The Fire 28 Sep 2021, 6:02 am

I need to write something here, but it’s not easy. Not much is easy right now for so many, and we are finding ourselves in the same category, and so I might as well just get on with it. If you haven’t heard by now, in the wee morning hours of Sept 6, our little sweet 1920s beach bungalow, often referred to by friends as “Doc and Chou Chou’s Enchanted Cottage”, our honeymoon home and hideout for over thirty years, what Doc liked to call the Pumpkin Shell, where I happily thrived extremely well, thank you, well, on that raining dark night, we had a massive fire that destroyed our home and all our possessions.

We’ve had a few miraculous things recovered, but the rest will be gone with the demolition. We are hoping to rebuild, and now we move on to the next chapter of life. We’re okay, and have each other, and have the most amazing friends, family, and neighbors.

This sort of event is always complicated, to lose home and possessions and the need to rebuild. We can handle loss of stuff, since stuff is just that: Just stuff. But far more impactful is the lose of the Imperial Palms archives, music, costumes, and the rest, and Doc’s budding return to the luthier business.

I was so excited! I was finally bringing the band back for the first show since the beginning of the pandemic. It was only 12 days away, this first event back, and I was so happy and so were the musicians. I tried to see if there was any way, but had to admit that in some extreme cases, the show, in fact, cannot go on. At least not yet.

I sang that night, surrounded by neighbors, with ran pouring down, and what seemed like every firetruck around, and first responders, all of them heroes. I sang, because I couldn’t cry yet. I thought it was curious that I responded that way, but, of course, it was not surprising at all. When one lives life in song, things happen like that.

Doc’s doing great. I’m okay, too, considering this shock to the system thing. We compete to see which of us can take better care of each other. We know we’re off-balance. Far more important, we’re hopeful, grateful, with our eye on the future, still dancing and laughing in daily moments, and being okay with just being there for each other in the darker hours. All part of the process.

Unbelievably, another neighbor’s home burned on Saturday. Our hearts go out to them completely, and this whole wonderful community of neighbors is reeling. So I think I’ll stop writing for now. I get tired quickly since the fire, but I know that will pass. We’re okay, and things will get better. Thank you for listening, our darling friends. I’ll write more soon.

The post The Fire appeared first on Chou Chou.

Painting My Toes 1 Jul 2021, 5:10 pm

At last! I am deliriously excited to announce Chou Chou and the Imperial Palms is returning to live performances starting September! We’re open for business and accepting bookings!

Behind the scenes, I’m beginning the frenzy of planning, creating, dusting off! I hope you are finding the same enthusiasm I am! What a long haul it’s been! Perhaps moving ahead should involve each of us writing a “What I did during the Pandemic” report, like those summer vacation reports we did in school.

Beyond the predictable clown car of emotions brought on by last eighteen months of existence, I can report I spent most of the long pause in the focus intentional work of keeping us safe, supporting loved ones, paying close attention to the situation, even when it was so horrible and hard, and educating myself. There’s been dark times, yes, but, in my trademark sunny style, I’d like to think of my past year and a half as a sabbatical of sorts. Doc and I have survived and are whole, with love in our hearts. That is more than enough. We’ve grown and changed, become more ourselves in some ways. In my deepest heart space, I shall always keep sacred the memory and awareness of what we’ve all suffered and lost. But enough about that for the moment. Right now, I’m writing about happiness making!

Where to begin? It seems like things went from stop to full speed ahead so fast! In the middle of an optimistically ambitious number of domestic projects, I suddenly find myself sending contracts, helping planners, coordinating and collaborating with audio and tech pros, designing costumes I’ll soon be sewing, digging into the music vault, and the rest. I’m scheduling beloved band members, auditioning and teaching, adding some fresh new talent. I’m doing choreography with reluctant dance muscles, rehearsing songs, lucky to discover the extended vocal rest graced my workhorse used and abused voice with some surprising improvements! Go figure that!

