North Central College presents Belinda Davids in The Greatest Love of All on Feb. 16
"There can be miracles when you believe," sang Whitney Houston in one of her songs. Each person has the ability to achieve miracles when they reach out to God and believe. That's exactly what happened to Belinda Davids, accomplished South African songstress. Since her young age, she has devoted her vocal talent, skills and her musical career to honoring Whitney Houston. Davids is an award-winning artist who is happy to share her love of Houston in her famous show called The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston. This breathtaking event will take place at 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 16 at Pfeiffer Hall in Naperville.
This tribute to Whitney Houston is presented by North Central College and produced by Showtime Australia, a group of international companies specializing in the production, promotion and touring of world-class tribute shows. Showtime Australia is considered to be the premier name in tribute entertainment. The Greatest Love of All is a show that currently is touring around the globe. It is not associated with the Estate of Whitney Houston.
John Van Grinsven, CEO and Creative Director of Showtime Australia, spent a lot of time looking for a singer who would become a perfect fit for this show. He was looking not only for a performer with a voice sounding similar to the voice of Whitney Houston, but also for someone who would feel music the same way, who would be able to express their emotions similar to Whitney, and who would have the same soul, charm, sensitivity and sincerity.
"Belinda is a rare find, and she was born to play this role," wrote Mr. Grinsven on the website of The Greatest Love of All. "Her lifelong love of Whitney brings a personal touch to the show that can't be feigned. And her sheer talent is overwhelming. Time after time I'm approached by audiences who are awestruck by her voice… she is a special performer and she does justice to Whitney's voice and her spirit like no one else could."
Launched in 2013, the show has already wowed audiences across the US, Canada, Europe, South Africa, Asia, UAE, Australia and New Zealand.
Belinda was recognized for starring in this show. Last year, she was honored to receive the very first International Special Recognition Award at the 2019 National Tribute Music Awards.
"I'm honored by this award and I remain humble in doing my utmost to keep the music of Whitney Houston alive," she said after receiving that prestigious award. "It doesn't matter how good I am at this talent, I will never want to fill her shoes but instead pay tribute by honoring her legacy and sharing the gift of music she blessed us with."
Chicagoland residents are lucky to have a chance to attend such a unique show. Besides featuring the breathtaking vocals of Belinda Davids accompanied by a fabulous live band and dancers, this beautifully crafted tribute to one of the world's most revered singers is also visually spectacular and is very touching.
This two-hour production will fill your heart with joy and nostalgia brought by the sounds of the beautiful songs known all over the world. This musical journey through Whitney's greatest hits includes such hits as I Will Always Love You, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, How Will I Know, One Moment in Time, I Have Nothing, Run to You, Didn't We Almost Have It All, Greatest Love of All, I'm Every Woman, Exhale (Shoop Shoop) and more.
For Davids, starring in The Greatest Love of All is the culmination of a life-long connection with the superstar to whom she pays homage. Since her childhood, Davids was innately drawn to Houston's musical style. Who knows why it happened? Who could have predicted that Whitney would have died young? Maybe, God had a plan when he gave Davids such a talent - to share with people this tribute to Whitney Houston and her vocal talent and tremendous personality? Maybe it was meant to be that Grinsven chose an audition tape with the voice of Davids from numerous other audition tapes that he was getting from all over the world?
Probably, it was predestined, and now Davids is extremely touched to have an honorable opportunity to represent her idol on stage. "I've essentially prepared my whole life for this show and I feel privileged to be able to honor Whitney in such a way," she said.
Davids was growing up as a young 'colored' girl in South Africa in the turbulent 80s and dreaming not only of a singing career but of respect and dignity as an artist, a woman and a human. Whitney Houston was a symbol of hope to Belinda as both of them had similar musical backgrounds being exposed largely to R&B and gospel as children and both taught to sing in the church. Belinda began singing professionally at age 14, and even back then Houston's influence was already omnipresent.
"I think I've sung at least one Houston track in almost every live show I've ever performed," said Belinda. Now, she is proud of six years of touring almost exclusively with The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston and building it into an international hit.
Her concert at North Central College will become another gem in the beautiful palette of her wonderful musical career that focuses on devotion, love and respect to Whitney Houston. We all are grateful to her for coming to Naperville and keeping alive our memories of this beautiful woman, singer and wonderful human.
For tickets, please go to https://finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/event/greatest-love-all or call 630-637-SHOW (7469). Tickets are $25-$45. A $4 online processing fee is included for all tickets purchased online. Tickets ordered less than 10 days in advance will be held in Will Call. All purchases are final. No refunds or exchanges.
This event is not affiliated with the Estate of Whitney Houston.
Natalia Dagenhart