Nightbirds: The Music of Labelle

Groove on glam-funk from the past. Glimpse the future. Wear something silver. When Labelle performed at the Met in 1975 as the first-ever African American female group, they redefined what Black femininity and artistic freedom could look like. Now, founding member Nona Hendryx brings her funk and Afro-futurist legacy to Dartmouth—radical, reimagined and more powerful than ever. Joining her are two extraordinary voices: genre-defying powerhouse Kimberly Nichole and Sandra St. Victor. Together they bring Labelle's fearless songs to life—Lady Marmalade, Nightbirds, What Can I Do For You, Gypsy Moths and more. Labelle's music was always a prophecy. Come hear how it comes true again. Grab a free drink in the Top of the Hop from 5-7 pm before the show and strut your 'Lady Marmalade' stuff. Hendryx is the 2026 Roth Visiting Scholar. About the Artists About the Artists Nona Hendryx As the 2026 Dartmouth Roth Visiting Scholar, the multihyphenate rockstar is collaborating with Dartmouth faculty and breaking new ground in music, Afrofuturism and AI. Nona Hendryx doesn't follow music's timeline—she rewrites it. A founding member of Labelle, inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame in 1999, she co-created three Gold Albums and the worldwide Platinum phenomenon Lady Marmalade. Her solo catalog spans nine studio albums, a Grammy nomination and collaborations with Prince, Peter Gabriel, George Clinton, Talking Heads and Keith Richards—alongside film work, including the Oscar-nominated Precious and compositions for Alvin Ailey's American Dance Theater. A self-taught technology pioneer since the 1980s, she has experimented with a plethora of new and old electronic instruments and technology. In 2024, that led to creating and producing The Dream Machine Experience—a world-premiere mixed reality installation at Lincoln Center fusing AR, VR and AI through an Afrofuturist lens, featuring George Clinton, Laurie Anderson, Mickalene Thomas, Skin and Vernon Reid. From Lady Marmalade to the Nonaverse—Nona Hendryx has never stopped asking what music can become. Sandra St. Victor Powerhouse diva Sandra St. Victor has been a force in the music industry for well over three decades. As lead singer of New York-based rock funk group The Family Stand, she shreds boundaries. A trained opera singer, the Dallas-born, Brooklyn-raised, Holland-based singer/songwriter is very much an artist's artist. St. Victor has recorded a duet with Curtis Mayfield, has had her own compositions recorded by Prince, Common, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, The Temptations, Lalah Hathaway and Paula Abdul, as well as songs featured in television and theatrical releases. An undeniable performer, St. Victor has toured alongside such diverse stars as Roy Ayers, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ziggy Marley. As a founding member of The Family Stand, the prolific singer/songwriter has been converting fans over the years with her soulful potent elixir of R&B, Rock, Gospel and Jazz. Recently Ebony Magazine touted St. Victor as a "Singer Who Rocks," along side such icons as Grace Jones & Nona Hendryx. Upcoming projects include filming a documentary of her pet project Daughters of Soul. Currently, St. Victor is collaborating with super producer Mark Batson on an audio visual dramatic portrayal, Ella & The Duke, on the life & partnership of Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, which debuted at NYC's Lincoln Center in 2026. The pair is also in the studio putting final touches on a special multimedia work entitled, Beautifully Dark. SSV is simultaneously releasing a solo album focused on soulful dance, entitled Eleven. Kimberly Nichole Largely recognised as a finalist and fan fav on The Voice USA (Team XTina) , singer/songwriter Kimberly Nichole (Kim Nicky) , has been ripping stages worldwide for more than a decade. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, her musical sound was shaped by the groundbreaking grunge music of her hometown and the blues, soul and gospel roots of her Louisiana native parents. After spreading her wings as a teen, her journey led her to New York, where she made a name for herself on the underground music scene and in nightlife. As a songwriter, her original music has been featured in TV and film (NETFLIX, MTV, VH1) . She has shared stages with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's Slash (Guns N Roses) , Nancy Wilson (Heart) and Joe Walsh (the Eagles) , as well as with Grammy-winning/nominated artists Usher Raymond, Nona Hendryx (Labelle) , Living Colour, Ledisi, Christina Aguilera, Cory Henry, Durrand Bernarr and Janelle Monae. She made her Broadway debut in the limited engagement of ROCKtopia, where the New York Times praised her performance. Additionally, she was cast as the Gypsy/Acid Queen in the ROCK opera The Who's TOMMY at the John F. Kennedy Center of Performing Arts: Broadway Series (Washington, DC) . Kim Nicky's voice, fierce showmanship, beauty and style has led her to being featured in Vogue Magazine, Vanity Fair and even in an international Diet Coke commercial. A highly sought-after compere/MC and speaker, she has hosted The BRITS' Dinner and VIP party, Usher Raymond's London O2 Arena Sold Out Afterparty, The Box London 10 Year Anniversaries and has been a frequent guest speaker at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music (NYU) . Now residing between London and New York, Kimberly continues to perform on stages worldwide and is finishing new music with Grammy award-winning songwriter/producers Chuck Harmony and Claude Kelly (Louis York, Bruno Mars, Durrand Bernarr, Miley Cyrus, Bono) . About the Band At the helm as Music Director and keyboards is Etienne Stadwijk—a Berklee College of Music graduate and world-class keyboard artist whose remarkable career spans collaborations with Paul Simon, Maxwell, Marcus Miller, Richard Bona and Harry Belafonte. Behind them stands one of the most storied bands ever assembled: Eddie Martinez—whose guitar can be heard on Run-D. M. C.'s Rock Box, Robert Palmer's Simply Irresistible, and Mick Jagger's She's The Boss—alongside Felicia Collins—guitarist for Al Jarreau, touring musician with Cyndi Lauper, and celebrated fixture of The Late Show with David Letterman for its entire run—on second guitar. Carmine Rojas—who laid down iconic bass lines for David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner and Carlos Santana—on bass, and Daniel Sadownick—a New York University graduate and versatile percussionist who has worked with jazz icons and diverse artists such as Lionel Hampton, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez—on percussion.