THE AMERICAN IDOL COMES TO KC!

Recently, my daughter and I were in downtown Kansas City, MO, checking out the new Kansas City Power and Light District which had recently opened.  As a young person, she knows where it is, how to get there and were to park.  As an "elder" person who was to be a attending a concert soon in that part of town, I pleaded for her assistance to "show me the ropes" when it came to that area.

I will post later about this exciting entertainment spot, but today I want to focus on my trip to The Sprint Center to see The American Idol Tour---with Bonnie, my friend who has missed very few Idol shows!

 

Yes, Bonnie is a big American Idol fan  and when she found out the tour would be in Kansas City she wanted to go---mainly because the winner this year, David Cook, is from a nearby town.  So, she bought two tickets and later asked me if I wanted to go with her.  I didn't really want to hurt her feelings, cuz I've "twisted her arm" a time or two to go places with me that I'm certain weren't really up her alley.  I am not much of an Idol fan, but I did listen more this season because of David. . . . so I said "sure"!

Anyway, last Saturday was the day of the concert. 

 

During the days before the concert we discussed what we would wear and where we would eat supper before hand. Bonnie thought we should go early---to get a spot to park.  Thousands of other fans would all be trying to find a spot to park, too! 

I was starting to get excited!  Wow, I just knew it was going to be so neat to see David Cook in person.  I was certain Bonnie had taken great care in selecting the perfect seats---after all, she was the REAL fan and she wouldn't want to miss a bit of the show!

It was a good idea to arrive early, as we snagged a premium parking spot very near the Sprint Center (it is the round building at the top of this photo)--the scene of the concert.  You can see, the buildings leading up to the Sprint Center are painted with scenes from Kansas City history.  There were only two spots left to park in one of the lots close to the Center and we got one---for a mere price of $15.00!  Whew.  I am a bit sheltered.  I about swallowed my gum when the parking attendant announced the cost!  I  paid the OUTRAGEOUS price cuz we didn't want to waste time trying to find something a little cheaper and alot farther away.  Heck, I thought, why ruin premium seating in the Center by having to walk for blocks to get there.

We found the restaurant we had selected and had a great meal--Bonnie had her great meal right off the bat, but it took them a second try to cook my steak right!  When my great meal arrived, I was so famished, I snarfed it down without taking a picture!!  I know you are disappointed---but just picture a flatiron seared teriyaki steak with a gigantic pile of roasted garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus on the side.  It was yummy!  

We paid for our meals and it was time to head to the Sprint Center and find our cozy seats!

 

This is the huge Sprint Center.  Since it opened lots of exciting sporting events and concerts have been held here! 

This was the second night in a row that the Idol Tour-KC was sold out.  The local fans love  David Cook---it is apparent he loves them, too, because the second show was added to the tour just because the first night sold out so fast.  Thank you, David!!

We followed the crowd through the front doors.  I told Bonnie I thought we were the only two "elder-Idol fans" in the bunch.  She quickly told me to look around.

!!!

 

I was feeling more at ease as I saw folks with similar hair color as ours.  I quickly realized that American Idol knows no age boundary

    

            

My excitement was building!   We entered the door and passed through the security check.  This would be so much fun!

When we arrived inside, I asked a Center employee where our seats were located.

                      

 An evil smile spread across her face as she pointed to the steepest escalator I had ever seen in my life!!

As Bonnie and I were hanging on for dear life, I asked her if she knew how far up she thought our seats would be.  She assured me since we were in row 6, they were no doubt close to the front of an upper level.  

I felt a little better.  She knew I had problems with motion sickness, but I don't think I ever told her how heights scare the dickens out of me.  I actually had to be carried down from the top of a lookout tower in my youth!  You see, I start feeling faint when I am up high and it is not a pretty sight.

                   

                        

We arrived at row six, which happened to be THE TOP ROW  of our section---a person couldn't get much nearer the roof of that joint.

By the time I stumbled over the feet of four other patrons already in their spots, desperately trying not to look down at the arena floor far below, and grabbed the arms of my seat and sunk into it---I had broken out in a cold sweat.  "Bonnie", I said hoarsely, "I don't like this, I really don't like this."  She couldn't believe I was babbling those words to her----I know she thought "How ungrateful!".  My head was spinning at this point. 

