my friends bryna and dustin and i drove 5 hours on friday 2
see the time, and on saturday, stood outside 4 hours, much
like many other hopeful attendees. we were cold, it was
brynas birthday, and what a way to spend it, we thought,
freezing outside a recording studio in minnesota in the
middle of winter. i even shed a few tears, simply because i
was so cold, and we didn't know what was going on. the
bottom line is that the cold, and we were all real cold,
isn't the issue here. we all waited outside with our blankets
or did the best we could to stay warm, and yes, i cursed and
blamed for what was happening, but we did this all by
CHOICE. no one forced me to do this, and i don't regret at
all that i did. what i DO regret is the cursing and blaming
. he didn't even arrive to the park until around 11 (his
arrival was witnessed by the back gate shorty before 11 or
around there), and shortly after he did, we, the 20 people
left, were allowed in promptly after his arrival. yes, it
was a long, cold wait. you can say what you will, but if he
is such a bad person and you dislike him so much, why do you
care and what were you doing there in the first place? i
honestly don't believe that he was just sitting around
thinking, "well, i think i'll just leave my fans standing
outside and let 'em wait." rriiight...he's a human being,
people, and i am sure he had other things 2 think about. i
doubt he even realized what was going on, since he wasn't
even THERE for most of it, and if he did, he probably didn't
realize how intense it was. the information that we were
recieving during the wait was minimal, and yes, the guards
could have told us earlier that we might not get in,
but come on guys, the music is what it is all about, and
that IS the bottom line.
upon entrance, we were given rave 2000 calendars, they had
run out of the tickets by that time. as soon as we got 2
the sound stage, the cold and wait was history 4 me, totally
worth it. the show was absolutely wonderful. it was full of
nrg, the guests were great and was on, and beaUtiful!
and bryna DID indeed end up having what she says was the
best birthday ever. shortly in2 the show, lenny and
came through the crowd with guards and we were nearly run
over by mr kravitz and the man. can't say i have any problems
with that! i only wish lenny would have stayed on longer.
it was so cool 2 c him. i cannot possible remember anything
that would recognize a set list, i'll leave that 2 someone
else. i was greeted by ananda lewis, lisa ling, and johnny
lang. also spotted holly robinson peete, star jones, kevin
smith, and the obvious; , larry graham, lenny kravitz,
george clinton, maceo parker, and one of the highlights 4 me,
the incomparable rosie gaines. it was great 2 c all the
performances, and and johnny lang were hilarious on
stage 2gether, johnny looked like a little scared at first,
but then they really got in2 it, and it was so cool.
another thing i really enjoyed was the 2 members of the npg
dance company, they really added 2 the show. it was nice 2
c perform with dancers again. our evening ended with
meeting larry graham, which was absolutely unexpected and
he is one of the greatest men i have ever had the pleasure
to meet. thanks 2 and all 4 a wonderful evening.
we had am amazing time, and i want 2 thank dustin 4 making
it happen. we are lucky people 2 have been allowed such a
moving and enchanting expierence. hello 2 dave in the big
yellow coat, thanks 4 drying my tear! we wish u would have
been inside with us. and hello 2 mark from ny. hope u got
home safely.
everyone, please remember, even in bad times, that the music
of is what unites us here. there has 2 be some power in
that, or this would not exist. continue 2 rave un2 the joy
fantastic, i know i will!