Yes, it was a wonderful concert for a worthy cause but it was not without flaws. I know Sheila is a wonderful person who tried her best and the performances were awesome...but from a business perspective and as a customer, I am entitled to express my opinions. So here goes...

VIP ticket holders paid $300 for seating in the first 3 rows, meet and greet and pics with the performers and a gift bag. We were told to arrive at 5:30 pm sharp, the meet and greet was from 6-7 and the show would begin at 7:30. Instead,we stood in line from 5:30 to 7:00 and were then let into the venue in groups of 5. It was kind of cold to me, but I live in LA so I know my perception is skewed By the time I got in (I was about 1/4 way back in line) the small room was in chaos and I saw a group of fans taking pics with Carmen Electra, Wendy and Lisa, Apollonia, Jerome, etc. Then they left. I got my bag and was told the concert was beginning and to come back afterward for pics. Food had been provided so I got a cracker.

I came back at the end and got pics with Sheila, Wendy, Lisa and Apollonia. I don't know if anyone else came in because I was one of the first 10 people. Carmen Electra had changed out of her dress by the time of the finale so she looked ready to jet. I understand now there was some gathering in the Forum Club but I didn't hear about that.
Of course by then my feet were ready to fall off from dancing so I came home and got in the tub and promptly fell asleep.

Of course, the first time any event happens there will be problems. And Sheila E. had her church members working as volunteers and she said in the concert that they were short some people. So that explains why tickets were still being sorted at 6:45. And of course, I really didn't expect Ms. Patti or Ms. Chaka to be mingling and taking pics for free (especially the latter, sorry Chaka fans) Still, I paid extra for services that I did not receive due to disorganization and poor planning.

Again, I know it was for a worthy cause and you could definitely feel Sheila's (and her staff...Lynn Mabry, etc.) emotion in her voice and performance throughout the evening. But the bottom line is, if you promise goods they should be delivered. If this event is truly annual, I will definitely go again, but only because I live in LA. I will also not pay extra for VIP.

So call me a complainer, whiner, bitch, etc. I don't care.
Nothing is perfect! Flame away...


[This message was edited Sun Dec 14 12:30:03 PST 2003 by beautifulone7]
[This message was edited Sun Dec 14 12:32:41 PST 2003 by beautifulone7]

Come on this is Prince.org. You call that 'negative'??? Rookie.

funkbible said:

Yes that would be me. (closet emoticon I could find for a baby)

True, I've read about more drama getting into Paisley Park, concert soundchecks, or aftershows. But that was all about Prince and expected. This was about Sheila, a much nicer persona and for something good...rather than "how close can I get to Prince and then complain about what a shitty experience it was."

[This message was edited Sun Dec 14 12:54:28 PST 2003 by beautifulone7]
[This message was edited Sun Dec 14 12:54:58 PST 2003 by beautifulone7]