Had to do this one as a followup to my Friday post going on about dancing — when to and when not to, who should and who shouldn’t. It really was all in fun but I found myself doing some dancing this weekend, in public, so I ate those words. I knew I would.
We went to see Stevie Nicks over the weekend. It was PHENOMENAL. If she comes to a place near you, I advise you to get tickets posthaste, because Ms. Stevie was a sold-out concert.
Alex and Todd (from Maine and Boston) some Stevie fans. In the parking lot before it all started…
Before walking inside, everyone was in the parking lot doing their tailgating thing. Chairs set up outside of cars and trucks. People with coolers having a libation before entering. Fleetwood Mac playing. As hubby and I were toasting, a car drove by and a guy smiled brilliantly and yelled at us as he and his friend passed by, “Oh my God, Stevie Nicks, do you believe it??!” Their positive vibes were catching and they joined us for a time before we all walked in and parted to embrace the greatness of Stevie.
Peace, Love and Stevie
Before nightfall and before Stevie floated onto the stage…
It was in a gorgeous setting. We snapped some pics of the stage and what was the backdrop to Stevie. Ocean, cloudless sky, nearly full moon and some stars that showed up, I’m sure just for her. (Pardon the pics, we were far from the stage and only small cameras and camera phones were allowed in).
I’ve always loved Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks was always the center of all that groovy goodness. Spinning around with all that hair, lace, fringe, funky sexy and platform boots. She may not spin around as much as she once did (she is 64 years old!!!) but she is still Stevie, better than ever.
What mythical, magical creature wouldn’t stand alongside her?
Her voice is pure, beautiful, the same as it always was and she does flow and dance around on the stage, not only with her legendary goddess-like grace but with the added elegance of a woman who has earned that kind of status. She dresses as if she’s about to gallop away on a unicorn. So good.
The music, the night and sitting beside and and dancing with my love reminded me how crucial it is to keep that part of yourself — that fun thing — that which makes you remember just how good and precious life is. In case you haven’t noticed, music is a big part of my life — it always has been.
As close as we could get. That is her with a young guy singing Leather and Lace (he did the original with Don Henley justice) Standing ovation justice.
Music can transport you back in time where you literally feel like you are that person you once were, before you “grew up.” But, really do we ever? My Dad told me once: The funny thing is you always feel the same inside and you look in the mirror and you think what happened? It catches up to you, life and worries, being a “responsible adult,” all that gets in the way sometimes until something slaps your psyche and screams at you: Hey, you remember fun??
Old and New
Stevie sang several of her songs that she’s known for: Gold Dust Woman, Stand Back, Dreams, Rhianna and of course, Landslide where the ENTIRE audience sang along with her. But she introduced some new ones, including Soldier’s Angel (written for the time she spent at Walter Reed Hospital — read more about that here).
Stevie Nicks, 2009.
She ended the concert with White-Winged Dove, dressed in a white, feathery thing of course, then came back once and finished with her new song, Love Is. She ended the concert, very emotional, by telling everyone she’d had a very rough five months and that doing this and the crowd’s welcoming adoration made her feel like “herself” again. I’ll just bet she was transported back too. She certainly seemed as if she was having fun and that energy affected everyone.
So, go out and do something this week that is FUN, schedule, pencil in some fun. Sweet, crazy glorious fun — whatever your definition of that is and you know I have to, press play below to listen to a few Stevie tunes.
1. Landslide
2. Stand by Me (from the movie, Boys on the Side)
3. Gold Dust Woman
Happy Monday, everyone.
Photo creds: Fun
Brigitte's Banter 
OMG I used to drag her picture around and tell hairdressers that I wanted my hair to look like hers! I loved Fleetwood Mac and especially loved the album Tusk!
Posted by dianasschwenk | July 2, 2012, 1:43 pmYep, me too. She was magnificent. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 2, 2012, 2:10 pmSpecifically this song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT7W8xJFl_g
Posted by dianasschwenk | July 2, 2012, 1:48 pmOh Diana! I LOVE that one. Thanks! :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 2, 2012, 2:14 pmmy pleasure! It magically transported me back as you felt in your post!
Posted by dianasschwenk | July 2, 2012, 2:59 pmI love how you managed to make drinking before the show sound so sophisticated: “People with coolers having a libation before entering.” Ha ha–when we go to a professional sports game and see all of the big-bellied boys in the parking lot slurping down pre-game beers, it is anything as delightful as “having a libation before entering.” 🙂
Glad you had a good time!
Posted by crubin | July 2, 2012, 1:48 pmyeah, well it’s that flowery writerly thing i got going on….Thanks. Seriously, it wasn’t quite as raucous as a pregame football. No face paint or WHOO girls/guys or H*LL yeses being bandied about. See I’m doing it again. ;).
