Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510130015
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ADRIANNE BEE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Cafe at Champs has opened below the sports bar on Main Street, offering hope for mature audiences.
"We're going to try to get in some real professionals," said Joe Nazare, owner of Champs Sports Bar, when he opened the club in early September.
To prove his point, he's lined up one of the area's most popular entertainers to perform Saturday night - Jane Powell.
A Roanoke native with a flexible musical style ranging from classic R&B, blues, jazz, contemporary dance numbers, reggae, or gospel anthems, Powell is known for captivating her audiences.
When she opened for Ray Charles once, the Washington Post said, "She stole the night from a legend."
Her scene in the movie "Marie" starring Sissy Spacek, had a similar impact. "We had to shoot it several times because in the script, after she sang the songs, the audience wasn't supposed to applaud. They were supposed to remain quiet; but every time she finished, they cheered and clapped" said the movie's producer.
Powell has opened for and worked with such acts as Lou Rawls, The Crusaders, Joan Jett, Freedie Jackson, Melba Moore, B.J. Thomas, Koko Taylor, Ernie Watts, Wayne Henderson and Paula Poundstone. Singing on cruise ships, in clubs and colleges, Powell also sings the jingle in a McDonald's commercial.
Her latest album entitled "Brings Me Joy" echoes the sentiments of Powell's audiences. The 1,300 colleges and universities making up the National Association for Campus Activities have voted Powell Jazz Entertainer of the Year annually from 1990-1995.
Other groups that have performed recently include the Dixie Power Trio and The Chip McDaniel Quartet.
Jane Powell at The Cafe at Champs, Saturday, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Tickets will be on sale for $8.
by CNB