My New York Club debut is just around the corner. I am performing my Nina Simone tribute on Tuesday, July 2 at City Winery NY. $15. I have 300 seats to fill. Today, my niece texted me. "30 tickets sold!" I was not very enthused even though the placement of her exclamation point seemed to express excitement. I was filled with a mild panic. No one is coming. Now, I know the show is more than a month away. I know it's too early to tell. My BFF Babs said to me just last night: "Don't let one …
New York Chronicles: New York City, Here I Come!
I did it! I have booked myself in New York City as a headliner. I will be performing my musical tribute to Nina Simone on Tuesday, July 2nd at City Winery NYC. I am fairly confidant about my show and I know I will make a good impression on the New York audiences. But y'all know me - I have to fret about something. It's terrifying. The terrifying part is filling the room. I have told everyone I know about this show - at least twice. I am asking everyone to tell their friends and family in …
Prepared to Bleed.
Tonight I perform an encore performance of my Nina Simone Show and of course I am all nervous and panicked about: wardrobe, tickets sales and everything else! It's funny because I really do consider this show as one of the best things I've done in concert to date. So why all the nerves and insecurity? …
Much Ado
Big day for me! If you know me, then you know how much I hate making a fuss. But today is a fussy day: video shoot, photo shoot, filmed interviews of me talking about me. It's all me, me, me... Yikes! But I reckon that's what it will take to get this showboat up and sailing. I guess I must do what I gotta do. But I have have found it's easy to stomach when I'm in the hands of experts who do beautiful work and looking at the end result is less traumatic when the work is so exceptional. There …
Tonight’s the Night
My Nina Simone Tribute is tonight. It's finally here. All of the weeks of preparation all come to fruition in roughly five hours. The Shivers and I have rehearsed, conversed, arranged and thought about this night. Personally, I have considered this show as a turning point for me as a performer. It's been ages since I learned an entirely new repertoire for one concert like this. It's been a journey for me. Learning about this artist and listening to her recordings repeatedly has incorporated …