CONTEST

Photo credits:
Creative Photo Los Angeles
Photo 2 April S.

Special To A Cat

When you’re special to a cat, you’re special indeed … she brings to you the gift of her preference of you, the sight of you, the sound of your voice, the touch of your hand.

GIVING BACK....

Bella Donna celebrates our men and women in the military who have given so much to their country.....This is our annual contribution to this worthy event held every year in Los Angeles.

The 2008' event will feature Bella Donna and Jim Belushi and The Sacred Hearts performing in the giant tent on the VA grounds.
Hundreds of local and national sponsors work tirelessly all year to bring this event to life. Meals are provided and served entirely by volunteer efforts of the community.

Bella Donna wishes to acknowledge all the great people who give of their time to honor our Veterans. This also marks the Anniversary of the very first Bella Donna performance in December of 2002.

CACHE CREEK DECEMBER

Good Friends

The Promise

Blessing our Circumstances

Bless a thing and it will bless you. Curse it and it will curse you....If you bless a situation, it has no power to hurt you, and even if it is troublesome for a time, it will gradually fade out, if you sincerely bless it.

There are two ways of spreading the light---to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Street GIG

CuppaJoe rocked Long Beach Friday night with Kevin Brown.

Ready, Set--GO!

Just added more shows for 2009! Looks like next year is going to be the best yet for Bella Donna! It is amazing that we are going into our 6th year! And even more amazing is--with almost the same lineup....

There is hope in the air with the election of the new President, Obama, and I feel like the whole world is buzzing...

The best is yet to come!

HOPE

A nerve wracking election has ended and the bigger task is at hand--Getting the country back on track.

I watched the results tonight alongside my family and friends and it was such a moving sight to see so many hopeful faces. From all walks of life, all ages, all races---I have never seen that kind of optimistic hope since JFK.

This was a night for the History books. To see such a coming together of our nation and grant such an overwhelming mandate for Barack Obama shows how far our country has slipped to the far right. It is time to Balance the tide.

My hope is for a UNITED country once again. A hopeful America of the early 1960's...The possibilities were there--but there was still a county embroiled in prejudice and racial unequality. JFK was the shining beacon, so was Dr. Martin Luther King. We were on the right path and then it changed.

Now, we embrace Change again. This time the possibilities are immense and endless. Once can once again, dare to dream and HOPE.

Freedom isn't Free

Tomorrow is Election Day in America. No matter who you are supporting, no matter what your views or inclinations---PLEASE honor Democracy and get out and VOTE.

Apathy has no place in the continuance of Freedom. We need to flex our political muscle as citizens of our great country.

Remember: Freedom isn't Free.

I who am the beauty of the green earth

And the white moon among the stars

And the mysteries of the waters,

I call upon your soul to arise and come unto me.

For I am the soul of nature that gives life to the universe.

Samhain

(October 31st -Nov 1st)
also known as: Halloween, ShadowFest, Martinmas, Old Hallowmas

The Last Harvest. The Earth nods a sad farewell to the God. We know that He will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will continue. This is the time of reflection, the time to honor the Ancients who have gone on before us and the time of 'Seeing" (divination) . As we contemplate the Wheel of the Year, we come to recognize our own part in the eternal cycle of Life.

Cricket

America's Most Haunted

The Whaley House in San Diego has been called the most haunted place in America. More spectral sightings have been seen in and around the 100 plus year old house and former courthouse than any other landmark in the US.

Recently, while visiting the area, I made the trip to check out the supernatural happenings at The Whaley House. Armed with my trusty digital camera to catch orbs and perhaps a manifestation (one could only hope), I was not prepared for what actually happened.

While on the second floor landing I was causally looking into the bedroom of the former residents, and at once I felt fingertips on the back of my neck under my name of hair. A strong, yet playful tapping on my nape--that seemed to say to me, "Hey! I'm here!" I spun around but I was all alone on the staircase. Later, I found out that this is the area where the ghosts are the most 'active'.

Was this indeed an otherwordly experience or a fruitful imagination. Wanting to believe in things that go bump in the night and at the same time--hoping against hope, it's just folk lore.

The Whaley House keeps its secrets still to this day. Halloween is the time of year, the veil gets thinner and the Ghosts come out to play.

