Be You Girl.

It’s International Women’s Day!

And after watching the Academy Awards, and well, all that’s been happening with the world lately, I remembered this little piece I wrote for Portkey Events when we first started. Two years later, and this is still exactly what I want to say. Here’s to every woman in the world. Be strong. Be you.

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Hermione wasn’t bossy. She was strong, and smart, and unafraid to stand up for what was right. Luna wasn’t weird. She was insightful, and loving, and brave. Ginny wasn’t weak. She was fearless, and clever, and kind.

These were the women we looked up to growing up. These were the women who taught us that being a woman does not, and should never limit you to what society dictates. A woman can be strong without being bossy, a woman can be quiet and insightful without being weird, a woman can be kind without being weak, and a woman can be herself without being less than a man.

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My 2017

Another year has come to a close. Another year to be thankful for. Another crazy, beautiful, wonderful year where so much has happened, I can hardly believe it all fit in 365 days. Like every year, there were many ups and downs – mostly ups. People who left, people who came, and of course, people who stayed. Things that went perfectly, things that didn’t quite turn out as planned, and things that ended up being some of the best surprises I’ve ever received. So here I am again at the last hours of the year, looking back at the gift that was 2017, and looking onward with excitement at what 2018 holds.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of this incredible year. I’ve got some special mentions down below, but I’m sending this message out to everyone. If you gave even just a second of your time to the 525,600 minutes of my 2017, I am thankful for you.

If you’re staying for the ride, buckle your seatbelts because I already know 2018 will be quite the adventure.

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2017

Happy New Year!!!

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La Estrella

Right in the middle of the roller coaster of a first year for Portkey Events, came an opportunity to do a very different kind of show. Having put Flamenco on the back burner for months, I was out of practice, and I was more used to twirling my wand than my skirt. But inspiration struck, and I knew in my gut that this was something I had to explore. And I am so glad I took that leap.

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Arman Ferrer | Katsie Llave | David Ezra

Having been blessed with a roster of amazingly talented friends, I soon found myself working with not just one, but two of the best singers in the country – Arman Ferrer and David Ezra, a handful of theater actors, a wiz of a guitarist, a director who truly believed, and friends who loved me enough to give theater and Flamenco a try for the first time in their lives.

With this spectacular team assembled, then came the sleepless nights of brainstorming, listening and lining up Spanish and Flamenco songs, and coming up with a beautiful story woven through these songs about friendship and love.  Continue reading