Concert Review
Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha, NE - February 11-13, 2011
Thursday Feb 10th I packed up my suitcase for my next DC adventure. I had a 5 hour drive from where I lived to the Venue in Omaha Nebraska. I had a beautiful day for driving, roads were clear and the sun was shinning. I stopped along the way In Des Moines and had lunch at my favorite restaurant, The Machine Shed. Then I gassed up and finished my drive to Omaha. I arrived about 3:30 PM central time. I was the only one there yet, as the others' planes had not arrived yet. I went to my room and got unpacked. Before I knew it my companions were there.
Mary and Lisa came from California, Rob came from Denver, and Cindy from North Carolina. After everyone got settled in we met down stairs for some drinks and to chat a bit about our trips there. I had never met Cindy or Lisa before, but was so glad I did. After we talked for a while, we went out for a bite to eat. Then it was back to the hotel and chatted some more before finally going to bed late. Friday morning we ate breakfast at the hotel then went to the venue where David was to play and checked it out. While there, one of my UK friends, Julia and her husband Pete came down to the venue to see and meet me for the first time. I was so thrilled to meet her, since we chat just about every day and knew we were going to meet at this concert. After a bit of chatting, we drove around a bit looking around the city. Later in the afternoon it was time to get ready for the first show. I was pacing the floor and could not sit still as I was so anxious to get to the show! When we got there I met some of the UK ladies I had met before and some new friends from all over as well. There were fans from UK, Germany, Scotland, Netherlands, Australia and from all over the USA. Me and my friends sat in the front row, on the right side of the stage.
The Orchestra played for I guess about a half an hour, then there was a short break before David came out. Pictures and videos were not allowed, but most of us snuck in a few shots and some clips. I was NOT leaving without a picture of David in that wonderful tux! Finally, it was show time and David came out in his tux, full length but no tails.
He Opened with Heartbeat and looked and sounded great. He was in magnificent form! He looked great, acted great and was just incredible. He was so thrilled and honored to be doing these shows with the Orchestra. It was a special concert in many ways. It was only his second time playing and singing with an orchestra, along with wearing something other than the USUAL stuff. He also sang a couple new songs.
Since I Fell For You was one of the songs and was just beautifully done by him and the orchestra. Another new song was My Life which he again did beautifully and dedicated it to his friend John Lennon. David said his throat was bothering him some, but he still sounded perfect to me. He ended the show with ITILU and came out for an encore of CRY which he dedicated to his dad, family etc.
During the show when he sang Cherish, I went to the stage and he held my hand for quite a bit of the song and looked at me so tenderly and all. He then asked my name and told the audience. What a thrill! After the show, we visited a bit with friends, then it was back to the hotel. I thought this was the best show I had ever seen of David's. It was electrifying, but magical at the same time. It was quite the experience.
Saturday, we all got up and had breakfast. My friend Julia, from UK called me and I hung out with her and her husband Pete for a good portion of the day. We went down town to the Old Market Place, walked around and had some lunch together then went to the candy store for some homemade chocolates. In the store was a newspaper with David on the cover and an article spread inside on him. Needless to say I grabbed a bunch! We walked back to her hotel and visited a bit more before my friends picked me up. We needed to go and get ready for the Saturday performance. We ate dinner at a restaurant in the venue. Julia and her husband Pete joined us. Then it was off to the show.
David seemed a bit shaken tonight as his hands were moving a lot. His throat seemed to be bothering him more and cut out one of the songs from the night before. But still was a very good concert. My friend Mary had the new ITILU book and David took it from her and showed the crowd, while telling the audience about it. One lady ran up with a sign she made, It said something like it was her 50th birthday, kiss me. He took the sign and showed the audience, after asking her name and held her hand. Another lady brought up a cut out heart that said ITILU on it. Another brought up some underwear, which was not really appropriate for this kind of show.
My group went out for a drink afterwards, then back to the hotel. I was exhausted and went to bed. Sundays show was another great one, some liked it even better than Friday's performance. He added a couple extra songs and seemed like his voice was not bothering him so much. Before the show we all took lots of pictures with everyone and with the poster of David at the venue. It was so nice meeting everyone. After the show my group and a group of ladies from the UK all got together for dinner and fun. We took more pictures and finally had to say our good byes. It was just a magical weekend, seeing and hearing David in top form. Meeting all my new friends was just as much fun. Monday morning I dropped some of my friends off early at the airport and said my goodbyes to them and headed for home myself. I had a safe drive home, but was completely exhausted. It was such a beautiful, long weekend. Now time to plan for the shows in Vegas....
Autumn
