Thank you for visiting my website. I’m grateful to all of you who give me the opportunity to make a life out of what I love most - making music. I couldn’t do it without you!

NU SHOOZ

2015 is shaping up to be quite the year. My husband John and I have been a part of the Super Freestyle Explosion tour as Nu Shooz for the last two years with other 80s artists like LisaLisa, Expose, and Stacey Q. We've been having more fun than we thought possible! We’ve been asked to be a part of the tour again, so starting in May we'll be hitting the road with our Freestyle friends. Also starting in May we’ll be playing with the 8 piece live band that we put together last year to revive some of our 80s and 90s music and create new music for this (almost) new millenium. If you’re a Nu Shooz fan, you can visit the Nu Shooz website to find out when we’ll be in a city near you or check the calendar here on my website.

Thanks again for listening!

Love,

Valerie

It's a party! Please join me for an event I’ll be appearing at on Saturday, April 12 at Gallery 903 (903 NW Davis Street Portland, Oregon) at 6:30 PM. It’s a benefit for an organization called Adoption Mosaic - a non-profit providing educational resources and ongoing support to all those whose lives are influenced by adoption. Drinks, light hors d’oeuvres, fabulous auction items and a musical moment from the 80s will be served.

My god daughter Ari is on the board of directors and is co-chairing this event. Born in India, Ari and I were brought together through her adoption by two of my best friends. I can’t imagine my life without her. We have so much fun when we’re together!

Here’s a little video invitation that Ari and I made to entice you to come. We hope you can join us!

Love, Valerie

P.S. For more information about Adoption Mosaic and event details, click HERE

Dear Friends,

Here we are. The leaves are almost gone from the trees, and already the stores at the mall have their Christmas decorations up! How does this happen every year? There are many things about the season that are too much. Too much stuff. Too many things to do! It all adds up to overwhelm. How do we stop ourselves from getting sucked in and overdoing? I would offer that music is the antidote to overwhelm.

There are so many amazing musical performances happening in Portland this season. Whether you go out and experience live music, or stay home and listen to your favorite holiday records - music can take you where you need to go in your soul. You can use it to take you deeper, closer to those you miss. Use it to send your spirit soaring. Use it to bring you closer to the people who you love and have made some special time to be with. And of course, use it to revive old memories AND create new ones.

I feel fortunate to be performing this holiday season as a guest artist for two totally different musical experiences. For those who love the traditional Christmas and Holiday fare - the Big Horn Brass will be just the ticket. The BHB is all horns all the time - whether playing "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," or a jazz big band arrangement  of "Let It Snow." No matter what kind of mood I'm in when I arrive to do these shows, I always leave feeling like I've experienced the true magic and spirit of the season.

For New Years it's NU SHOOZ at The Nines with Portland's favorite party band Hit Machine. John and I will be sitting in with the band as they back us up on a few of our hits from the 80s. For the extroverted in you - this will be one out-there night!

For more information and tickets, please check out the links to these events on the Performance Schedule page. Hope to see you soon!

Warmly,

Valerie

THE VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS "SWINGING ON A STAR"

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

The Woody Hite Big Band featuring Valerie Day performs at the VSO's annual fundraiser. For tickets and more information, please click HERE.

PCO MONDAYS AT MAKS - A Special Fundraising Event for the Portland Chamber Orchestra

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2013 from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM

featuring Valerie Day and Darrell Grant

Cost of admission is $25, with all funds going to support PCO's regular season concerts.  Tickets are available at the door, by calling 503-771-3250, or by purchasing online HERE

In this unique combination of music, visual art, story telling and scientific presentation, Dr. Sherman explores the question of how our genes versus our environment alter the structure and function of our brains and, ultimately, who we are.  The presentation is focused on the latest genetics and neuroscience research weaved into the story of Dr. Sherman’s recently discovered biological family that includes five siblings who all grew up in different environments but who share interests and talents in art, music and other areas dating back five generations. 

The project includes original music by John Smith, performances by singer Valerie Day and members of the Portland Chamber Orchestra, and original visual artwork by Portland artist Lisa Caballero.  This project is sponsored by the Oregon Health & Science University, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, and Via Productions. 

On Monday, May 20 2013 at 7 PM

General Admission $30

For ticket information and purchase go HERE

On Friday, November 30, 2012 at 7:30pm please join me for Music Forward! an extraordinary holiday musical event featuring PSU's celebrated music faculty and award-winning students. You'll hear performances by PSU faculty artists... Susan Chan, Hamilton Cheifetz, Darrell Grant, Bryan Johanson, Christine Meadows, Carol Sindell and more...as well as award-winning student ensembles: Wind Symphony, PSU Orchestra, Taiko Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Jazz Ensemble and chamber music groups, all highlighting PSU's top scholarship students.

I'll be performing with the jazz "professors" - pianist and arranger Ezra Weiss, multi-instrumentalist George Colligan on drums, guitarist Dan Gildea, trumpeter Farnell Newton, and saxophonist Dave Valdez on a special arrangement of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" that Ezra Weiss cooked up especially for this performance.

WHEN: Friday, November 30 at 7:30 PM

WHERE: Portland State University, Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 SW Park Ave, Room 175, Portland, OR 97201 (map)

TICKETS: $25 at the door. All proceeds go towards student scholarships. For more info contact the PSU Box Office

First of all, thanks for visiting my website and for supporting live music!

I'm currently on sabbatical from performing live for the rest of 2012 to work on some recording projects and the Portland State University Vocal Jazz Program. Please sign up for my newsletter if you'd like periodic updates, and I'll let you know where I'll be when I get back to gigging. Looking forward to connecting soon!

Best,

Valerie

Recovery and Renewal

It's hard to believe that it's been almost a year since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan. A lot of rebuilding and recovery has taken place, but much more    remains to be done.

Last year a group of Portlanders came together and created "From Oregon w/Love" - a concert that ended up raising $250,000 for the Japanese relief effort. Next Sunday, March 11th, another concert is planned. Presented by the Oregon Tomadachi Recovery Fund, "From Oregon w/Love 2012" includes performances by Thomas Lauderdale, Portland Taiko, Michael Harrison, The Devin Phillips Band, and our friends Marv and Rindy Ross (from Quarterflash and The Trail Band) - with whom John and I will be performing John Lennon's "Imagine". Please join us!

On a more personal note...

]]> valerie@valeriedaysings.com (Valerie Day) Blog Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:54:12 -0800 http://www.valeriedaysings.com/blog/82-coming-soon-kung-pao-kitchen http://www.valeriedaysings.com/blog/82-coming-soon-kung-pao-kitchen