Signs Of The Times

Weekend of Shows

Karma and The Law of Attraction

Well, I guess the Secret is out! Everyone knows "The Secret"....Books, TV shows, Movies, Seminars....Secret Parties (now how ya gonna come IF its a 'secret'?)

It's really just a new spin on the old "What goes around, comes around"..."Do unto Others" and "Be careful what you Ask for" that we were all taught in the first grade. But neatly packaged, it has become the new darling of New Age mantras. Suddenly everyone knows the Secret.

All good stuff. However, it is amazing to me how some people can read all they can about the Law of Attraction and not apply it to their own lives. Sort of like " I can take all the good stuff from this, and when it comes to paying attention to the universal laws of negativity (remember: like seeks like) I don't have to that"

We all ultimately created our own realities. How we view our world and ourselves and relate to others will greatly determine our success and our failures.

It's time to confront the demons in our souls, recognize them and banish them to the shadows where they belong. Get on with living life, encumbered from hatred and jealousy.

Now That not a secret at all.

GONZALES THUNDER RALLY October 10-12

Out in the rolling, rich farmlands of Central Texas, people gathered to celebrate 3 days of music, motorcycles, food and fun at the first annual GONZALES THUNDER RALLY.

The town of Gonzales is often called the Birthplace of Texas and has historic roots going back way before there was an Alamo.  The weekends attendees came from points near and far to attend the event which featured headliner, Bret Michaels, Electric Ocean and Bella Donna.

Michaels, who is currently on tour with his successful "Rock Of Love Tour" blew into town with two of his leading ladies in tow. The former Poison frontman delighted the crowd with hits and new material alike. The cable station VH1 was on hand to shoot footage for the next season's installment of the highly popular "Rock Of Love" reality show.

Opening the show was Electric Ocean out of San Antonio. Co producer, Ben Piggott performed with this local favorite in a show that had the crowd on its feet cheering. Electric Ocean is currently getting ready to release a new CD and support it with a national tour. 

Bella Donna from Los Angeles brought with them a very musically and visually accurate approximation of Stevie Nicks in a driving set of classic hits. When the band launched into its finale, Edge of Seventeen (White Wing Dove), the crowd surged to the front of the stage and had to be held back by security. It was truly a rock concert moment.

Local bands from the Austin music scene and San Antonio were selected from local auditions to perform throughout the weekend.  Killing Floor, Tokyo Road and Perfect 7 were among the favorites who graced the second stage.

All in all, the event which opened on Friday October 10 and ended on Sunday, was the place to be in Central Texas this past weekend. Now, on to planning for 2009!

Las Vegas Shows

The shows at the CANNERY were awesome. The band got to have a "working vacation".

End of Summer

End of Summer. The days are short the nights are longer. The chill is in the air. Leaves of gold and red scatter the walk, the moon seems lonely in the sky.  With foggy breath I survey the hills and see the shadows stretch long in the distance. The wheel of the year turns again. I prepare a table of bounty to celebrate the harvest and give thanks to all the abundance I have been blessed with. 

Lake Arrowhead Labor Day

Step Into My Parlour

It's not everyday I get to host a tour of my place.  Ok. I cannot tell a lie...Not really MY place, but a wonderful old country house that I got to haunt recently.

And by the way, I do not recommend cooking dressed in chiffon.

FLASHBACK

Saturday August 23,2008

The Annual Glendora Flashback

Hot Summer Night

Temecula, CA--August 7,2008

From our guest book:

Message: WOW! You were fabulous! It was so wonderful seeing your concert tonight. Not only are you the best tribute band we have ever seen...you are each
consumatmusicians/singers/performers. You saw how the crowd was exctatic thru your performance tonight. Each one of you did a great job! Of course, the star of the show, Michelle, was truly shining....with that perfect Stevie voice, those "right-on" outfits, and the moves.


Congratulations on a perfect performance!

Self Portrait

Going to the Dark Side

Just for fun...What is it like to be a brunette? Hmmm.

BELLA DONNA rocks TEXAS

JUST ADDED!!!

Bella Donna has been invited to perform at the Gonzales Thunder Alley Rock Festival and Bike Rally in Texas on October 11,2008.

