SIOUX FALLS - WOW!!

[girlygirl06]

well i dont have any tickets for sell,but i hope ya'll have tons of FUN! :D  :D it sounds like fun! :D  :D

[shaikeninseattle]

SUE I'm back from Victoria and just wanted to say............................................Good Job!

You could have knocked me over with a feather when I got a call on my cell phone, just as I was disembarking from the Victoria Clipper in Victoria, Canada.  None other than Adoringclay!

 We have been joking back and forth about getting Clayed again, but I didn't really think it was going to happen.  I thought Sue's poor husband would think she had really gone off the deep end!  :  :  : So this phone call from out of the blue made me shriek out loud,  in public! Just as I was approaching imigration!  :  :oops:

You just gotta love a true Claygirl! So, I join in asking, begging, and pleading, if anyone knows of tickets available, even if they have to be in seperate locations, please let us know a.s.a.p.! Thanks!  :  :

[claysjoy]

Have a great time.  I happened onton a site when I was looking for concert merch.  They had really good seats at all his shows, some were very pricey.  I think the cheapest were $97 a piece.  I did a goggle search for "Clay Aiken Concert Merchandise", and it came up with that, I had to look.  There were two front row center seats to the concert I'm going to in Grand Prarie, there were reasonable, $350 each.  So, if you've got money, you'll get tickets!  Good luck, and enjoy every minute!  Hey, I think it was something like "hot seats".

[cassms]

Hey, AdoringClay and Shaiken, I don't have any wisdom on tickets either except that if you are willing to sit separately you have a lot better chance at tickets and remember what Pamela has said about some tix being released (and even appearing on Ticketmaster) within a week or so of the concert.  Also, I have found that at every pre-concert party/gathering, there always seems to be someone with seats they're selling (usually because they got better ones).  You are going to have a fabulous time!!!  All your efforts will be rewarded--remember, it's ALL OMC!!  I thought this concert beat the Kelly-Clay concert hands down because it was ALL OMC--such a treat!  Be sure to give us all the details when you return--

[shaikeninseattle]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words.  I know we'll have fun and I'm sure we'll get tickets.  :D  Somehow!  :evil:

[LiftClayUp]

Hey you two certifiable Clay fans, have a  wonderful time.  I wish I knew of where to get you tickets.  I hit ebay hard last spring so you could try there.  Sometimes you will find fans selling the tickets and can get them at a reasonable price.    

I also agree that there are usually pretty good tickets available at the preparties.

Also let us know all about your adventures when you get back.

Carol

[heater]

I don't have any tickets to offer either, but HAVE AN AWESOME TIME!!!  I know I would love to see OMC three times in a matter of days...that would rock!

[shaikeninseattle]

Carol wrote:

Hey you two certifiable Clay fans, have a wonderful time

 :  :  :  :  : Hey, after all, you started it with those free tickets to Salt Lake!  : You set the pattern for our split second decisions! And thanks a MILLION for doing it!!!! Wish you were going to be attending one of them so we could meet you!  

Shaiken

[LiftClayUp]

Hey Shaiken, I got really excited when I read you were going to Indiana.    I will be at the Indiana State Fair on Aug 16 and was so disappointed when I read you were going to Ft. Wayne.  When OMC does the next tour we are going to have to plan to be at the same concert or concerts if we can arrange it.

You and Sue, I know, will make the most of your trip and I will be thinking about you on those nights.

Carol

[AdoringClay]

:D Yeah, definitely, Carol (LiftClayUp)...I would love to meet you too!  Can never have too many Clayzy Clay friends!  

Clay Love to You Tonight!  (Here I go off to Ticketmaster to try to find tickets...)Sue g.

[LiftClayUp]

Good Luck Sue.  May the Clay be With you!!!!!!!

Carol

[outthereforclay]

Moderators, forgive me if I'm posting this on the wrong thread. I am SO exhausted from an amazing week of meeting in person so many women from Claymaniacs and going to 3 Clay concerts!!!!!, I am literally slip sliding away into zombie land.

But before I do, I wanted to share a recap of the Rhode Island concert, which has become the most powerful Claying I've ever had...I wrote this Tues. night late, right after the concert. He was .... beyond real. I have never been so affected by the man.

RAPTURE IN RHODE ISLAND
There sometimes comes a chance to experience rapture. To some, such ecstasy comes during a religious epiphany; to others, it is in a lover’s kiss and touch. The “Grizzly Adams” type might find it among the redwoods or while seeing an eagle soar back to its aerie with breakfast for its young. I could swear my husband reaches rapture while clicking endlessly between sports programs with the remote control.

