R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin tribute is March 7

Well wishers leave hand written notes on boards outside the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History during a public visitation for Aretha Franklin in Detroit, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018. Franklin died Aug. 16, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Well wishers leave hand written notes on boards outside the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History during a public visitation for Aretha Franklin in Detroit, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018. Franklin died Aug. 16, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

By Susan Pierce, compiler March 3, 2020 2 min read

Take a journey through Aretha Franklin’s hits list of smooth melodies, gospel anthems and powerhouse songs when “A Tribute to the Queen: Aretha Franklin” is held at Chattanooga Theatre Centre on Saturday, March 7.

“Freeway of Love,” “Think,” “Chain of Fools” and, of course, “Respect” will be performed by local singers at this musical revue funded by an ArtsBuild grant.

The tribute fulfills a longtime goal for event organizer Jasmine Le’Shea.

“I was cast to play Aretha in a Sarasota theater play, but I was struck ill midway through rehearsals and had to stop production,” says Le’Shea. “But I was introduced to her lesser-known songs during that time and I fell in love with her. When she passed away in 2018, I wanted to do something in her honor, and now I am able to do it.”

If you go

› What: “A Tribute to the Queen: Aretha Franklin”› Where: Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St.› When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 7› Admission: $25 in advance, $30 at the door› More info: eventbrite.com/e/a-tribute-to-the-queen-aretha-franklin-tickets-88446807783