I’m trying to do better about blogging immediately after my travels, but tihngs are pretty action packed right now with the new cd due to be released in August!! Hooty Hoo!!
Thurs. 5/27, I had the honor of singing for the Graduate Commencement Exercises at Southern Connecticut State University. This was my 7th and final year. Boo-Hoo!! The Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. Sandra Holley requests my presence at the event yearly and unfortunately for SCSU/fortunately for her…she is retiring this year. So, I’m not sure if they will keep with the tradition of this special graduation ceremony. It was sooooo cool seeing all of the the proud parents and friends!!! I also got to see my friends Teresa and Rueben!!! One of the coolest parts was the standing ovation I received after my solo at the first graduation! What a blessing! I’m a big advocate of higher education. I attended SCSU for my Masters in Communication Disorders when Dr. Holley was chair of the department.
After the graduation ceremony in CT I went to stay in NY for business and pleasure. Hey, I work hard….I deserved it : ) I stayed in the Village with a freind (Thanks Jomo), hopped on the Subway and took in everything NY had to offer. Made some successful business connects in NY led by my business partner Ron Smith!! (Ron was workin’ the rail system ya’ll!!!) We even got to fellowship with flutist Claudia Hayden (what a great spirit) over a cup of tea! We’ll be performing together at Wednesday WindDown at Centennial Park in Atlanta on 9/22, so come check us out.
I grew up in Roosevelt, Long Island (Yay Strong Island Baby!!) and would hang out in the City every chance I got. NY didn’t let me down Memorial Day Weekend. We took in the sights of Times Square, got to sit-in with a band at B.B. Kings, went to a street festival in the Village, went to the African Festival in Brooklyn, and hung out in Washington Square Park listening to live music on Sunday before I left.
But how bout this….ya girl waited on line at the Cort Theatre on W. 48th Street for 1 full hour early Saturday morning and snagged tickets to see the phenomenal Denzel Washington in August Wilson’s Broadway Play FENCES!!! Awesome performances by Denzel, Viola Davis and the rest of the cast. I have such respect for the arts in all of its forms!!! Fences was directed by Kenny Leon and the score was original music by Branford Marsalis. We are such talented people!!! I thoroughly enjoyed being back home. The downside was that Gary Coleman passed away that weekend. He was never truly content with his life. I think he alway felt he had more to offer. I hope he had a peaceful transition.
But, to end this blog on a high note, I just found out that I was definitely in the company of royalty, witnessing something very powerful. About 45 minutes ago Denzel Washington was awarded a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play and Viola Davis was awarded Best Leading Actress in Play for their protrayals of Troy Maxon and Rose in FENCES!!!!!! Fences also won for Best Revival of a Play!!!! Congratulations to them all!!!! What a great accomplishment.
Peaceful Blessings,
~Rhonda
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