Dame Shirley Bassey

Yup, she's a Dame and she's one helluva diva! Nobody but nobody can pop the cork like Shirley Bassey. This is a very special diva role as who ever is casted as Shirley Bassey will also be the official "simply divas" hostess in the first half of the show. We are looking for a diva who is mature and comfortable on the stage, who will bring presence with the big, bold show tunes that Dame Shirley Bassey is so famous for.

We want to go with the glittery, strapless, big slit up the sides dress that Dame Shirley has been known to shake pretty damn good while she performs. This diva will perform the benchmark song "Hey Big Spender!" and a small medley, probably of the James Bond songs (Goldfinger)that Shirley Bassey has also become so famous for.

youtube performance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypqiTXv-Zsw

Pink

Pink is our featured "young" diva. What we really like about her is her ongoing message about empowering young women. While on tour, in each city she performs, Pink visits local highschools and speaks to large groups of female students about being smart, staying in school and doing things right. While she brings a bad girl image she believes that each young woman has the inate ability to be successful on their own terms.

This diva will perform two songs, "Just Like A Pill" and "Dear Mister President". We love these songs so we are looking for a diva who's got that Pink rasp, a touch of Janis Joplin meets Melissa Etheridge, if you know what we mean. Wrap it all up in a real bad girl look.

youtube performances - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHpK-ejSfBo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45IZWvPdA-A

Nina Simone

They call her the diva's diva. If you asked any singer from Aretha Franklin to Etta James, who their diva is, more than not they answer "Nina Simone!". After three years of "simply divas" it's time to finally pay tribute to this diva. We just love her! She's soulful, smokin, husky.....she's got it all.

This diva will be performing two Nina Simone numbers. The first is "My Baby Just Cares For Me". We haven't quite made up our mind on the second song....it could be anything from the Beatles "Here Comes the Sun" to "I love you Porgy" to "Put A Little Sugar in my Bowl". It's such a tough decision.

youtube performance - although not a performance of her it is the song in its entirety.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYSbUOoq4Vg

k.d. Lang

k.d. Lang has a voice that she uses like the way Joni Mitchell would use her guitar. This Canadian singer has had an incredible stellar career including a fist full of Grammy's and even made the cover of Vanity Fair.

This diva will be performing one of our most loved songs, the late Roy Orbison's "Crying". This ain't a song for the weak of heart and we are looking for a killer set of pipes to bring this song the way it absolutely deserves to be sung. This isn't about singing it loud, it's a big song, but its soulful and 'hurtin. We are looking for a very special diva to represent our one Canadian diva. If you think you can sing this song, then bring it on.

Our diva will be going with the full blown pinstrip suit, a trademark look for k.d. Lang.

youtube performance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cc8TI1KomU

Joan Jett

We love rock'n'roll so put another dime in the jukebox baby!

We love the kick ass Joan Jett! From her early days with The Runaways to The Blackhearts, she's been around the music rock scene since the late 70's early 80's. Her benchmark song "I love Rock and Roll" has become a theme anthem for rock and rollers everywhere.

We want that famous Joan Jett scream! So, if you think you can be a diva who can bring us the Joan Jett attitude, then I say, bring it on!

youtube performance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wpyilPsi6Q

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson emerged out from behind her most famous brother to become a trend setter who always danced to the beat of her own drummer. From an early childhood career in television to breaking concert and album sales records with Rhythm Nation, Janet always did it her own way.

This diva will be performing "Together Again" and we are looking for someone who can improvise some dance moves into this performance. This is a great, great upbeat dance song and we just love it!

youtube performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PwpZVlOumc

Loretta Lynn

If you don't think country is cool, think again. Loretta Lynn was a woman way ahead of her time. Coming from the smokey mountains of Kentucky, rising out of the roots of absolute poverty, Loretta Lynn has become one of country music's most beloved, true timeless divas.

So much a star in fact that they made a movie about her life (starring Sissy Spacek & Tommy Lee Jones) called "Coal Miner's Daughter". Most recently Jack White (of the White Stripes) produced her latest album "Van Lear Rose".

We are looking for a diva who can bring some country twang with some diva attitude. This diva will be performing two songs "Coal Miner's Daughter" & "You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man". This could be a really fun chance to push your performing boundaries.
Youtube performances - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hKrbyNZDcE - Coal Miner's Daughter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGzZjPc_rn8 - You Ain't Woman Enough

Madonna

There have been few other female icons in music history like Madonna who has invented and reinvented herself over and over again for the past 20 years. She is the enigma known to her friends as Madge. She is controversial. She is pure diva.

"Material Girl" is the song of our choice and we want to do the full take on the Marilyn Monroe look that Madonna played out in this song. It's bling, bling, bling! It's got to be a fun performance and being able to use some dance movement will be key.

Youtube Performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tYLo9FkqNc

Dusty Springfield

They called her the first "blue-eyed" lady of soul. If you like singers like Duffy and Amy Winehouse then you'll love Dusty Springfield because she was the first white woman to break that sound in a big, big way. You'll be surprised when you see how deep her discography is! We want to go full blown retro 60's look for this diva.

Our diva will perform two songs:

"Son of a Preacher Man" & "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me". Both very different. It's a straight up 60's look with a big wall of sound. Youtube performances:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJM5K51peVw - Son of a Preacher Man

& http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7n0HJEMqjA - You Don't Have to Say You Love Me