There’s equipment that needs to be moved out of storage. It’s a lot of lifting for little me. Heaven knows, I won’t have Doc do it, not at his age. It’s never been his thing anyway. For whatever reason, and we’ll probable never know, I’ve always just jumped in to do it, because it just needs to be done. Besides, the lifting sure tends to make those costumes fit nicely, so I don’t mind at all!

In the middle of the whole lockdown drama, we were hit with a EF1 tornado. Actually, it jumped right over our little bungalow on the bay, in a rather dramatic way, leaving felled trees and plenty to repair, enough to keep me in band schlepping mode for a while. But now I’m shifting duties fast! I’m wrapping up those home projects at lightening speed, still juggling the pandemic life duties known to all domestic warriors. But I’m picking up again with the duties of a business woman, making artistic choices, beginning the preparations and rehearsal. Things I’ve done for years, and, like any small business owner in the Arts will tell you, means endless tasks, details and hours. One simply can’t do this without a certain passion. I’ve always done it because it makes me thrive inside. The business of making people so happy.

Is it a bit overwhelming? Perhaps, at times. Things will smooth out, as I get adjusted. Bring it all on! I couldn’t be more thrilled, or feel more alive! So I’m doing all the necessary serious work. But there is a little thing I’ll do first. I must remind myself this work of entertaining is, above all, the giving, the sharing, of joyful play. As a band leader and performing artist, it only moves forward when I believe in the magic. The long strange pause called for much stoic strength. None of us were unscathed. We live stage performers, beyond other loses, were mourning the loss of what feeds our souls, a complicated addiction and identity, both. Would it ever return? What if it didn’t? Could we live without it? And just like that, it calls us again. Can we actually come out and make music again? It seems  too good to be true! How do we make that big leap? Where do we even begin?

Coco Chanel once said, “If you want something to happen, paint your toes”. Is it silly and trite? Absolutely! I am proudly announcing that’s where I’m starting. painting and smiling at my own cute little tootsies. Maybe I’ll add some little flowers or something. I think that’s as good a place to start as any. I’ll begin feeling playful, down to the tips of my toes, building from there, making all the other playful things happen again. So we can all gather and start celebrating! Profoundly, wisely, both feet on the ground, but with toes reminding me to go ever so lightly. To play in the work. In that lightness, only goodness happens, making it all easy when I know it’s not. Making that thing we know as flow, the sweet spot, the pocket, known to all creatives, movers, and shakers. That’s a lot to ask of a little bit of polish, but not if you believe in show business magic. My heart, my musicians and darling friends! It’s almost time for us to gather again! And I swear by the cute little paint on my toesies, I’m diving into all the new possibilities, playing completely, with joy in my heart, bringing a lifetime of experience onstage and behind, in the pursuit of happiness making! So I’m starting with this one silly little cute thing. That’s all it will take, at least for me. I’m sure you’ll come up with your own possibilities, launching ahead with your own playful way. Maybe planning a party with us! Or dining and dancing at one of our shows. I’ll see you in the music very, very, soon, I hope! And you can bet I’ll be dancing on perfectly painted toes!

The post Painting My Toes appeared first on Chou Chou.

Testing, One, Two: The Regathering of Us 5 Jun 2021, 11:37 pm

This isn’t easy. You’ve no idea. Or maybe you do.

This is my first blog post after more than a year, since the beginning of the strange Age of Covid. I’ve wanted to write you, more than you know. I simply could not, and it was the strangest thing. Or maybe it wasn’t. I’ve know idea. But I need and want to begin again now, so I am. Forgive my awkwardness. You’ve no idea.

I don’t know whether to confess or celebrate. Do you? You see, ever since the music stopped last year, every time I tried to write here, I’d find tears running down my face. Don’t get me wrong. In more ways than you know, I’ve been so brave and strong. Except when addressing live music. I missed you too much. It broke my heart. It sounds so silly, but, really, that’s how it was. I cried. It just made me feel too much. About you. About the musicians. About all of us.

