United Project

Tonight I got to go see a dance performance from UNITED PROJECT - a group of dancers who have been studying under choreographers Joanna Numata, Dana Foglia, and La Jon Dantzler, three of my favorite teacher/choreographers.

The show was stunning. Mishay Petronelli & Ai Shimatsu, two girls that were heavily featured, were really exquisite, and the whole company really lived in those pieces.

The music was great (lots of Bjork), cool costumes, innovation (one piece was Mishay on a ladder being carried around by four boys and morphed into different positions), and awesome choreography.

Made me happy and proud to be an artist and witness to such amazing artistry.

I'm happy :-)

SHOW at Crash Mansion

WOW......

What a great night......

so much.....

I feel blessed and grateful.....Of course there are always things that could be better, but overall I had fun and we put on an entertaining show, with the help of:

-4-piece band + horn + backgrounds
-guest rapper Heightz
-guest tapper Cartier Williams
-dance performance from the choreography of Joanna Numata
-duet with singer/dancer Joe Buffa

I feel great about bringing together awesome talent and energy and putting on an entertaining show. We'll see how the footage comes out (I had someone taping)

After my gig I went to Rockwood to see my bass player Jordan Scannella kill it with his band!!

DANCE & LIFE

Wonderful day today.....

Taught music classes,

then went to an audition. LITERALLY walked into the building, changed my shirt, was called in to audition, then left, probably all within 5 minutes. AMAZING!!

Took 2 of Joanna Numata's classes.....Hadn't danced in like weeks....maybe months aaah. Classes were amazing. We danced to "Click Click Click" by Nasri and "Say Yes" by Floetry......

Vibed with my bud Joe Buffa. We are working up a cool number for my next show at Crash Mansion.

In addition, I will be performing this coming Wednesday at the Greenhouse in NYC as part of the LoveJones showcase. It's gonna be great!!

Exercise

Today was a beautiful day.

I slept in (much needed).

Woke up, had some coffee and headed to Soul Cycle on W. 72nd St.

My friend (and web designer) Anton Briones was doing teacher training there.

It was free for me and others because he was training,

but usually the class is $32

Crazy! For only 45 minutes

BUT, if you have the money,

it's totally worth it.

Amazing class, high energy, you sweat alot

to good music, and good vibe

Anton:

So for now the class is free I believe on Fridays at 1 pm. 

Call to reserve a bike. You won't be sorry!

Then I headed over to BDC to take class from my friend

the amazing Joanna Numata.

We did a routine to a Meshell Ndegeocello song.

Beautiful.

I was loving my life today.

Got a couple groceries...

Now doing absolutely nothing lol.

Vacation?

Vacation is so confusing....

I'm off from work at my kid's job.

But of course trying to do a million things.

Procrastinating.

Then doing a couple things.

More procrastination. Relaxing a little.

Performing "Warning Shot" on Saturday, and still feel like I have so much to do to get my act together.

Took Joanna tonight which was amazing.

Registered my songs with BMI.

Gaaaaahhhhhh ok, I'm gonna go over choreography for a little bit then go to bed.

Night!

Grand Central

I love that middle section of Grand Central subway station where literally EVERYONE is walking in different directions. It's amazing there aren't more collisions. Everyone just weaves their way in and out.

Tonight I met with Kahari Mays, boyfriend of Joanna Numata (see previous blogs), who is a producer, as well as model, etc. I laid down some piano for a track he was working on. It sounded good I think!

MUSIC

Aaah, I love music!

Took Joanna again today, and we danced to "Say It Right" by Nelly Furtado. Someone gave me the compliment that I dance with so much feeling, and I realized, I just love music. I can't help but feel the music, especially if it's a song I can really connect to.

This is Joanna's fierce facebook picture.

Here is another tidbit from this great book I am reading, "Networking Strategies for the New Music Business" by Dan Kimpel.  I think this can apply to any social situation.

"Follow the 10-5 rule for meeting and greeting: If you make eye contact with someone within 10 feet of you, you must acknowledge them with a nod or a smile. At five feet, you should say something--'Hello' or 'Good evening.' Don't pretend you don't see them."


I was going through a lot of old music to put on my phone, starting with songs that got a lot of play in my Itunes, and I came across "My Petition" by Jill Scott. This song is so beautiful! You gotta take a listen and let me know what you think. And after that, watch the video of Jill Scott's most classic song in my opinion, "Long Walk." That song/video made me fall in love with her....I still think she is one of the best vocalists I've heard.

My Petition - Jill Scott

Sleep / Rain / The Crazies

SOOOO good to sleeep iiiin two days in a row!  


I got up and went to take my friend Joanna Numata's class at Broadway Dance Center. Check out her choreography in a video we did last year at the end of this blog. 


I went and saw "The Crazies" at Regal E-Walk 13. It was pretty good! Nice rainy night activity. I think the following pictures will help explain the insanity of the rain & wind in NYC this weekend.....broken umbrellas everywhere! I had to throw mine away at the end of the day.

Joanna Numata / Floetry / Indian food

Took class today with my girl  Joanna Numata. Not only do I consider her a friend, but she is an amazing choreographer & dancer. One of my favorites for sure. I look forward to working with her more. We both share a love of the group Floetry, and today we danced to "Say Yes."

JOANNA

FLOETRY

I also took tap class with Germaine Salsberg. Nothing else quite gives me that same feeling as when I'm tapping. Feels so gooooood, and I have some SERIOUS shoes that make it even more fun to tap.

Tonight I had rehearsal with Jason Rabinowitz, the lead singer of "The Bloodsugars," and Matt Katz, keyboard player, who taught me a couple new songs. We had Indian food that was amazing! Samosas, nan, raita, chicken masala, saag, the whole deal...Delicious!

Earlier today:

Crazy Purim party at this SERIOUS synagogue school on the Upper East Side. Was frisked, and searched DOWN to get in....these kids had food for days, magic show, music, and who knows what else.

3pm - Joanna Numata's class at Broadway Dance Center. Aaah, she might be my favorite choreographer, period. So awesome to see her really growing into her role as a teacher. We danced to "One Minute Man" by Missy.

6pm- Rehearsal with Todd for our show on March 6. CLICK HERE for the event info. Heat was out in the rehearsal space in Brooklyn. It was COLD!

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