Sheila E. Brings on the Funk

Hi everyone,

This month, I saw Sheila E. at Howard Theatre. It was a lazy day, but I still was first to arrive. Howard Theatre's service was terrible, but I shared a table in the front row with nice people. We were all there for the music.

When the show started, it felt like I was on Speed, the rollercoaster in Las Vegas that took off at 45 miles an hour in 2 seconds. As the curtain rose, the band played an exhilarating, funky version of the national anthem, which ended with inspiring soundbites from great speakers, like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Barack Obama. The electric energy and excitement stayed this high for the next 90 minutes.

I can't find a setlist online to remind me of every song performed that night, but I'm not surprised. Once this show starts, you don't want to look away to write down song titles. Besides, I didn't even know all of the songs.

I know Sheila E. from her collaborations with Prince and her two big hits in the '80s, "Love Bazaar" and "The Glamorous Life." I remember Sheila E. because of these great songs, her amazing, entertaining drumming, and all the times she high-kicked her cymbals for punctuation.

She didn't kick any cymbals this time because she was barefoot. "I used to wear high heels all the time," she said. "But now I don't because...Because." All the ladies in the audience could relate!

For this show, Sheila wore a cool purple outfit with a sparkly sequin details. She looked royal in it with her long wavy hair.

I want to be this vibrant and beautiful at 61, please. I've got to get into shape!

Sheila's tribute to Prince, which I think we were all hoping for, was a medley of classics that included "Baby I'm a Star" and the guitar solo from "Purple Rain," which she ended in a dramatic pose, holding up her guitar. Afterward, someone next to me yelled out a request for "Koo Koo," such an old song in her catalogue that she laughed, "That dries my tears. Who said that?" She played it, even though she had to jog her memory for the lyrics.

Sheila and her fantastic bandmates were all so friendly with the crowd. Sheila was thrilled to see so many hands raised when she asked who was seeing her for the first time. She talking to and hugged some people, invited others onstage to dance, and at one point, walked around our tables with a microphone and guitar to sing among us.

When she spoke, it was mostly about the unifying and healing power of music. She said she's sick of what she sees on TV and that only love will conquer all the divisiveness in the world. She told us to find a nearby stranger to hug, so we did. It was that kind of show, full of positive energy that could change your life. Thanks, Sheila E. I needed that!

Sheila E.'s performances were so energetic, I found myself recording what can't be captured in photos alone. Here are some great moments from the show. (I rarely record videos on my phone, so forgive the portrait orientation that, in my delirium, I didn't think to change to landscape.)

Here's just a little taste of The Queen of Percussion...

Sheila played a lot on that little drum set and even kept the beats going by dragging the cymbals on wheels around the stage with her. Then, somewhere in the middle of the show, she moved over to the big drums, and a person behind me said, "Look out, people, it's about to get real!"

To cap off the show, she played "A Glamorous Life," the song we all wanted to hear. Everyone sang along. Do you remember the words too?

If Sheila E. is performing somewhere near you, go see her! It'll do you good.

P.S. The Kitties are returning! Look for new illustrations, coming in November!