I found it Tuesday night in an unlikely place—in a rural town in Rhode Island among a throng that was sometimes screaming, sometimes struck dumb. And my rapture was from the unlikely source of a young man from Raleigh, NC, who just happens to have the power to enrapture with his voice and his heart.

Clayton Holmes Aiken. Incredible. This was not the first time I had seen his concert, and if I’m being honest, it was not the first time I felt various degrees of ecstasy as I listened to him, looked at him. But there was something different this time. I’ve been agonizing over trying to articulate that difference.  
   
The crowd was appreciative before he appeared. It was a Clay crowd---thank the ticket gods. Just days before, I had seen him perform for a group of people who didn’t have the right to call themselves that at a casino in Atlantic City, where most of the tickets had been complimentary “dessert” to the high rollers dining and gambling, and true fans were reduced to begging outside the entrance for scraps. I’m still so mad about that debacle that it’s best I don’t even go there. Let me just say that it was good to be “home” again, among the rightful occupants of those precious seats at the Ryan Center---seats, I might joyfully add, that were rarely actually occupied. This was the way Clay should be greeted and encouraged throughout the concert—by masses of fans who have to stand because their love and joy is too big and boisterous to be restricted to a seated position.

The beginning of the concert was especially thrilling for me since I had missed the first 5 songs in Atlantic City…again, let us not tread down that road, but I will say that my full price ticket in that…unique…American city only bought me 75% of Clay that night. I had read very different reviews of Clay’s delivery of U2’s classic WTSHNN, some of them vilifying him for even attempting to sing a Bono song. Although I admire Bono as a humanitarian, I am not particularly a fan of Bono, the singer. I listened merely as a music fan and a Clay fanatic and was rewarded. Clayton sang with feeling, power and reverence. It was a stroke of genius to begin the concert with this cover.

At some point in the stream of songs from MOAM I began muttering, “Uh oh, uh oh” as I heard the little catches in Clay’s voice, a slight wavering from his usual perfect pitch and I began to worry that the internet rumors of him fighting a cold were true. I admit I thought, “Not again...” I had seen him in Winston-Salem during the Independent Tour and had cringed at each missed note, every raw-throated rasp. I had hurt along with him and loved him for not wanting to disappoint us, even though it was obvious he was ill--- yet was not eager to do it again. I needn’t have worried. Clay sang purdy. He sang real purdy. I loved every note, even the few now and then that reflected the strain of a sadistic schedule and maestro-worthy, yet masochistic repertoire of demanding songs.

Clayton the comedian was our host tonight. He was chatty and witty and goofy and fun. His banter with the audience included a challenge to “bring Jay, the bass player, out of his shell”. Poor Jay. Clay was determined to shine the light on someone else and Jay really did seem sweet and shy. Of course, Jay provided one of many contexts through which Clayton the comedian could tickle us with his wit and humor. He even tickled himself during “You’ve Got a Friend”, more than once losing it completely and collapsing in giggles and gawky flinging of arms and legs. Wish I knew what was so danged funny! Although with Clay, most of the enjoyment comes just from watching him having so much fun.

We also enjoyed Clay, the consummate tease. He loves to remind us how this is a family show, doesn’t he? He manages to interject such reminders amid his discussion with Angela and Quiana about their wearing the “Clay Aiken” thongs, which, by the way---according to Clay the shameless salesman, are on sale in the lobby. And of course he felt it was his duty to remind Jacob that the dancer he brought up on stage was only 15 so that Jacob, hound dog that he is, wouldn’t jump her. Yes, Clay, Disney would be proud of you.

Mr. Aiken was also getting physical last night, much to the delight of the females in the crowd. Lots of touching and feeling…lots of hugging and…even some nostalgic grindage with Angela during “Still the One”, topped off with a vigorous hip bump. He graced us with his renowned athleticism as he jumped down onto the stage from five steps up during “Invisible” and let us know his musical talents extend to instrumentation, with his vigorous air guitar, air keyboards, air drums and air sax during “Roseanna”. The man was all over the stage and having a ball.

Now…the voice. The face. The hands. The eyes. The mouth. The soul. The voice.

Everyone with ears knows Clay Aiken can sing. But unless you’ve seen him sing, unless you’ve watched him perform, you have no idea of his talent…his power. He has made “Run to Me” another must-see performance, his genuine love of this song from MOAM apparent in the emotion he sent out through his eyes as he tried to convince the woman in the song that he would wait for her. As he sang, he expertly both seduced and comforted me.

