Founder's Park, Aventura Florida Show
On Saturday morning of
November 12th, my husband drove me over to and dropped me off
at the Tampa Airport where I boarded my plane, bound for Miami.
He would have been with me but had some music activities he couldn't
get out of. Tough luck for him. Well, it was a 50 minute flight
on a clear, sunny day, and I must say the view was stunning. I
could see all of the peninsula of Pinellas County and probably
could have picked out my house, if I'd taken the time, but the
waterfront, beaches, barrier islands and tons of sail boats zooming
around drew my attention. There must be a lot of people retired
or for some reason not at work on nice days. Yes, I was actually
on my way to see an Air Supply show . . . something I hadn't been
able to do since my daughter, son, daughter-in-law and myself
enjoyed the Jannus Landing show in St. Pete, in March of 2003.
Soon I saw the Sunshine Skyway bridge and Sarasota, then Naples.
I read the in-flight magazine and suddenly realized I was now
looking down on a glistening Miami! I never realized until this
flight just how many water areas, including canals, there really
are in Florida.
After landing, I had time for a cup of coffee after which I sauntered
on over to where the gals would be coming in. After a few cell
phone calls between us, I felt MA and Mothersaid right there hugging
me. What a welcome! One look, and I knew we'd not only get along,
but be good friends. We soon headed for a taxi and got a wild
ride through a concrete jungle and some impressive upscale neighborhoods
and then some nice scenic areas to our Marriott Courtyard Hotel
in Aventura, FLA.
We unpacked and relaxed and talked some, but since none of us
had really eaten any food yet, we decided to go to a nearby mall
and eat there. We were told it was two blocks to the mall, so
we decided to walk it. Let me say, I really had to jog to keep
up with MA and Mothersaid's lively pace. But, after all, we were
starving. However, the 2 blocks ended up being more like 4 or,
more likely 6.
Once in the Mall, we had to walk to nearly the other end. Thank
goodness I was wearing comfortable shoes.
We found the Cheesecake factory and had a 40 minute wait, but
enjoyed trying free pumpkin cheesecake samples they had laid out
on a tray. Soon we chomped down our food, and it was good. We
lingered a while thinking of the walk home. Even the waiter offered
to give us a ride back, if we waited until he was off his shift.
We decided to just walk back anyway, but thanked him. Actually,
the exercise was probably good for us. We didn't even go shopping,
but really didn't need anything more than rest.
Once back at the hotel, we talked, called our families on our
cell phones, and talked some more and then went to bed early.
We got up late the next
morning, Sunday, November 13th, but early enough for our free
buffet brunch. It was quite tasty, and there was anything you
could possibly want at the breakfast. We lingered there a while,
even finding a computer with internet and posting what was up
with us on the AS Now and Forever Forum. Soon enough we went back
up to our room to talk and rest before we would need to leave
for the park to see the show. Just before leaving for the park,
I gave my hair a quick shot of Mothersaid's hair spray, hoping
it would stay OK throughout the evening. (Remember this for later.)
That Founder's Park was also supposedly within walking distance
of our hotel, but we decided to take a taxi, just in case. The
taxi ride was 3 minutes long, if that! Then we fell in a long
line, wondering why we hadn't left sooner but still just glad
to be there. Once 4 pm arrived, the line moved right along. They
did check through our bags and stuff though. Security. We handed
them our nice looking, big, metallic gold tickets to the event,
but got to keep the main portion if them. Mothersaid instructed,
"Follow me, I'm heading towards a good spot and the more
people I get ahead of the better." She ran off and I tried
my best to follow. Soon I found her right in front of the middle
of the stage! I have a new impression of Mothersaid and her abilities!
LOL.
"Wow!" I said, but she replied, "Since we'll be
on a blanket, we wouldn't be able to see over the heads of people
in lawn chairs." We asked the people behind us if they minded,
and they said, "Go ahead," so I pulled out the tarp
and beach towels I'd packed in a big pink tote and spread them
out. Soon MA came over too and we sat down. We were supposed to
meet Sandra and Adrienne and called them on my cell, but they
had just finished lunch and were parking the car. An announcement
was made that the food venders were closing, so I ran over and
got us some water bottles quick. We got comfy on the beach towels
over the tarp, which I thought would keep away any ground moisture
as the evening came on.
