Sunday, June 12, 2016

Social media diet

Ah...
That felt so good.
A whole week without social media.

Last week, when I landed in Los Angeles, I decided that I needed a break from social media, and to spend more time connecting with people in real life.  I spent time with my loved ones, went to a few parties, played piano, and enjoyed my life.

I'm always trying to find ways to live in excellence and be as healthy as possible. In that effort, I subscribe to a variety of podcasts and newsletters (Tim Ferriss and Marie Forleo are two of my favorite). Recently, I listened to Tim talk about how he takes a 4 week break from being online on occasion. I can't really afford to do that at this point, but I took 9 days off.

Let me tell you!! It was so refreshing!  I did check my job related email messages, but that's it. No posting, no surfing, no commenting. Just real life. I highly recommend it.
 
Time to fly again.
Finally heading back to Europe.
Up and away.


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Monday, January 04, 2016

Reminiscence / Resolution


Happy New Year! Like everyone, I had ups and downs in 2015, but overall it was a very good year: I successfully completed a fundraising campaign, finished my first album, made my first music video, completed my first house concert tour, a great CD Release Concert (nearly sold out!), found a wonderfully lovely partner, experienced improved health and wealth, and continued beautiful relationships with friends and family.  I (finally) got furniture - including a dining table and chairs!  No more living like a monk, eating meals on the floor while sitting on a yoga mat! I guess it's time to start throwing dinner parties!! Yay!!

In 2015, several of my friends lost a parent (Jeannine, Zoe, Ashling, Cynthia, the Birchers, among others), bringing to mind the mortality of my own parents.  I try to be grateful for them, as well as my extended family and friends, everyday.

After so many years of fabulous touring and television, I'm back to the world of the hustling artist (no fabulous, celebrity based gig at the moment), but for the first time I'm promoting myself as a recording and performing artist in my own right, booking my own gigs!  It's a major evolution for me.  It's not easy, but is definitely and incredibly thrilling!  Having an audience sing my song along with me? Priceless...

I wish you all a most beautiful, prosperous, healthy, happy and purposeful 2016!  May all your dreams come true, may your best efforts come to fruition, may your life be an example of love, light and joy.  Let there be peace on Earth...


RESOLUTION

I'm a perfectionistic, workaholic.  I don't have any vices (seriously...ask anyone who knows me), or typical, run-of-the-mill bad habits. Given my inclinations, I think the most useful resolution for me is to plan to take a real vacation in 2016.  I observe my friends and family members with "real jobs" as they talk about their annual vacations and weekends away, but never, and I mean never, make plans for myself to purposefully relax.

So, I resolve that in 2016, I will make a conscious effort to not be a non-stop work machine, and to actually plan a real vacation (at least 7 days away from work - yikes!!!) sometime before October 2016.

What's your resolution?


UPCOMING EVENTS
VT Trio @ California Jazz Conservatory - January 9
The Musical Life Workshop @ California Jazz Conservatory - January 10

Host a HOUSE CONCERT!  There is no cost to you!.  Yep, it's FREE to hosts. I show up at your home (or wherever you want to host) with all of my music equipment and perform for your invited guests.  It's Easy and Fun!  Contact me for more details: victoria@victoriatheodore.com
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Monday, December 21, 2015

Happy Holidays!! Bay Area Performance, Workshop & Lessons

Hello my dear friends!  I hope you're having a lovely holiday season!  I've had a great year (as you know), and I look forward to making 2016 an even better year.  I know that I've been sending you lots of email messages in my attempt to promote my album and shows...and I do appreciate all of the love and support you've given me.  Thank you sooo much!  I'm grateful...

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!

Love,

Victoria

Listen to "Going Home For Christmas" by @dave_tweedie
Check it out and share it!!
Merry Christmas!
Music, art, education, prosperity, well-being, compassion, peace, joy and love!
PERFORMANCES
Victoria Theodore at the California Jazz Conservatory (AKA The Jazz School in Berkeley)
Saturday, January 9, 8-10pm
In honor of the venue, I'll be performing my more jazz oriented compositions and some jazz standards.  The always fabulous Daniel Parenti and Tommie Bradford will be rounding out the rhythm section with me.
2087 Addison St.
Berkeley CA 94704
Tickets $15
Check my website for all of the performances that are coming up!
WORKSHOPS
The Musical Life: Bay Area Session
Sunday, January 10, Registration 10:30am; Workshop 11am-4pm
I'm offering a workshop at Piedmont Piano!  The workshop will focused on what it takes to prepare for life as a musician, how to win an audition, and how to sustain a career in music.  All levels and instruments are welcome!  There is only space for a few participants, so sign up today!
2087 Addison St.
Berkeley CA 94704
LESSONS
Check out the available lesson times and book a session with me ASAP.  There are only 2 days listed as available at the moment, so don't delay!  I'd love to work with you and offer my support in your musical pursuits.
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Thursday, November 19, 2015

