Acting, Driving, Visiting and Playing

It’s been a loooong day! This morning I drove to Sacramento to do an audition for a commercial. I decided years ago to join a casting agency, because, well, you just never know if you have the exact look a client is seeking. I’m not a trained actor, and don’t have any visions of myself performing Shaekspeare any time soon, but I’ve done a little bit of acting (commercials, extra work on movies, etc.), and leave that option available to myself to pursue, should an exciting opportunity fall into my lap – as so many things in my life do! I was paired with another actor, who played my “husband”, and we practiced our lines for about 30 minutes. I think I did a good job, and the cameraman seemed pleased with my performance. I hope I get the job!

After the audition, I went to visit my Grandmother and uncle. My Grandmother has survived a series of strokes and is determined to regain her health. I’m so proud of her for her valiant fight to maintain her independence and of my uncle for being there to support her. I don’t visit her nearly enough…

I returned to the Bay Area, stopped by my aunt’s house since my sister was in town visiting her with my niece and nephew. My nephew is getting to be such a big boy! He’s only 8, but outweighs me by nearly 30 pounds, and will surely be taller than me by next year. He’s such a natural for football, and is just now starting to enjoy the sport. My niece is (of course, the girly girl like her auntie) a cheerleader for his team. They’re both so cute!

Finally, I got home, and felt sufficient fatigue beginning to settle upon me (and a significant case of indigestion), that I took a miniscule 10 minute nap before getting dressed and heading to my gig. And what a fun gig! Despite not feeling well (and being overwhelmed with the heat from a nearly 100° day), I performed with my friend Kevin (on bass), who’d invited me to participate on the gig. I was thrilled to find a HUGE group of friends and family attended the show: William, Carla, Amy (who played and sang a tune – she’s awesome!), Tony, Ken, Bruce (who sang a couple of tunes with me and rocked the house!), Ron, Linda, Polly, Teri (who took some lovely photos of me at the gig!) and most surprisingly, my Grandfather! My Grandfather had not attended one of my performances in many years, and I was very happy to see him there. Thank you to everyone for coming, and I look forward to performing at E-22 Café!

LA and Good night!

I had a fantastic time in LA! I got to hear my friends perform, and sat in on 2 jam sessions, and performed the gig with Kaylah. Everything went really well, and I drove home inspired! I'm ramping down my *busy work* factor and will be making some big changes in my life so I can devote more time to mastering the piano, singing and writing, specifically with the goal of completing MY project!

Me and Randy (genius)

Here's a little good night video:

LA in August

Yesterday was fun! I arrived in LA late Saturday night, and went straight to bed. I got up late on Sunday morning (9:30am), went for a walk and then met my fabulous friend Lexie at church, and then enjoyed a delicious brunch that her mom made. Later, I visited my brilliant friend John and was inspired by his musical knowledge, accomplishment, and lovely company. We watched videos of amazing performers such as Errol Garner, Les McCann and Ralph Moore, and the music of a genius young musician named Rick James. This guy plays bass, piano, sax, drums, and who knows what else, with incredible mastery, and the recordings were made when he was still a teen. I was astonished at the musical beauty and maturity of his playing. Apparently, he's not sharing his music with the world in this moment, and I railed for a while about how the world needs beautiful talent like his, and how could he keep it to himself, blah, blah, blah. After a while, I realized that I (admitted with head bowed in shame) have a terrible habit of procrastinating in my own musical growth, and creativity. Why, I ask you, why have I not completed my project yet? Why do I let days go by without practicing in the way that I KNOW will lead to my goal of complete musical freedom? Why do I let the minutiae of daily life distract my from my goal? I may be no musical savant with multi-instrumental prowess, but I have my own gifts to offer...and I DON'T DO IT. 'nuf said. I'm gonna shut up complaining about someone else's lack of motivation and get my own act together... I ended the night hanging out with some of my favorite people after watching some of them play a killer set on their gig. Paris is a young pianist/composer/singer (yes, I'm claiming it for you!) who is simply phenomenal. Kyle is my guitar heart, and Brandon was holding it all together, making everything connect with some lovely bass. I'm so proud of, and impressed by all of them! They were joined by Amber and Anita, both tremendous singers. It was a good start to my LA trip.

