India Arie smiles as she gets what she wants — audience participation. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)

India Arie performed at the Orpheum Theatre. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)

India Arie and concert co-promoter Bob Winbush chat with Arie’s mother and stylist, Joyce Simpson (aka just Simpson), backstage before the show. (Photo by Earl Stanback)

Newcomer Laura Izibor opened up for India Arie at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday night (May 23) and house was just about packed. Izibor, who is the daughter of an African father and an Irish mother is from Dublin, Ireland. Her hit song “From My Heart to Yours” has proven to be a chart-topper.

The gifted and talented singer didn’t disappoint. She really did a great job setting the stage of Arie. I found their styles similar, with both singing about their cultures and what’s going on in the world, including politics and war. She performed for about 30 minutes, closing with the song that is boosting her into the limelight.

India Arie was herself, enough said. She played a variety of instruments – guitar, keyboards and flute – and stirred the crowd to a near frenzy by wading into the audience and getting them involved in the lyrics of her songs. Most knew all of the words to her songs from her first hit video to her duo with her friend, Musiq Soul Child, whose part was filled by her keyboard player.

For almost two hours, Arie was captivating. She even brought out Izibor and David Holistor to sing a song she dedicated to her 98-year-old great-grandmother who lives in Memphis.

The show was another winner for promoters Kevin Johnson and Bob Winbush.

For almost two hours, Arie played and sang. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)	Laura Izibor ignites the crowd as her gutarist Solomon Dorsey looks on. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)