Green Chimneys

Sometimes I wish I blogged more - and sometimes I just don't feel like it ;-)

I've been feeling really great though - grateful for many things in my life.

I am now living at the Times Square building on 43rd/8th. It's low-income housing, which means super cheap rent, and they let you sublet the place out for 6 month periods.

Wheeee!!!!! And I'm right in Times Square, what?!?!?! Steps away from Broadway Dance Center, so I've been taking more classes there again, which feels really nice.

Today, I went back to this place called Green Chimneys, a home for runaway & homeless youth. Many of them are LGBTQ. I played there once before, and though many of them are "troubled," they really seem to appreciate the music - it's really an honor to have them listening and responding to the music. I brought my friend Melissa to sing some duets, and my friends Heightz to do some rapping. I think it went over really well.

LaShawn Kelly, who I met a couple years ago, has been very supportive of my career, and is one of the main staff at Green Chimneys. She is truly amazing. Hope to go back there soon.

Helllllooooooo

Whoa, haven't been on here IN A MINUTE!!!


Life's been a little crazy but good -

Traveled out to Los Angeles again - did a private party in Beverly Hills for a friend of Beth Shaw, CEO of Yoga Fit, who has taken a liking to my music.

I also went to Palm Springs to her home there and did a showcase for her and invitees of my new management, KMP Artists.

I spent two days in San Diego with my friend Tori Roze, and did the open mic at Lestat's, as well as a featured spot at Train of Thought San Diego.

Back in LA, I did a show with Wesley Cole on bass and Julian Hogan on drums at M Bar in Hollywood.

Meanwhile, I took a bunch of dance class, and had some great writing sessions with songwriter friends Adam Tressler, Brooke Parrott, and Jill Krachmer.

Planning on moving to LA later this year or early next.

On the way back to the east coast, I stopped in Austin to visit a friend. First time there - what a lovely city - but sooo hot.... then I flew to Boston and spent 4th of July with my brother Jeremy, Bridget, and nephews Gus & Cal.

Now I'm back in NYC, getting some things poppin here - getting ready for my cousin Chris' wedding. I am providing the music along with bandmates Cara Scherker, Iakov Kremenskiy, Josh Giunta, and Brian Holtz.

AND I got approved for artist housing - $470/month for a studio apartment in midtown. So alot's going on, but all good stuff.

Stay tuned!

Super 8 and Natasha Bedingfield

Tonight I saw the movie super 8 - I definitely recommend it!!

Also recommended is the frozen Fanta Blueberry drink. yum.

on Friday - I went with my friend Brandon to see Natasha Bedingfield at Irving Plaza....

I didn't realize how GOOD she is!! Her voice is like perfect - band sounded great - and she had an awesome back up singer - they sounded amazing together.

She's mature - a great performer - and hot!!

Yoga Fit

I had a great time in Minneapolis last weekend. The show was fun - founder Beth Shaw was awesome (we are pictured together below), and the whole team at Yoga Fit made me feel so comfortable and welcomed.

Can't wait to go to LA in a couple weeks!

Minneapolis

I'm in Minneapolis at the moment - my new management got me some gigs as entertainment for some of the Yoga Fit conferences.

I played solo in front of a very attentive audience - mainly women 30-60 - good energy - I was nervous, but I think it came off pretty good!

The CEO of YogaFit was taken with my music when she heard it the other week, and it's so cool this was able to happen so fast.

Taking some yoga classes tomorrow then headed right back to NYC. And then coming back to LA for a week or two at the end of June!! Can't wait!

Management & Christopher Rice

I've been off my blog grind - but plugging away.

Signed a management deal with KMP Artists - who are based in LA, and incidentally they work with pretty much my favorite writer of all time - Christopher Rice

I just finished his fourth book, Blind Fall, and immediately started his most recent work, The Moonlit Earth. His stories are absolutely captivating - written with a lot of heart and emotion, with suspenseful and mysterious aspects that are totally up my alley.

Hope to meet him soon - I think I may meet him at a showcase in Seattle in September.

Also been working on some development with Jonathan Whiteley - he has been giving me some advice on things from performance to image - he suggested I take some technical dance classes as a form of exercise, and to train my body in a way that hip-hop classes don't quite cover. I took a jazz class today at PMT Dance Studio.

Boychoir & Bridesmaids

I met up tonight with my old friend William Southerland who I went to the American Boychoir School with, and whom I hadn't seen since I think 1998.

Pretty crazy - but awesome to see him, and we chatted it up for a little while at Bourbon Street (bar) in Midtown.

Love reminiscing!!

Then I had a party of 1 (solo date) at the 12:30am showing of Bridesmaids at Regal. 

Freakin hilarious -

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kristen Wiig - she is my hero

Nose piercing

Got my nose pierced :-)

Zennnnnn

Today I wasn't feeling the best - a little bit of a sore throat.

So I slept in pretty late....which is grand on a Sunday.

When I got up, I headed down to E 14th St. to go to Chogye International Zen Temple for some guided meditation.

Months ago, Time Out New York did a write-up on Finding your Peace or something to that nature. Ways to find peace in New York city. And there was a section on meditation with suggestions of centers where you could go.

I decided on this because the time was perfect. 6-8 pm on a Sunday.

I plan on finding some other centers too and trying them out.

I would love to incorporate meditation into an every day practice.

Screen shots

My cousin's girlfriend was kind enough to take some photos of her TV when they aired my song, and sent them to me....

LOL.... here they are!