Walking at the Marina

I went for a walk with my sister, her kids and the dogs. We started late, but it was a beautiful night!

Victoria Theodore August Performances

"Can't it be August again?
When the trees swayed
With the last breath of summer upon them..."
– Frani Bell

Hello Friends,

August is upon us! We've been enjoying a lovely July "winter" here in the San Francisco Bay Area, with temperatures ranging from the low 50s to mid 70s, but with August comes the start of our summer, and for that, I'm thrilled!

July was a busy month, lots of performances and media interviews. I was even interviewed for an upcoming documentary. More details on that later : >

I still haven't figured out how to include dance classes in my schedule. I adore the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance", and every summer that it's on, I get the itch to dance. I'll find a way...

Here are a few upcoming shows, but check my website for the latest information:

AUGUST 2009
Sat, Aug 1
6:30pm - 9:30pm
The Broadway Grill
1400 Broadway Burlingame, CA 94010 | 650.343.9333 | map

Sat, Aug 8
8:30pm - 11:30pm
Marcello's Restaurant & Piano Bar
Open mic! Come sing! Bring your instrument! Play a song or two with me!
515 San Ramon Valley Boulevard Danville, CA 94526 | 925.838.8144 | map

Sat, Aug 15
12:30pm
Art & Soul Festival
I'll be performing with students from the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music
Yoshi's Jazz Stage
Jefferson Street at 12th Oakland, CA | map
$10 adults, $5 seniors & youth (13-17), 12 and under free

Wed, Aug 19
8pm
Kaylah Marin & Basic BlaQ at
The Mint
610 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035 | 323.954.9400 | map
$10

Sat, Aug 22
8:30pm - 11:30pm
Marcello's Restaurant & Piano Bar
Open mic! Come sing! Bring your instrument! Play a song or two with me!
515 San Ramon Valley Boulevard Danville, CA 94526 | 925.838.8144 | map

Please check out my web site to see a full, up-to-date listing of when and where I'm performing. I'd love to see you at one of my performances. Please come say hello!

Just click on one of the links and then click the button that says "SHOWS".

Have a wonderful month! I hope to see you soon!

Growing Garden

For the past few weeks I’ve been enjoying the bounty of my newly established garden! Salad is my favorite dish, so having an abundance of various lettuce types growing freely in my planter boxes has been an unencumbered delight! Today my first 3 tomatoes were harvested! They still need another couple of weeks to ripen (they had to be harvested because I’m having a bit of an aphid issue, which I’m dealing with), but otherwise look great! Farmer Victoria? Well, I can clip leaves and eat the bounty! : >

Tracks, gig, tracks...

This evening I had another gig with flautist Kymberly Jackson at Qs Lounge in Jack London Square. This afternoon, I spent some time working on tracks for clients, and the time got away from me. Before I could finish, it was time to leave for my gig. My dear cousin, Jonathan, worked as my roadie for the night (thank GOD!! I didn't have to lug equipment!), and kindly set up all of my gear for me. The gig went well, and I had fun playing with Kymberly, Brian, Mark and Charleston once again. Thanks to my friends who came to the show. I so appreciate your presence, support and seeing your smiling faces: Revonda, Darian, Phil, Dewey, Andre, Sara and Lynette (my fellow keyboardist who's rocking on the new hit MTV reality show "Making His Band". Check her out!!). Rapper Too Short happened to stop by for a while as well. It was a full house!

So, I'm back home from the gig, and DOH! I just remembered that I didn't finish one of my client's tracks. Sigh. Can I please have a 30 hour day, so I can get everything done? I just want to go to sleep, but I can't let my client down...

Back to tracking, then to bed, hopefully before 2am!