The PINKTOBER® Concert Series concluded Friday, October 23rd in the Hard Rock Cafe Tampa with local singing sensation Francesca Giorgianni. Every October, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa hosts a series of events to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research. This year, Hard Rock Cafe Tampa introduced a weekly PINKTOBER® concert series featuring four local female artists to raise proceeds and awareness for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Foundation #Pinktober campaign.
Although Francesca is only 16 years old, she is no stranger to the spotlight. She recently placed first in Wild 94.1's Tampa Bay Talent Search, a local effort to find the most talented singer/songwriter in the Tampa Bay area and plays at various venues around the Tampa Bay area. Francesca started playing piano when she was 6 and in addition to singing and playing the guitar, she also plays the ukulele, bass, clarinet and violin. She wants to play music "the rest of her life" because "I love people, I love playing for people, I don't want to do this for me, I want to share my music with people and make them feel something" said Francesca.
Francesca was especially excited to participate in the PINKTOBER® Concert Series and raise money for Making Strides because several close family members are cancer survivors and the disease is hereditary in her family. Francesca connects to #Pinktober on a deeper level stating "I think it's amazing how so many people come together to join the fight against breast cancer. I'm thrilled to be involved in helping to raise money for this incredible cause."
Francesca's star was shining bright as she wowed the Hard Rock Cafe Tampa crowd with two sets filled with a mix of original and cover songs. She got the party started with crowd favorite "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon and the toe tapping continued with "Oops!... I Did It Again" by Britney Spears, "My Guarantee" by Charlie Wilson and "The Hills" by the Weekend. Original songs included "This Ain't Easy", "Open Your Arms" and "My Guarantee". She closed the show with "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten, an emotional song she chose specifically for this show because it represents "the fight" against breast cancer.
Francesca wrapped up the PINKTOBER® Concert Series by autographing a hot PINK electric guitar custom made by Dean Guitars for auction, making one lucky fan very happy and raising $450 that will directly benefit breast cancer research.
After the concert, I had a few minutes to catch up with Francesca and learn a little more about what she's been up to since she won the Tampa Bay Talent Search in September. She shared that "even though I didn't tell people at school about my music career before, when it came to needing votes for the contest I shouted it out to the world and have received a very positive response from my classmates and friends." Although she's still getting used to life in the spotlight, she's happy to share her music with a larger audience and thrilled that a lot more people know her name.
Francesca is currently recording her second EP which she expects to release by the end of year. This EP will feature three original songs as well a music video. When this 16 year old isn't working on her music career, you can find her playing in her school's marching band, singing at volleyball games, participating in the Student Musician Volunteers group, doing lots of homework and performing at area nursing homes on the weekends. She looks forward to school breaks "filled with singing".
And that's a wrap for the PINKTOBER® Concert Series! Many thanks to the Hard Rock Cafe Tampa for hosting the series and to Angela Rodriguez, Eden Shireen, Natalie Claro and Francesca Giorgianni for four Pink-tacular concerts!
The PINKTOBER® fundraising continues this Thursday with a Red Carpet Charity Slot Tournament and benefit concert featuring Natalie Claro! Fifty percent of the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Foundation and 50% to the prize pool. In addition, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the limited edition Making Strides Pink Sunglasses, as well as proceeds from sales of the 2015 Seminole Hard Rock Girls Calendar, will be donated to the Foundation. Tickets to the Charity Slot Tournament are $10 and can be purchased at the Rock Shop, located next to the Hard Rock Cafe.
