Conversations with Candice Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Smith.  

Hi Candice, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I moved back from NYC about 5 years ago having had a sales & marketing background. I modeled, did promotional campaigns, and danced in NYC outside of my fashion industry work. 

What inspired me to move was to start an educational farm program on my family land. While this is still simmering in the background, I changed careers to tech and now biopharma research. 

I try to keep things interesting with events and places to go. So, when a new wine bar called Killer Queen opened, I entertained with the owner hosting a burlesque show and wanted to see how far I could get in making that happen. 

Fast forward, I met Burlesque dancer and cabaret show producer Meka La Creme in May of last year, then by end of July started singing and performing with her at shows at locations like Watts & Ward in Raleigh. 

Since then, I continue to do cabaret shows and have also been able to get book my own jazz gigs with local musicians, like the Spring Summer Residency I currently have at Flask Cocktail Bar in Brier Creek. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge initially was just nerves of doing something new and being open to making mistakes. 

Learning the cabaret world, the jazz gig world, and working with musicians. Working out pay, schedules, times. Internal politics. 

But overall, it’s been mostly rewarding. I’m thankful for that. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
These days Im known as a more vintage jazz singer and classic glamour cabaret performer. 

From Ella to Eartha, I think the fact that I like a certain aesthetic and a talent that suits that aesthetic sets me apart. I am also a black woman in the south doing this and am 

proud when I hear people say it’s nice to see someone like me giving voice to a vintage sound and style in this day and age. 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
What’s interesting and great about a good segment of the community around vintage style and burlesque is that it is about holding on to nice Vintage Clothes but chucking the not nice vintage values. 

Not that there aren’t old school values that are still worth keeping, but understanding that we have to let go of what doesn’t serve us anymore. We can influence culture not just the other way around. 

I listen to historical pieces, political and non-political. Current and past political and social commentary as well, mainly on Youtube to be honest. I am a fan of NPR & also appreciate the Man Enough Podcast. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://callmemisscandice.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/callmemisscandice?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@CallmeMissCandice

Image Credits
Samantha Holloway Photography
Lock and Key Photography