Aretha Franklin to me. We truly do love singing together, Mom and I, and we do miss those days . . . but it is exhausting to do. Not everybody can be a Nancy Atlas, with the family and the kids and the regular schedule of playing."
"But when we do get the opportunity, when friends like Inda [Eaton] or Nancy ask us to sing, it's fun, because we don't have all the stress of putting the show together. We can just get up there and sing."
In addition to Aretha, Rose said the audience can expect the songs of Nina Simone, Natalie Cole, and Etta James, to name a few.
While the Loungers are often pegged as the New Orleans party band, they are no strangers to soul, having sold out their "Queen of Soul —- Tribute to Aretha Franklin" concert at the 2019 Sag Harbor American Music Festival, and last year's "Soul Spectacular" performance at Bay Street.
Another reason Mama Lee and Rose are selective about performing is Aidan, Rose's son, who will be 2 in April. "We talk about my age," said Lee, "but Rose as a new mom, she is busy, you know what I mean."
"I've been able to bring Aiden with me to rehearsals whenever we do shows," said Rose, "and all the musicians and their families chip in to watch him or help out. It's a community effort when you're dealing with local musicians out here."
The theater continues to rock on March 11 at 8 p.m. with the "Kissed by a Prince" concert. In addition to Ms. Darden, the lineup of musicians will include Mike Mazzaraco on guitar, Klyph Black on pass, Kevin Santacruz on drums, Etienne Lytle on keyboards, and the percussionist Bopa King Carré.
“All of the performers have been inspired by, and have performed, Prince’s music for decades,” said Mr. Mazzaraco. “We are honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to this musical great.”
Rose Lawler mentioned another reason musicians come when Bay Street calls. "The crowd is always excited to see you, and they get up there and dance, whether it be in the aisles or on the floor in front of you. It's always such great energy."
Tickets to "Women of Soul" and "Kissed by a Prince" are $35.