Posted by Brigitte | July 2, 2012, 2:13 pm“Landslide” gets me every time. Stevie Nicks is just so cool—I’m so envious that you saw her live! And I refuse to believe that she’s 64. No way.
Posted by Madame Weebles | July 2, 2012, 2:11 pmI know! She was gorgeous and sooo lovely to the crowd. It was a fantastic time. Thanks, MW.
Posted by Brigitte | July 2, 2012, 2:14 pmAmen to scheduling in fun!! Lucky you to see Stevie Nicks. The first “record” I ever bought was Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. Given that it could just as easily have been “Solid Gold” I’m still, all these years later, congratulating myself on my good, 12 year-old musical taste! (Solid Gold was the second record I bought…) Great post, Brigitte! Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by Sally at Shine | July 2, 2012, 2:29 pmIt was fun and thank you so much, Sally. What a nice thing to say. Here’s to music, fun and inspiration. You do the same for me. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 2, 2012, 2:32 pmGreat Post – Happy Monday too:)
Posted by cravesadventure | July 2, 2012, 2:42 pmThanks, Craves. You too. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 2, 2012, 2:44 pmThat looks like so much fun. You know, the anticipation of an event (and I know you were eagerly anticipating this one) can be as satisfying and the actual experience, and like the experience, comes with positive health-benefits. Yeah, no kidding–just looking forward to something is good for you (and that’s not pop-science, either).
It looks like a lovely venue–where is it? Given that two of the individuals are from Maine & Boston, it’s a fair bet that this show is in the NE area. It can be fun to see a legendary artist in a great venue (particularly outdoors like that). I had the opportunity a few years ago to see Tom Petty at the Gorge in George, Washington (a gorgeous venue, about a million miles from anything), and it was fantastic.
Posted by Smaktakula | July 2, 2012, 2:51 pmHi Smak — you are so right about the anticipation thing. These guys were originally from there. One lived in Staten Island, the other Boston & Manhattan — so you’re right it’s in NE. I’ve seen THE AWESOME, AMAZING AND HUGELY TALENTED Tom Petty twice, once in Knoxville and once in Memphis. He is incredible just like Stevie. Thanks so much for stopping by — so appreciate it and your blog is funny, btw. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 2, 2012, 3:09 pmFleetwood Mac – takes me back to a time before stress –when the only stress was getting myself to class
Posted by on thehomefrontandbeyond | July 2, 2012, 3:23 pmMagical times…magical. 😉
Posted by Brigitte | July 2, 2012, 3:31 pmyes they were – my first taste of freedom – it was magical, and I only had myself to answer to, and Stevie of course
Posted by on thehomefrontandbeyond | July 2, 2012, 3:32 pmLandslide was great in high school. Now that time has made me bolder, it carries so much more meaning! In my head, I’m 28. And I think I always will be. 🙂
Posted by jmmcdowell | July 2, 2012, 3:35 pmI know EXACTLY what you mean, JM. Thank you. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 2, 2012, 3:39 pm“Time makes you bolder. Children get older. I’m getting older too.” Absolutely! Nice post!
Posted by Honie Briggs | July 2, 2012, 4:27 pmHey Honie, thanks so much. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 2, 2012, 6:13 pmI was just thinking about Fleetwood Mac this weekend. Rumours was my first cassette! You know what I loved? Tusk, with the USC marching band, I think? Great post B!
Posted by Maggie O'C | July 2, 2012, 4:56 pmI love Tusk…anything Fleetwood Mac. Thanks, Mags.
Posted by Brigitte | July 2, 2012, 6:14 pmThat concert sounded GREAT! So glad you got to have some FUN, FUN, FUN!
Posted by char | July 2, 2012, 7:18 pmIt was wonderful! Thanks, Char!
Posted by Brigitte | July 3, 2012, 8:34 amFun rocks at any age. Glad you had some this weekend! 😀
Posted by Margarita | July 2, 2012, 8:57 pmThat it does, M. Thank you!
Posted by Brigitte | July 3, 2012, 8:34 amJust reading your post makes me feel like I’m having fun. 🙂 And funny enough, this comes at just the right time since I myself also decided to introduce some fun on my own blog. Great post!
Posted by lillianccc | July 2, 2012, 10:46 pmGreat minds think alike, huh? So glad to hear that and look forward to learning more about your fun. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 3, 2012, 8:35 amJones Beach Theatre???
Posted by finally_write | July 9, 2012, 2:46 am😀
Posted by Brigitte | July 9, 2012, 9:07 am