The film I did in 2016 has been making some indie festival rounds and just got distribution. I play the role of Jan, a cynical and struggling bar owner who always does what’s right even if she’s pissed about it. And, I won my very first acting award, for “best supporting actress” from the Prison City Film Festival! Here are a few stills from the movie.
I have all but finished my memoir for UT Press. Things are on schedule for a 2020 release. We’re keeping the title and details under wrap for a while, but I’m SO excited. In the meantime, I’m working on a soundtrack to the book. This will be a solo record, my first since 2005, inspired by the writing, the chapters, the feelings and memories. The story spans 20 years and if I’ve done my job right, will leave you wanting a second one with the next 20!
Many of you saw us in California in summer 2018! Playing the Hollywood Bowl for three nights running, WITH the LA Philharmonic was mind-blowing! This band continues to bring the best opportunities and experiences imaginable to my life. So very grateful for it all and thrilled to be back.
Speaking of the Go-Go’s, our musical ran on Broadway for six months. I fell in love with the cast, the production, the story, the music arrangements and went to see it every chance I got. If you didn’t get to go, there’s a very good chance it could be coming to your town as licenses are underway!
We took a hiatus while I focused on my book and now are up and playing again, with several SXSW parties coming up next week, Denton, Fort Worth, Houston, and opening for Jesse Dayton at the Continental Club, Austin. We have an exciting booking at the Ellnora Festival Guitar Festival in Urbana, Ill. On September 7, 2019. Hopefully, we will get a Chicago date too!
Check here for updates: www.thebluebonnets.net or https://www.facebook.com/TheBluebonnets/
I started a non-profit called She Factory to present events and shows featuring the talents of women in the arts. The second one will be April 6, 2019 at the Townsend in Austin, Texas. Organizing these shows uses all my skills and is super challenging and rewarding. All money raised goes to a women-centered charity.
The debut of She Factory featured Nina Diaz, Carolyn Wonderland, Jane Ellen Bryant, Suzanna Choffel, Patricia Vonne and Ruthie Foster.
“At this ‘She Factory’ event, ‘The Song Pool’ brings together a variety of women songwriter/performers in an interactive, casual environment to play some of their songs and discuss with both the audience and the other performers, the art of songwriting,” said Kathy Valentine. “She may discuss the specific song, what inspired it or how songwriting in general impacts, narrates or expresses aspects of her life.” – from Austin Monthly.
She Factory Pumps Music and Money Into Female-led Creative Scene
In 2018 I was one of seven women chosen to represent Brookside Chocolate in a marketing campaign! See my “Hire Me” page for info!
It’s true. After joining the band in NYC and Miami for 2 private shows to help announce and promote our upcoming musical “Head Over Heels,” it was decided that it would be a good thing for me to join my old bandmates this summer for a short series of shows. These were booked before I came on board, so you might see pictures and ads that only feature 4 Go-Go’s, but rest assured, I will be there, rockin’ and playing my heart out!
I was nervous walking into the first rehearsal in New York, maybe we all were. As soon as I plugged in my new bass (a pale pink Fender jazz Flea model) I tell you, it was magic and mojo and chemistry. Never under-estimate the power of music to heal! We were all smiles, and I felt so much joy playing these timeless songs once again.
We got the chance to connect personally too; in many ways, it was like no time had passed and yet much had changed. I’ve had a very full and happy life the past 5 years, and not being in the Go-Go’s has pushed me into a lot of positive new directions and challenges– I don’t know if I would have gone into them without that void. But I credit the Go-Go’s with giving me the foundation to build any career opportunities and for giving me some of the most unbelievable experiences of my life.
Starting 2018 with a renewed connection to the band, and a freaking BROADWAY MUSICAL featuring our music opening this summer is an outcome better than any I could have imagined. Therein is one of the lessons of life I treasure most: accept what is, trust that all is as it should be, and never stop moving forward and being open and receptive to the surprising gifts that might be around the corner.
July 2 – July 4 at the Hollywood Bowl. We will be joined by the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Thomas Wilkins.
xxKV
I’m talking music, midlife, and the Go-Gos musical on the @MidlifeMixtape podcast at http://bit.ly/2BtN3ZS with host Nancy Davis Kho.
Midlife Mixtape Podcast
Website Photography Images: Christopher Durst
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