Who am I?

 

I'm a dreamer and a believer that what positive you put out in the world, it comes back to you in so many delightfully blessed ways. I am one that embraces change, it's what makes me a successful Event Planner for the last 16 years, plus I thoroughly enjoy making and seeing people happy!

 

When the entire planet unprecedentedly immersed itself in a pandemic, I had to change the lemons that were dealt me and make lemonade as my brick-and-mortar gift shop had to close permanently. It was on the precipice of this change that I discovered Virtual Piano Bar, a virtual platform for talented artists created by the multi-talented musician and singer, Jon Richardson. It's because of this platform which Jon birth, that so many of the fans, myself included, have found a home, friends and ultimately a VPB Family! It was inevitable that I would start the Virtual Piano Bar "Official" Fan Club in honor of my friend Jon, the other fabulous artists and the Fans. 

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What's in a name?

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Merchele is a nickname (Merch for short) that was created out of love by my friend, David Maiocco - a performer on Virtual Piano Bar. David is a maestro on the piano, a Liberace impersonator (the best in the world), a consummate performer and entertainer, hysterically funny and he has the most loving and generous heart. I happen to think he's a genius and I am so grateful that I met him during this Covidian Era. (another Maiocco/"Liberace" idiom).

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In the beginning of January 2021, David explained to me that he took the first three letters of my last name, MER and added it to the last 5 letters of my first name, CHELE forming MERCHELE. Since I sell the merchandise (merch) for Virtual Piano Bar (initially in a different online shop), it totally fits. He further explained that using my complete name, Michele Mercado-Chimkin it works as well. (MERcado, CHimkin, michELE) Simply put, David states, "merch and Michele and Mercado - MERCHELE covers it!"

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