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‘Idol’ Lakisha Jones brings tribute show to Surprise

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor

Lakisha Jones has performed with symphonies around the world.

She thanks “American Idol” for those opportunities. She placed fourth on the sixth season of the TV show.

“‘American Idol’ change my life and my daughter’s life,” she said. “I was a bank teller at the time. ‘American Idol’ allowed me to touch people through music. It’s a blessing that so many people got to watch that show during my season. There was a record number of people watching and voting.”

Jones is set to hit the stage with her show “Queen of Rock & Soul” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at The Vista Center for the Arts in Surprise.

“I give you a little bit of Diana (Ross), a sprinkle of Whitney, a little Aretha, some Tina (Turner) and a little Adele,” she said enthusiastically. “It’s a fun, up-tempo program packed with your favorites.

“It’s a fun show. I get to transform myself — not physically, but vocally — into all these wonderful women who are iconic in my eyes. I grew up on Aretha, Tina and Whitney. I love, love Whitney Houston. It’s my chance to really pay homage and honor each one of those ladies and the things they contributed to music.”

She’s contributing in her own right, as she performed at the behest of the U.S. Embassy in Russia twice, for example. Jones called the visit a blessing and eye-opening.

“You don’t see a lot of people who look like me there,” she said. “It’s culturally different. I never would have thought I’d say I went to Russia once, let alone twice. What an experience.”

The COVID-19 lockdown was upsetting to Jones, whose performance with a Vienna symphony was postponed. In February, she’s scheduled to sing with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and then heads to Fremont, California, to perform with the symphony there. She’s grateful, however, to still be working.

“I’m grateful to be consistently singing and being the artist I love to be,” she said. “I enjoy touching people through songs. If I touch one person through my gift of music, then I’ve done my job.”

The Houston resident is hoping to share that at The Vista Center for the Performing Arts.

“I want to do these women justice and take people back in time,” she said. “I love the reaction when I sing ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ or ‘Skyfall’ or ‘I Will Always Love You’ or Donna Summer’s ‘Last Dance.’

“Those are a few of the numbers I’ll be doing in the show. I have a live band coming down from LA. It’s going to be amazing.” PT

Lakisha Jones finished fourth on the sixth season of “American Idol.” (Photo courtesy of Lakisha Jones)

Lakisha Jones: “Queen of Rock & Soul”

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 WHERE: The Vista Center for the Arts, 15660 N. Parkview Place, Surprise COST: $25 to $35 INFO: 623-523-8888, thevistaaz.com

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January 13, 2022

Lovin’ Life Expos return to the Valley

BY ANNIKA TOMLIN Peoria Times Staff Writer

After a 2020 pandemic pause, the Lovin’ Life After 50 Expos are returning.

They are set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, at the Sundial Recreation Center in Sun City, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at the Mesa Convention Center.

“We’re going to have great entertainment, a lot of informative exhibitors, and it’s just a great way to get out and find out what is going on in the community,” Lovin’ Life After 50 publisher Steve Strickbine said. “It’s a great way to meet lots of people and have some fun.”

Previously, the Lovin’ Life After 50 Expos have attracted thousands of people who network and gather information, as well as participate in the raffle prize giveaway and take a shot at hourly $100 cash prizes.

“These expos were started as just a way to allow organizations in the community to come together with people over 50 to show what they have to offer,” Strickbine said. “To give them information about things that are coming up in their organizations.

“It has become a very good event, though, for entertainment and just a great way for getting out.”

Among the exhibitors that will have booths at both the Sun City and Mesa Expos are 4C Medical Group (Optum Care), Arizona Liver Health, Home Concepts Custom Remodeling, Humana, AFC Physical Medicine and Hospice of the Valley.

Specifically at the Sun City Expo will be Arizona Institute and Cosmetic Laser Center, Edward Jones and MediSolutions LLC.

Unique to Mesa are Bright Health Plan, Mesa Marketplace Swap Meet, Emphasis Advisors and National Cremation Society.

“With COVID we are being very careful with how we proceed, and we are following the CDC guidelines, of course, to make sure that we are operating with best practices to make sure that everybody that does attend stays safe,” Strickbine said.

In terms of entertainment, the Duttons will be returning to the stage once again.

For those who don’t know, “they’re a band that has a theater in Branson, Missouri, where they play during the summer months, and then they also have a theater in the East Valley (in Mesa) where they play during the winter months. They were on ‘America’s Got Talent’ at one point,” according to Strickbine.

The Duttons’ set list includes bluegrass, country and pop music.

“They always attract a big crowd,” Strickbine said.

Ms. Senior Arizona 2022 winner Patricia Person will meet and greet with attendees.

“I think a lot of people are anxious to get back out,” Strickbine said. PT

Lovin’ Life After 50 Expos will be held in Sun City and Mesa. (File photos)

A plethora of local businesses will be in attendance at the Lovin’ Life Expos to offer attendees networking opportunities and gathering information about the businesses. The Lovin’ Life After 50 Expo will be held Monday, Jan. 24, at the Sundial Recreation Center in Sun City and Wednesday, Jan. 26, at the Mesa Convention Center.

ANSWERS PAGE 20

ACROSS

1 Even 5 Apply cream 8 “The Good Earth” heroine 12 “Please go ahead” 14 Fork prong 15 The National Pastime 16 Circus structure 17 Cacophony 18 Scalawags 20 Basilica areas 23 Diving duck 24 Soccer legend 25 Brewing gizmo 28 Greek letter 29 Not -- out of place 30 Scull need 32 Kook 34 Ordered 35 Skin breakout 36 Notorious 37 Port city of Poland 40 Former Mideast org. 41 Pealed 42 Pitcher’s tactic 47 “American --” 48 Consume too little 49 Lion’s pride? 50 Meadow 51 Sciences’ partner

DOWN

1 Bar bill 2 “-- tree falls ...” 3 UFO crew 4 One of the Ramones

5 Cannon of film 6 MSN rival 7 Reduced-rate postal delivery 8 Canada’s capital 9 Actor Schreiber 10 Green Gables girl 11 Tennis barriers 13 Baseball stats 19 Cornhusker’s st. 20 iPhone download 21 Mexican money 22 Lost traction 23 Black Panthers leader Bobby 25 Appreciative 26 Rich soil 27 Stow cargo 29 Grade-school basics 31 Flushed 33 Hang loose? 34 Diva Streisand 36 Kismet 37 Bleak 38 Baby’s father 39 Unsigned (Abbr.) 40 Fed. food inspector 43 Chemical suffix 44 -- Lingus 45 Back muscle, briefly 46 USN officers

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

Bossé-Smith to sign copies of her book

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

Lorraine Bossé-Smith, author and speaker, will autograph copies of her ninth book, “Defy Your Diagnosis: Overcome Any Obstacle,” from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Peoria Barnes & Noble.

“This book shares about my life riddled with struggles and how I beat two incurable diseases to live a victorious life,” Bossé-Smith said.

“Because of my difficulties, I am able to share the FIT Life Formula to offer hope and encouragement to anyone needing a shift in their life. Make this the year to change your mindset and defy your fears, overcome any obstacle, and live your best life.”

Bossé-Smith pens a monthly column, Kuma’s Great Adventures, for the Peoria Times’ sister publication, The Foothills Focus.

The store is located at 7401 W. Bell Road. For more information, call 623582-1578 or visit lorrainebosse-smith. com. PT

Send your news to Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at 480-898-5631 or christina@timespublications.com

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