The event is being supported by VH1 and will include such headliners as Bret Michaels of Posion and Great White. The 3 day rock festival will feature national acts and local bands performing on 3 stages.

We are getting our boots and hats ready for a rockin' weekend in the Lone Star State.

http://www.gonzalesthunderrally.com/

CENTER STAGE

Lake Arrowhead California
July 12, 2008

BELLA DONNA returned to rock Center Stage in the Lake Arrowhead Village. The beautiful Alpine city hosts the best series of Summer Concerts in Southern California!

The mountain air is cool and fresh and the audiences are always among the very best. This is the one we look forward to all year long. This year was no exception, when the overflow crowd came out to get their "Nicks Fix".

We performed two shows with classics and rarities from Stevie's incredible catalog of songs. It was great to have such an enthusiastic crowd singing along with us on "Landslide" and "Edge of 17".

The thing that amazes me is how much people still love Stevie and her music and pass on that love with the younger generation. I saw kids as young as six singing along ".....I'm getting older too...."

Bella Donna at the CANYON August 1

Bella Donna and Fantastic Diamond join forces on August 1, at the Canyon in Agoura Hills to bring you a HOT AUGUST NIGHT of Classic Rock from Stevie Nicks and Neil Diamond. call 818 879-5016 for dinner reservations or ticket information. This show will sell out quickly!!!

A Time to CELEBRATE and REMEMBER

July 4th is a time for family and friends and a time to reflect on what Freedom means to each of us.

I celebrated in the best way possible----a spectacular Fireworks display and The Answer to Classic Rock cranking out the party music!  Of course, "Stevie" showed up and sang with the band. She really gets around, I must say!

Janette and her beautiful daughter, Bethany, graced my life once more and it was so good to see them and remember our good times together. Now, that they are back in my life, I do not intend to let them go. Seeing Don again at the end of the show was a special surprise, as was meeting Donnie. What a cutie!!

What a great way to spend the day--with great friends, old and new, and my family--and my family band, The Answer. You just could not ask for more.

Hanging out

Michelle and Mike McManus of 'Queen Nation' backstage at Valley Fair June 27, 2008

BELLA DONNA rocks the PALA and SF Fair

Just back in town from a super weekend of shows. First, Friday night we shared the stage with The always fabulous Queen Nation at the Valley Fair in Valencia. By the time we hit the stage, the temperature was balmy and comfortable and the people were ready to rock!

It was great to meet some new people and see old friends as well. The show hummed right along with a collection of Nicks faves such as : Sisters of the Moon, Rhiannon, If Anyone Falls, Landslide, Standback, Gold Dust Woman and about another 12 more classics.  

Saturday night found us in San Deigo county at the Pala Casino and Resort. It is one of our favorite venues. The cabaret showroom is state of the art beautiful and we took the stage at 8pm to a full house. 

I was amazed that so many people were singing along--even to the more rare songs---and that the age demographics were from 21 to 80.  Everyone loves the music of Stevie Nicks and it is our honor to bring the show to as many people as we can and share the love with them.

July will find us from the mountains of Lake Arrowhead to the low desert of Phoenix Arizona!

We are having the time of our lives and Thank You All for your support and friendship.

Rock On.

Tyler Meets Tyler

Pasadena-June 15

Michelle Tyler shares a casual chat with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith at the Pasadena Art and Car Show." The Answer" provided great classic rock as a backdrop to showcase some pretty incredible 'rides'.

BREAKOUT-YESTERDAY TODAY

Yesterday-Today did our breakout first show tonight in Thousand Oaks. The band specializes in Acoustic Beatles. We are not a tribute in the sense that we are impersonators...obviously, I would need a sex change at the minimum....which, by the way, would be easier to accomplish than learning the bass left handed like Paul McCartney!!!!

Rather than trying to look like the Beatles, we offer a earthy and simple, yet complex (does that cancel each other out?) retrospect of some of the greatest music of our time.

Tonight's set lists included:

HELLO GOODBYE

HEY JUDE

I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND

SHE LOVES YOU

YESTERDAY

ELEANOR RIGBY

ONE AFTER 909

GET BACK

I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER

HELP

HARD DAY'S NIGHT

IF I FELL

DRIVE MY CAR

LADY MADONNA

...and I think about 10 others....We will never run out of material with this band!!!