Bringing in 2011 with some tough soul, deep soul, and The Sweet Divines!

(New Year's Eve Soul party at The Bell House in Gowanus) They say "out with the old, in with the new", but soul never gets old.

Ms. Marva Witney, the headlining act for the evening and the opening act of 2011, brought us into the new year like we were being liberated by the words of a gospel preaching godmother of soul. "If you have trouble in your life, trouble with money, trouble with love, sometimes...you just got to sit down on it!" and sit down on it she did!...

From her throne, Soul Sister told us like it is...

She told us of her trials...

...and tribulations,

...her gratitude and her great, tough love.

Billy Prince (of The Precisions), earlier in the evening charmed the audience with his performance. A bouquet of roses and baby breath dwindled down over the course of a song as Prince, with deep sincerity and a heart melting smile, handed each flower to members of the audience . Another highlight of the evening was Witney and Prince's duet of It's a Man's World. I was gripping the stage!

The Sweet Divines (Below) warmed up this New Year's Night with their sparkle and deep, throaty soul. Keep track of The Sweet Divines! Join their mailing list! Because wherever they are more great soul is sure to follow.

The girl group with likeness to The Supremes and The Shangri-la's, have been the opening act to an impressive roster of soul performers. They open the show and then with their matching dresses (think fringe or sequins!), coordinated dance moves, and vocal brilliance they back up the headliner. Thank God! Because we cannot get enough!