The Xavier Tavera Shoot for LEGACY Live

Hello readers! I've not been blogging so much lately because I’ve been extremely busy with work (my day job), daddy duties and LEGACY Live. I’ve had little time to sit down and gather all the things I want to talk about and share.

I’ve done so many things involving LEGACY. I’ve been pushing for growth, networking with people in the entertainment field and learning so much from them.

I have SOOO MANY things I want to share with you all. I won’t do it all in a single blog because it would be a LOOOOONG read. However, I’ll start with the following: The Xavier Tavera Photo Shoot

In August, we did a show at “Heart of the Beast” theatre in Minneapolis and I had the pleasure of meeting a photographer by the name of  Xavier Tavera. Xavier had his 

"LC Jackson & Xavier Tavera"

studio equipment set up upstairs in the theatre where the show took place. He was there doing photography of the different performers and he did a few photos of myself as well as the LEGACY cast that was there that evening to perform.

Xavier is an extremely professional photographer. His work is very interesting and eye-catching. Some of his collections have been featured at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Weisman Art Museum and he has exhibited his work nationally. I learned that some of his work has gotten censored and even banned because of its controversial content. He is true to his work and I admire that in anyone who has the nerve to put something out that might offend some people, yet bring out opposite feelings in others. I Love that.  

After the shoot at the Heart of the Beast theatre we chatted for a little bit and he was interested in knowing more about what I do etc. I told him a quick summary of my story and he asked if he could shoot photos of me (as myself~ Luis) in my “LEGACY” room at home. I suppose he wanted to shoot photos of me in my environment not as “LC 

Jackson” but as Luis. I said I would love to and that’s where that conversation ended. Then I had to leave to perform with my peeps. He too, had to go since he was also doing the shoot for the live entertainment that night.

Shoot at Oxford Studio

A month and a half later we reconnected again and we did a longer shoot at Oxford studio (where we hold rehearsals). He told me he was doing a series on myself which I was surprised by. I didn’t realize he was doing a series on me but then it all made sense! That’s why he wanted to shoot at my home, in my environment. Then it clicked! We had a successful and fun shoot. Two days later, we shot the ones in my downstairs living room with all the costume racks, props, hats, mic. stands~ you name it. He arranged it all very nicely and took the photos. At the last minute, he changed his mind and had me get into hair and makeup. While I got ready, he sat and we chatted for a good hour or so...

Tavera's work is simply jaw-dropping

 We had good conversations about our art, music, family, even Juan Gabriel (a Mexican songwriter/singer). There was everything and it was such a good experience. I was surprised by the fact that he entrusted me with his raw files of the photos he took and said I could use them commercially (in press kits, posters, website etc.). That is something he said he never does (give someone his unedited work) and I was very honored by the fact that he trusted me with his work. I promised I would not release anything he wouldn’t want people to see. I treasure those photos and his work so much that I put the disc in a safe and will have the final drafts password protected on my workstation.

What I got out of this whole entire experience was being reminded that your work has to mean something to not only you but others as well. Xavier said something that will stick with me forever. He was describing what he felt when he saw people at galleries looking at his.  He said:

"The worst thing that can happen is for someone to walk away feeling indifferent about seeing my work”

THAT was priceless to me and it was the biggest lesson/reminder that I took from my time with Xavier. This had more impact on me than all the other tangible things that I got from this experience. I got a reminder of how important it is to convey any kind of emotion in others through your art. If you don’t achieve that you may as well not do it.

 -LC

You Never Want To Let Go

The more you do, the more you learn. 

The last couple of months I’ve gone from being “overexposed” to people sending me e-mails about where I’ve been.

The truth is, it’s been an insane last couple of months with shows which have all brought great stories and experiences. At one point, LEGACY got so busy that I couldn’t keep up with having a normal life outside of work and weekend shows. Now, things have slowed down but could pick up any second.

