OK...here's our (me and DGroovy's) report.

Set List highlights (not all inclusive)

Sexuality/Spirituality
Girls and Boys
Purple Rain
Shhh
Maceo...Pass The Peas
Joy In Repetition
Black Sweat
Kiss
Lolita
Musicology
Play that Funky Music
Come Together

Plus Encores (2 or 3)
Included: Case of You, Maceo and Renato playing What a Wonderful World, Crazy (Gnarles Barkley)


Aftershow
First the house trio (piano, drums and upright bass) played until Prince and the band showed up. Then Mike Phillips joined them for Sugar by Stanley Turrentine (Mike Phillips, Maceo). Then they discussed if they would play Dolphin Dance but I don’t think everyone knew it so either they faked it or played something else. I have to go back and listen to Dolphin Dance to get my facts straight. Hey it was almost 5am Vegas time and my body was still on NJ time (8am). Regardless it was good…but that’s jazz. The tune is merely the guide, the other 90% is pure jam session. Then the full 3121 band jumped up and just blew the roof off the restaurant. Woke me up for sure. It was ridiculous and then it was over. As Mike Phillips said, “real musicians playing real music”, small room, great food, Maceo Parker (on the day of James Brown’s funeral, you have to really appreciate his presence), and Prince were a mere few feet away. Although there was $ involved…”priceless” as they say.

I wonder if they were going to play for longer. Prince almost got bumrushed by this sequin-glad bright red head. He yelled, “Glory Halle-Stupid” and the aftershow was over.

If I was going to be in Vegas for another day, I would have forgone the concert (taken a nap) and rolled into the restaurant at about 2am with my $50 and just sat in for the aftershow. For $50 it’s a complete steal of an experience. Don’t expect any singing though.


How I would/did go about a 3121 Experience.

Get tickets through the Rio.
They are the only ones who can coordinate tickets, VIP tables, and dinner packages. Get tickets first, then decide if you want a table (they will “upgrade you” to the table package. Regardless you must have general admission tix. Getting them thru ticketmaster, then trying to upgrade may leave you with 2 sets of general admission tix.

Eat at 3121 Jazz Cuisine
But don’t do the dinner package. I can’t for the life of me figure out why the dinner package is a good deal. We were there on 12/29. From everything we were told (and it varies, hence this posting. hope it helps) the dinner package was $500 pp in addition to the general admission ($312.10 pp) and VIP table w/ bottle service ($750 for two) we had already secured. I know it’s the New Year Eve weekend and all but dayum y’all. A brotha (or sista) doesn’t bleed $ like that. Looking at the menu the 6 course package that goes with the dinner is “only” $150. Maybe drinks are included. I don’t drink, but I’d say if one were to try to drink their remaining $350 worth, one would be in no shape to attend the concert, no? The Rib Eye was great ($48) and the wait staff is EXCELLENT. All-in our meal for 2 was $150. They worry about all the details. Classy but down-to-earth and non-pretentious. They don’t keep you waiting, and they ask if you’re celebrating anything that evening. We weren’t but if you are, I’m sure you get the extra special treatment. Cool people. Thanks guys.

The jazz trio that plays at 3121 is incredible – Ali Jackson on drums, Carlos Enrique on bass, and the pianist whose name escapes me – Renato was diggin’ on him so you know he was HOT. Crazy fingas on that boy. They are a young crew but very very good. Nice guys. It was that rare opportunity to watch someone in the midst of getting a big break.

General admission is standing only.
If you want to get really close to the stage, get there when the doors open. Sadly although DJ Rashida really spun some fun stuff (lots of Prince, Rick James, and James Brown classics), people on the dance floor seemed to feel the need to just stand there staring the stage curtain for 2 hours. Anyone who can resist moving to 17 Days and Get it Up… is, well… really into staring at curtains. Unless you really really want to be very close, I’d either get there later and not have to stand so long or enjoy the dance floor and the DJ and cut it loose. You can always step up into the one of the tiers and get a better view. If you get a table (and there isn’t a bad table), you may want to get one on the end – esp left of the stage – as he came to those tables. We had a table, dead center, second tier…supposedly right behind Prince’s private booth. He never used it, but it remained empty. Table is recommended. You can always hit the dance floor and come back to the table.

Prior to the start of the show, there was a long history video montage with footage ranging from the days of Ms. Josephine Baker, Ms. Lena Horne, Mr. Cab Calloway to Mr. James Brown to Sly and the Family Stone to Crazy Legs/Rock Steady Crew. Clips from Prince in Under the Cherry Moon were interspersed.

We had a ball ya’ll. Can’t wait to go again…
[Edited 12/31/06 17:03pm]

damn I can't wait.....5 more days for me!!!

ALSO... Pink Cashmere was on the set list

ALSO... How could I forget? I shook Maceo's hand (I addressed him as Mr. Parker) after the aftershow and told him that I liked his work. He was quite gracious.

Also, The Twinz were really great - like 2 little Beyonces on stages. Dream job, no?

Excellent review, thanks!
Is that the Beatles' 'Come Together' on the set list?
WOW!
Prince and the Band must've really liked LOVE, I'm goin' back 4 it!
and i'm finding it harder 2 resist this Prince in Vegas trip, due 2 the magnificent set lists!
Did anyone see psychedelic rock band WAR there Wed.?

Thanks for the report I probably will never go but hearing reports gives me satisfaction.

Thanks for the review. I'm going back in January and can't wait!

When you said to get a table left of the stage, which left? Looking at the stage, or looking out from the stage?

Serious question.

very good question. As you are looking at the stage, your left. He did go on the right of the stage also but much deeper in on the left of the stage and more frequently.

Cool, thanks! I am definitely going to spring for the VIP table and a "normal" dinner at 3121. I don't think I could really stand for that long on the main floor!

I read on another blog that he did Cream, is this true.
Not sure if I am able to say where I read this since it on a pretty popular celebrity website, the guy was able to even take a few pictures inside and he posted the, very cool!

YES! Cream was on the set list. not the acoustic version

How we (es2v and I) made it to the aftershow...no real secret but here ya go.

The Music Room in the 3121 restaurant only seats about 40-50 so definitely keep an eye on people leaving the main show at around 2-2:15am for the aftershow. Right before singing a rendition of "Come Together" (1st encore) he referred to coming together at 3121 Jazz Cuisine for some "pancakes" (see Chappelle's Show skit for the joke) 'til 5am. I took that that as the signal that there IS an aftershow and if you have someone you can sacrifice to go grab a table (that was my job), do it. You get to pick your table and it's first come, first served. If you get there early enough (with the $50 cash pp cover charge), and if it's not mobbed you will have time to run back into the main show and give your party the purple wristband that gives you music room access. Unfortunately you have to run (actually brisk walk) back to the music room again and sit at the table you have chosen and keep it safe until your people get there. Someone WILL steal your spot unless you save your seats. The room is small and it's normally maybe 20 seats fo regular dining but they jam in a few more for the aftershow...then they jam in a few more in the empty spaces like near the door, between tables, etc. You must have cash for the cover...or at the very least an ATM card. The casino ATM is very nearby. Then be prepared to wait 60-90 mins for him to arrive. Jazz trio plays in the interim and you can order food and drink ($20 minimum, but you can pay w/ credit)...yes there ARE pancakes on the menu. Eating at the restaurant beforehand definitely helps you form a gameplan b/c you really know the size of the room, distance to the restuarant, etc. Food is really good and not crazy expensive by Vegas standards.

Also on the set list (yes, just popped in my head):

U Got the Look
If I was your girlfriend