“I Survived You” has become Clay’s Broadway, hasn’t it? His legions of fans on the internet have debated the effectiveness and genuineness of his sometimes wild and frantic gesticulations during this song, with pages dissecting his every hand wave, finger point, mic stand grab or caress and chest thrust. Is he sincere or is he giving us a dramatic and…uh…stimulating performance? Is he being campy or does he really want to tell someone how he truly feels? Whatever. I can’t take my eyes off the man when he “does” this song. I honestly cannot stop looking at him. And the fact that he’s begun to literally growl and spit out the words, “You would have to have a CONscious, bay-beh…GOOD LUCK, I WISH you well.”….well…yes...well….just…yes.

For those of you who are in love with “You Were There”, with all its bells and whistles, he delivered. For those of us who, while in admiration of his voice in this song and the obviously deep faith that makes his performance of this song so moving, he delivered. And for those of us who have been less than happy with the imagery on the big screens, you will be pleased to know that I was more distracted than disturbed by them. I still don’t like the crosses near the end, but I think I understand why Clay is keeping them in there. It is not only God he is thanking in this tribute; it is specifically Jesus. Jesus is integral in Clay’s life and faith and he is worshipping Him here.

Unfortunately, Clay himself remains far away from us while he sings, his eyes and face life sized only. I couldn’t see him sing. I only wish that the staging in this song allowed us to see Clay on the screens instead of dramatic, swirling (and sometimes vertigo-inducing) clouds and mountains and sunrises and stained glass. I am convinced that seeing his beautiful, expressive face as he sings this very personal song would be exponentially more powerful as a messenger of his faith than any and all of the Vegas-like production gimmicks that currently try to be.

I heard Clay sing “This Is the Night” for the very first time in Rhode Island. I’ve listened to the song he sang for the American Idol finale—the one with the same lyrics, and the song that’s on his MOAM---many times, but this performance was a first. If Clay had sung this song this way that night on that television show, the media wouldn’t be able to refer to him as the AI “runner up”: I’m convinced of that. His voice has grown since that evening; he has grown and the song means more to him now. He was a master singing this song last night, a model for aspiring singers to emulate. The power, the caress, the meaning in his voice---it was all rapture.

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for. Solitaire.

There are no words, yet I feel thousands of them churning inside me.

I was concerned. Clay’s voice had shown some signs of tiredness, of strain at times throughout the concert, although it hadn’t stopped him from delivering. But I was exhausted now. I felt, as Clay disappeared into the mothership after Invisible, that he MUST be as drained of energy as I was, as “completed” as I was, as happy as I was. He MUST just want to crawl into bed and recharge so that he could do it all again. I was worried that he would come back out to the thunderous clapping and screaming only out of a sense of obligation to and love for his fans, that Solitaire would be (surely it would HAVE to be) just another song…the last song he would “have” to sing for us.

But I was crying almost from the beginning of the song…after the first wrenching word, “solitaire”, I was in tears. They fell consistently through verse and chorus, through the chest rumbling low notes and the glory notes filled with despair and pain. My face must have echoed his anguish, the pure rawness of his open wound of a heart as he exhaled those glory notes, because I felt what he was feeling. I really did. His eyes seemed to roll back into his head at times as he began or ended a note, as if he might not make it—the song or his existence, I couldn’t discern. Strangely, I can’t comment too specifically on his wondrous hands during this song…I only remember the sounds and the face….and his soul pouring out, first seeping slowly and finally gushing from him, washing over me and leaving me...

In empathy with his loneliness, tears silently flowing, sobs erractically shaking me.

Respectful of his power and stamina when I felt he surely must collapse at the end of that last mournful note--surely there was nothing--no thing---left in him to support his body.

And in perfect awe of his magic and his beauty.

Rapture.

[Her]

Too weird..I've tried posting twice...anyhow, Outthere, aaabsolutely wonderful post...thank you so much for sharing...your articulation of what you experienced comes so close to how I felt in Miami 2/28/04!

[HavinaClayAffair]

Ok OuthereforClay..I believe your name is Amy- if it is not, please correct me. I want to say your name because right now, at this moment, it is important.

I know you have jokingly been teased for being "Outhere" many times. I have enjoyed you being "outhere" on those occasions. Funny, witty, sometimes somewhat daring, BUT Obviously there is a side to you that is truly touched by Clay Aiken..as a man, as a performer,as a talent.

You have just blown me away by simply using your words to describe how you felt at those very moments of being indescribably enthralled by Clay.

I appreciate the time you have taken to share this. I appreciate that you have been able to make me feel this with you. So many feelings Clay invokes in us are very hard to put into words or phrases. YOU have done this justice for me.

If I could give you some sort of award for writing this, I would. I guess the best thing I can do is address this to Amy, the person that felt so compelled to write this. Very good!!

Lora-Ohio

[clayfannj]

Amy.. That was brilliant... Ya know I luv ya!!!

