Prospector: What made you decide to start doing Friday Night Showcases?

BJ: Showcasing is how I started singing public when I was living in Los Angeles in the '70s. I was still in UCLA, and a group of us would go into Hollywood to a place called The Imperial Gardens, a restaurant with a three piece band. You would bring your sheet music, have a short talk through rehearsal with the keyboard player count out the tempo to the drummer and then just wing it. It was very exciting. We were all learning new material and being supportive of each other and having a great time. It was also a way to get an agent or a manager and get work outside of the Los Angeles area.

I still love to sing, but I have found without a place to perform and something to get ready for I just stopped practicing and practice for an artist practice is everything. We really only have a small amount of time in the spot light; most of the time is in rehearsing.



P: Why use The Center for the Arts?

BJ: The Center of the Arts is downstairs from the dance studio Sierra Dance Institute, the dance school that my husband and I own and operate. It seems a logical place to start singing. It would be great if more venues in Nevada City or Penn Valley would create a space for this type of show; perhaps Miners Foundry in Nevada City or Cedar Room in Lake Wildwood.

P: How do you pick your performers?

BJ: I picked the performers from those I had heard or seen before-one of the singers on the show this time is a former vocal student-and from referrals.



P: Who do you think would enjoy this type of show?

JH: I think the show will be entertaining for adults, especially wannabe singers and dancers. Maybe it will give some people courage to give it a try. "American Idol" has done an incredible job of educating the public about great singing and "Dancing with the Stars" has with ballroom. The Friday Night Showcase, however, is not a competition but rather it's intended as a supportive environment for artists to work out new material in front of an audience; also to create the enthusiasm to keep learning and growing. And, of course, to raise some needed funds for the Center.



P: What inspires you when it comes to picking music for the shows?

BJ: I try to pick music that is uplifting with positive lyrics. If you are going to spend your valuable time singing it better make you feel good. Words of songs reverberate in your consciousness so it has to be something that feels right for you now. When I was younger I used to do a lot of blues and downer kind of songs. That just doesn't work for me now. I also like songs that I can use my actress part of me. Show tunes are great for that. For this showcase I have picked contemporary music and am having a great time with the challenge.