So now, here we are, at a new beginning! Time to step back in! The world is opening up so fast! We’re following guidelines, and are fully vaccinated! Isn’t it thrilling? It’s glorious! I’m happy to announce Chou Chou and the Imperial Palms and some of our other entertainment options are available for booking for Fall events and beyond! If you’re planning something, just give us a shout!

I could not be happier! That said, I want to take a moment in this first post back to honor those we’ve lost. Also, to honor our brave first responders and amazing essential workers. None of us are unchanged by what we’ve been through. We’ve all experienced tremendous loss and for the fortunate among us, maybe some growth. We’re wiser now,  I’d sure like to think that. I must mention here, too, how beyond grateful I am for loving friends who have been my tether and sanity checkers. I’ve sure needed them! I offered my strength, too, when needed, ‘best I could. And when I was at my weakest, the circle completed. You may have formed a similar loving circle of your own. Perhaps you were part of mine at times. You certainly were in my heart and mind.

So, my darlings, we begin again. So much to do! It’s a dream come true! For me, it starts by writing to you. We’re safe and well and made it through! There’s a brand new chapter of life to get to! Bring it on! Please, yes, do! We’ve got happiness making to do!

The post Testing, One, Two: The Regathering of Us appeared first on Chou Chou.

Valentines Day: Celebrate The Mansion on O Street’s Anniversary with the Imperial Palms 22 Jan 2020, 1:30 pm

Great glorious Gatsby, the Mansion on O Street, one of our favorite places on the planet, is celebrating their 40th anniversary! On Valentines Day, Feb 14th, with a Great Gatsby themed party, unending champagne, and tours of the unique magic world that is the Museum and Mansion on O Street. Brimming with history, curiosity and delights. Dozens of secret passages and whimsy. This very special creative destination is the life passion project of the one and only H Leonard. Somehow, it’s other worldly while incredibly hospitable and warm. It’s a perpetual creative work in progress, so there’s always something new to explore. You either have been there and know, or you don’t. If you haven’t experienced the Mansion yet, you should. It’s quite indescribable. It’s very special to many, including us. We’ve played many great parties and gathered memories there, and chose the Mansion for our own intimate weekend celebration of Doc’s 50th birthday. Family members have been spoiled forever.

I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing the Imperial Palms back to the Mansion on O Street to help celebrate with our own unique musical romance and fun. Dress vintage or fabulous, because, of course, you are! What a swell party to will be! For tickets and details, go to omansion.com 

See you there!

The post Valentines Day: Celebrate The Mansion on O Street’s Anniversary with the Imperial Palms appeared first on Chou Chou.

Love Songs and Valentines 12 Dec 2019, 3:17 pm

” I sent you a midi”, he says. It’s almost 4am and he knows I’m starting my day. “The song’s almost done”.

He yawns, grabs my pillow, and shifts onto the warm spot I left. I slip my clothes on in the dark. He’ll soon be back asleep.

He mangles the name of the song, making me puzzle over what song he means. I’ve no idea why he finds this amusing, but he does. I want coffee.

“Why do you do that to song titles?”, I say, fumbling for apron and glasses. I know he’s grinning and thinks it’s cute. Maybe I’ll get why this is entertaining after some coffee, but I doubt it.

He’s working on a new arrangement for me. These are his loving gifts, Valentines that come from deep in his heart, and always have, since we first met. You can hear it in the music. I hear even more. They are the secret language of our love. Unlike the other band arrangements he does, always so great, those intended for me to sing are expressions of his love and unique understanding of what I bring to a song. As if undressing me gently, he exposes my soul in the music as only he can.

I have not one moment’s wish, and never have, for the usual romantic tokens. He knows presenting flowers or gifts will bring an awkward response at best. I may even scold him for wasting money. Heaven knows, I’m handy enough around the house and I don’t need much help with all that, either. But the gift of his talent, a song, lovingly arranged, is enthusiastically appreciated always. I will swoon. Melt. He knows this, and is beyond pleased.

