By Victoria Anastasi
Baltimore musician Navasha Daya made her way to the raised center stage at Towson University’s West Village Commons Wednesday night decked out in, well, gold.
Gold earrings. Gold bangles. Gold boots. Gold – everything.
Daya and her band performed six songs by soul legend and civil rights activist Nina Simone as part of the university’s month-long tribute to Black History Month.
Daya, who cut her first solo album in 2012, danced to “Feeling Good,” swayed to “Ooh Child,” and stomped and clapped to “Be My Husband,” all the while injecting her own brand of humor that livened up the music and warmed up the audience of at least 50 students, professors and family members.
The soulfulness of Daya’s voice mixed with the funkiness of the music set the tone of a welcoming and open experience for the audience, with notes of refreshment and enthusiasm.
The event was a tribute to Simone, the singer and protest artist of the 1950s and ‘60s.
“She realized the importance of using music to change society,” said Rosiland Cauthen, the director of the event. “The more we’re able to learn about different cultures, the more our lives become enriched.”
The idea of “freedom” was one of the messages that surfaced Wednesday night, and not just freedom of justice, but living a life free of fear.
“Study history,” Daya said. “African American history is American history. Study those who have gone before. Look at what’s happened before so we don’t repeat the foolishness and we actually use this technology to move us forward in a better way.”
Daya’s performance was not the only hightlight of the night. A 15-minute film tribute to Simone was present along with and two spoken-word performances about Simone, freedom and the truthfulness in knowing who you are, all of which demonstrated the rawness of the cultural event.
At the end of the event, the audience stayed seated for questions, but this came with a twist.
Instead of letting the audience question the performers, Cauthen questioned the audience to get its opinion on music, art and social change.
Although Simone got a lot of backlash for her songs, according to Cauthen, they were powerful and meaningful, which was needed in the society.
Baltimore, Cauthen said, is a great place to find “underground” music that can be empowering, just as it was in the ‘50s and ‘60s.
“We have to step out of that social box,” Cauthen said in response to one of the audience members. “Social media can spark a revolution.”
Daya agreed.
“Don’t ever be afraid to be who you are,” Daya said. “It’s all about not having fear. Be who you are and then you will influence other people.”