Community Advisory Panel discusses ‘TINA - The Tina Turner Musical’
June 17, 2024
Overture’s Community Advisory Council (CAC) continues to engage members of the community in panel discussions, providing a glimpse behind the art that we present on our stages and in our galleries. On Saturday, June 15, the CAC hosted a panel “Let’s Talk Tina: Celebrating the Timeless Music and Unforgettable Life of the Legendary Icon, Tina Turner,” which featured four Black women panelists with various artistic backgrounds: Michelle Belnavis, Danielle Crim, Kiah Calmese Walker and Nestic Morris. Dr. Cheryl Gittens, Vice Chair of the CAC, moderated the panel.
The panelists were expertly guided in conversation by Gittens while they talked about Tina Turner’s power on stage, her grit and determination in an industry that can be harsh for women—especially Black women—and her unapologetic persona. They discussed what Turner’s legacy meant to them and how her soul and strength impacted her ability to hold onto her identity while reinventing herself during a tumultuous time. They also talked about how Turner changed the perception and image of what constituted a mature woman. Finally, the panelists discussed the impact Turner had in a male-dominated music industry at a time when women were overlooked and disregarded. In many ways, they said, this still holds true.
The panel ended on a literal high note—with an original song by Madison-native Danielle Crim, a recent graduate of the University of Chicago School of Music. Crim’s song, “Unbelievable,” represents the next generation of Black female artists and was inspired by Turner’s life and legacy. It was featured in a video created by Columbia College of Chicago students to highlight their student-run Manifest festival. (The song is yet unreleased as a single.)
The crowd of about 50 guests spontaneously stood at the conclusion of the song and video and began cheering and applauding the original music of one of Madison’s own up-and-coming Black female artists.
Following the panel, guests attended the performance of “TINA - The Tina Turner Musical” in Overture Hall and experienced Tina Turner’s legacy firsthand.
