Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Pop, soul, rap female empowerment group Femmology makes its Vegas debut
Female empowerment group puts on dynamic show in Vegas debut
SISTERS are doing it for themselves. The members of Femmology didn’t perform that Eurythmics/Aretha Franklin favorite.
But the spirit of the song definitely applied as the self-described female empowerment group from Los Angeles made its Las Vegas debut at downtown’s Keep Memory Alive Events Center on Wednesday and Thursday.
The performers are scheduled to return to the venue for performances on Nov. 25, Dec. 21, Jan. 26 and Feb. 22.
More than a dozen singers, dancers, instrumentalists — even gymnasts and aerialists — crowded the stage and worked the crowd at the group’s invited-audience premiere, providing an energetic then-and-now musical survey of pop, soul, rap and a touch of gospel from the Femmology perspective.
Or, as the group’s motto attests, “It’s not just a band, it’s a movement.”
That movement has been in rehearsal for a few months, according to singer Katrina Stuart. “It’s very diverse,” she says.
Bringing together women “from all walks of musical life” led executive producer Stacey O. Johnigarn to form the group, singer Samantha Schultz adds. “Her vision has always been to put together a Vegas revue show with everything that Vegas represents” — but with women in the spotlight.
“I just love the message,” Stuart says. “It’s all about women empowerment.”
In a male-dominated industry, Femmology is out to prove “we are powerful, we have a voice, we are talented,” Schultz comments. “Even if it’s not the music community, we are powerful.”
That message comes through — loud, proud and often — as Femmology takes the stage, accompanied by an ever-shifting avalanche of abstract images and pithy phrases displayed on multiple video monitors.
DJ and hostess Sophia Lin reads one of them as the show begins, defining Femmology: “‘Femme’ simply means woman or girl. ‘Ology’ is the art of mastering how to be Femme, learning it, knowing it and growing it. It’s a movement!”
The movement becomes musical as singer Yolanda Harris steps forward, her soulful voice adding punch to such rousing anthems as “I Will Survive” and “The Greatest Love of All.”
The latter’s lyrics underscore Femmology’s empowerment theme: “I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadow … No matter what they take from me, they can’t take away my dignity … Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.”
Meantime, a row of singers provides backing vocals and choreographed moves.
Audience members discover they’re not only backup singers, however, as the performance continues and different vocalists step center stage.
Tamyra Gray (a firstseason “American Idol” finalist) rocks the house with renditions of Alicia Keys’ “Superwoman,” Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady” and (inevitably) “Respect” and Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know,” while Schultz delivers Katy Perry’s “Roar” and Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” Stuart’s turn in the spotlight includes Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl.”
Singer RaVaughn Brown and rapper Yolanda “YoYo” Whitaker trade vocal riffs to the beat generated by Femmology’s onstage band, while dancers twirl — as do gymnasts spinning on rings flanking the stage.
Throughout the show, lyrics from the songs flash on the video screens, reminding the audience of Femmology’s mission: “We want to empower a global community of scorned, torn, broken, mistreated and often discouraged women.”
Or, as Johnigarn told the opening-night audience, “We love everyone. That’s what our group is about. We want to spread love, not hate.”