Oh my, my, my…. let me catch my breath…even after a month (sorry 4 the delay, I have been crazy busy). The two nights in Detroit (Auburn Hills, MI) were such an inspiration filled with fluid rhythms, skintight baselines, intricate layers of Blackwell, Renato, Candy, Maceo, Rhonda, and of course the sexy, little Prince conducting the whole show in every aspect- directing, playing guitar, singing, dancing, controlling lighting and sound, joking, flirting, and always watching everyone around him. He knows if you’re late, so u best be on time!!

I thought it couldn’t get any better than the One Night Alone concert and sound check in Detroit…. these past 2 shows were on a different level, completely different vibe. My NPGMC pre-sale seats were nothing but the best – as usual. I had chills as I walked down the arena stairs… all the way down to the main floor... felt like a dream, knowing I was on my down to see Prince up close and personal – was hoping he wouldn’t notice how late I was (kinda obvious when u have front row seats)…Once I finally made my way down to the main floor I could feel the bass vibrating throughout my body. Prince was working the stage and I missed his entire opening… I felt so disrespectful and was upset with myself, though I got over it quickly and gave him mad love. The stage in the round was so intimate, instead of a flashy fireworks spectacular and eye candy dancers, Prince surpassed the carnival effect and instead entertained us with his wholly presence… showmanship, creativity, brilliance, luminous, sexy-beautiful-funkay, leadership, and as always unconditional love. This was so much more than a stripped down performance, instead a retro party- jam session with Prince and the NPG. Even better, if you have main floor seats around the stage you become part of the band, you can actually feel the band, the baselines were actually shaking the bottom of my cat suit like a leaf on a tree. If you are lucky to get seats behind John Blackwell, as my mom did thanks to NPGMC (her first Prince concert, and one of the greatest shows she says she has ever been to- and she has been to many throughout the 60’s and 70’s), you will feel what I am talking about, he will physically roll through your entire body. This concert feels like a party, gathering of close friends- you can really tell that Prince and NPG are having a great time playing together and interacting with the audience. This is not a sit back show to watch, at least from the main floor, you better come prepared to work it, memorize those lyrics, get your dance on, come dressed to the nines, and be ready to give the band the same energy and love that they are surrounding you with.

So, now for the pulp of the juice, Prince’s security crew spotted me dancing and asked if I wanted to dance onstage the 2nd night!! They went over a few rules, don’t touch Prince, smile, go to your assigned catwalk and stay there. We went onstage once the band began playing U Got The Look… so I strutted, smiled, flirted with the audience and worked the catwalk (west side of Palace- for those that were there I was wearing a teal-aqua halter top with white polka dots and white pants and I have dark hair). I was focused on entertaining the audience as if I was one of Prince's backup dancers. I was shy around Prince though, I was trying to follow the rules and respect him, felt like I shouldn’t make eye contact with him unless he made it with me first. We did lock eyes a few times, he was smiling at me and watching me just as I happened to mess up the lyrics on Life of the Party – he noticed, I just smiled back at him and felt like an idiot. Though I made up for that mistake soon enough when I had the chance to sing a mini duet with Prince!! This was the highlight of my night, year, lifetime… Originally Prince was going to share the mic with the same woman that sang with him on Life O The Party. Prince was standing in front of my friend Rhonda (she was onstage also) and she asked Prince to let me sing. He turned around and looked at her and she said to Prince “My friend can sing; she has a great voice”. Prince smiled at me and his facial expression looked as if he was saying can you really sing- u gonna mess the lyrics up again. His doe eyes were very luminous and hypnotic. My mind is blank at this point; I don’t remember if I said anything to him or vice versa. That was my chance to talk to him and I don’t think I did? Though I didn’t need to, we just naturally connected and read each others eyes. He motioned for me to follow him and we went to the edge of the catwalk and stood side by side- felt like we were the exact same height. We sang a verse from Kiss together..... He sang, You don’t have to watch… then he held his gold gun microphone gently near my lips and I sang Dynasty… to have an attitude. He smiled at me and nodded his head as if he was pleased. Then he began to take the mic back and I motioned for him to hold on, so he put the mic back to my mouth with a surprised yet inquisitive stare. I waited a few counts and finished it off with an Uh. He made an animated facial expression as if he was somewhat impressed. (He is tooo cute) He took the mic back and sang Just leave it all up to me, then he quickly passed the mic back to me and I sang My Love I’ll be your fool -oopsy, wrong again- hey, at least I played it off-on key and on time- fool kinda sounds like food, close enough #@! Don't think he noticed much, he smiled at me and looked at the audience and said “Aww Yeahh” while motioning to me. Then he started singing the chorus and pranced away in his heels… so cute, mysterious, and funky. At one point Prince and I were dancing next to each other on the edge of the catwalk, I was mocking the dance step he was doing and just trying follow his lead of course. It’s still hard to believe that I was dancing and singings next to Prince- get a grip girl! Anyhow, I knew that I was going to be up there for awhile after reading other reviews of the show, so I tried to stretch my stamina and dance moves. Of course, thinking back I know I could have danced 80% better, though the experience was so surreal and I just went with the flow. So my friend Rhonda and I danced onstage for about 30 minutes to U Got the Look, Take Me with u, Life of the Party, Knock on Wood (disco cover), and Kiss. What a life changing experience. I have been longing for the day to unite with my fellow Gemini twin since I was an 8 years old, sneaking up late night to hear Prince being played on the radio by the Electrifying Mojo – Midnight Funk Association (Prince gave props to Mojo at both Detroit shows, which was very cool).

Being a member of Prince’s audience you cannot help but feel the love and unity, but after having the privilege of performing with Prince onstage I am left with an unbound feeling of empathy for the man and his band. I had no desire to touch Prince or stalk him onstage (as one woman did). First of all, I have way too much respect for the beautiful man, he continuously gives unconditional love artistically, socially, and spiritually, and as a fan the least I can do is give back with my love, support, and uttermost respect. Furthermore, just being in his presence I felt as though we did touch; his sparkling aura projects a rainbow of colors that are absorbed and reflected by all of his audiences.

Also, I had fun trying to leave the Palace Arena after the concert, took me an hour to leave after having tons of fans approach me left and right, front and back. Everyone was complimenting my singing and dancing abilities, wanting my autograph. Everyone was asking me if I was with the band, and wanted to know how long it took us to rehearse… 2 funny!! I was so surprised people recognized me or noticed. I still have friends and strangers approaching me around town, telling me they saw me onstage (this ain't NYC). Very interesting how other people get as excited as I am about my experience. I am still in awe; I will permanently be on a Purple Cloud. Thank You Prince, see you in Chicago and Detroit very soon.
[This message was edited Tue Jul 20 8:46:57 2004 by CamilleStarr]

CamilleStarr said:

You messed the lyrics again!!!


.

langebleu said:

Hey, I have been singing the wrong lyrics for almost 20 years now!!

Camille, you did a great job dancing!! Don't worry about messing up the lyrics, I've heard FAR worse and giving the circumstances, I would've definitely messed them up too

By the way, where is MOJO??

Smooches;)

CamilleStarr said:

Haha...I can relate!!! As long as you had a GOOD time, that's what it's for!!!
[This message was edited Tue Jul 20 11:10:48 2004 by Starmist7]