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The Right Now performs Friday, Dec. 3, 8:00pm, at the Double Door, on day one of the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival.Photo by Seth Thompson

I had a chance to catch up with Stefanie this week and we had a wide-ranging conversation, talking about overcoming stage fright, the lessons learned from reality TV and balancing a fast-paced life with a toddler – to being inspired and challenged by her bandmates and other women musicians.

Confront Your Fears

“While I’ve always loved singing and performing, I still get butterflies. Early on, to force myself to get over being scared of performing live, I would put myself out there to sing the National Anthem whenever I could. It’s acapella, and one of the most difficult songs to sing. I thought if I can sing the National Anthem, I can sing anything, anywhere.”

Stand Out in a Crowd

Stefanie says auditioning for MTV’s “Making the Band,” Diddy’s first search for a girl group, was a spur-of-the-moment decision. “I was in a place where I was trying to decide what’s next… I had the day off and I heard about the audition on WGN and at the end of the week, I was on my way to New York City (for the first time by myself!).”

While Stefanie was let go early on, lasting three weeks, she says she learned a lot about herself and how she wanted to be portrayed and perceived. “I realized I had to work on standing out as a female performer and be memorable in a crowd.”

Sit Down When You Need To

Stefanie describes opening up for strong female acts, including Mary J. Blige and Bettye LaVette, as the opportunity to “go to school.”

 “I have a chance to see how they interact with the crowd; command the stage. One of the things that struck me most about Bettye (LaVette) is her honesty. At one point during her performance at the Old Towne School of Folk Music Festival, she sat down on the stage to rest her legs and feet, declaring, ‘I’m old. I need a rest.’ Watching her, I was struck by her honesty, and that it’s okay to be real and vulnerable when you perform. One time when I was performing, I had the flu and was really tired. I confessed to the crowd, ‘I need to sit down for this song.’ I want to connect with the audience as a real person – we all have good days and bad days.”

Share Inspiration

Stefanie and The Right Now have been working together for four years. “I love performing ‘our music’ and being creative and expressive. One of the things I really love about being in this group is how we learn from each other. I’ve been introduced to so many different instruments and what artists the guys in the band like. It inspires me… how my voice should enhance the instruments in the band and how it’s all connected.”

Embrace It All

As an avid reader, I’m always curious about what other people are reading. When I asked Stefanie what she’s reading, she responded with a laugh, “I should probably read more! I read ‘Good Night Moon’ A LOT.”

In addition to working, singing and touring, Stefanie is also a mom with a two-year old daughter. I asked her how she manages everything and she admits, “It’s a lot to balance. But I have a great support system and I just embrace it all.”

One of Stefanie’s favorite places to listen to live music:

S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston, “Very personal and stripped down.”

Stefanie’s Recommended Music

“I haven’t been able to put these albums down: The Revelations with Trey Williams, Otis Clay, and J.T. and the Clouds, blew my mind.”

Stefanie also says, “Don’t miss Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival. She’s an incredible artist.”

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Congress Theater, Saturday, Dec. 4, 9pm

See Stefanie and The Right Now perform Friday, Dec. 3, 8:00pm at the Double Door, on day one of the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival. To listen to songs from their latest album, Carry Me Home, visit their website.

    Chicago can't stop their festivals even in winter! A total of 35 Bands will perform in the 3 days of the festival starting December 3-5.  Want to join the knee-slapping good time? Gals' Guide is giving 5 pairs of weekend passes, count that 5! Therefore 5 lucky winners will get to take a friend along for all the fun.

    Unfortunately, this is a Chicago only giveaway but guys and gals can enter. To enter tell us, by commenting below, what song gets you out of the blues. For example, when I'm depressed I bust out "I Will Survive" and my funk is gone. In order to get the winners and passes coordinated in time, you only have until November 28 to enter.

   Don't let the holidays get you down, have another reason to be thankful - weekend passes!

Question for you on this fine evening:

What sources do YOU use in discovering your city?

When moving to a town for the first time, what tools have you used to learn about neighborhoods, banks, safety, culture, etc.

Please respond in the comments. I'm pulling together some research to help make this community more helpful to you post collegiate ladies!

Love,

Your Chief Guide

Cupcakeries participating include: Blue Sky Bakery, Dinkel's, More Cupcakes, Sprinkles and Sugar Bliss.

The mission of GiGi's Playhouse is to foster better understanding of the accomplishments and potential of people with Down syndrome. Founded here in Chicago in 2003, GiGi's Playhouse has expanded to seven locations around the United States. The founder, Nancy Gianni, was named one of Chicago Magazine's "Chicagoans of the Year" in 2008. Each of the Gigi's locations provides activities, educational programs, support and other resources for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the greater communities they're in. All of these programs -- including the Literacy program -- are provided free to families and individuals. The inaugural Cupcakes & Cocktails event is intended to raise awareness for operations and programming for the location in Chicago.

And here's a sweet deal! Get your ticket for $50 (save $25) when you register using the promo code SWEET: www.events.org/gigiscupcakes

Cupcakes &  Cocktails is completely underwritten so 100% of the ticket price goes to helping fund programs that benefit children with Down syndrom and their families.

 To learn more about Gigi's Playhouse, please view this video or visit their web site.

What/Where/When: Cupcakes & Cocktails, James Hotel, Thursday, November 11, 6:30 - 9:30pm

Circle drop with 5 graduated bars and bezel set Swarovski crystals. Hangs 2 inches.  

How to Win:

Tell us what your favorite accessory is and why by commenting below

Last Day to Enter: October 31st

Keep up with Basic Boutique and Gals Guide on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow @BasicBoutique and @GalsGuide

One of my favorite things to do in the city is grab a book or magazine, find a cozy corner and eat my lunch. On a recent trip to Montreal, I saw tons of young ladies doing this very thing.  From the newspaper to the Economist, I was pleasantly surprised to see so many of you reading and enjoying your lunch. All while learning a thing or two about the world.

Do you continue to eat alone? Why or why not?

I continue to see stores like Zara and H&M sprout up. With the newest fashions being more affordable for those of us that look to save a few dollars, could we be supporting an industry that doesn't treat its female workforce fairly?

What are your thoughts? Worth paying $20 for a 'now' piece of clothing - knowing that the woman who crafted the item is, at times, getting paid in pennies?