Sing Your Heart Out: Ferndale Women to Perform Torch Songs for Charity

Several Ferndale women will sing sultry songs of love and loss from the likes of Judy Garland, Joan Crawford and Billie Holiday on Sunday for a fundraising event planned by local business owner Cheryl Salinas-Tucker.

The musical revue “Torch This!” will start at 6 p.m. Sunday at Cliff Bell's in Detroit and will showcase 14 local women, ages 25-60, singing songs from an era gone by.

Proceeds will benefit Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, a nonprofit organization based in southwest Detroit.

Salinas-Tucker, owner of in Ferndale, said she wanted to do something different from a fashion show and decided to involve her friends and clients and “make their dreams come true.”

The women have been getting voice lessons from Amy Saari of Ferndale-based Sound Sorceress Studios and will be “glammed up” with makeup and nails at Rouge and dressed in vintage fashions by local online retailer Via Vintage for the big event.

“It’s about empowerment,” Salinas-Tucker said. “I wanted to involve real women, and what better way to do that than having them stand on stage looking fabulous in fantastic vintage fashions and belting out songs of love and loss?”

The women include CEOs, business owners, teachers and community leaders, she said.

Jacki Smith, owner of in Ferndale, said singing on stage is something she has always wanted to do.

"Before (Cheryl) could even finish telling me about it, I said, 'Yes, when can i sign up?' " Smith said. "This was absolutely something that just sounded so awesome to do and a lot of fun, and that's exactly what it's been.”

Smith, who will perform "Black Coffee" in the stylings of Ella Fitzgerald, said she's more excited than nervous so far.

“It's really going out there, taking the risk and saying I can do absolutely anything,” she said.

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives works to make urban neighborhoods safe and healthy for those who live there by supporting human development and community development projects.

“It's up to us to decide what kind of world we're going to live in,” said Smith, who is glad to support the fundraiser. “We're the only ones who can make the difference, one little bit at a time.”

Salinas-Tucker said the organization was chosen to help give back to Detroit. "We love Detroit," she said. She will sing "Cry Me a River" in the stylings of Julie London.

The women, who will be accompanied by pianist Frank Kosceislski and other musicians, are not professional singers but just love to sing.

"We just want to have some fun," Salinas-Tucker said. "It's like bungee jumping. It's really about facing your fears."

Other volunteers include Jeny Bulatovic and Arlene Collins from Rouge, Angela Stoyanovich, Anika Summers-Grose, Chrissy Morgan, Deanne Iovan, Grenae Dudley, Heatherleigh Navarre, Krista Johnston, Lisa Wolfe, Maya Gangadharan and Patty Shaw.

Cliff Bell’s donated its retro venue on Park Avenue in Detroit for the event. A suggested donation of $10 will be requested. Reservations are not necessary but are suggested for those choosing to eat dinner. Beverages and food can be purchased.

For more information, visit rougemakeupandnails.com or call 248-439-6010.