The Founder's Day ceremony began with a welcome, introductions,
a speech or two, a view of their time capsule. A teen girl sang
the National Anthem in a husky, but thankfully in tune, voice.
Aventura had been a town for 10 years now, we learned. Finally,
the forward canopy was taken down and the stage was made ready
for The Blues Brothers show. Their act was very good, and they
had a couple of guest singing stars from the past perform too.
Sandra and Adrienne arrived then, joining us. They had lawn chairs
with them. The Blues Brothers continued quite a long time. Then
some talent awards were given out to kids. We were warned not
to take any photos, video, or audio of any kind whatsoever. Not
taking photos made us very sad indeed, as anyone can imagine.
Finally it was time for what we'd come this far for . . . Air
Supply! I took out my Ozborn stuffed toy (I brought him to hopefully
get him autographed) and got settled for the show, happily sipping
from my water bottle. The band came out and they all looked just
great. I loved their hair, and noticed that first, but I also
liked their clothes. I told MA I must be dreaming, and she offered
to pinch me to prove it was all really happening.
First, I heard a song, new to me, and said, "MA, what's that?"
She said it's "Remember Me." I loved it, of course.
Then they sang another song I didn't recognize. "MA, what's
that?" I asked. She chuckled, "A Little Bit of Everything."
Oh, I loved that one too. What a thrill to hear these new songs
finally - and sung live as well!
Graham said they were pleased to be in Florida although they had
to get up at 2 am to take off from St. Louis by 6 am - to fly
down. He also informed the crowd that this was their last U.S.
show of the year, so it was special to be having it at this Founder's
Day celebration.
Next, I heard songs I recognized: "Even the Nights Are Better",
"Here I Am", "Chances", and "Faith In
Love" (which I'd heard only on-line before), really nice.
Every band member was in top form and giving their all, but having
fun too, you could tell. Jed making that piano sound absolutely
fantastic, with all his embellishments. Jonni dancing around the
area, smiling a huge grin. Mike looking very professional and
on task, keeping it all together. A nice breeze came up, tousling
the guys hair.
Next came "Miracles", with Russell putting his entire
being into it. I must say, although we heard he had a cold, I
couldn't imagine how he could possibly sound any better than this.
His voice was strong and clear. This is a jewel of a song and
one they'll be known for far into the next many decades.
Graham's expression became sensitive and serious as he sang, "We
Are All Children." He informed the audience he wanted them
to learn this song, but the wind picked up, and I don't think
he was getting quite the response from the audience he expected.
So he looked down at the lower platform in front of the show stage
and said, "Can I come down here?" We all yelled, "Yes!"
Although, it was a 3 foot jump, it would have been more intimate
between him and the audience for sure. "He said, "I
wonder what would happen if I went down here?" But he had
no chance to find out, as a downpour let loose on the audience.
Graham heard all the gasps and asked, "What?" We all
yelled, "It's raining!" " We'll go on anyway,"
he said, but then he looked around and soon went towards the back
of the stage. In a moment he came out front and said, "We'll
take a 10 minute break and then come back to rock your brains
out."
I looked down at my pathetic, drowning Ozborn and quickly threw
him into my big, pink tote bag. I pulled out my nylon hooded jacket
and my umbrella. MA and I went under the umbrella and Mothersaid
under a beach towel. We sat for 10 minutes, but then I put my
hand back, and it landed in 1/2 inch of water. We were sitting
in the water the tarp was collecting! So we got up and huddled
under the umbrella as there was no let up. Luckily, no thunder
or lightning though.
We saw the staff on stage covering the amps and all with large
plastic bags. I told everyone to pray hard the rain would let
up, but just as I said that, it came down all the harder. I looked
at poor Sandra, sitting in her chair with - I think - one of my
beach towels over her head. It was getting dark.
