In 2017 and 2018, I attended Celebration at Paisley Park on VIP Track 2. I made the decision, very last minute, not to attend Celebration 2019. I needed to do something different, as I have literally already seen nearly every Prince-associate who was to perform and/or participate in panels this year (some several times). I do think it's cool to have repeat participants, because there will hopefully always be new people attending Celebration for the first time. It would also be cool to see artists like Janelle Monae or Bruno Mars there, and I wonder if artists like these would be Willing & Able to participate.
I met up with many of the usual Purple Fam, who are always on hand, all over MPLS in April. Some were attending Celebration, but a surprising number were not. The ones who did all told me they had concerns about numbers, in terms of attendance. There were fewer seats at the Sound Stage, and some were empty. They all said Jesse Johnson rocked it and that Jeff Katz's presentation was phenomenal. (Missing Mr. Katz is my No. 1 regret about not attending).
I did go to the Big Screen Show, at the Armory, because it was the highlight of Celebration 2018 for me, and I had high hopes for a similar or better experience. The experience was similar. Prince on stage is Prince on stage, it's good, and that's all there is to it. I can't complain about that.
I did have some concerns, because some of the footage was from the same show (2011 Welcome 2 America Tour) as the prior year's Big Screen Event. I'm not even ashamed to admit that I am glad to watch him a literal million times doing the exact same thing, daily. I do think an annual event that people plan and travel for should provide new and even better experiences. Still, because of the live band (getting to see Renato Neto and Chance Howard live again after so many years was a real treat!) sound quality, and the largeness of the screen Our Beloved graces, in my opinion it's worth seeing. Wondering if the same will happen in 2020. This year, after the Big Screen, there was an after party with band members onsite for VIP attendees. I like the idea of that.
Off Track 2 I did what some Fam normally do each April, and went to purple places of interest, live shows, the wrecka stow, and purple parties. I always go to live shows, that's life for me, parties, not so much. LP Music - Eric Leeds and St. Paul Peterson were excellent. I truly enjoyed Tommy Barbarella and his Love 2 the 9s Prince Tribute. He shared his gifts and spoke a little on his experience with reverence. NPG (featuring Tamar) did the dang thing, as per usual. I did not get to see it all, but what I saw was on point. Honestly, parties are not really my thing, music, yes, small talk, no. There was no shortage of things to do in town, there were several parties and shows that I did not attend for various reasons.
One additional fab event I did attend was the PRN Alumni Foundation's jazzy, classy, informative, FREE event, which showcased Ingrid Chavez and her band, Bro Jules spinning them deep purple cuts, and included an author's panel with some pretty heavy-hitters in the world of music journalism and Princeology (Duane Tudahl, Jim Walsh, Chris Riemenschneider, Raphy Schkopi & Allen Beaulieu).
I learned a lot as always, including a few really cool things about him from people who worked closely with him. I made some new acquaintances (it was really cool meeting so many of you in person!), formed new bonds, and formed deeper bonds with others. I also got a reality check/reminder about Fam as humans having very different ideas about honor/respect, and having very different motivation/goals for making the Purple Pilgrimage. I know why I go back regularly. My goal is to honor him, to show respect for his legacy, and to commune with those who wish to do the same, no more, no less.
Despite everything, no one can dictate who you are to other people - PRINCE.
It's cool. We each have a path to take. Mine is straight.
Everybody needs a thrill ... we all got a space to fill.[1]
I'm not mad at anyone for going down their own path. I'm also not following folks down roads I know I don't have any business being on.
Everybody got a right to love Everybody got a right to lie But the choice U make ain't no piece of cake It ain't no mother***** piece of pie.[2]
Staying in my lane, doing what I can to help accurately inform future generations about The Greatest, and supporting projects with a similar mission. No decision on next year. Currently thinking about June.
Around Paisley, this go 'round, it was just a little more quiet than it has been in previous years. Maybe it should be. I don't know. I do know that quiet is not necessarily a bad vibe, and I'd take that over an atmosphere of negatively any day. My main concern is that he's always respectfully celebrated, never forgotten. I'll say this and act on it as many times as EYE feel EYE need to.
Always on Our Minds - Forever in Our Hearts,
Violet
@violetesq
@violetbinteractive
Always on Our Minds ~ Forever in Our Hearts
[1] Prince, Pop Life, Around The World In A Day, Paisley Park/Warner Bros Records1985.
[2] Prince, The Truth, The Truth, NPG Records1998.
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