By Jeffery Fogg | This Is Topeka
Some voices are simply unforgettable.
Aretha Franklin demanding a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Tina Turner turning heartbreak into an anthem. Gladys Knight taking us on that midnight train to Georgia. Whitney Houston reminding the world just how powerful one voice can be.
These weren’t just singers. They were women who changed American music.
And this Saturday, October 10, the music that made them legends is coming to downtown Topeka.
Divas of Soul, featuring award-winning vocalist CeCe Teneal and performer Eddie Wakes, takes the stage at the Topeka Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m., bringing a celebration of soul, R&B, disco and pop to the Capital City.
The women who gave soul its voice
There’s something remarkable about the staying power of soul music. Songs recorded decades ago still fill dance floors, inspire new generations of singers and find their way into movies, commercials and playlists.
Divas of Soul celebrates that legacy through the music of Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston and other influential performers.
The production moves through decades of American popular music, from the unmistakable energy of “River Deep – Mountain High” to the emotional power of “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
Audiences can also expect familiar favorites such as “I’m Every Woman,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and the disco-era classics that helped bring soul and R&B into the mainstream.
It’s the kind of music that makes sitting quietly in a theater a little difficult.
Meet CeCe Teneal
At the center of the production is CeCe Teneal, a Florida-born vocalist whose career has taken her to more than 55 countries.
Teneal has shared stages with artists including B.B. King, Joe Cocker, Buddy Guy and Betty Wright, building a reputation for powerhouse vocals and performances rooted in gospel, blues, funk and soul.
She’s also an accomplished recording artist in her own right, earning multiple Independent Music Awards, including recognition for her gospel, R&B and soul recordings.
But Divas of Soul isn’t simply about showing off an impressive voice.
It’s about honoring the artists who came before her—and introducing their music to audiences who may know the songs without knowing the women who first made them famous.
And that’s an important distinction.
Aretha Franklin didn’t just record hits. She helped define the sound of the civil rights era. Tina Turner shattered expectations about what a female rock performer could be. Whitney Houston brought extraordinary vocal technique to mainstream pop.
Their influence stretches well beyond the charts.
A Saturday night of soul in downtown Topeka
For Topeka audiences, Saturday’s performance offers something a little different from the usual touring concert.
Rather than focusing on one artist’s catalog, Divas of Soul brings together music from several generations, with songs that have become part of America’s shared musical history.
It’s a night for people who grew up with Motown and classic R&B, but it’s also an opportunity for younger listeners to discover the performers who influenced so much of the music they hear today.
And really, how often do you get Aretha, Tina, Gladys, Chaka and Whitney celebrated in the same evening?
Event details
What: Divas of Soul featuring CeCe Teneal and Eddie Wakes
When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Where: Topeka Performing Arts Center, 214 SE 8th Avenue, Topeka
Tickets: Starting at $40 through the venue’s official ticketing service.
For one Saturday night, downtown Topeka will be filled with the music of women who didn’t just sing the hits.
They helped write the soundtrack of generations.
