Playlist Pick: Forever - Chris Brown One of my most favorite things to do in the Fall when I was a young child was to preserve leaves in wax paper. It was something I always looked forward to doing when that time of the year rolled around. Art was my favorite thing to do in school, so when we got to do this project I was really excited. I vividly remember sitting at my elementary school desk on my wooden school chair with the metal legs and frame, and the wooden seat and back rest (they could not have been that comfortable, maybe that explains my back pain today). My desk was made of similar structure, wood desktop and metal frame and legs.
Anyway, I remember our assignment of bringing in leaves for arts and crafts. I was so excited to pick out the biggest and most colorful leaf to bring into class. Arts and crafts were usually done at the end of the day right before school let out. We would all get our leaves out, the teacher would pass out wax paper, then we would put the leaf in the middle of two sheets of wax paper, then the teacher and teacher's assistant would come around with an iron and iron our leaf together preserving it in the wax paper. At that time we would pull out our school scissors. I had a pair that I kept in my Snoopy school box (what I called it) that I still have today.
Man, I love that school box! It makes me feel happy! Scissors in hand, we would cut out our leaf from the wax paper, following the outline of the leaf, and then we'd have our finished product! I remember taking it home to mom and dad and showing them with excitement what I had accomplished at school. It was far more important to me than my grades or the "A" that I got on my spelling test, or my penmanship awards.
So, as we Floridians begin to feel hints of what is our Fall season, I reminisce on the days of old. The simple things that made me so happy to be alive!!!
Have a great day, and remember, it is the small simple positive things all around us, that if we choose to focus on, makes life worth so much more to live...
Playlist Pick:Staple It Together - Jack Johnson Another late post, but hey, better late than never... The kind people at Best Buy invited me to perform at the Grand Opening of their new Musical Instruments Store last Saturday. It was a really great day, a freeing day. I arrived a little early for load in and sound check, and pulling into the parking lot, the Florida Fall had not yet kicked in as it was in the high 80's, and not that of the music genre. Man it was hot! It was a Saturday afternoon, so the store was pretty packed with shoppers too.
Once inside, I tried to soak in the cool breeze of air-conditioning, but I was still setting up and sound checking, and at a high rate of activity. All was set, so I did my pre-show ritual of just trying to find a quiet place to relax before singing. I had enough time to stroll the store and check out all the new DVD releases as well as some music. People began to arrive, so I took to the stage and got ready to do my thang...
It was a quick set of 30 minutes, so I began with one of my songs titled "Opportunity" (which can currently be heard exclusively at: http://www.sorealunlimited.com/ Check it out!!!). I played a few more tunes, then my good friend, and talented hip hop artist, Stefanotto stopped by to sit in on "So Crazy", and also do a song of his own. I always have a great time performing with him. I am scheduled to play the House of Blues next month warming up the crowd for One Republic, and have invited Stef to come join me. Should be a great time.
After Stefanotto finished with me, I did two more songs, ending the set with "Good Times", then thanked everyone for coming out. It was a really fun afternoon, and the staff at Best Buy were so kind and professional. I have to personally thank Matt, Kelley, and Lisa for the opportunity of letting me come out and do what I love to do.
If you are reading this and it is Saturday October 18th, 2008, I will be performing at The Grape tonight at Pointe Orlando from 8PM to 11PM, so come on out and join the fun.
Late post, but hey, it's here. So here goes... The RAD Art Show was an incredible evening. It was so great to be around artists, artistic people, and lovers of art. There were photos on display from Michelle Marconi & Isabelle Ribeiro, and artwork by Nicky Botelho & Mel Taylor. Mel Taylor? Yes, Mel Taylor the very talented DJ and radio personality. And I have to say, she is as equally talented with the brush. We have a bunch of mutual friends, but had never had the chance to meet until now.
Brook Pifer did a lovely job putting the event together, and her studio was the perfect location and vibe for the whole event. I got to meet so many people and exchanged a business card or two. I also had a great time performing throughout the evening, playing a mixture of my original music as well as my favorite covers from The Beatles, to Nat King Cole, to Coldplay. In between sets Brook gave me her first generation iPod to rock some tunes to, and man, it just looked ancient, but still rocked the party. Later in the evening my good friend and talented musical colaborator Stefanotto came by and sat in on a few songs. If you get the chance, check out his music.