During this 3 year rollercoaster of LEGACY I’ve come to really put into perspective what performing really means to me and how much I’m dependent on it in order to keep happy. Gloria (our Producer) once told me that I’m the type of person who needs that artistic outlet in order to keep me happy and focused. At first I took it as “okay.. sure”… When things came to a halt last summer after the success of the shows, I began to feel sad and began doing unproductive things to fill my void. Once we began working on the 2011 series, I was up and running again… I felt happy and completely focused.

Long story short, I’ve come to realize that Gloria was right 400%. I need this. I need this as part of my life. It’s who I am and truly, it’s where I feel most comfortable; on stage. I have friends and many, many acquaintances who I don’t see very much. I’m not a partier nor do I tend to be in the common places people go to socialize. I just don’t; as a matter of fact, the times I do get out it’s because I’m there to entertain others. Once the show is over, I take photos with MJ fans and then I go back to my quiet usualness.

Being onstage is an entire different animal. You are at your most vulnerable state, yet for some of us it’s worth the risk. The more I do this, the more I feel connected with Michael Jackson whom I never met, yet I know so well. I feel at home, I feel at piece and I never feel alone. The more you engage yourself to something that draws you anyway, you never want to let go.  

LC

Ready or Not, here I come...

In the last month, there has been piles and piles and piles of work and new experiences.

I’ve had great things happen, some not so great. I’ve had lots of love in my inbox from MJ fans and LEGACY fans too. In the last month I was told I had great showmanship and a week later I got some hate voicemails about how awful a show was and how I do not belong in this business…  I know. Sad right? Not at all. There was over 1,400 people at this event and only one called to complain! HAHHAHA You have to have a sense of humor and take the good with the bad in this realm.

Also, I launched the Spanish LEGACY site. This needed to be done because I always run into people who want more info IN SPANISH. Therefore, that was the quickest, most efficient solution for me to do it.  If you visit the site www.legacylivellc.com you’ll get two options now: English and Español.

One not so good thing is that I had to turn down such a great opportunity.  I was asked to go out to Houston, TX for a show with a few backup dancers but it’s the same weekend that I’m in Chicago. In addition to that, it was on a two-week notice and that’s kind of short notice because I do have a day job. I’m hoping LEGACY will be my full-time work soon. At the rate work is coming in, I do see that in the horizon… I just need that one phone call I’m expecting (this is encrypted talk, by the way- you’ll understand later) ;)

Jack Reuler 

The biggest, newest, “announce-able” piece of information is the very strong possibility of a set of 6, full shows in July, 2012. Mixed Blood Theatre founder and theatre Director Jack Reuler contacted me a few months back in order to bring 6 full BACK TO BACK ( I know… yikes) shows to L’Homme Deu Theatre in Alexandria, MN. After seeing LEGACY perform here in the cities he invited the show to Alexandria! Mr. Reuler invited me to go see a show there and visit the site and it was awesome!  I invited my wife to come along (my stage manager couldn’t make it that day) and after seeing a rock concert there, the Director of L’Homme Deu (Chris Denton) gave us a tour of the theatre and the campus where the LEGACY production would stay during the 6-show run. 

Theatre L'Homme Deu 

I’m super excited!!! I was extremely flattered for someone like Jack Reuler to reach out to me because he liked our work. I must admit that of feels great when seasoned professionals like that take notice; it means you’re doing something right. Not to mention that this would be the largest contract I’ve landed thus far and I’m only two months into running LEGACY as an operating, entertainment business. This is huge for all of us involved.

As of right now, there are no plans of having a FULL-BLOWN production here in the cities for 2012. However, it might make sense to do a set of shows simply because I’ll be working on a new show for L’Homme Deu at the same time. I’d hate to leave the Twin Cities fans out or make them feel they have to drive two whole hours to go see this show. That’s just crazy.

This next month we have a few shows booked (private events for the most part). Also, I will be having a new photo-shoot for what will be the 2012 promotional material which for L’Homme Deu is due in late Nov. I believe.

As you probably noticed, our YouTube channel has been filling up with videos. I’m trying to edit more and more and put it out as I have it ready. It’s very time-consuming and that I do on the little free time I get.

Thank you all for the love, and thanks to the haters that have been calling/e-mailing too. You are all my strength to keep doing what I do.

LC

LC