Finally, I shook out the tarp and wrapped it around me. How silly,
we all could have got under that tarp right away and stayed drier,
but everything happened so fast - we didn't think of it. Then
someone came out and announced that unfortunately, because of
no let up in the heavy rain, the show couldn't continue and no
Air Supply merchandise would be sold. Everyone sighed, of course,
but understood. No one wants the band hurt or their equipment
ruined. After all, we had got in 8 great songs.
Some of the crowd still hung around a bit more, but finally broke
up and most went their way elsewhere or home. Fire works had been
scheduled for after Air Supply, but there was no way that would
happen now.
A group, of maybe 20 or so, of us diehard fans hung around to
see if there would still be a Meet & Greet or not. We lingered,
laughing about how much like drowned rats we looked. Finally,
the rain started letting up. What a relief. I threw my towels
and tarp and jacket over a fence-like structure and continuously
wrung out my sweater and the bottom edge of my top and the hem
of my slacks. I felt my hair and cringed, thinking, "So much
for that hair spray. Lot of good its doing me now." Oh well,
we all looked pretty much the same.
We had a lot of fun standing in line chatting with other fans,
and it suddenly dawned on me to pass out some Air Supply Now and
Forever/Heart & Soul fan business cards, which I did.
We saw Jonni wave good bye to us and go across the street behind
the stage and into a car. Also Jed.
Next. we were told to line up to go to a possible Meet & Greet.
How excited we were suddenly! Finally, they took people away in
groups. The group's turn came. We came around to a tent flap opening.
The guy leading us said, "I think we should cut it off right
here," and we gasped! But he was just kidding. "In you
go, he said. We tried to get in through the door/flap thing, but
the ground was soggy mud. I was sinking into it as if it were
quick sand, so I said, "Ah, the Florida Everglades,"
and I heard a bunch of people laughing at that in the dark. Finally
though, we managed to pluck our feet up and down and into the
light of the tent.
There the guys stood near a round table with some snacks for them
on it. Apparently, many people hadn't brought anything for the
guys to autograph, so the guys took their own plastic plates off
that table and autographed them for those fans. Now, that's going
above and beyond the call of duty, I think! How nice of them.
Ahead of me was a gal with a cell phone camera who seemed to be
having trouble taking her photos. In my mind I thought, "I'll
bet Graham composed six songs in his head while waiting so patiently
for that cell phone camera to work." Hee, hee.
Then Mothersaid was over with the guys, and I took a couple photos
of them together. Finally, I saw Russell was free and handed him
my (actually my daughter's) Ozborn stuffed animal to sign. I don't
know why I didn't think to see if he'd mind his photo taken with
it, but you can't think clearly when you're right there with the
guys, I found out last time I met them at Jannus Landing in St.
Petersburg, FL.
Next, I handed him the 45 vinyl record cover, "The One That
You Love" (with the former band members on the cover picture)
which he autographed. He gave me a hug. By then, I saw Graham
was finally free. He also autographed the single cover, but I
forgot to ask him to sign Ozborn. Once home, I saw both guys had
signed my Big Cat at Jannus Landing. I'm kind of glad I kept Big
Cat home and dry after all since my Ozborn's shirt image got a
bit blurry from the moisture that attacked it. (These are the
same stuffed animals in the Big Cat & Ozborn Adventures on
my AS Heart & Soul web site.) Graham bent down, giving me
a hug and kiss.
Mothersaid and I were saying how really great we thought the show
was, even if cut off by weather. And it was really a remarkable
program. I joked, "Not only are Air Supply fans AirHeads,
but they're all wet." Russell answered, "We are too!"
I thanked them for staying for a Meet & Greet in spite of
the weather. Finally, I thought to ask Mothersaid to take a photo
of me and the guys (and that photo is still in her camera. I can't
wait to get it.)
I took a couple photos then of Sandra with the guys. She was clearly
in heaven. When I opened my pink bag to put Ozborn away, I saw
the CD I'd brought along to give Russell for his daughter and
quickly handed it to him. Its a CD of popular female singers.
