Holliday shines as Pride headliner

Jennifer Holliday singing 'Magic' with dancers from the Gay Men's Chorus Sunday. (Blade photo by Joey DiGuglielmo)

Capital Pride headliner Jennifer Holliday — standing in for Kelly Rowland who backed out less than two weeks ago — wowed Sunday’s crowd with a five-song set that featured several numbers she didn’t perform last weekend when she was in town to appear with the Gay Men’s Chorus.

A dark cloud loomed over the Pride mainstage shortly before Holliday appeared and light rain fell for a time but it gradually shifted throughout her half-hour set and by the time she performed her final song, a new club track written by Tony Moran, the sun was shining. She was joined on that cut by several dancers from the Gay Men’s Chorus who provided synchronized choreography around her. It made for a much more striking presentation than the three singers who vogued ad lib-style around previous act Sabrina Johnston.

As with last weekend’s performance, Holliday was in fine voice and vocally gave 100 percent to her performance. She was introduced with much fanfare by Mayor Vince Gray. A standout was “One Night Only,” a “Dreamgirls” number she didn’t include in her set last weekend.

Holliday’s set:

1. No Frills Love
2. I Am Love
3. One Night Only
4. And I Am Telling You
5. Magic