Yoshi's December 1, 2015 - Dave Tweedie

My Grateful CD Release Concert is December 1!!  I hope you have your tickets!
I've got an incredible band!  Today I feature:

Dave Tweedie, drummer

See you at Yoshi's on December 1, 2015 at 8pm!


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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Yoshi's December 1, 2015 - Tommie Bradford

Hello friends!

My CD Release concert is coming up soon! I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate my debut album at Yoshi's in Oakland.  Please buy your tickets and come celebrate with me!

I've got several amazing musicians performing with me.  Over the next couple of weeks, I'll feature each of them in my blog.

Tommie Bradford, drummer

Tommie Bradford, Jr. was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. His earliest experience playing drums was in the church. Many years of performing as a full time professional musician has contributed to Tommy’s distinctive soulful and funky groove (his nickname is "Skunky"), stylistic versatility and artistic soloing ability.

Tommie has toured, recorded and/or performed with Santana, Whitney Houston, guitarist Neal Schon, songwriter Jonathan Cain, keyboardist Rodney Franklin,Toni Tony Tone, Braxton Brothers, and vocalist Ledisi, to name a few. He has also performed with the American Idol Christmas Tour and has appeared on BET On Jazz as well as recording for many movie sound tracks.


See you at Yoshi's on December 1, 2015 at 8pm!
Remember to share my show with your friends using the hashtag
for a chance to win 2 free VIP tickets and a ‪#‎GratefulBundle‬ (CD, T-Shirt, Calendar, etc). One winner is chosen at random and announced the morning of December 1.
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Monday, February 02, 2015

February Performances

At long last, I'm starting to perform as an artist in Los Angeles!  For many years, I've been a support player, but now it's time to step out front and share my music with Southern California!  Yay!

First, I'm doing 1-2 songs at a Grammy® party this Friday:

The Soirée LA
The Foundation Room @ House of Blues
8430 West Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069

But next week is an entire set with my fellow Bay Area native, Destani Wolf.  Destani is a fantastic singer/songwriter, with a new EP of her own, "Peek Away".  We're doing original material as well as cover songs that we love.  Check out this short clip from a rehearsal:

DW & VT rehearsal

We'll be performing at Genghis Cohen on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 8pm.  Please stay and say hello after the show!  We're just doing one set, so don't be late!!
DWVTGC
Genghis Cohen
740 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, California 90046
(323) 653-0640
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Friday, January 30, 2015

Learning balance...

I've been a workaholic my entire life. I practice 5-8 hours per day (when I don't have a "real" job), I handle all of my administrative tasks, run my social media, respond to as much email as I can tolerate before going crazy, I edit my videos, I run my fundraising campaign, I write essays, am taking an online super-learner course (so I can become a speed reader and get more things done faster!), am studying 5 languages, practice yoga, cook most of my meals, take photos of and blog about said meals, etc.

I often find myself saying "oh, I'll just do this one last thing so I have more time for the other things tomorrow", and then the same thing happens the next day. And the next. And the next. I haven't been to a movie in months. I never go see plays, or dance performances, or visit art galleries. I never go dancing, and I LOOOOOVE dancing. I hardly ever get to go hear the fabulous musician friends I know and love. All I do is work.

Granted, I made the choice to walk away from a likely more stable career as a compute engineer and from a PhD program to be a composer and performer, but this is ridiculous. I have so many movies on my DVR, it'll take me 3 years to watch them all...at least at my slow pace! I've got a stack of books that remain unread next to my bed.

My last vacation was 2011 - and that only happened because Stevie had a gig in Brazil and I took advantage of being there. Why can't I just relax?? So, my new rule is: no work after 9pm unless I'm at a gig. My old habits are deeply entrenched, but my desire for a level of human normalcy is strong too.

‪#‎EverybodyNeedsTimeOff‬
‪#‎BooksMoviesArtPetsPeopleLife‬

Join me:
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