Then, with all my joy and love, I get to pass it on to you. Music is the language of love, as you know. And maybe now you know a bit more. It’s not really possible to put into words how very true this is for us. Maybe you can hear it in the music. From Doc, to me, to you. Even with mangled titles.

I’ll be singing those love songs and swingin’ the dance tunes with the Imperial Palms on New Years Eve. Hope I get to sing some to you❤️

Here’s the link for tickets:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-tie-new-years-eve-gala-at-the-luxurious-willard-intercontinental-tickets-82333683263

The post Love Songs and Valentines appeared first on Chou Chou.

In Preparation for Honoring our Veterans 3 Nov 2019, 7:46 pm

A few weeks ago, I was requested to put a special show together to honor our Veterans, to thank those who can never be thanked enough, In these strange divided times, as an entertainer, I must set the tone. Certainly, this is not a time for vague patriotic gestures, nor is a celebration of all our veterans a time for political side-taking. Not that I don’t have opinions. How could any of us not? But this show is not the time. We all will gather to thank the veterans, in the moment, together. Live entertainment is of the moment, fleeting, and then gone. I acknowledge that moment, the gathering, the mission, in the most present of tenses. And love. For that is, above all, what I do as a performer. I love. I want my audience to feel loved, without concern of returning it. The gift to me is that they receive it. Because I have the privilege if giving something I really feel in the moment. The love of those sharing our present moment. It’s that simple.

But these are not simple times. Hearts could use some lightening.

There’s a process to building a show. The songs are worked for weeks, each as a stepping stone to the next in the journey. I’ve so many things to express to those who have served in the Armed Forces. Don’t you? It is a privilege and honor that I get a chance now and then to do so through music and whatever silly happiness I can bring.

I am the mother of a retired Navy SEAL, disabled during service to his country. I am also the fourth generation of my family to boost morales during troubled times. It is mine to do, and I have always felt that calling to my core. I doubt it is apparent. Nor do I need it to be. I am there to make people happy and lift hearts for a while, and it is up to me how I do so.

I am honoring our Veterans. This is not any show. The chosen theme is “As Time Goes By: A Celebration of Valor”.

Valor: the strength of mind to face danger with firmness. I’ve learn a lot about that through my loved ones who have served, and from a life not without some rather large challenges. It’s a favorite word of mine, valor. Really. I have my reasons.

I woke at 4 this morning. Not that unusual. What was unusual was the sparkling clarity I felt. There in the sparkles was the show, all I wanted to express in thanks, celebration, along with the fleeting fun, in my brief time with the Vets. I quickly wrote. I recorded. I sparkled.

I have a fun little bit of well-loved music, great musicians, and what’s in my heart. I have a lifetime on stage, and generations before me. This is not just another show. This is my thanks, to my core. As my mother did, my father, my grandmother, and great grandfather. It is mine to do. I shall bring happiness and fun, honor and thanks, to the families of those who have served. From my core. Come join me in this. Come, play with me. Come sparkle, feel loved, and have fun. And it’s free. It’s that simple.

As Time Goes By: A Celebration if Valor is presented by Silver Spring Town Center and the Montgomery County Commission of Veterans Affairs Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, at the Silver Spring Civic Building, 6PM-9PM

The post In Preparation for Honoring our Veterans appeared first on Chou Chou.

The Lesson 18 Sep 2019, 3:20 am

I’ve lost much sleep lately. I’m a band leader now. How do I define that? With Doc retired, I yearn to keep the legacy he created 35 years ago, the Imperial Palms Orchestra, alive. So I learn his songs, the conducting, some patter, and the rest, along with my usual material I perform as part of a band I have devoted myself to for 27 years.

It will take time, I tell myself. I just need to polish things a bit, work harder. But I am alone in this thinking, for all trusted opinions are in agreement with something I simply refused to see. I need to stop working so hard to change myself for the band, I am told. I am told the band must change for me.

