I am three days away from my gig at City Winery NYC. I don’t feel panicked or super nervous, though I am sure those feelings will come in the final hours. I feel peaceful, excited and most importantly – prepared. Dare I say it? I can’t wait to show ’em what I got!
This journey has been a long one filled with road bumps and obstacles – mainly from lack of money but with the help from dear friends and family I am able to make this happen. I left my comfort zone. My loved ones and supportive friends have been with me every step of the way on this journey and their love and cheerleading have made it a comfortable trip. And some of them are literally taking the journey with me as they fly in from around the country to see the show! Now as I near my destination, I am armed and ready for almost anything. The fact that I pulled this off makes me believe in angels, miracles, myself and my talent. I used to feel badly that I was just starting this at age 51. Ten years ago I had money and would have been able to finance the whole thing myself. But I had no New York connections ten years ago. The time is right now.
City Winery came into my life now for a reason and I grabbed the opportunity and made it happen. Who knew when my friend Cathy Nathan and I finally made that long talked about dinner date that she would pick City Winery Chicago (I had never even heard of the place) and that I would find that a lot of the management staff came from House of Blues Chicago at which I had performed for years? Who knew that the owner of “Fear no ART Chicago” (Elysabeth Alfano) would see me singing in Tony Fitzpatrick’s play “Stations Lost” at Steppenwolf in July 2011 and that months later the same woman and I would be standing together outside of a club and that I would strike up a conversation with her? I emailed her and after many months she asked if I would perform a gratis 15 minute set for The Dinner Party at the Mayne Stage in November of 2012. The General Manager (Greg Kitowicz) of the still new City Winery Chicago saw me perform that set and approached me about the possibility of performing for one of their music and wine pairing events and he mentioned that they usually featured a tribute to one artist. I immediately suggested a tribute to Nina Simone and he loved the idea. Unfortunately he had given out all of his business cards. That night I went home and found the City Winery web site where I noticed they also had a New York venue. I thought to myself:
If I do well in Chicago maybe they will let me perform at the New York venue!”
The seed was planted.
I found his email address and continued our conversation and booked the first presentation of the Nina Simone tribute. Then I worked my butt off promoting the show via social Media, e-blasts and word of mouth – which is exactly how I’ve promoted this New York show. I called out to my peeps and they responded with enthusiasm, loyalty and action. When Greg came backstage to greet us before that first sold-out show, I boldly stated:
“I want to play the New York venue.” And he responded: ” I can make that happen.”
City Winery New York is booked by the elusive and all powerful Shlomo Lipetz, a music booking maven in New York. Of course he had never heard of me but between the acclaim from City Winery Chicago and the numbers – he was curious. I reached out to him and he kindly responded, but the road from that first email exchange to the actual booking was slow and despite encouragement from the Chicago venue, I fretted about it. I remember his asking me (via email) about “the other New York venues” I had played …
OH shit!
“Well, I haven’t actually played a club in NYC before…”
Silence. I fretted. An entire month and another near sold-out show passed before I heard from him again. Then City Winery hosted the Downtown Seder and I knew it was my chance to really connect with the powers that be. Besides, y’all know I feel a kinship to the Jewish faith and culture via several longtime close friends. I love the entire ritual of the Seder so it was a no-brainer for me to go. Anyway, Shlo was there, I made my pitch and best of all, we bonded. And he’s good looking – with an accent! Bonus! Y’all know I’m a sucker for a pretty face. From that point on, our emails were all about picking a date and negotiating payment etc. Now, after a few months of daily constant promotion; a trip to NYC to make face time and personally pass out fliers; and many hours of worry about ticket sales – I am here – three days away from the big night.
And I’m ready to rumble. New York City, here I come!!
Lynne Jordan performs:
A Musical Tribute to Nina Simone at City Winery NYC on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.
Show time is 8pm. Doors open at 6.
Music Only Admission $15
With five wine pairing Admission $30
City Winery NYC
155 Varick St., (in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood) NYC 10013
212-608-0555
