The Bullock Ballroom at Live! by Loews in Ballpark Village began to thrum. It was not just noise, but a low-frequency pulse composed equally of funk and shared anticipation. The atmosphere felt dense, the kind of quiet electricity that only gathers when a crowd recognizes the magnitude of the music about to be offered.
This was “Through the Fire,” a tribute dedicated to Chaka Khan, the multi-Grammy Award–winning force whose catalog requires a nearly gravitational level of soulful depth.
Two St. Louis vocal powerhouses, Tish Period and Cherise Louis Mason, stood ready. They faced a task of uncommon difficulty, one demanding sky-high vocal agility and artistic reverence.
Yet, from the moment the house lights dimmed, the strategy became clear: this would not be an act of replication. Rather than echoing the iconic recordings note-for-note, Period and Mason chose alchemy. They threaded Chaka’s essence through their own styles, infusing the material with personal artistry. The result was a passionate celebration that felt refreshingly, fundamentally original.
It was an homage built on respect, yes, but also on the unique courage to reinvent.
The Dynamics of Sound
A full band, dressed uniformly in stark black ensembles, provided the crucial foundation. Guitars, horns, and drums filled the ballroom with a sound that managed to be both disciplined and deeply playful.
Holding down the necessary rhythm was “Dr. Phil Good” Graves on the keys—a unique name for a musician offering such polished stability.
The visual experience mirrored the auditory complexity. Flashing red and purple strobe lights washed over the stage, providing the precise concert atmosphere required for total immersion.
The crowd, caught in the kinetic wave, began swaying almost immediately. People were already clapping, already recording the incandescent moment on their glowing phone screens, and the night was only beginning its slow, deliberate arc.
Opening the Gates
Tish Period initiated the opening plunge. The immediate, unmistakable notes of “I Feel for You” cut through the expectant air, instantly igniting the audience.
It was that specific kind of melody—the kind people recognize within seconds, prompting heads to nod along without conscious permission. Period delivered the hit with a spirited confidence that suggested she understood the weight of the song’s history, but not its constraints.
Following the burst of energy, she offered “Hollywood.” This was a deep cut from Khan’s Rufus era, an unexpected choice.
It was a gift for the true Chaka fans in the room—a quiet acknowledgement of their dedication to the entire tapestry of the work. As the song concluded, the stage lighting underwent a subtle transformation. Red lights spiraled across the space, slowly fading into a wash of soft pink. The colors were changing, signalling a shift in mood.
Period then transitioned into “Ain’t Nobody.” The band settled into the familiar groove, layering in the drums, guitar, and horns with a slow, deliberate build. Period’s bold vocals began to dance over the rhythm, moving across the stage, visibly enjoying the necessary precision of every single beat.
The Bullock Ballroom at Live! by Loews in Ballpark Village pulsed with funk and fire last night as fans gathered for “Through the Fire.” Two St.Looking to read more like this: See here
