Delaware and the Garden

Two concerts this past weekend. The first was a new festival just getting off the ground. Middletown, Delaware is a quaint little town with adorable cafes and friendly folks. We got there just in time (30 minutes before our set) and played a short list - just about 45 minutes. We hit on everything, but only had time to give the audience a sampler. They loved it and so did we! Had lots of fun. I was thrilled to share my music with Unicity. (Photo from the Middletown Transcript)

The next day we performed at an outdoor garden concert in Belvidere, NJ. The hostess was gracious. The setting was idyllic - against the backdrop of a beautiful victorian home punctuated with well manicured gardens we played an intimate concert for townspeople and invited guests. A casual acoustic concert with a homey feel, we enjoyed a couple of wine-song pairing selections during the concert. A light italian pinot grigio with hints sweetness accompanied the equally light "Piangero". A spicy Argentinian Malbec accompanied the saucy "Tango". As guests sipped wine and I sang on, the evening fell. Everyone lingered long into the night. We enjoyed more conversation along with an introductin to Algerian Wines (thanks to the guest that just so happened to import from this region). Darkness came and the conversations continued. It was a lovely evening.

Huntington, Long Island

A sticky summer afternoon, we pull into this quaint Long Island Town and unload for our first stop on a Summer Northeast Tour. We are greeted by a willing staff of technical gurus ready to get us prepped for an evening concert. The setting is idyllic - a beautiful park dotted with ponds and shady trees. The ampitheatre looks out over the grassy hill. We are eager to get on stage and excited to make music here.

People shuffle in, set up lawn chairs, spread out blankets and prepare for the show. Tonight, we'll switch things up a bit. Change the order. The beauty of my performance is that the audience never quite knows what's coming next. My musicians enter the stage to warm up the audience. I enter, looking a bit like a wood nymph in my spare white chiffon frock - legs steady in floral stilettos. The first song is a chilean-inspired love lament - flirty and bit aggressive. Next we move through the crossover set - A little English, a little Italian, a beautiful showcase of legato line and pure singing. Then we ditch the demure and take a turn to the Sexy with a fado-inspired Purcell aria and an Argentinian Tango. We end the set with a Little Summertime, Jazz and Blues... and I understand why that writer from The Record compares me to a young Streisand. In years passed that reference would have surprised me, but now I'm just honored.

A short break before we return and continue our musical tour. A little Gaelic, a little Pop then we land in our signature set. I take a brief respite and showcase the talent that I am priviledged to share the stage with. They play "Spain" and I return for the song that is quickly becoming my signature, "Malaguena". We end it with little Rumba sing-along. and Exit the stage to boisterous applause.

People ask me if I miss singing Opera. I've never looked back. I love the unexpected and the discovery of a new style. Challenging my self-imposed traditions/parameters and dressing my voice in the musical cultures of the world!

It's a good night. Thank you, Huntington.