Boothe, Abrami are featured soloists at brunch

On Sunday, Sept. 14 from 1-3 p.m., two stellar performers, Karen Abrami and Chubby Boothe, will showcase their talents as soloists with Jim MacDougall and the Funky Divas of Gospel. The Gospel Brunch Series turns out a crowd every month from May through December. Held at the Kittery Grange Hall, 7 Walker Street (Route 103), Kittery, Maine, the second Sunday of every month, this exceptionally popular performance series features some of the most talented singers in the Seacoast.

Abrami and Boothe are two powerful, impassioned, and entertaining vocalists — sure to bring the house to their feet. In addition, a fantastic buffet provided by The Catered Event of South Berwick features scrumptious warm and cold salads, breakfast dishes, breads, muffins, fruit, and beverages that are available throughout the concert.

The Kittery Grange Hall is located just over Memorial Bridge from Portsmouth on Walker Street in Kittery. Doors open at 12 p.m.; the concert runs from 1-3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for brunch and show; $12 for the show only, and $12 for kids under 12. Call 692-2529 for reservations. Tickets may also be available at the door, but the brunch cannot be guaranteed without a reservation.

The group says, “The Funky Divas of Gospel is the collaboration of three-dozen talented soloists, musicians and choir members, whose purpose is to share an uplifting and life-affirming message through traditional and contemporary spirit-filled music. We are Humanist, Roman Catholic, Baha’i, Baptist, Episcopalian, Unitarian Universalists, Pagan, United Church of Christ, Jewish, and God only knows what else. But the spirit that flows through the songs that we sing is universal and tells a story as old as time.”

Abrami has been a soloist with the Funky Divas of Gospel since its inception in the early ‘90s. For the past 16 years, she has been a well-known singer and actress in theaters in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. She has performed dozens of leading roles, many of them in musical theater, singing in many varied musical styles, from Sondheim to Cole Porter to pop music, as well as touring with a regional educational theater company. As an offshoot of the Divas, she is looking forward to performing with their newly formed trio, “Syzygy,” with Mary Giles Edes and Lynda Wright.

Boothe has a style that just can’t be beat. A rhythm and blues man to the core, Boothe is an incredibly stylistic vocalist. Originally from Suffolk, Va., he has sung with Virginia State Regional Choir and the Zion Mass Choir in Lynn, Mass. Boothe has been singing for 30 years with other bands such as Chocolate Rock and The Fundamentals. In addition to operating his own DJ service, C.B. Productions, he is the lead singer with the Seacoast’s hottest Motown band, Hello Detroit!

The Gospel Brunch Concert Series continues: Oct. 12 — Jeannie Daniels and Salt River Trio; Nov. 9 — Lyndy Wright and Sharon Jones (with special guests poco a poco, children’s chorus); Dec. 14 — Jody Gourlay and Carri Coltrane.

On Nov. 22, Jim MacDougall and the Funky Divas of Gospel will present their “New CD Release Concert” at the Unitarian Church, 292 State St., Portsmouth, at 8 p.m. MacDougall performs his original songs and great covers at the piano (solo) every Friday night, from 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the Oar House, Ceres Street, Portsmouth.

Visit the Funky Divas at www.funky-divas.com

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