We had a few minutes before the  concert started---I was feeling a bit calmer and then. . . . . . the lights dimmed and the announcer came out and  

the fan on the right side of me, who  was very,very large and very excited about being there, too, was all over the place (and in my space), yelling at the top of her lungs and hopping up and down. THEN she pulled out three light sticks ON STRINGS (in a variety of colors) and started twirling them like a lasso----AND adding ear piercing "ooooooohs" and shrieks---THAT WAS IT!  I looked wildly at Bonnie and she said "Grab your purse"!  We stumbled back over the four sets of feet--they couldn't figure out why we were bolting from our chairs---and into the aisle.

I was set to complain to someone in authority to help relocate us----but we didn't have to.  Above our original seats was an area containing about 10 folding chairs--two were vacaant---- and we gratefully sat down.

After we listened to NINE American Idol finalists sing 3 to 4 songs each our Hometown Boy finally came out on stage.

Can you make out that person on stage?  That's David!

He was wonderful and the fans went nuts over him.  As he sang his heart out I secretly wished I had a light stick to wave!

When there was a little break in the action I asked one of the cute little girls next to us (with their Grandpa who had brought them to the concert) to take our photo.  Bonnie is on the left and that's me on the right.  Do you see that railing in front of us?  I had my leg wrapped around it for that picture---to steady myself!

 

When the concert was over, we headed back to the parking lot.  The Kansas City Power and Light District sign looked like they need to replace a bulb in the "P".  

           

       Here is David--on the front page of The Kansas City Star! 

                 

 I told THE STONE RABBIT about how Bonnie and I  enjoyed The American Idol Tour.  He asked if I purchased a souvenir tee-shirt---he knows how I always pick one up when I can.  I told him "No" because  the shirts cost nearly as much as the ticket.

"I'll probably find one at a garage sale next summer," I said to him.  He agreed that was a good idea.

DANA

 

Comments

[Viv (VivLyn)]

Hi H-ween partner! What an experience...I could not have stayed! I, too, dislike heights but am not fond of concerts and the people that go. The last concert I went to was a Pink Floyd one and we left at intermission because of the pot smell and smoke! I couldn't handle it. Must be showing my age big time!! LOL

[Susan M Hickam]

Hey Dana- sounds like you and bonnie had a good time even though your seats were less than ideal. I have a hard time with that sort of seat too. I remember going to a Royals game once and we were seated almost at the very top. I never moved till it was time to leave. I get faint a little too ( went up the John Hancock tower in chicago with friends at night when I was in my 20's and got so dizzy i almost passed out!)

[nola, of the alamo north]

You don't need a light stick; nowadays (so I'm told) you use the light from your cell phone.
Sounds like you had a great time; I've not been to Kansas City in about 20 years, I'll bet I wouldn't even recognize it now.

[Darlene]

I'm sorry you didn't have great seats but I bet the concert was excellent!! We watched the last season and were rooting for him to win...I am so glad he did. What fun!!

[Pat]

Hi Dana!
WOW that is a beautiful big concert venue!
I saw the Idols Concert after season 4 when my favorite, Bo Bice, came in second that year, and thankfully I had a close seat and actually met him before the concert began. I'm such a fan!
David Cook is wonderful and I'm so happy you and Bonnie got to cheer on a local hero!
Hugs, Pat

[nikki]

Sounds like fun. I love American Idol but I've never gone to one of the tours...I have however drug my poor hubby to 3 tours of "so you think you can dance"! I'm glad you guys had a great time...and the stone rabbit got the ticket stubs!

[Michelle]

You are officially a cougar! I'm one too! You're so lucky - I feel like I was there with you.. what a good friend you are :)

Michelle

[Kim V]

I'm not so sure I could have stayed that high up! I have a hard time looking up at tall buildings without feeling woozy! You were very brave! Glad you enjoyed the concert!

[Lynn@thevintagenest]

whoa Dana, Not sure I would have liked that. I don't have a problem with heights but for some reason don't like high up stadium seats...I think it might be the short steps to get there. Great photos!

[Michelle]

Hello to one Cougar from another! :) My family lives in KS, but I had family in KC, MO and I lived there for awhile.. I was just back for a visit to Kansas over 4th of July..it was so fun!

Thanks for visiting..

