We're barely a week into this brand new year, but I must say, I'm feeling more than a bit brand new myself, thanks to one of my best decisions as of late: to spend a little time right here at home for a change. After a few months of what felt like non-stop travel, the last thing I felt like doing was jumping back on a plane, even to spend Christmas with my beloved Mom in Chicago (after all, I was there three times in six weeks this fall)...so she gave me a great gift this year, and agreed to come to me!
I was so inspired by the idea of hosting my mother here in my adopted hometown that I got swept up in the spirit of the season, and extended the invitation to all my friends spending the holidays in the city...with or without family. After all, in a city like New York, your friends often become your surrogate family, and whether it was due to work, fatigue, or our currently terrifying financial climate, many decided to stay close to home this year.
Fast forward to December 25, when I hosted a non-denominational "City Orphans" feast for about two-dozen of my friends (and their family and friends), which included parents, couples, siblings, children, roommates, former colleagues, college friends, both the VP and Marketing Guru of my label, four Oklahomans, two photographers and our own personal partridge in a pear tree, the always fabulous B. Scott (I couldn't catch him on camera, but if you don't know, you must check him out at www.lovebscott.com, Love Muffins!).
In classic Maiysha-ambitious (some might say control-freakish)-fashion, along with a streak of what can only be called Martha Stewart-like delusions of competency, I cooked, baked, roasted, and sautéed 70% of the meal, requesting that the majority of my guests bring beverages, appetizers, and (some truly delicious) desserts (though the gumbo and mac-n-cheese that arrived were more than welcome).
I was completely overwhelmed, and cooking throughout the festivities (with the help of my trusty assistant, Justin), but admittedly, I'd do it again in a heartbeat, because I had an absolute blast feeding my masses...and from the hearty response, I think I pulled it off. Since, if you're reading this, you likely weren't there, here's what you missed (please excuse my messy kitchen...and appearance...and the plastic-ware and paper plates. I don't have a dishwasher!):
It was truly an evening of fun, fellowship and feasting...and I'm still working off the leftovers in preparation for the Grammys, which are now only a month away (BTW, I think it's cruel to have awards season right after the holiday season)! Thankfully, I got my first chance to burn a few calories when the mighty, mighty ?uestlove invited me to check him out at his annual end-of-the-year gig at S.O.B.'s. It was all James Brown, all night, and the people were tearing it up!
If you're a fan of The Roots like myself, you clamber at the opportunity to see them in action, and we'll have ample opportunity this year, as they become the house band for the Jimmy Fallon Show, which will air live nightly starting this March, and promises to be a fresh, funny, and undoubtedly funky infusion into the nightly NBC lineup...homebody that I attempt to be, I'm really looking forward to it.
But I won't be hanging at home much anytime soon, since pre-Grammy season is moving into high gear. If you're not a member of my mailing list (sign up at www.maiysha.com), you probably haven't heard much from me about being nominated for my first Grammy award for Urban/Alternative Performance, but let me just say, for the record, how tremendously shocked, humbled and thrilled I am at the honor, and how continuously grateful I am for your support in getting me here.
This week, I'll be opening for the world-reknowned acapella septet Naturally 7 at the Highline Ballroom on Tues., Jan. 13th, before heading off to Park City, UT to perform in the ASCAP Music Café at the Sundance Film Festival on the 19th. Then, I'll return to NYC just in time to watch the Inaugural festivities (yippeeeee!!!), and to do a short acoustic set at The Living Room at 7pm on the 21st. In between the dates, I'll be continuing my usual round of meet-and-greets, interviews, and fittings for the big event February 8th!
Speaking of which, if you're LA-based, please check here for updates on performances I'll be doing during Grammy week, including a set at the legendary Whisky a Go Go on the Feb. 6th., R&B Live LA, and a sit-down with NPR...details to come.
So...I bet you're wondering what I did on New Year's Eve, eh? Well, some things should remain private, but let's just say that I was in good company, and had a great time ringing in the new year (get your minds out of the gutter...or leave them there, it's your world). I was listening to some great music though, as I revisited Roxy Music ("Love is the Drug", "Slave to Love"). Led by Bryan Ferry, they are so subtle, so sexy, and so 80's downtown NYC...love it. I also managed to sneak in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" over the holiday, which was well-worth it, clichés or not. Not to be clichéd myself, but it's that time again, so here goes...
I am absolutely mad about:
1. The "City Orphans'" feast...it may become an annual tradition...but next year, potluck.
2. My Super-Mom, who cleaned house, hauled groceries, wrote press releases, and still managed to fit in a mani/pedi with me.
3. Oklahomans...a truly, truly charming bunch of folks.
4. My herb-butter roasted turkey, Brie en Croute, and Moji's Eggnog Pound Cake. Yummm....
5. My stylist, Helen Barbieri, who ALWAYS comes through for me, and makes me look good.
I am absolutely mad AT:
1. Oklahoma losing the BCS Championship (sorry, Gators fans!).
2. The amount of leftovers I had, uhh...left over. I'm madder at the amount I ate.
3. The fact that I interpreted "holiday break" as a break from the gym, too. Not so smart.
4. Rod Blagojevich, Bernie Madoff, and most likely, Hiram Monserrat. Embarassing, scandalous and shameful.
5. Myself, when I let my fear overcome my faith. Happy New Year!
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