All in all it was a fabulous time, and I heard that Mrs. Pifer is going to host another one in the future, so check her out.
Greetings... I will be performing at two very exciting events this coming week.
The first is RAD (Rock Stars - Art - Drinks), an art show hosted by my friend, the very talented photographer Brook Pifer. It was a great privilege to be invited by her to be a part of this event. I'll be performing throughout the evening. It's always a great time to hang around people in the art community and people who have a love for the arts. When I was in LA a minute ago, I remember how much I loved being in the atmosphere surrounded by artistic people, so this will be a great event! There will be several other artists showcasing their work as well. So if you are an art lover, please come by. Details below...
RAD (ROCKSTARS - ART - DRINKS) FRIDAY 10/10, 6-11PM LIVE MUSIC BY RON IRIZARRY, ARTWORK BY NICKY BOTELHO, PHOTOS BY MICHELLE MARCONI & ISABELLE RIBEIRO 520 N. ORLANDO AVE LOFT 1 WINTER PARK FL 32789 (ABOVE THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY & GUITAR CENTER) Complimentary Adult Beverages and Yummy Nibblers, Valet Parking outside Cheesecake Factory. When entering The Lofts take elevator the floor 2 CDS, ARTWORK, & T-SHIRTS WILL BE FOR SALE
The second is at the Grand Opening of the Instrumental Music Store at Best Buy @ Waterford Lakes. It's really exciting, because as a child I have the very fond memory of my father taking my brother and I to the music store to see the instruments. I remember having an utterly magical experience seeing all the different colored electric guitars hanging on the walls, and people sitting in front of amps trying them out w/ these really incredible sounds coming out of them. I was so drawn to it all.
Now I have the opportunity to be a part of an outlet that is opening their doors to provide brand new experiences to the people who walk through their doors. It's very exciting, and I'm very happy to be a part of it. Details below...
RON IRIZARRY PERFORMING FROM 2PM TO 2:30PM BEST BUY - MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS STORE GRAND OPENING SATURDAY OCTOBER 11TH BEST BUY WATERFORD LAKES 845 N ALAFAYA TRAIL ORLANDO, FL 32828 407.482.8099
I'm at The Grape tonight Saturday October 4th from 8pm to 11pm, so if you are free come on out for a chill experience and a relaxing time. The Grape is located in Pointe Orlando. Google it and come join the fun...
It's a Friday, another Friday, and let me tell you, I am VERY thankful to be alive...
The last few months I have worked myself to the bone getting about 4 hours sleep a night, and right now, I'm just tired... Just tired... I feel kind of like Ron Livingston's character in "Office Space", where he just got tired of doing anything at all. I'm not to that degree, but I'm somewhere in the region...
Tonight I have a gig at a place on Park Avenue here in town. If you are free and want to come out, please stop by and say hello. You can find all the info here: www.ronmusic.com. My dear brother Jeff has been sitting in w/ me, and I must say I truly enjoy the camaraderie.
I finished watching the "Iron Man" DVD w/ my beautiful fiancee last night at about 3am. It was an awesome time. I'm coming more and more to a place of great appreciation of my family, friends, and loved ones... That to me is what it's all about during our time here on the planet, at least for me, and I am making sure that I make every moment count...
I'm here, I'm alive, it's all happening, here, now, and I'm in it!
Artist at heart, lover of life, it's ups and downs, and the journey and it's process. Romantic but yet a realist. Sing, play guitar, & write music because I need to.
Playlist Pick: Forever - Chris Brown
Man, I love that school box! It makes me feel happy! Scissors in hand, we would cut out our leaf from the wax paper, following the outline of the leaf, and then we'd have our finished product! I remember taking it home to mom and dad and showing them with excitement what I had accomplished at school. It was far more important to me than my grades or the "A" that I got on my spelling test, or my penmanship awards.
