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May 25, 2010
“Forget-Me-Not” gala
Monday, June 7 6:30p
at The Pierre, New York, NY
The Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter will host its annual “Forget-Me-Not” gala. The evening will offer a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing to
Valerie Romanoff’s Starlight Orchestra.
Call Karen Holland at 646-744-2998 or visit www.alz.org/nyc for tickets
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It’s that time again! I have been performing for the annual “Forget-Me-Not” gala for the past 8 years. This event draws many celebrities who have family members suffering from Alzheimers. My favorite year was when the entire cast of the Sopranos attended and their table was right near the stage. Dominick Chianese (aka “Uncle Junior”) sang with the band and did a fantastic rendition of “Just In Time.” I had recently been on that infamous (to me!) episode of “The Sopranos” (Season 5, “All Happy Families”) and even though no major cast members were at the filming of my scene, Edie Falco was so sweet to me at the gala and said we were “cast-mates.” Gotta love that Nurse Jackie!
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May 18, 2010
Isn’t it incredible to try new things, step out of your comfort zone, reinvent yourself, take chances? This past weekend I did something unusual for me. I arranged to perform live and acoustic music at an educational symposium for the TCM community (Traditional Oriental Medicine) at the Many Path One Medicine Conference in New York City. I asked my friend Tom Rossi to participate, as he worked with me on my “Healing Music CD,” and he was part of the band I took to Sedona in March for my CD Release show. Tom is also very involved with what he calls “Medicinal Music,” and does wonderful work playing for Hospice patients and their families. My idea was to bring an element of live music to the conference, to help set the space and create a peaceful environment, as well as to demonstrate how certain types of music and sounds can actually facilitate the healing process, the learning process, the opening, the balancing, the centering, and all of the ways in which healers work and patients participate. The first piece of music on my CD, “Healing Music for Meditation, Massage and Transformation” was originally conceived as a tool for the acupuncturists to help them tune into their higher guidance and to open the channels of intuition. As the rest of the album unfolded, my intention was to create music that would encourage and enhance one’s journey deep within. For the conference, Tom and I decided that we would collaborate and perform improvisational music that reflected the spirit of both of our solo albums. He played a very beautiful instrument called the Kora, a 26-string African harp. I played acoustic guitar and brought a small little amplifier. For anyone who knows me, this is quite a departure from my usual gig. No roadies, no truck full of gear, no backup singers, no 15 piece band, no electric guitar; just me and the acoustic and Tom and the Kora and 2 little amps. Wow! Liberating! Scary. Beautiful. Gentle. Something new.
After each set, we sat at our vendor table and sold our CDs to the attendees at the conference. Many massage therapists and healing practioners were happy to find new music to use for their sessions, and many other folks were enthusiastic to find new and peaceful music to add to their collections. The weekend was a wonderful experience.
My original music can be sampled and downloaded at www.valrockmusic.com
Please join the www.facebook.com/valrockmusic page for updates and tidbits.
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May 5, 2010
Readying for Spring at Starlight Orchestas!
The same way we prepare our homes, gardens, (and wardrobes!) for the new spring season, the team at Starlight has been readying ourselves for our upcoming shows. The casting department has been holding auditions and callbacks, and a select few have been invited for pre-training and blocking sessions. Just think “American Idol,” because it is quite similar, except for the crowds lining up around the block all night!
The preparation and pre-screening for our auditions is quite extensive; we go over each and every resume, head shot, song list and list of qualifications. Our creative team is our panel of judges, and we go through songs, vocal styles, dance moves, and sometimes extensive choreography to find out what everyone is all about and what they might bring to the eclectic mix of talent that Starlight is known for. By the end of that week, we have new groups of performers to train and work with. It is so exciting to meet new musicians and entertainers and learn what they can do, and it is especially rewarding to be able to offer work opportunities in a field where we get to do what we love.
Each new season we also modify our repertoire and add new material, both old and new. We are always researching the latest trends in music as well as fashion, and we strive for a fresh new look and sound wherever possible.
We have just returned to our offices down in the Meat Packing district after a few months spend in midtown during a renovation in our building. It is wonderful to be back, we are one block away from the Highline and the new park dedicated to horticulture and urban design. There are so many wonderful restaurants, clubs and shops in our neighborhood that you can find any one of us strolling around the nearby streets when we are not upstairs working!
May 3, 2010
The Starlight Experience was invited to perform in Houston, Texas at the Rice University campus last Saturday night when former Secretary of State James A. Baker III celebrated his 80th birthday with a fundraiser benefiting the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
The evening included salutes and toasts by fans and friends including President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush. Over $3 million was raised.
That night , after the event, I received the following email from Susan Criner of Gulf Coast Entertainment:
“Dear Valerie,
You guys were great! Having to start late and do a dinner set, and then build your set but quickly, You are true pros and we all appreciate the job you did. Fun crazy dance set, everyone of all ages was out on the dance floor and having the best time, thanks to you.
Much Love, Susie”
In attendance were many of the city’s leading families, and Isabel Stude Lummis, Courtney Lanier Sarofim and Aliyya Kombargi Stude chaired the event that drew a crowd of 650.
Courtney Sarofim is one of Starlight’s biggest fans, and she has called on us for many other events including the gala for Houston’s Alley Theatre, in years past.
You can visit the following websites to read more about this event and see a photo gallery of the guests:
http://www.culturemap.com/newsdetail/04-25-10-millions-roll-in-for-baker-institute-in-celebration-of-james-a-baker-iiis-bday/
and
http://www.chron.com/life/photogallery/dlb_James_Bakers_80th_birthday_celebration_at_Rice_University.html
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May 1, 2010
I just updated our on-line songlist with some of the new material that we have been performing at our events over the past few months.
New songs include:
Bad Romance- Lady Gaga (including choreography from the music video!)
Jai Ho- Pussycat Dolls (from the movie Slumdog Millionaire with original choreography by our own “Chili C”)
When Love Takes Over- by French DJ David Guetta, featuring vocals by Kelly Rowland
Sweet Dreams- Beyonce
which leads so well into Beat It- by Michael Jackson
I Know You Want Me- Pitbull
AND, one of MY new original songs, a Reggae number, called
Let’s Choose Love- Vitamin V
It has been amazing to see people dancing to my song!
To view the complete updated list of Starlight’s repertoire, go to the songlist section on the menu bar at the top, or click here
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