Jackson Free Press

Lizz Stroud
As I was perusing the silent auction items at last year's Chick Ball, my ear perked. A new set had just started in the Red Room, and the woman singing was good. Really good. The woman was Lizz Stroud, and her soulful, tender voice is extraordinary and reminiscent of singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. Backed by minimal acoustic instrumentation, Stroud's voice is powerful, and her lyrics are simple but honest.

St. Brigid
Named after the 5th century Irish saint who turned bathwater into beer, the ladies of St. Brigid perform hauntingly beautiful Celtic melodies against lyrics about beer, sex and love lost. Although the band started out as an acapella group, they soon began adding guitar and flute melodies, and now the songs would seem incomplete without instrumentation. The ladies regularly play at Fenian's Pub, where their songs incite upbeat, spontaneous Irish dancing in the tiny floor space in front of the stage.

Teneia Sanders
Born and raised in Jackson, Teneia Sanders is the original kind of singer-songwriter that is becoming more rare these days—she writes narrative, emotional lyrics; her guitar melodies are eloquent; and her voice is pitch perfect. She doesn't deliver those superficial, let-me-show-you-my-impressive-range melodies; she just sings, and her ability to know when to restrain her power and when to blow are truly appreciated. She has the talent and seasoned skill to be big.

Infinite
Jackson's first lady of hip-hop, Infinite, takes the southern rap concept to new heights. Most recently collaborating with Lyrik and Puncho under the name Dread Bred—which performed at last year's Chick Ball—Infinite raps about the Sipp and being true to yourself, among other themes. Her lyrics are gritty and clever, and not to be missed.

Paper Dolls
Comprised of veteran chicks Andi Agnew, Laurel Isbister and Tara Blumenthal, Paper Dolls will cover chick songs and perform a few originals at this year's Chick Ball. The ladies performed at the 2007 Ball under the name the Mary Anns, and the trio fills the void this year for catchy, clever chick music. Agnew will be on guitar, Blumenthal on drums and Isbister on bass. Don't miss the "few surprises" that the ladies will throw into the mix. It promises to be a fun set.

Time to Move Band with Lady Mary
Like the funk? Want to shake your groove thang a bit? Yeah, that's what I thought. Time to Move band offers these entertainment options along with the soulful voice of songbird Lady Mary. In addition to the usual band instrumentation, Time to Move has a saxophonist and keyboardist—essentials to Motown-esque funk jams. TTM plays everything from 1960s soul to current hits with a soulful edge.

6:30 p.m. St. Brigid
6:50 p.m. Spoken word by Janine Julia
7:05 p.m. Hot Tamales
7:25 p.m. Spoken word by Blaque Butterfly
7:40 p.m. Time to Move with Lady Mary
8 p.m. Spoken word by Queen Folayan
8:15 p.m. Paper Dolls
8:35 p.m. Awards
8:50 p.m. Lizz Stroud
9:10 p.m. Spoken word by June Hardwick
9:25 p.m. Bellydancing
9:45 p.m. Announcements
10 p.m. Teneia Sanders
10:20 p.m. Spoken word by Lyrik
10:35 p.m. Infinite
11:35 p.m. DJ