Chicago's NPGMC Launch Party was the third in the series of parties held this month in support of the NPGMC.



For the non-Chicageons the "party" took place at the club Park West, located on the north-side of Chicago. The Park West has a long history with Prince, here is where I saw him perform during the "Dirty Mind" era and where he's held other such parties as "The Gold Experience"!



The "Launch Party" was billed as just a party with musical guest "The Fonky Baldheads" and "Milenia"...no concert/performance by Prince! What we received was much more...ChiTown's own JOY!!!



Our little group arrived at the club early 2 take advantage of r
NPGMC premium members perks and went in without a flaw. We had r choice of seats anywhere in the club or standing space in front of the stage. This was the best set-up yet 4 the Park. Seats were set-up closer 2 the stage then normal so even if U chose 2 sit U still had a great view of the stage area. There was still enough space around the stage 4 those who opt 2 stand.



PC's were stationed in a area away from the stage so that U could go check-out the NPGMC online! Regular ticket holders were allowed in right after us, so no one waited out-side 2 long. The place filled up slowly but surely 4 this sold-out engagement.



DJ Brother Jules did not spin 4 us 2nite but it still was all good! A
nice mixture of Prince ,R&B and Hip Hop had the place poppin' . After a few quick announcements from the V-103 radio personifies and a recognition of the NPGMC from r own Samnation we were treated 2 the sounds of The Fonky Baldheads. They were quite good... got the folks moving! Kip was simply amazing on lead vocals. Along with original material the band performed a few Prince covers including the instrumental portion from "I'm Yours"....2 fonky!



Immediately after The Fonky Baldheads came Milenia., a 4 member girlz group kinda on the style of Destiny Child but smoother! Pretty and talented...nice harmonies GilrZ!!! I'm am curious as 2 who wrote their material??



During r musical treat , Prince arrived, fashionably late, around
10:45 p.m. dressed in red top with black trimming, red pants and a black overcoat. As he ascended the staircase 2 the second level of the club he stopped momentarily and waved 2 the crowd . I figured that was the last we would see of him, this evening ...was I ever wrong!!! Right after Milenia's performance things continue 2 move quickly (no long pauses between acts 2nite , the next thing I knew my friends were saying, "Look, Prince is on stage". There was Prince, joined by the NPG and Milenia were now background singers roaring into "Uptown" and it was on 4 the nite!



"Uptown" was followed by "Mutiny", slightly mirroring the "HitNRun" shows from last year but with much more energy (if that's possible:) The "Kid" was in rare form whipping in and out electrifying superb guitar solos every chance he got. During 1 of the pauses (when we had a chance 2 catch r breath) Prince thanked us 4 r support and reinforced the fact that he does not "work 4 a record company" and that the Fonky Baldheads and Milenia don't either. Said that he's learned from his Dirty Mind days when he 2 busy thinking with the wrong head while the record company was stealing out of his pockets. Prince says
in order 4 this project 2 work we need now "2 do the work!"
His speech lead us into a new song which he first called "Work, Part 2". A song with a purpose!



Prince was clearly in a good mood, his performance reminded of the early Dirty Mind tour...playing with such force and energy...U could feel every note! I don't have a complete songlist but what stood-out in my mind was "Housequake" ("Where the big girlz at, U know how I like it"), a soulful rendition of "U Make my Sunshine" (my friends r still talking about me, I just about lost it here) with one of the girlz from Milenia doing the Angie Stone part, and a steamy rendition of "The Ballard of Dorothy Parker". His guitar solo during "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" was so intense U could feel the vibrations... pure orgasmic! He instructed the crowd (and the band members) 2 b real quite while he played... all U could hear was Habibi... shear ecstasy!!!



During "Housequake", Prince invited a few members from the audience onto the stage, They included the now famous Julian (aka Prince's "nephew" ), who btw is a real likeable guy. Prince looks at Julien and pretends 2 b in shock (almost like looking in a mirror, huh Prince and then give Julian a high-five . The next time U see Prince he's atop of his keyboard with the eye-bass strapped on and taking us 4 yet another ride! His final number was "Purple Rain" and no matter how any times I've seen him perform this song, I still get caught up. It was a very emotional and spiritual high 4 me!



As quickly as the show started it seem 2 end just as quickly (nearly 2 hours later 4 Prince!!!) We hung around 4 awhile and then headed out. While waiting 4 my friend we saw most of the band members plying into 2 little mini-vans and of
course was curious as 2 if the nite was completely over...



not quite!



They ended up at the Excalibur Club, where Prince and the band members just hung out until around 3:30 a.m. We chatted with Mr. Hayes (he is always so friendly) upstairs while Prince was just strolling about, chillin'.



All and all this was indeed one the best "parties" I attended in awhile! 2nite I had seen a man with Freedom in his eyes...



yep

Freedom is a beautiful thang indeed!



Jill