Whitney Houston Tribute Set for Cafe Wha?, 2/10

By: Jan. 19, 2016
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Almost eight years ago, a spontaneous duet of Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' in the Times Square New York City subway station recently captured the imagination of over half a million viewers worldwide. Now, playing hosts to one of music's most iconic stars, America's Got Talent 2010 finalist Alice Tan Ridley and the talented Ayanna Irish will team up once again, this time at New York City's iconic Café Wha? on February 10, for a Whitney Houston tribute show like no other, appropriately titled, 'I Will Always Love You'.

Alice Tan Ridley is a vocal powerhouse best known for her heartwarming journey on America's Got Talent and her now regular performances on the big stage, however they are a far cry from the bustling subway commuters she spent over 20 years busking to.

While busking at a New York subway station in 2008, a passing Ayanna Irish was captivated by Alice Tan Ridley singing iconic Whitney Houston songs, and decided to join in for a duet. The two captivated passerbys with their beautiful voices and soulful tones. A video of the two eventually went viral on social media, and luckily it doesn't end there. Eight years on from a Whitney Houston-inspired fairytale, the two will come together once more to honor the woman whose music forced their paths to cross.

Whitney Houston has been a central figure to the life of Alice Tan Ridley and her rise from busker to R&B and soul phenomenon, performing 'I have nothing' in the semi-final of America's Got Talent, and of course her spontaneous subway duet of 'I Will Always Love You' with Ayanna Irish, that went viral on social media and started her inspirational rise to fame.

"You are never too old to reach your dreams, even at my age of 63," said Alice Tan Ridley. "It's a dream come true to honor an icon that has been such an influence to my life and my music. One impromptu duet in a subway station led to sharing the stage with Ayanna and a full band to sing Whitney Houston songs. That can only happen with the magic of social media."

The ever-soulful duet will perform renditions of Whitney Houston's top hits, including I Wanna Dance with Somebody, I Will Always Love You, I'm Every Woman, and much more, each with their own special twist, as they celebrate the life of one of pop music's most successful artists of all time.


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