Oh Squeeeeal!  I met one of my musical idols last night!  Rachael Yamagata!!  Oh my gosh!  I've been in love with her music ever since her first mainstream hit "Worn Me Down" like 10 years ago I think!  Her song was the first pop song I sung in public at open mics. 

She had an amazing show last night.  It was my first time seeing her live.  She is such a comedian on stage and off stage.  Who would have known that!?....  She needs to have a reality show.  Seriously.  It is so much of what you would not expect from someone who sings mostly mellow, sad, depressing songs,...as she made fun of all night during her set!  Haha!  Love her. 

She gave me permission to do a professional cover of her song "Worn Me Down."  Squeeeal!  How humbled I am!  She said had she known she would have pulled me up on stage to sing with her.  Ummm...no way!!...I would have peed in my pants.  lol... haha

She has inspired me so much in singing and writing my own music.  I felt like a 10 year old girl meeting Justin Bieber..lol...i'm sorry but she is just amazing.  Her band was on another level. 

She is taking full control of her career and her dreams. We need more women who rock like her out there in the forefront of the music scene, inspiring women and girls all over to take the reins and govern their dreams.   Read the Washingtonpost article about her.  A strong woman she is.  Inspiring me even more to take control and go full force with my music and dance dreams.  Thank you Rachael for being you. 

Hello All,

I'm sorry i've been MIA.  Like my last post stated back in August, I've had a beyond difficult year.  I have had some personal challenges.  Life throws you major curveballs.  I'm still dealing with them. 

99% of people that know me or of me don't even know what has happened because I have not said anything and plus I'm an entertainer so I put on a facade and move on at least publicly..privately..it's another thing.. 

Just make sure you cherish the ones you love and they know it.  It sounds so cliche but it is the truth and most people don't realize the true meaning of that line until it is too late.

Now, moving on.... 

This year has been my coming out party of sorts as a performer at least in the dance realm as a solo dancer.....I stepped out and danced at Tribal Solstice in June, then danced at the Miami Bellydance Convention, last week I danced at Masala Movements' hafla in Arundell Mills, MD!  It was a beautiful venue EVERYONE was just lovely, positive and warm.... No tensions whatsoever, no cattiness nothing!  I know...why do I even say this....but that ugly energy is around and when you exeperience something that is positive it is refreshing.  I thank Wendy for hosting this amazing hafla.  It was a great experience for my first DC hafla to perform in.

I will likely be dancing again sometime in January or February in the DC area.  So check out the site for more info!  I need to update the Calendar page! I will be singing in a Flamenco show in May 2013, and I will be back at Tribal Solstice performing at the Gala show!  Soooo excited and beyond humbled, honored and will soon freak out!  :)

I'm working on 2 artistic projects on top of that...one some time at the end of December or mid January and another one in Madrid in April.  yep......CRAZY!  And there's more!...I know, but i won't divulge right now.

So needless to say, I am busy in my artistic life and I'm stepping out as a performer.  I have a wonderful costume maker I work with named Blythe Jones and she's been amazing.  She takes my costume designs and crafts them out and they are just amazing.  So lucky I am.

I want to write more on  the "creative" part of my life...not the "performance" aspect but the "creative" process that occurs before the "performance."  I'm creating alot now...my dance, my music....it's coming...I just wish I had the time to do it...  But anyhow, I gotta go for now...I can't write more at this moment....just something quick...I will try to write next week.

By the way, the pic above, that is me in the bottom pic on the flyer!  The picture was taken by www.jackontheroad.com and edited by Pierced Photos (if you can't find him there, check out his instagram site). 

Oh!!! I went to Haiti in October with Rhythm n Dance and the Edeyo foundation!  I've got soooo much to write!  Anyhow, gotta go.  Will write soon!

Love and Air,
AVIANA

P.S. The youtube is a performance by my 2 favorite singers of all time singing together!  Concha Buika & Yasmin Levy!!!....I can just burst!  Enjoy!