Cherry’s introduced us to new young singer Vita Summers, a Fire Island virgin, during the first weekend in May. Vita gave a preview of her talents on May 1, but had her first full show, assisted by DJ Tom Branigan, on May 2, and that is the one considered here. In addition to the performance by the singer, the current Texas All American Goddess at Large, Cherry’s celebrated Lynn—known to many as the mother of blue-and-gold macaw Maui—and now a thriving survivor of breast cancer.
“’Cause I’m a W-O-M-A-N” was Summers’ sultry and affirmative opening number, sung in a polished voice, both brassy and warm. She went on to “Rehab,” first of three Amy Winehouse songs that she offered, followed later by “Valerie,” which got some of the crowd up dancing, and “Tears Dry on Their Own.” Summers gave us a vibrant “Let Me Be Your Star,” from television’s “Smash,” and seduced us with Peggy Lee’s “Fever.” Something of a dance theme linked her “I Keep Dancing on My Own” and “Last Dance,” which started with her clear, accurate high notes, and she sang Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move” with verve.
Vita sang “Ghost” at Homecoming Queen Whore D’Oeuvre’s request; a romantic “At Last,” which got couples slow dancing, at Martha Lorenzo’s; and Adele’s “Rumor Has It,” at Tina Green’s. The singer followed Jessie J’s “Bang Bang” with a plangent “Crazy,” the Patsy Cline classic, and went from Reba McEntire’s “Why Haven’t I Heard from You” to Erykah Badu’s “Tyrone” and a Gladys Knight and the Pips number. She returned to country with Bobbie Gentry’s “Fancy” and followed it with “I Love You I Do.” Marissa Pontecorvo made a cameo appearance singing Megan Trainor’s “All about That Bass.”
Catch Vita Summers at Cherry’s on Fridays at 8 p.m.