"She's like my rockabilly Etta James.
I don't think 'Rollin' In The Deep' would exist if it wasn't for Wanda Jackson."
- ADELE
I don't think 'Rollin' In The Deep' would exist if it wasn't for Wanda Jackson."
- ADELE
HELP ME, WANDA!
CAPITAL FRINGE FESTIVAL 2017
Gutsy, original, boundary-busting, bad-ass.One of the original rock n’ rollers, Wanda Jackson toured with Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis while making records as uninhibited as any of her male counterparts. Inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, Jackson created a powerful legacy that can be heard in everything from the in-your-face attitude of the riot grrrl movement to the raw emotion of Adele.
Taking inspiration from the “sweet lady with the nasty voice,” veteran entertainer Toni Rae Salmi performs her original one-woman rock cabaret celebrating the barrier-bashing Queen of Rock as part of the 2017 Capital Fringe Festival. Inspired by Jackson’s far-reaching influence, Help Me, Wanda! includes interpretations of both rockabilly favorites from Jackson’s catalog to more contemporary songs from the likes of Jack White and Elle King. Our original performances at Capital Fringe Festival 2017 were at Solly's U Street Tavern. After the festival, Help Me, Wanda! was invited to the Capital Fringe Extension Week at the Logan Fringe Arts Space Trinidad Theatre for two extra performances. IN THE MEDIA: 'HELP ME, WANDA!' HELPS FRINGE WIND DOWN WITH A BANG "Creator and star Toni Rae Salmi takes major inspiration from rockabilly wailer Wanda Jackson to craft an entertaining and well thought-out cabaret act that could have you crushing on both songstresses. 'Help Me, Wanda' feels like a party, and Salmi is a charmingly vulnerable and wickedly talented host." - Review via The Washington Post 2017 CAPITAL FRINGE REVIEW: HELP ME, WANDA! "Backed by a four-member band upstairs at Solly’s Tavern, Salmi also weaves through her set an inspiring and autobiographical woman-centric narrative about mustering confidence and gumption to stand one’s ground in a world staked out by men. It was rockin’ music mixed with moxie, and a crowd-pleaser from beginning to end." - Review via DC Metro Theatre Arts (5 Stars: BEST OF FRINGE!) A CAPITAL FRINGE PEEK OF HELP ME, WANDA! "Early in the process... I asked Toni to sing some of Wanda’s “Let’s Have A Party.” Always up for a challenge, Toni let out her first Wanda growl, and there was only one way to describe it: Sweet lady. Nasty voice." - Preview via DC Theatre Scene THE CAPITAL FRINGE FESTIVAL IS BACK FOR 2017... "The night's first big jolt of energy came from Toni Rae Salmi, whose one-woman cabaret Help Me Wanda pays loving tribute to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Wanda Jackson... Salmi blazed the stage with her rendition of Elvis Presley's "Hard Headed Woman." - Fringe Preview via DCist PRESS RELEASE → Artistic Team Creator: Toni Rae Salmi Director: Shane Solo Music Director: Felix Pagés Technical Director: Mike Salmi Featuring Toni Rae Salmi (Lead Vocals) Hector Moncada (Guitar) Moe Hendawi (Bass) Ryan Ciliax (Drums) Felix Pagés (Keys, Vocals) Brittany Alyse Willis (Vocals) |
CAPITAL FRINGE FESTIVAL 2017!
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who we areDISTRICT MISFITS is a DC performing arts collective dedicated to providing a creative home for artists who don’t always fit a particular genre and rebelling against any system that expects them to.
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