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‘Divas of Soul’ features strong voices, beloved songs

JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 4 weeks AGO
by JOEL MARTIN
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | March 19, 2026 3:00 AM

MOSES LAKE — The last half-century has seen – and heard – some strong female singers, and those voices will be at the Wallenstien Theater on March 28 in the Columbia Basin Allied Arts presentation of “Divas of Soul.” 

“Aretha (Franklin) to Whitney (Houston) to Chaka Khan,” CBAA Director Shawn Cardwell said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if a Beyonce shows up.” 

“Divas of Soul” will take the audience through 50 years of disco, Motown and pop favorites, with a high-energy, musically-excellent show, according to the show’s promotional materials. With a four-piece band and backup singers accompanying singer CeCe Teneal, the ensemble belts out hits like “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “River Deep, Mountain High” and “Killing Me Softly.” 

Teneal, the voice behind “Divas of Soul,” has performed in more than 47 countries and opened for acts like Buddy Guy, Joe Cocker and B.B. King, according to her website. She was selected to do the halftime show at the 2019 Citrus Bowl and has won four Independent Music Awards for her own music.  

Teneal is a native of Osteen, Fla., just outside of Orlando, according to her website. In 2022, the mayors of Orlando and Orange County, Fla., jointly named Sept. 17 Annual CeCe Teneal Day in recognition of her contributions to the arts and entertainment. Her character, reflected in that honor, is one of the things that caused CBAA to select her for the Premier Series, Cardwell said. 

“Divas of Soul” is sponsored by Skaug Bros. Carpet 1, Cardwell said. Doors will open an hour ahead of the show to allow patrons to enjoy concessions from local businesses Moore Brewing Co., RM Wineries, Cow Path Bakery, Rowley Farms and Starving Farmer. Concessions will also be available in the 10-minute intermission during the show. 

The 2025-26 Columbia Basin Allied Arts season has included some unusual offerings: a living comic book, live painting and percussion comedy. “Divas of Soul” is a much more traditional presentation, Cardwell said. 

“With this show, compared to some of our other shows this season, what you see is what you get,” she said. “A fantastic group, belting out many favorite hits by divas of American history.” 

‘Divas of Soul’

Wallenstien Theater
6989 College Parkway NE
Moses Lake
March 28
Doors open: 6 p.m,
Show starts: 7 p.m.
www.cba-arts.org


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