Tymisha Harris Channels Black Icons in Fringe Hit

Tymisha Harris takes the stage and becomes a vessel for the women who shaped music. In "A Cabaret of Legends", running at Arts Court Theatre through June 27, she moves effortlessly from Ella Fitzgerald to Josephine Baker to Tina Turner, honouring not just their voices but the stories of resilience beneath them.

Harris is a 2-time JUNO-nominated pianist and singer-songwriter-producer who has backed artists from The OBGMs to Tanika Charles. But in this solo show—created with Michael Marinaccio—she steps into the spotlight, channelling each legend with distinct presence while keeping the performance unmistakably her own.

The show is 60 minutes of near-decade's worth of music, woven with Harris's own stories. A particular highlight is her Tina Turner impression, described as "absolutely electric"—capturing Turner's energy and charisma so convincingly the audience couldn't help but get swept up in the fantasy.

What makes "A Cabaret of Legends" powerful is how it blends celebration with purpose. This is a show about Black excellence, but it's also a protest, highlighting the perseverance these women were socially forced to have and the barriers they overcame to claim their place in history. Harris weaves themes of legacy and identity together with skill and passion, creating a performance that's both entertaining and deeply moving.

By the final number, audiences rose to their feet—a standing ovation for Harris's immense talent and the enduring legacy of the legends she honours.

Tickets are $14 plus service fees online, at the Fringe box office (Fringe Courtyard, 67 Nicholas St), and at two satellite box offices (3rd floor, Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue and La Nouvelle Scène, 333 King Edward Ave). The show's full schedule is available on the Ottawa Fringe Festival website.