NYC Highlights

What a weekend. Although there will be no video evidence of our adventure, it has BEEN an adventure. This past weekend I performed with Jodi at her cabaret in New York. We, with Shoshannah, performed three Andrews Sisters songs together in front of an audience of 60 or more. Jodi performed an additional ten songs - and she was both inspiring and amazing.

So what a weekend! Add to that a surprise - three of my best friends from college flew in to see me perform, and it was likely the most amazing 24 hours I have had in years. I'm a lucky gal for the opportunity (thanks, Jodi), for the experience sharing what I love (thanks, Doug and Carol), and for the blessing of my friends.

Like I said... what a weekend.

Shoshannah, Jodi and I in the dressing room before the show.

The three of us on stage!

Jodi and I post-show. What an incredible person she is.

Doug and Jodi post-show.

Joe and I. Brother/future singing companion/whatever. Friend.

Stephanie, Angela, Brooke and I. They flew into New York to see me and gave me one of the only surprises I've ever had in my life. So clever.

Gettin' sassy just like we used to!

A circle of friends!

Ohio girls transplanted. Meredith, Jodi and I. Wish us luck, world!

NYC in 36 Hours!

Me, Doug and Jodi - post rehearsal.

Me, Mere and Pookie.

The girls at dinner.

Jodi's Second Cabaret!

I'm re-announcing Jodi's Second Cabaret at Don't Tell Mama's in NYC on Saturday August 22nd at 8 PM. Both Shoshanna Richman and I will be joining Jodi for three Andrew's Sisters songs, which is terribly exciting - but we'll all be there to support Jodi if you are able to get up to NYC and join us.

Note: You might remember Jodi Beck Week last November? Video #1. Video #2. Video #3. Video #4.

So... who's coming?!

The 32 Project, Revisited

So I'm officially 32, but my 32 Project has not been completed. No harm... it's a work in progress.

1. Finish watching the Top 100 movies. 65 down, 35 to go.
2. Charity: April 17th Formal Wear Happy Hour DONE! 45 dresses collected!
3. Charity: April 19th March for the Animals DONE! $343k raised!
4. Learn how to drive stick shift. Casey?
5. Lose the weight. Five or six pounds down.
6. Volunteering: Habitat for Humanity. Reconsidering. This one has been tough to fit in.
7. Charity: Tree Planting/Trash Pick Up. DONE! Planted 8 trees!
8. Volunteering: Pets on Wheels w/ Antonio? Retracting... replacing with Grow out hair to donate to Locks of Love.
9. Visit NYC/Have Jodi visit. This has been upgraded to singing with Jodi at her cabaret in NYC! 8/22! Woot!
10. Meet Joey Mac. June 23rd DONE! Saw NKOTB for the 3rd time with Cassie in June. Unfortunately... no meeting, but I'll live.
11. Try making crab bisque.
12. Organize an Ohio reunion. DONE. It was smaller than planned butt 10-15 folks showed, and we had a great time!
13. Go somewhere other than OH and NYC.
14. Read at least four books. 'A World Without End' completed. Working on 'Beautiful Boy.'
15. Digi scrapbook something.
16. Buy fishnets (long story). Retracting...
17. Try Yoga with my BFF.
18. See Heart live in Bmore! May 17th DONE! Great show!
19. Go through my storage unit and SIMPLIFY. DONE! Made $70
20. Go to an amusement park. DONE! Cedar Point was a blast!!
21. Find somewhere to take voice lessons. DONE! I'm on month two!
22. Choose an Armed Forces charity. Retracting... this group no longer supports this fundraiser. Considering ePals Foundation: Students and pen pals read books chosen by the student, and correspond online about the important issues in the books. Fun!
23. Start hiking. This one is on Katie.
24. Visit Marie (and get the Taylors to come here)!
25. See the Orioles! DONE! And we won!
26. Eat in Greektown. DONE! Samo's was delicious!
27. Pick crabs! Six years in Bawlmer... DONE! Twice!
28. Make more blankets! Of course, in progress! One DONE! Working on another!
29. Plan a Star Trek movie night! DONE!
30. See Kelly Clarkson. Scheduled 9/9 in York, PA.

31. See Journey. Scheduled 9/11 at First Mariner Arena.
32. Plan another girl's night. This is long overdue.

So I May Not Have Mentioned It...

But I am SO EXCITED. I have been asked by my dear friend, Jodi Beck, to sing backup for her at her cabaret in August in NYC! I am so THRILLED. I'll be singing soprano for "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree," Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," and "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon." It's all Andrews Sisters stuff.

It's a good thing I started voice lessons, but I'd additionally thankful to Doug Silver for sending rehearsal materials! Yay! I can't stop singing!

Are you excited? Are you coming to the show? :)

Voice Lesson #2

I was given my first song today... 'Children of Eden' from the musical of the same name. Oh MY is this song gorgeous. I sang it the whole way home in the car and then listened to the professional recording when I came home. After listening to it once, I decided that I will listen to it no more, because I think my version will be slightly more haunting than Stephanie Mills' version. My voice is also quite a bit younger than hers, so I want to do my own thing with it in my own way.

So, I'm ruined. Even as I practice this song tonight, I feel that I'm being swept up into the world of music. I may never be able to let it go again. It feels so damn good.

Voice Lessons (for Grown Ups)

So... I had my first voice lesson today - the first in at least 15 years. It was good, I think. I like my teacher (or is she my instructor?) because she's very easy going, but I have a hard time relaxing to do all of the vocal exercises properly. Some problems: I look up, I look up and to the left, and I do the "chin up" thing before I sing... I guess a lot of chorale folks do it. I have decent transitions from chest voice to head voice, go nasal (not often but) at strange times, and I have to practice slurring because I have a hard time slurring correctly.

The creative Charissa inside me is excited, but the perfectionist Charissa is stressing. I can't help but feel a bit vulnerable - I'm the more real me when I'm singing than any other part of my life... and I don't even know her. What if I stink?