F.A.M.E. Third Annual Event: A Huge Success!

By: Jovie Calma

 

Last month we featured an “Octoberfest” in Spring! Now that the warm weather is finally here, VIA Times and CPRTV are in full force again with all the array of indoor and outdoor events in Chicago this Summer! We’re officially launching our Junefest in Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE! Junefest kicked off with the third annual event, “An Evening of F.A.M.E. 2014!”. Foundation of Artists Mentored in Entertainment (F.A.M.E.) held its third annual competition at Columbia College on May 22, 2014. Ms. Lily Liu, 2006 Hall of Famer is the founder and the brain behind this F.A.M.E., a not for profit organization that is dedicated in providing talented individuals scholarships and tools to further their artistic endeavors. She’s also the President and Founder of Lily’s Talent Agency (LTA), one of the top agencies in the Chicagoland area. It was an evening to remember with guests being treated with awesome performances by Taylor Mallory (Level Next Music Recording Artist); Sheridan Archbold (award winning opera singer); and John Gurdian (F.A.M.E. Creative Director). Guest judges for the evening were Lili-Anne Brown (Artistic Director, Bailiwick Chicago); Fabrice Calmels (Lead Dancer, Joffrey Ballet); Kate Garassino (Executive Director, Bailiwick Chicago); Dustin Hamilton (Co-Owner, Intrigue Dance & Performing Arts); and Domé Lorusso (Choreographer, Black Eyed Peas, Fall Out Boy, Jennifer Hudson). All the finalists, four vocal finalists and five dance finalists, performed and competed that night. The extraordinary and multi-talented finalists include Carolyn Carney (vocal finalist), Sara Eichmeier (Dance Finalist), Katie McGinnis (Dance Finalist), Shari Mocheit (Vocal Finalist), Fadeke Oparinde (Vocal Finalist), Pamela Pavia (Dance Finalist), Joanna Redlinska (Vocal Finalist), Curtis Bell and Juan Valtierra (Dance Finalists). Scholarships to be used to further their career were awarded to Carolyn Carney, vocal winner and Katie McGinnis, dance winner. Singer/Songwriter and Recording Artist, Taylor Mallory was back to F.A.M.E. for another year as guest performer and as the energetic emcee of the event! The 25-year old hyped the crowd with his wit and magnetic charm. “It’s about a love and passion for music and where it takes you. I’m at my best when I’m not put in a box.” These were the words and the recurring theme that rings in the world of Taylor as he shared with us during our oneon- one interview for Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE at CPRTV 25. He’s a multi-talented singer, songwriter, entertainer and has been featured as an actor in various commercials. Born into a non-musical family from Decatur, Illinois, he surprised everyone with his talent in singing and songwriting as wonderful gifts. Though no one in his family was musically gifted, Taylor was exposed to all types of music by his parents. Ranging from contemporary gospel, R&B, funk, Pop to 80’s rock and classical music. He has collaborated with and opened for artists like India Arie, Mary Mary, David Banner, Donald Lawrence and performed at places likes Schuba’s, Manifest, The Double Door, Villains, Subterranean, Club Ontourage and Club Babalu in Minneapolis. When asked about his formula to success, Taylor shared that he always puts 150% in whatever he is doing. Using his favorite quote from his mentor, “It’s not what you do to your music, it’s what you do with your music. At the end of the day, it’s about inspiring lives and making a difference in the world.” Last April, Taylor dropped his debut mixtape EP “TaylorMade” from Level Next Music, which fans can download for free at www.levelnextmusic.com. TaylorMade is an introspect look at what Taylor experiences on his journey to find the girl that is “TaylorMade” for him, hence the title of the project TaylorMade. “At some point in your life you desire to be in love, you desire to have a relationship. I want a woman who is specially made for me, TaylorMade”. After receiving recognition for his single “Olivia Pope” in media outlets like JET’s online magazine and having his single “Footage” in rotation on WGCI, anticipation for TaylorMade has been growing steadily. Taylor Mallory is heating up in 2014 with TaylorMade being the first of two projects he is set to release this year. He is set to perform at the Taste of Chicago in July. Miss Chicago 2014, Marisa Buchheit served as the celebrity guest for the meet and greet. Marisa is an aspiring professional opera singer and classical/ crossover soloist who has performed on stages worldwide. Recognized by the Chicago Tribune as a “Remarkable Woman”, Marisa is known throughout the city as the reigning Miss Chicago 2014 and also as Miss Chicago 2012. She’s the first titleholder to capture the prestigious title twice. Marisa’s performance highlights include: National Premier Tour of Romance of the Western Chamber Chinese Musical (portraying the soprano lead role of Ying-ying); Invited guest soprano for the Foreign Ministry of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand; Performance of Puccini’s La bohème in his hometown of Lucca, Italy; Special concerts in churches and castles in Austria, France, and Italy; and a world music vocal performance with Nation Beat at Severance Hall in Cleveland, OH, home of the Cleveland Orchestra. Before I end my article this month, allow me to express my special birthday wishes to Thandi Apoderado (June 1), Arabel Alva Rosales (June 1), Ryan Alvarez (June 6), Tita Cora Sanchez (June 7), Andre Gabriel Zamora (June 14), Paul Ruffin (June 15), Jon Cotay (June 16), Princess Santos (June 18), Jersey Drew Pantuhan (June 24), Chip Payos (June 24), Chaz Patron (June 24) and to my loving Mom Connie Calma (June 10). Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads, special mentions to Nongni Joe Mauricio, Kuya Nick Alzol, Kuya Butch Zamora, and to my loving Daddy’o- Daddy Ricky Calma. June is also my birthday month and in few more days, I’m turning a new page in my life. It’s the day of the year that I’ve always been grateful; stoked; thrilled and enthralled about what to unfold on my special day. It’s also the time of the year that I take a moment to take a good sneak at my life and see where I’m at. On the journey of life, it is important to have direction and purpose. Each one of us has a built-in compass to help us get to wherever we desire to go. Don’t forget to trust that compass, and refer to it often, for with that trusting will come the strength to bear whatever life deals you. At some point, there was a time that my life is filled with uncertainties. I’m grateful that I’m blessed with amazing family and friends who have showered me perfect gifts on my special day always, the overflowing love is immeasurable. But I need one more, a gift from myself– a chance to look at my life, my dreams, and to make sure that I am behind the steering wheel to control the direction of my life. It dawns on me that it’s about time to refer to my life map. I realized that life is too short and that the time to fasten my seatbelt and set my gear is NOW. I love to travel and explore and this time, I’m constantly checking my road map to make sure that I have the three main components like my dreams as my destination, significant activities as directions and goals as itinerary. With every journey, there will always be new paths to cross and traffic lights to follow. There are three colors, which become a guide for us to know when to stop, let go and to take action. #JC@40! Until the next issue of Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE! God Bless Us All!###

VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma interviewed singer/songwrit er Taylor Mallory who also hosted the F.A.M.E. 2014!

#JC@40! I bask in the glory of my awareness; experience the joy of praise that I’m alive! I live and appreciate the GIFT of my LIFE!

F.A.M.E. just finished its Third Annual Fundraising Competition on May 22, 2014! (L-R: Jimmy Florek, Lily Liu

L-R: Gabrielle Basquam, Sheridan Archbold, and Marisa Buchheit