Erica Gimpel reflects on the Fame Reunion

"Dearest Friends and Family,

It has taken me two weeks to put into words what my trip to Italy and the Fame Reunion Concert meant to me personally and artistically.

To begin with I was I struck by the full experience that was created for everyone who participated… Meaning our dear audience and everyone who had a hand in putting these two concerts together... Including the dinner and after party… I felt as though this was a Fame Reunion, but it was also a gathering of friends, who shared something together, that transformed all of our lives. And we were gathering to share and put into words what that transformation was, and it was through the music where we got to collectively express it together.

I want to thank Stefano Mendogni for putting together such a special team, Marco, Gioia Forti, Sebastian and Disco Inferno. And his precious family (Barbara Mendogni) who truly took care of us by having wonderful dinners every night, and making us feel so welcome.

I also watched Stefano make sure the fans that attended had a rich experience by providing a space for them to meet beforehand and connect.
One highlight for me was when Stefano surprised us with the gift of the children’s choir singing Fame songs… I was moved to tears hearing a completely new generation of young people singing these songs… And so happy for Lee, as I watched him listening to his song “Could we be Magic” sung 35 years later, by their precious voices. That moment made it crystal clear how art and music truly live on.

Stefano has a gift for creating an environment where people feel a part of something bigger, and because these concerts are raising money for children, it gave everyone a clear and great purpose.

Thank you Nia for initially asking me to participate, and thank you Stefano and your incredible family for making us feel like family…

It was also wonderful on this trip meeting so many different people of all ages, some of whom traveled from Poland, Sweden, different parts of Europe and the United States…

And then for us the cast, Carlo, Lee, Cynthia, Valerie, Nia (Virenia), Jesse, and I to have another opportunity of getting to know each other on a deeper level… Then topping it all off by getting to share this experience with my dear mother (Phyllis Bash). The word that rings out in my being is GRATEFUL… I am truly grateful.

Then to end our trip by going to Venice was incredible... I literally had tears of joy streaming down my face as I looked out the hotel window at the purple sky and setting sun… It was a moment of deep gratitude.

Here is a peak into the journey… I hope you enjoy! Peace, Erica"

 

 who shared something together, that transformed all of our lives. And we were gathering to share and put into words what that transformation was, and it was through the music where we got to collectively express it together.
More pictures and words from Erica can be found on her Facebook Page