This time the shirt was white and extra large to cover my cell and my camera (on either side of my belt) and my paunch (right behind the buckle). The iron-on was Brady Gaga, an homage to the Lady herself as seen through the iconic Brady Bunch layout and font. (The photograph came on The Fame Monster USB Edition. Puff, puff.)
To put it simply, Lady Gaga was amazing. Forget about the excellent music and lyrics, the incredible production, the really phenomenal costumes, her poseur style of dancing and that she ACTUALLY SINGS AND PLAYS THE PIANO, Gaga, if I may be so bold, is this century's Aimee Semple McPherson (without the faked kidnapping and accidental overdose, of course). She preaches with a new medium, this Monster Ball. The Monster Ball will set you free.
Tonight is for everyone who has ever felt like a freak. My whole life, I was told that I wasn't pretty enough, wasn't thin enough, couldn't dance well enough, couldn't sing well enough. This is for all of you out there who have been rejected, marginalized, or cast out because someone thought you were a freak. Well, let me tell you what. Tonight, the freaks are all OUTSIDE, and I'VE LOCKED THE DOORS!
Montage from the Monster Ball Aug 16, 2010
She calls us by name too. Hello, San Jose. I didn't used to be brave. In fact, I wasn't brave at all. You have made me brave. Thank you so much for buying a ticket to the Monster Ball, San Jose, because you are what make it.
And every performance of the Monster Ball, her corporate sponsor gives $20,000 to Gaga's favorite charity, The RE*generation Campaign to help homeless GLBT youth. It is pretty incredible to be a fan and have your fan-dom validated by, arguably, the biggest star on the planet.
There is a sincerity behind Gaga and what she says. It made me feel good to hear an artist appreciate her fans so much. Gaga did more for me that night then some therapists I've known (and I've known some). And she's coming back to the Bay Area in March, 2011. I already bought myself a ticket. Yes, this 52 (by then) year old man is making another iron-on t-shirt because I'm going to see Lady Gaga at the Monster Ball again. And, even though I don't live in Oakland, I know she'll be glad to see San Jose. Paws up, little monsters!
Set List
Intro
Dance in the Dark
Glitter and Grease
Just Dance
Beautiful, Dirty, Rich
Vanity
Vanity (outro)
The Fame
LoveGame
Inspirational talk
Boys Boys Boys
Boys Boys Boys (outro)
Money Honey
Charity, tank top, thrown gifts and fan phone call
Telephone
Speechless
Piano talk, new album
You and I
So Happy I Could Die (costume change)
So Happy I Could Die
Put Your Paws Up (video)
Monster
Teeth
Alejandro
Poker Face
Paparrazi
Bad Romance (encore)
I didn't see her when she was in Denver....in fact, I didn't actually get into her music until a few days after she was here. But I have to thank my friend _________ (she doesn't like her name published anywhere, nor photos taken of her) for enlightening me to Gaga's music. About 3 weeks ago, I spent 2 or 3 hours dancing and being unlike-Sam with her music at another friend's warehouse space where we could listen to the music FULL BLAST! Awesome night that ended about dawn!
ReplyDeleteI am working on a video to give to my friend b/c she was in the 8th row for the concert here. The video is being put together by fans' videos on YouTube and although many of them are just awful, it will be an awesome reminder for her about that night!
BTW, HER best friend is the first woman interviewed in this clip, which was on the news that day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4ynBQLWKEs .
As you know, I agree completely with you about Gaga's genius while many folks I know shake their heads when they look at me and malign who she is and what she does. I doubt that ANY of them know how much money she donates both personally and from money generated from her concerts. Their loss, I say.........the putzes!
Thanks for posting this, Michael. Great to hear what you did and how much you appreciate the Lady!
All my best-
Sam
PS> Both of these women already have their tickets to see Lady G in Vegas when she is there in 2011! NOW, THAT will be some awesome show in that town!!