I don’t understand. I refuse to see it. I tell myself I am too strange, and autistic and different. I must create a new mask, something delightfully charming and acceptable. I must, I feel, create a new carefully crafted persona, adapt, in order to make this work. My talent and focus, hard work, and a well-chosen mask, will make this work. No one is agreeing with me. Not because they don’t think I can do it. They think I simply don’t need to. And none of them are autistic. I decide they just don’t understand.

It’s a lovely late summer evening. I’m taking a break from preparing for another show. I am roasting coffee in my old iron skillet, just as I have for years. I roast all our coffee this way. I roast darn good coffee.

As usual, I heat the skillet. When it’s just right, I pour the green coffee beans into the pan, without measuring, or even thinking much about it. As usual, the beans pop and crack, expand, and smoke. Once cool, I place them in the old coffee canister. Somehow, they are always the perfect amount for the canister. Like, REALLY perfect. This, I know, is one of those weird funny tricks I can do that I don’t know why.

Doc sees the beans, now in the canister. He laughs softly. It’s a little fun trick he can count on. I sigh. “Why can’t my autistic tricks be something more useful?”

Doc becomes serious. “I want you to look hard at those beans in that canister. Did you measure them?” He knows well I did not.

“Do you think most people could do that, all the time, for years, and the beans always fill the container like that?” I agree most would need to measure the beans.

“That’s what you do on stage. It’s unique and hard to explain. It works. It makes people feel happy and loved and like everything is okay. But you are trying so hard to adapt to the band, become some crafted idea of a bandleader, it’s like you are trying to measure the beans. You don’t need to. No one wants you to, and you’ll probably make a mess if you tried. What you do with the beans, what you do on stage, are very strange things. It’s hard to find. Most people can’t do those strange things. We want your strange things. Stop hiding.”

And that was my lesson today.

The post The Lesson appeared first on Chou Chou.

Sept 19th! “A Night of Swing” in the Secret Garden with Chou Chou and the Imperial Palms 17 Sep 2019, 4:11 pm

We’re back by popular demand! Thanks, darlings! Join “Chou Chou and Imperial Palms” swingin’ seven as we celebrate the grand finale of this year’s Secret Garden Summer Series! It looks like we’ll have perfect weather, too, for “A Night of Swing” in the Omni Shoreham’s enchanting garden! Follow the link to register for complimentary tickets. Better hop to it, too! It’s going to be a special night… a very special night!

6-9 PM, In the Omni Shoreham’s garden. In Robert’s Restaurant if the weather is bad, but it won’t be. It will be perfect. And better than perfect if you’re with us, too!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-of-swing-back-by-popular-demand-tickets-72755169671

The post Sept 19th! “A Night of Swing” in the Secret Garden with Chou Chou and the Imperial Palms appeared first on Chou Chou.

The Perfect 30 Aug 2019, 9:59 pm

I admit to possessing a vigilance and predictable resourcefulness that stacks odds in favor of positive outcomes. I am cursed with the very same thing. I deep dive into that relentless whatever-it-takes-ness that can make overwork my default. I constantly need to be vigilant about that, or I would surely push myself dangerously far.

I often flop into bed, after 18 hours or more of steady, focused production. Once in a while, I will admit to Doc that I’ve worked as hard as I could for that day.

“Nobody does that. If you did, you would be dead”.

I get that lonely wave of feeling misunderstood. “Must I die to prove my hard work?’

”No. You must work as hard as you want, and not expect it to impress me, or anyone else. If you choose to work hard, you should. I love you no matter what you do. Certainly, not for how hard you work”.

“But, aren’t you proud of all I do? How hard I try? How I’ll do almost any task, struggle to learn new skills, push ‘til I’m bruised and bleeding, if it comes to that? I will do almost anything needed, not complain, you know this, no matter how unpleasant, especially if it saves you from having to do it.” I shifted uncomfortable, knowing I was indulging myself in a very petty way, because I was so darn tired.

