March inspiration

Hello friends,

I hope you’re well, and that you had a great month of February! Honestly, my birthday month has been somewhat challenging in the “health department” but thanks to all of your positive feedback and reactions to my New Show Announcement, it brought a welcome ray of cheerfulness to my sorrows. I truly thank you for that!

In preparing for this performance, I’ve been digging deep into Ms. Dietrich’s world and have become truly fascinated by her life, career and achievements. As we just turned the corner of Women’s International Day on March 8th, I am compelled to share an excerpt of the show with you:

"Open in her sexuality, Marlene Dietrich was a predecessor to strong minded women who changed the course of history and a huge advocate for what would later become the lgbtq+ and queer communities. Who knows if Marilyn Monroe, Madonna or even Lady Gaga would be the same today, had it not been for Dietrich laying the ground work? After all, she was the very first woman to be in complete control of her image, both on and off the screen, in the 1930’s!"

Isn’t this fascinating?!  I am increasingly filled with excitement to present this new show to you in April! I hope you've reserved your tickets, as I've heard they’re selling fast!

In other news, I recently had the extraordinary pleasure to attend Thierry Mugler’s Couturrissime exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum and can’t begin to describe  how it has inspired me! Of course, the fact that he was such an outspoken advocate for people with HIV during the 1980’s is remarkable, but what made the most impactful impression on me was how free he was to be himself, unapologetically! As a multi-faceted artist, I often hear comments/questions like “why don’t you pick one art form and focus on it?” which I have to admit sometimes drives me crazy! It greatly affects my self-confidence by somehow indirectly informing my psyche that the way it operates is not valid. It even sometimes makes me question my reasons for being  an artist. So, thank you Mr. Mugler, for showing us a fierce example of what an artist who’s invested in several art forms can accomplish —without the shadow of a doubt!

With that in mind, I hope to convey this exact message via the exploration of multiple interpretations of Dietrich during my performance of Marlene’s greatest hits next month.  I hope you’ll join me and my incredible ensemble in celebrating NYC’s best cabaret at Birdland on April 13th. Until then, stay well Xx