Michelle

[Betty]

Oh. My. Gosh! That is TOO high, too crowded, too loud, and impossible to see from those seats. I'm glad you found better seats and that Stone Rabbit understood about the lack of t-shirt purchase. He's a great rabbit friend. :)

Betty in Oklahoma

[An Enchanted Cottage]

Oooh, Dana, I feel your pain! Having been to my share of Back Street Boy and Spice Girl concerts (with my girls, of course), I've had more than my share of nose-bleed seating!! Glad you and Bonnie had a great time!!...Donna

[Jeanne]

Dana,I am such an Idol fan. I think both of the David's were awesome. My choice of Davids did not win but I think they were both winners. I would given about anything if I could have been there. Such is life. You and Bonnie are looking good way up there.

I will say this, I am with you all the way about being so high up. I would have hated it, but I would have endured it for the Davids. smile.

Your post and text as always, is such a good read.
Oh, and I can't wait to be dragged all over Kansas to the antique shops. I WILL have the knees to do it!

Love and hugs, Jeanne

[Tracie - My Petite Maison]

Hi Dana,
I think the flat iron steak, mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus sounds the best.

I'm sure the singing was fantastic, I've never once watched American Idol - but looking at the photo of you made me dizzy, that is so high up, I don't blame you one bit for being nervous. Reminds me of going to see Phantom of the Opera in SF and the man that sat next to me must have been a linebacker from the 49ers - even had his arm part way in my chair. Glad you two ladies found those spare chairs!
Don't look down ;)
Try Ebay for a tee shirt maybe!
It's awfully nice you were a good sport for Bonnie too - that's what friends are for.
xo~Tracie

[Tracie - My Petite Maison]

good idea about the tee shirts, Dana - especially since the lady at the t-shirt store was so nice to you two ladies.

Hey, that Laura looks pretty tan for being in a "permanent coma" wish I could sit in a chair all day and have that kind of "glow" ;)

Happy weekend to you too!
~Tracie Quartermaine

[Tracie - My Petite Maison]

I really think it's all in Lulu's head (Laura being okay), but I'm still not caught up. Okay - this post was not about GH already.

Happy night!
~TQ

[Lil T]

Lucky!!! I am so jealous you got to see the American Idols. I absolutely loved the David's. Poor thing, being way up high but hey... it was entertaining nonetheless right? Good post once again =]

[Betty Jo]

Oh My! Sounds like a wonderful time. I share your horror of heights and would have been rather green around the gills in those seats! Hug the stone rabbit for me and tell him I hope not to be away so long next time!! xoxo

PS: You asked how I do my graphics. I draw some with pen and paint, then scan them in for my sets, but most of the time I draw them digitally with a Wacom Tablet and pen using Adobe PSCS2 and Adobe Illustrator software. Can you believe when I first started I drew everything in PS with my mouse and a simple mouse pad? I've graduated from those humble beginnings, and of course, my work reflects that. LOL

[Wonders Never Cease]

What a night!
I enjoyed going along with you. I would have wrapped my leg around the railing as well!

And guess what? You're a winner in my drawing!
Email me with your address and I'll send you your prize!
Woo hoo!
Becky

[Wonders Never Cease]

What a night!
I enjoyed going along with you. I would have wrapped my leg around the railing as well!

And guess what? You're a winner in my drawing!
Email me with your address and I'll send you your prize!
Woo hoo!
Becky

[Lallee]

My sister and I went to an AI concert two years ago, gray hair and all. I sat by a fan that sounds a lot like the one you described. She stood up a lot and blocked my view. I was afraid to say anything because she was also kind of mean looking. LOL I would love to have seen David.

[Jean]

Dana,
I, too, hate sitting that high up (we call it the nosebleed section!) I laughted right out loud when you described wrapping you leg around the railing! I once was so high up in a theater in NYC, that I, too, felt faint but was okay once I sat down! Funny post!

[Jill]

I have been hearing a lot about the Power and Light District but we haven't visited. Love the little seed packs that you won! What a cute idea.

I really wanted to come up to Greenwood, but have to go to a funeral instead! One of these days I will get to come to one of your shows.
~Jill

[Dawn]

Oh I just love American Idol!!! I think both David's were wonderful. I would have loved to have been there with you. You could have steadied yourself right next to me! :) :) I would have been still, but I might have chosen to sing along!

take care,
Dawn

[cherry]

Ok you are always having fun...I want to go along....Too cool, cherry

[Kathy@ Mimi's Garden]

What fun!
Kathy