”Again, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I respect your choice to do what you want, how you want, and love you without controlling.”

Who was this wonderful angel-man talking?

It sounded nice, in theory, but there were so many years when we simply did not, could not, enjoy the luxury of such individuality and freedom. We had to coordinate our efforts always, in order to achieve a singular vision: the band. That often came with unending demands and control, with a need to confine our individual choices, to the demand of fulfilling our roles. Roles we each had outgrown long ago.

Unless you’ve experienced this all for yourself, unless you’ve lived and worked together as closely as we have, unless you have been through the transition to retirement, and the tsunami of adjustments to get there, you may not understand the possibilities of what can be. I certainly didn’t. I know life is unpredictable, and can change in a moment, but, right now, right here, it’s perfect.

We are both free. Creative. Productive as we each choose to be. Or not. Enjoying each other. And I’m learning I am free now to enjoy myself, even learning what that means. I am pouring myself into my new role as band leader, and whatever I grow into, diving deep into hours of whatever-it-takes-ness. There’s nothing to limit our choices. Each day is what we each choose it to be. And we get to do it together, alone. Perfect.  ❤️

The post The Perfect appeared first on Chou Chou.

Sept 14th! Chou Chou and the Imperial Palms Orchestra’s Carlyle Club debut! 25 Aug 2019, 11:30 pm

Golly gee, we’re excited! My official debut with the full twenty member Imperial Palms Orchestra, featuring those adorable Coconuts! I do hope I get to celebrate with you at this majorly epic historic spectacular-spectacular event!

Here’s the backstory, if you feel like hangin ’round:

I’ve performed as bandleader plenty of times, but always as a unit substitute for when Doc was not available. My role was still that of singer, personality, supporting Doc’s leadership role. Now is a whole new chapter with the leadership, band identity, and creative control up to me. I am no longer a singer/producer, waving the stick now and then. I am no longer Doc’s creative partner. I am a bandleader, with all that entails. This is very exciting, but comes with a clown car of other emotions.

While we are so very happy we are on this new journey, with Doc beamingly proud of me, I have waves of hard moments, of missing our loving duets in the spotlight, or the luxury of demurring, leaving the frenetic elements to Doc. Now, I must break those habit, and command the three ring show that is the full Imperial Palms Orchestra. And now I am ready. And I wasn’t. just a few days ago, or thought I wasn’t.

Funny how nervous I was at my first show without Doc, last Thursday. I haven’t felt that way in years! It was our smaller six musician Imperial Palms, not the Orchestra, and the room was packed and lively all night. The Omni Shoreham was pleased. We all had a wonderful time. But I was unsure, not my usual polish. Except when singing the love songs, thinking of Doc. I had no idea what would happen, knowing how everyone would be sorely missing my talented husband, most of all me.

I had no idea my emotions would be so strong! I scolded myself, surprised that my usual uber-focus while performing kept wanting to focus on Doc. But the band congratulated me, and everyone had a fun night. Whew!

Now, the jitters are over! I’m ready! I have tested the waters in front of the most divine, supportive, charming, and loving friends a performer could dare dream of! They knew this was so very hard, in a very deep way, They cheered me on, and made it all okay. And now I can give my all.

We have a special history with The Carlyle Club. That’s another story. But this will be a VERY special moment at a VERY special place, and I hope to get to experience it with you. Not because I nervously need your support, but because you have filled my heart with your loving goodness and I have so much I want to give back! Sept 14th I am officially taking up the baton as leader of “Chou Chou and the Imperial Palms Orchestra”. Cue orchestra. Let the magic

begin.

For tickets: https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=buy.layoutSeatSelect&eventID=4072E45A-E2EF-90F2-793985F1754E3A10&packageEventID=

The post Sept 14th! Chou Chou and the Imperial Palms Orchestra’s Carlyle Club debut! appeared first on Chou Chou.