Lorraine a' Malena ROCKED Mini CON

Talk about a rocken party! Fabulous Lorraine knows how to keep a party going all night long. I learned so much this trip.. For Example, to be a successful rock star you must perform, not just sing. Lorraine is truly an entertainer. I am too, but she's got FIRE on tap that girl! When she took me to the airport, the tears fell in gallons. Recording this CD feels like home. The Sci-fi/Horror/Fantasy fans are my people! Oh yeah! I am incredibly proud of my star trek geek background. No khakies or loafers here my dear. See, I can't even spell khakies correctly. Hee hee.
These conventions foster self expression and individuality like no other group I've seen. There is no judgment. If you want to go full on goth or just be casual and wear a pickle hat, you are accepted. We nerds ROCK man! I've always loved conventions. I grew up wanting to be Princess Leah and Wonder Woman. I didn't know it was possible to miss people you just met until now.
Not only is Fabulous Lorraine my best friend, but my mentor as well. We had QUITE a few photoshoots this week. What started out as a frightening experience for Lorraine turned out to be a blast. I teach Lorraine how to model and she teaches me how to ROCK! You see, I'm in charge of the Frou frou fashion and she's in charge of the stage. We taught each other how to relax.
The corsets were a huge success. Our friends Jody and cool Mary learned how to shed their inhibitions and become leather clad ladies of the night. Of course, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to dress up my friends. I'm in the height of my glory when I can share the "Malena Collection" of jewels, corsets and gowns with my friends. At Mini Con I showed the girls how to make a shirt out of a pair of fishnets. Hey, you do what you gotta do!
I will miss all of you terribly. I feel like I am part of the Minneapolis family of ROCK. Thank you for accepting me so kindly. AND.......
Just for the record, you don't ever have to be nervous when approaching me. I admit I may look like a Goth Dominatrix, but inside I'm Goth Snow White. Anytime you want an autograph or just want to say hello, Please! Walk up and introduce yourself. I promise not to make you lick my boots. Hee hee
On that note I am going to try and sleep here on the plane back to Hollyweird.
Love,
Malena

Mincon Magic

The Concert at MiniCon last night was one of the best gigs I have ever played. Adam Stemple and John Sjogren from the Tim Malloys started the night, as they had to leave and go to a gig and they , well, for lack of a more descriptive term, ROCKED. The whole night was so much fun. By the time Folk UnderGround took the stage everyone present was ready for some serious fun and very willing to go where ever our fancy took us. Steven Brust joined us on drums and Paul Regge on Madolin and some sort of Squeeze Box, and Steven's solo on Star of the County Down will for me, not ever be forgotten, and Paul, well, Paul just rocks.

The thing about playing for a Sci-fi/fantasy Convention is that these people are the very best people going. They just want to have fun. They don't judge, they don't have to be " cool" , they are the most willing people I have ever met in terms of jumping in and going along with whatever the spirit is at any givin point in time. THEY are the show, we play some music, and have a great time doing it, but they are the ones lighting the fire.

No one prestent at the gig will ever forget Geri Sullivan's repeat of the " Interpetive Ballom Dance" where the dance floor became Packed with people and balloons, or her once again taking the lead for , what I called for from the stage as" Lead us in a Pirate Dance ". Or Poet Laurel Winter ( who gave the band once again massages after the show, we are SO SO SO big fans ) and Sharon Stitlier ( Bird Lady of the World ) acting out Old El Paso....( yes, MiniCon fans are the Antidote to a week in Texas , we got a round of drinks in return for playing it, more than we got down there, thank you John Manzo ) And then we have Christy, Jody , Amanda , Bill, who are the very gods gift to any band going ( how are your feet today???? ) And not to forget Con Chair of many Cons, Anne Murphy who as far as I can tell, seems to love most everything and has the talent of making everything work while haveing a Blast doing it...

Magic , pure magic. I love it when things come together like that, and if anyone who was there is reading this, I say to you: YOU are the magic, each of you. And you have my thanks.

Malena and I did three songs with Folk UnderGround and Bedlam backing us. She had such a great time and could not stop talking about how wonderful everyone was, the bands, the people, and if I may venture what may not be an un-biased opinion, she was really really wonderful. It was such a great thing to be able to debut a new and un-tried band in front of such an audience . We can't wait until CONvergence to do it all again!

Jane Yolen was there and gave us, Malena and I, some lyrics to write music to. Dearest Jane, I thank you, once again, I do not like a cd to go out with out you, and I say now, YOU are magic!

Many thanks are due to Greg Ketter , owner of Dreamhaven Books ,for one of the most well run conventions I have ever attended. We had a really great time, and we, all of us, thank you!!!!

Woke up this morning and attended to everything that needed doing and then took Malena to the airport.

I think I shall draw a veil, as writer say, over that parting. Suffice to say: I miss her.....

Love and magic, Lorraine