Brains always turned me on!!!

[Ms. Hip Shake]

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for. Solitaire.

There are no words, yet I feel thousands of them churning inside me.

I was concerned. Clay’s voice had shown some signs of tiredness, of strain at times throughout the concert, although it hadn’t stopped him from delivering. But I was exhausted now. I felt, as Clay disappeared into the mothership after Invisible, that he MUST be as drained of energy as I was, as “completed” as I was, as happy as I was. He MUST just want to crawl into bed and recharge so that he could do it all again. I was worried that he would come back out to the thunderous clapping and screaming only out of a sense of obligation to and love for his fans, that Solitaire would be (surely it would HAVE to be) just another song…the last song he would “have” to sing for us.

But I was crying almost from the beginning of the song…after the first wrenching word, “solitaire”, I was in tears. They fell consistently through verse and chorus, through the chest rumbling low notes and the glory notes filled with despair and pain. My face must have echoed his anguish, the pure rawness of his open wound of a heart as he exhaled those glory notes, because I felt what he was feeling. I really did. His eyes seemed to roll back into his head at times as he began or ended a note, as if he might not make it—the song or his existence, I couldn’t discern. Strangely, I can’t comment too specifically on his wondrous hands during this song…I only remember the sounds and the face….and his soul pouring out, first seeping slowly and finally gushing from him, washing over me and

Leaving me in empathy with his loneliness, tears silently flowing, sobs erractically shaking me.

Respectful of his power and stamina when I felt he surely must collapse at the end of that last mournful note--surely there was nothing--no thing---left in him to support his body.

And in perfect awe of his magic and his beauty.

Rapture.

As always, Amy...a beautiful expression of how deeply this man has touched you through his music and beautiful self.  You have a magical way of expressing how we feel about our Clay....it is always a pleasure to read what is in your heart.  Through your words, I relived my experience again.  Life is sooooo good!  :P   PS. Solitaire wiped me out too...big time!  :

Amy (Rhode Island) and Christie (Musikfest):

I was there, you were there!  And, I cried along with both of you.  He brought each one of my emotions forth during the concerts: I laughed when he expressed his sense of humour; I felt pride when he sang so beautifully; I smiled with complete joy when the audience showed him how much they loved him (they were loud and adoring); and I shed a lot of tears during the course of our cellcert(s), for very obvious reasons.  Although I could not see his intensity, I could feel it...hear it, and mindfully visualize it.  I too, though so far away, was in perfect awe if his magic and beauty.  And, what made the experience(s) even more beautiful....I got the opportunity to share them with both of you!  Thank you, for the wonderful "surprise", Amy.....I still don't know how I got to sleep that night.  And, thank you Christie for bringing me to "Musikfest".  I may have looked like a cellphone this time, but I plan to show up in person for the next "Musikfest" in 2005.

Amy and Christie.... you have touched my heart in ways that neither of you could have imagined.  Both of you provided me with my first "Clayings"....and, those are the things that memories are made of.  I love you both....always and 4ever!

Hippy  :P

[ILClaymate]

Amy, that was truly awesome!  Definately one of the best reviews I have ever read.  I could truly feel all your emotions and feelings just by reading it.  This has definately helped to prepare me in a way of what to expect when I see him on Friday for the first time live.  Thank you SO much for sharing that with all of us and I could only wish that I could write my feelings and emotions as elloquaintly and passionately as you did.

Bravo!
♥Angela♥

[clayMaine-iac]

Bravo again, Amy!!!

Now I have to go delete that long-winded boring review I wrote!!! :roll:  :roll:  :roll:

I am in the process of setting up a 'links" post for all the reviews written by out members.  I hope to give eveyone easy access to finding concert-by-concert reviews.  

Maybe I should put yours first!!! :  :

Thanks again, Amy
Deanna

[Sasha]

Amy,
      What a beautiful review, and what beautiful words, well spoken.  Soliatiare  Amy I felt the same when heard him sing it, there are no words to describe it, I had tears to when I heard him sing it, from the moment he opened his mouth, you could feel he put everything he had into it.  I love that song before but I love it even more now.  There is nothing more greater then seeing him perform live.  And I survived you has also become one of my favorites, after seeing him in Gilford perform that one he blew me away on that one to.


Thanks
Sasha

[shaikeninseattle]

BRAVO! BRAVO! AUTHOR, AUTHOR! Absolutely amazing review. Now I have to go wash the tears from my face and eyes so I can read some more!  

Outthereforclay, I completely agree that if there were an award for writing reviews, you would definately win the prize. Amazing, beautiful and heart wrenching.  Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

Shaiken, really shaiken.