Learning To Fight Blog #8 - ♥ Happy Happy post-Mother's Day Edition!!! ♥
Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages – welcome to ROUND 8 (♥ Happy Happy post-Mother's Day Edition!!! ♥ ) of my “Learning to Fight” Blog as the ‘First Lady of NuFunk’ representing NuFunktonia, the Tdot Odot, Arktik Afriqua, and beyond!
Mother's Day has just passed, and I wanna give a special shout-out to allllll the mama's out there!!! Hope everyone was able to tell their mom this weekend, in their own way, how much you love 'em:) I, for one, KNOW that I - First Lady of NuFunk, Dana Jean Phoenix - would NOT be here and "Learning To Fight" if it weren't for my mom believing in me and encouraging me to never give up every step of the way. You may get a thousand chances in life, but you only get ONE set of parents...
I LOVES YA, MOM!
Wow.. so it's now Spring of 2010 and so much has been happening! I was just recently in Pennsylvania opening for SEAN KINGSTON w. God Made ME Funky at Penn State, Altoona, and also played the Toronto FREEDOM FESTIVAL w. God Made ME Funky. 40, 000 people! Damn! Shout outs to Jay Cleary for such a wicked festival at Queen's Park that just keeps getting better and better every year. I want to thank everyone who has purchased a copy of my album 'Learning To Fight', whether that be on iTunes, Amazon, or at HMV! Because of you guys - I am now on my SECOND RUN of CD's - and they are BACK in stock at the HMV Superstore, Downtown Toronto. (In the Urban Department under 'P' for 'Phoenix' ;) If you haven't already, go pick up a copy! And if you have picked up a copy, go pick one up for your mother, a brother, a sister, or a friend!!!
Learn more about the inspiration behind 'Learning To Fight' and all things Dana Jean Phoenix, check out this recent interview with me on nextmusicblog.com:
http://www.nextmusicblog.com/interviews/2010/04/interview-with-dana-jean-phoenix-.html
Now, because this is a special post-Mother's Day Edition of the LTF Blog, I feel compelled to talk a little bit about how other strong women have inspired me lately. Shout-outs to all the ladies of 'Obeah Opera' - Nicole, Abena, Amina, and Saidah. We recently remounted this wonderful piece, written and directed by Nicole Brooks, at Rock.Paper.Sistahz.9 with overwhelmingly positive responses! So inspiring to share the stage with so many powerhouses and goddesses. Special shout outs to Saidah Baba Talibah who is doing-her-thing & Rockin' the Canadian Scene. Her EP, "The Phone Demos" is available NOW - and If you don't know, then you SHOULD know.. just visit www.myspace.com/saidahbabatalibah Trust me :)
Woah...Man, Nothing like being in the presence of STRONG females, to stay focused, and keep learning to fight..
Speaking of which, I recently booked my very first gig(s) all on my own - no helpers, just me. Contacting the club(s), dealing the owner(s), making sure my band is properly taken care of, and taking care of all of the details was all part of this experience. It may not seem like such a big leap - but in talking to a lot of up and coming musicians out there, it's not always as easy as one would think. Many of my peers out there complain that bars and clubs just don't give a chance to the new, up 'n' coming, and for lack-of-a-better-term "less well known" artists. Club-owners are so set on booking the well-established bands that have been around for years, that there leaves little chance for fresh young talent to have a shot to develop, hone in on their live performance skills, and start to build a following. That's why I'm always frequently attending, and have been a huge advocate of open mic nights, where you can try new things, make mistakes, and really start develop your "chops". If it weren't for my girl, Karen Figueira's PROJECT SOUND, or Carolyn T's OPEN JAM NIGHT @ Harlem, I would not have been able to develop my live stage show the way I have in the last couple of years. Hmmmm...both nights have been run by women. I'm noticing a pattern here about the ladies in the Toronto Music Scene ;) I just feel blessed to be amongst these amazing individuals.
Yes, NuFunktonians, summer is FAST approaching and there will be lots of stuff comin' down the pike. Just did an interview on the D'Anise show on Thatchannel.com! Shout outs to D'Anise, the talented and vibrant host of Canada's LONGEST RUNNING Online Radio Station!
Watch out for a copy of the interview posted soon!
Also, I can't leave without telling everybody about the Long-Weekend Madness going on at the Rivoli, on May 22nd. I will be hitting the stage (w/ ya boy PHATT al), alongside two seriously funky bands, Pure Finesse, and The Groove Suit! NUFUNK will definitely be in the HOUSE! So, mark it on yo calendars, and click 'Attending' on the event page:
http://www.facebook.com/?r..ef=home#!/event.php?eid=12..0477064638032&ref=ts
And JUNE 5th, it will be going down at Bar Italia (582 College St.) Saturday Night(s) Live is NOT something you wanna miss, NuFunktonians.
AND, this just in.. Saturday, July 17th at 5pm, I'll be hitting the New Generation Stage at the Toronto Beaches Jazz Fest.
Yes yes y'all. Summer will be HOT and NuFunk will definitely be present!
Thanks for all your continued support. Much Love to all my supporters and fans ♥ ♥ ♥
And don’t forget, EVERYDAY IS MOTHER’S DAY!!!
Now let's get ready to RRRRrrrumble!!!
Dana Jean Phoenix
