Showing posts with label Philadelphia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philadelphia. Show all posts

Monday, April 1, 2013

Homesick for the Holidays

Ice Cream at the Franklin Fountain with my good friend Adam. 

I want to go home. At least several times a day, i think about all the things back home that I miss.  My friends: hitting up the Boom Room where there are always friendly faces and a welcoming microphone or driving up to El Bar and ordering a tonic with lime and being my friend’s “wing man” as i pour my own flask filled with Gin into my sober glass. I miss my favorite restaurants with Brunches that are actually worth waking up for and the coffee shops where I can order a cup of coffee and not cringe in fear of the first sip as to whether I just wasted $2 of my hard earned and quickly depleting money.  The culture: walking down broad street and seeing all of the young and hopeful artists and actors and dancers from U Arts or grimacing at all of the bearded hipsters who put way too much time into their bicycles and tattoos. And who can forget the dirty streets that make it feel like real life instead of this make believe sod planted world called Florida that I’ve been floating through.  Although, I do appreciate the sun and copious palm trees.


It’s so hard everyday not to just turn around and go back to the place that I miss and didn’t realize how much I love.  Philly has given me so many opportunities like being in short films and dancing in shows on the Schkyukill River and taught me so many lessons like what friends to trust and when to walk away from a bad situation.  I grew into myself in Philly and now, on the road, in this metal tin can that I now call “home”, which has decided to betray me and become imobile, I feel like I just graduated college again and I don’t know who I am. I’m searching for some meaning.  Freedom is a wonderful thing, but sometimes it’s pretty scary.  I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing every day.  I’m just “living my life”, but I’m not sure this is how I want to live it.  I want to work hard and make something of myself.  I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have a “job”.  I worked throughout college and after college I had 3 jobs at once and I loved it! Right now it’s so hard to keep my eye on the prize and without direction I just get lost.  My days are filled with problem solving, exercising and trying not to eat my way out of this boredom.  The road is a bit of a lonely place, it’s true.  My bond with Nick has gotten stronger than it’s ever been.  We spend so much time together, it’s a little bizarre.  Sometimes, I wish I had fallen in love with an amazing musician.  That would make this journey a bit easier, but maybe harder too.  Musicians are so unpredictable and narcissistic.  Who knows, maybe I still will fall in love with one along the way and have a riotous affair!  See?  That’s what I’m talking about!  That’s the kind of stuff I was expecting to happen.  Not getting stranded in a Cummins garage in the outskirts of Tampa with a cracked head gasket.  That’s not glamourous and exciting!  What is a leaking head gasket supposed to inspire?  

So, on this day when Jesus rose from the grave, I am far from home and the ones I love, I have found comfort in a bottle of Malbec and the familiar faces on Netflix, whom I’ve come to know very well.  ( Of course, there’s no WIFI here, so i’m watching it on my iphone. Eh, at least I have an iphone).  The wine is good and the wheat thins are flowing, so I must go, as my guitar is calling me.  Hopefully she will give me comfort on this warm spring night, in this odd southern town where I’m being held captive behind metal gates, under artificial lights.  

Brunch at Cafe Estelle was the best. 

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Elise Sings at World Cafe Live and Other News

So, the summer continues to kick my ass. I am now performing in a wedding band which just got signed to CTO Agency. Yay! and a little scary. Will this distract me from my original music? My hope is that it will make me a more confident performer and a stronger singer. Keeping my instrument in shape and my performance skills sharp.

I am still attending meetings and getting ready to write some songs for "Constants". A show that will be taking place on canoes on the Schuylkill River in August. (You know you can't resist checking it out!)

I will also be singing at the Opple Topple Fest June 18th late late late at night into the AM of the 19th. If you want tickets to this, I honestly have no idea how to buy them, but I'm sure we can figure it out. Here's the FB link to the info:

Opple Topple Fest Info

Lastly, I sang at the World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington DE a few weeks ago. Here is the footage of one of the songs I was thrilled to be singing. It's called Try You. Hope you enjoy and can relate. More news and footage coming soon. Hopefully on a new HD camera!!!!!!!!!!




Remember to DREAM IT TRUE!!!!!!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Time Restaurant and Bar Open Mic 5-3-2011

So I was able to squeeze in an open mic last week here in Philly at the wonderful Time Restaurant and Bar.  Great food and lost of music happening there all the time.  They even have events upstairs like "sex stories".  Sounds fun.  So, here is my 3 song set with the lovely Sarah Siahaan and Peter Gaudioso.  I love to hear your feedback, so don't be shy with the comments!!!!











Monday, April 11, 2011

Feast or Famine, Currently a FEAST!

With the nice weather comes more opportunities.  People get active  and productive after their long hiatus from society during the winter.  I myself have crawled out of my bear den to find fun offerings in the arts. 
    I was asked to audition for a new movie called Japanese Azteroids.  After 2 monologues and several readings later I am being cast in one of two roles.  Either a nurturing motherly role or the role of a jaded chaos creator.  Monday I go in to read for the ladder.  That is scheduled to shoot in June or July.  Updates will be coming as time goes by.
   The next project is an exerpt from a film being done by an aspiring film maker at Temple University.  The 3 page scene chosen from the movie Shallow Grave is deep with subtext and dark comedy.  We shot this saturday from 8:30 pm to 4:30 am!!!! What a fun and exhausting night/morning it was! I can't wait to see the finished product.
    Lastly, I was asked to partake in an Historic Tour of the Skyukyll River this summer.  The concept of this project is so unique.  It takes place at different locations along the river where you meet historical characters and you travel to these locations via canoe at night.  Wow!  How exciting is that?! The moon and stars lit up in the sky and you get to experience this intimate little show.  I'm so honored to be a part of this project with Alie Vidich and her Company Movement Brigade. 
   I am trying to keep this momentum going and not get complacent any time soon! Keep your eyes, ears and hearts open!!!