Getting Comfortable?

What a great time I had with Rick James' Original Stone City Band this weekend! They always bring a smile. I absolutely love the whole SCB family. What an amazing group of beautiful and talented people! It's truly a Blessing to know them and an incredible honor to be with them on stage.

With Mark

With Lanise

With Oscar

There was a lot of driving for me this week, but we are finally home and looking forward to getting settled back in. Maybe I shouldn't speak too soon though, because look at this guy:

I believe it's a male "Halloween Pennant" dragonfly and it was waiting for me when I got back. 

"In almost every part of the world, the Dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. The change that is often referred to has its source in mental and emotional maturity and understanding the deeper meaning of life." - Google

Fine. Bring it on! (Just as I was about to get comfortable.) Might as well have an adventure. 

Hope you all had a lovely holiday!

Love,

T

Jam-packed

There was a gig,

With Gregory, Kristina #DancinMachine

With Gregory, Rob, Kristina #DancingMachine

an airport,

a fashion fair,

and my very first purchase for the new website boutique!

With Rafael #AlfredLane

There were awesome friends and dueling pianos!

With Kim #TheTwinsDuelingPianos

There were casinos, good times and basketball watching with some of my favorite people!

With Nate and Lanise #OriginalStoneCityBand

There were signs,

and more - much more. Now maybe there can be some sleep (as soon as I get done with these emails).

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! xoxo

Love,
T

Intensity

Russ, Flute, Paul Anthony, T, Kenny, Jerry

What an amazing time!

Russ, Carmen, T, Paul Anthony

It was a celebration in honor of Rick James' birthday. Rick's brother Carmen threw a great event with three outstanding bands! I sang a Teena Marie tribute with the All Star Band alongside Kenny, Jerry, Wade, Flute, Russ, Joey, and Paul Anthony. Megan and Shelby (from Buffalo's "Confidance") joined us to dance on Behind the Groove.

Megan, T, Shelby

We prepared, traveled, rehearsed, dressed up, danced, sang and got down with our funky selves. I had the chance to hug people I haven't seen in years and made some wonderful new friends. It was beautiful!

Eric Jensen left me some PHENOMENAL photos that he took from the last Buffalo performance with the Original Stone City Band!

Ty (The Left Handed Bandit) presented his AWESOME sketch to Paul Anthony.

I managed to create some new promotional postcards and T-shirts (with help from New York Marketing and Artden) and launched my NEW WEBSITE!

Click here for the new and improved tanyadiona.com

I'm going to call the whole week "intense" - in a good way.

Love,
T

Focus!

Daddy played at Madison Square Garden.

Nile Rodgers and Chic at MSG

There was the matter of Christmas decorations.

Mommy played in Atlantic City.

Alright. Now that THAT'S done, let's get to work. With so much happening, I really have to make a focused effort to make any progress on my own projects this week. That's the plan.

I'll make a list. I'll check it twice.

Because when you cut out all the noise and lights, and focus on one thing at a time...

You can really accomplish a lot.

Fa la la la la... la la la la...

Here's to making happy moments through this crazy, hectic and often stressful holiday season!

Love,
T

Keeping Up

Life is constantly moving, always changing and taking new shape. I'm just trying to keep up.

Sometimes it takes an extraordinary amount of effort to get where you're trying to go.

Keep going anyway.

I made it through Thanksgiving and onward to two great shows with Full Force last week!

Cherry Hill, NJ - with Kid 'n Play, Paul Anthony (Full Force)

Queens, NY - with Paul Anthony, B-Fine, Bowlegged Lou (The Full Force Brothers)

My plan this week is to keep it rolling...

Click here for Tanya Diona's "Let It Roll" on Spotify

Happy Monday everyone!

Love,

T

Crazy Little Thing Called Life

All aboard the crazy train!

I might be losing my grip. There's way too many things to do and not enough time to do them. The dishes are piling up in the sink (nobody wants to see THAT picture) and the suitcases are piling up by the door. I haven't unpacked yet, but need to pack again. I'm STILL not completely sure where I'll be for Thanksgiving and there are seven shows on the horizon to prepare for.

On the bright side...

It was a great disco gig on Friday. (Friday night, and the strip is hot, HOT, Sun gone down and...)

Oops. I launched into a verse of Bad Girls. #SeeWhatIMean

And despite all the craziness and lack of sleep, I'm deeply grateful for the opportunities to do what I do, work with a wonderful cast of fine and talented characters, and fill my days with life and song. 

Have a beautiful time over the holiday everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving. #GobbleGobble

Love,

T

All In The Family

Another awesome "We Are Family Foundation" celebration in the books! Nile Rodgers does truly amazing work through his foundation.

Click here for warefamilyfoundation.org

AND the annual gala event is an incredible amount of fun! It was a great way to kick off the week!

Me and Russ

With Paul and his wife Michelle

Dolly Parton was honored at the gala this year!

With Grandmaster Caz and Melle Mel #Legends

Mid-week, I finally got to open my care package from our friend in London... (Thanks Martyn.)

Then there was Saturday's gig with an awesome group of super-talented musicians who happen to also be the nicest people ever! #SoMuchFun

With John

With Alex (Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam)

With Chelsea and Carla

Let's keep the good times rolling!

Love,
T

Ruff

Did I mention that one dog got "skunked" and the other had severe diarrhea for a week? TMI? It happened over a week ago but I am definitely still feeling the ramifications. SMH. They're both fine now.

There were also some really fun shows!

After a lot of hard work and traveling, there's no end in sight for this week. #KeepGoing

I'm carrying lessons from the dragonfly and the bee this week. They managed to make numerous, conspicuous appearances so I looked them up. Apparently, the dragonfly has a unique ability to change flight direction and the bee is considered a symbol for miracles since it is not supposed to be able (aerodynamically) to fly.

Click here for Dragonfly symbolism from SpiritAnimal.info

Click here for Bee symbolism from Whatismyanimalspirit.com

After THIS week, I'm taking a lesson from Bentley and relaxing a little (or trying to anyway).

For now, I gotta keep it moving.

Have a great week everyone! xo

Love,
T