Week In Review - 12 December 2014

Random Santas at Waterloo Station

The end of this week was so busy that I'm just getting around to writing this update and it's Monday the 15th! My week started with a cancellation for a solo gig I had booked for Friday, and I didn't have a booking for Saturday so I was quite happy to have a weekend off, especially during this very busy Holiday season. However, by Tuesday I had picked up two last minute bookings! We'll get to that in a minute ...

Besides the cancellation, Monday was just another day in the office doing the mundane office tasks that have to be done. Tuesday was more of the same, in addition to finalizing the two last minute bookings. Tuesday night I attended the Shaping Portsmouth Business & Enterprise meeting at the Innovation Centre in Portsmouth where we recapped the events of 2014 and started looking ahead to 2015.

I am new to this organization and my first few months on this work stream have been a great way to know what's happening in my adopted city, Portsmouth, and to be a vital part of supporting businesses in the area. Admittedly, my presence has been like a fly on the wall, soaking in the information and learning the ropes, but next year I intend to jump in with both feet wherever I can be of service. Watch this space to stay updated on Shaping Portsmouth activities.

On Wednesday, I spent part of the day preparing for the terrestrial version of my radio show, Glo's Music for the Soul, that will be airing weekly on ExpressFM starting in January. I currently do a monthly on-line version of the show for One World Radio.  In the afternoon on Wednesday I headed to the station to learn how to use the equipment and to record the first segment of the show. I was so nervous and had a very restless Tuesday night thinking about what the recording process would be like and how complicated the equipment might be to use. My worries were not totally unfounded, because when I walked into the studio, I was quite intimidated with the microphones, the unending rows of buttons and flashing lights thinking there is no way I'm going to be able to get through this. But, within 15 minutes, Station Manager, Rob James had walked me through the very few buttons I needed to be concerned with, including those on the two CD decks for playing music and the very large mixing board, then I was left on my own to do a few test recordings.

Move On Up Party Band

I recorded three takes of the first segment of the show, would have been four, but I forgot to hit record on one take ... LOL. The process was very straight forward and doable even with my limited knowledge of how it all really works. So next week, Thursday I go in to record the first show. I will let you know when the show will air!

If you are a performer with original music, please get in touch to be included in my 'Unsigned, But Should Be' segment where I will showcase emerging talent. If you want your songs considered, email me an MP3 or a link to where I can download your music. I'll also be interviewing emerging talent during future shows so do get in touch if you would like to be considered. gloria@gloriamillermusic.com.

Athena Network Luncheon

Thursday, began my four-gig weekend starting with an afternoon Christmas luncheon at Languish House in Petersfield for The Athena Network where I performed a short set of Christmas and other classics and the ladies even joined me for a bit of an afternoon boogie! Thursday night, I was with my party band, Move On Up at The Wine Vaults in Southsea. We absolutely love playing this venue and the crowd were well up for a wild night, and that's exactly what we had! We look forward to playing this venue again in the New Year!

Friday, I was up to Doncaster at The Earl of Doncaster with The Midnight Soul Sisters (MSS), for a night of Motown/Soul! This was the first of my last minute bookings and we were well received by the guests and the staff of this lovely, art-deco venue. Finally, on Saturday I took what was left of my voice to The Hotel Celebrity in Bournemouth for a Christmas fundraising event where I performed a set of Jazz & Blues with a few Holiday favs sprinkled here and there, finishing up with my 'Disco Divas' set of fun party classics.

I was rewarded on Sunday with a lazy afternoon spent with family on the Isle of Wight where we had a lovely, four-hour meal with mulled wine and American-sized food portions ... LOL! I am still full from that meal.

I also had two fantastic GME acts out this weekend ... Ubermeister at The Plough & Barleycorn in Waterlooville, and Peach & The New Beats Duo at The Piranha Bar on Hayling, both on Saturday night!

Well, that's it for now ... I do hope you had a fabulous weekend and I'll speak to you next week!