I know my daughter likes it, and the two girls are only 2 or 3
years apart. At that, Russell gave me another hug with a kiss
this time. Goody!
As we turned around, there was Mike peeking through the side tent
flap. He kindly let me take his photo, which turned out really
cute. Again, I never thought to get my photo taken with him as
my brain was definitely out to lunch. We left the tent, and there
was the crew right there gulping water and resting from all their
hauling of all the equipment. I took a couple photos of whichever
of them I could.
They were very gracious and exceptionally kind. They introduced
us to Moe, the new lighting guy. He talked with us a bit and seemed
most grateful and honored to be with Air Supply. I have a feeling
he is a hard worker who will do an excellent job with the AS stage
lighting. We wished them all well and went on our way out.
Well, I saw my jacket, tarp, and towel still hanging on the fence
and still dripping.
I wrung out the jacket and looked at my blue tarp. No way! Out
of the corner of my eye I saw a city worker carrying an identical
tarp, over to my right side. I swung around and asked him if he'd
like mine too, and he replied he could sure use it. I told him
then that I was donating it to the city of Aventura, and he thanked
me. I wrung out and took the beach towel, but MA still had my
umbrella.
We arranged a ride back to our hotel with Sandra and Adrienne,
but first we looked for a shuttle to the parking garage. The last
one had just gone by. Sandra managed to walk up to a police car
and said she needed a shuttle. She's 8 months pregnant - so they
obeyed her. Soon two shuttle's came, so we and another group got
rides. We stuffed ourselves in Adrienne's car and were at the
hotel in 2 or 3 minutes. It was hard to say goodbye.
Once in the hotel, we realized we were starving. There was a big
bowl of apples on the hotel counter. We found a couple vending
machine too, with a variety of juices and foods in them. Once
we got what we wanted, we headed upstairs. We slung our shoes
and clothes over the air conditioner and took turns in the shower
to get any mud and grass off of us. We talked until midnight,
I think it was, and then fell sound asleep.
Monday morning, November
14th, we woke in time to have some coffee and a roll and to lounge
around before our shuttle picked us up at 10.
We had an interesting long ride back to the airport, chatting
all the way. We had really gotten to know each other better. Finally
we were there, and Mothersaid had to make her way downstairs,
so we said, "Good bye."
After checking in and grabbing a coffee and bite to eat and purchasing
a couple of "Miami" souvenirs, I went to my departure
area. A flight to Cancun, was still loading. MA called me by cell,
saying she'd come over to my departure area to wait and talk a
while and give me my umbrella back. I showed her what the rain
did to Ozborn, and then snapped a photo of her with him. It's
cute. Then she left for her departure area. Our flights were different
ones, but leaving at the same time. MA soon called and informed
me she still had the umbrella, so I said she should keep it until
I could meet up with her at my next Air Supply show . . . in about
two or three years (as seemed to be my custom!) I sure hoped it
would be sooner though.
My trip home was calm, but because of foggy drizzle, there was
no view whatsoever.
In less than an hour we touched down, but before departing the
plane, I took one last pic of Ozborn, alone in the plane seat.
Poor thing.
Just as I arrived, my husband called and said he was entering
the airport. I got my cases and stepped outside for the ride home.
Once back home, I laundered all my soggy clothes, which unfortunately
hadn't dried on the hotel room air conditioner. My husband never
asked where the missing tarp was. I was really starving, so he
took me out to Tiffany's for dinner, and I told him all about
the trip.
Tuesday, November 15th
and my shoes are still wet, but my spirits are high and the trip
was more than worth it. Thank you Aventura for hosting Air Supply!
Already I miss MA and Mothersaid. I can't wait to experience another
Air Supply show again with the guys extraordinary talent, the
band's unique abilities, probably some new songs and hopefully
some of the old favorites, Moe's lighting techniques and all the
personable crew, new and old AirHead friends, plus that happy
excitement and fun. Or should I say, "Adventure"?
Oh, and next time, I think I'll give myself a second swipe of
hair spray, just in case!
As ever,
Devoted2as (S.O.)
