Il Volo Gianluca ~ Can’t Help Falling In Love

We have posted so many concert stories lately, I think it’s about time to add some favors.  I took the video below at the Sterling Heights concert on 6/19.  Some of you know that I am from California and I already attended two concerts – Modesto and Saratoga.  The reasons why I went all the way to the Mid-West was to meet up with my board sisters – Michele, Marie, and Kelly and to do the M&G for the first time.

It was wonderful to finally meet Michele and Marie whom I got to know so well thru cyber space already (Kelly didn’t come until the next day at Elgin).  When I arrived at the hotel, they were already sitting in the lobby.  I recognized them immediately.  I can’t believe we finally met- and we hugged each other big and tight!

Our guys were wonderful as always at the concert.  I am so glad I got to see and hear them again.  The real thrill though came at M&G.  My memories from the M&G are a little hazy.  Luckily Michele who was behind me saw and remembers some of it.  She told me Gianluca held his arms out for me as soon as he saw me and said “I know you”.  I kind of remember asking him as we hugged if the soccer jersey fit him.  I think he said “Oh yes, thank you”.  Then I went on and talked briefly with Ignazio and Piero and we took pictures.  Before I left I told Gianluca I will see him again tomorrow and he said “Yes, Elgin, right?”(love his speaking voice).  I nodded and left and was in cloud nine – I must have been because that is the only way to explain the amnesia!

 

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Please enjoy the video below.  I am such a big Gianluca fan that I just had to record this song – Can’t Help Falling in Love ~ with Gianluca!!!

A Note From Mary B.

Just a note to accompany the pictures of Piero and the dog. I saw the dog in a shop and thought it perfect for Piero’s birthday. He sings “Happy Birthday” and then gives directions for blowing out the candle on the cupcake he is holding. It doesn’t go out at first, and he says, “try again.” I didn’t know how Piero would react to that, in fact to the whole thing. But I was pleasantly surprised. As I was coming up for the Meet and Greet I kind of snuck up behind Gian and held the dog up to Piero’s ear. When he heard it singing “happy birthday” he looked awestruck and reached out and took it.

c - concert Anne Thode - presents

You can see that Ignazio is awestruck, too. I love the look on Igny’s face.

Then Piero followed the instructions to blow out the candle, and as the picture shows, he puckered up and was giving it a good try.

c - Anne Thode - Birthday surprise

Love it!! And love the look on Gian’s face as he watches.

Now here is where I fell short of following your advice and let the moment slip away. The “picture taking girl” was rushing us along, and by that time I was so tired I was barely coherent. Luckily, Anne, who had slipped in through a side door when others were going out, managed to get these pictures. Bless her! The dog did show up in several places (Twitter and Facebook) in the picture from Milwaukee of Piero’s bed with the cards etc. from the fans. So even though I wasn’t assertive and focused like I had vowed that I would be, at least the pictures are proof that I gave it to him, and he seemed to like it and have fun with it. And the boys’ expressions are priceless. The rest of the M& G went way too fast, leaving us wondering where it went as we were rushed out. Par for the course, I guess, but hope that next time we get a venue with more consideration for the fans.
So that’s the story…hope you enjoy it.

Mary Bohling

***

Mary,
I saw the dog that day. Too cute! So great to spend some time with you. I know you are not only blessed with good health, but with a wonderfully attentive and loving daughter in Anne. What a pleasure to meet you both, twice!
~Marie

Milwaukee Memories ~ by Jane

An email from Jane (MaryJane).  Posted with permission.

Allene, Mary B. and  Jane.  I forget the guys names
Allene, Mary B. and Jane.  I forget the guys names

Dear Marie,

Hope you and Michelle made it home safe and sound. I so enjoyed finally meeting both of you! You both are gems and we are so lucky to have you running the wonderful web site. Thank you for all you do for us! Marie, I CAN NOT WAIT to hear more about your.. (intentionally removed by Marie).. you know who and… (same here)… You are one lucky gal!

Suzy's friend, Chris, Suzy, Laura, Allene
Suzy’s friend, Chris, Suzy, Laura, Allene

Here are a few pictures from our weekend. It was so special from start to finish. Meeting more Flight Crew members was so fun…finally putting faces with names we have become familiar with on-line. Truly some of the nicest women we will ever know…and all have such GOOD TASTE IN MUSIC!!

Allene, Mary B, Marie, Jane, Dorothy
Allene, Mary B, Marie, Jane, Dorothy

The concert was SO beautiful! The words have all been said as I read all the different reviews of the previous concerts on this tour. There just are not enough words in the English language to say all I would love to say about these three special young men. Those here on this site know exactly what I mean. This was the FIRST concert for Allene which brought me joy just watching HER as she experienced the magic we all feel when we see them in person! I was able to talk with Barbara and Mrs. Ginoble as we stood in line waiting our turn to see the guys. The Meet and Greet afterward went by quickly, but I got my hug from all three…AND they remembered us from the MOA when they saw the small posters Mary B. had made for them to sign for us. Gianluca said right away, “Oh yeah, you were in Minneapolis!” Warmed our hearts! My final hug was from Ignazio who was wearing a cologne that lingered on my blouse ALL NIGHT LONG!! Pure HEAVEN!!

Carol and Harriet
Carol and Linda

 

IL VOLO will always be remembered for being First Class, World Class Entertainment AND First Class Human Beings! They are simply the best!

Jane

***

Jane,
It was great fun meeting and having dinner with all of you!
I like you so well that I forgive you for smelling Ignazio.
~Marie

Celebrating With Piero in Toronto ~~ Penina’s Story

Hi!

Penina and Loretta were on hand in Toronto to help Piero celebrate his birthday and enjoy some good music as well.  I do have to thank the two of them for the very thoughtful thing they did for him in the name of The Flight Crew.  Thank you guys so much!  🙂

 

Last night I went with a friend to Roy Thompson Hall for the Il Volo concert. Loretta and I had corresponded by email, and we knew where our respective seats were. We also decided it was a good idea to buy a birthday cake for Piero and tell him it was from the Flight Crew. I ordered the cake, specifying the colors and what it should say. But I had no idea what I would do with it during the concert! I managed to find a huge plastic bag that the cake box would fit in to carry it downtown–a necessity because it was raining hard. In the end, I wound up putting it on the floor under the seat in front of me–I wanted to be sure to be able to stand up and cheer without squashing the cake!
We had wonderful seats in the second row on the aisle. Loretta was on the other side, in the front row on the other aisle. We connected before the show, and I also met a few others who were wearing badges–one of the ladies said she reads the blog but doesn’t comment, the others were her friends.

The concert was marvelous (as usual!!), the guys were funny and adorable. Ignazio was up to his usual tricks and at one point late in the show, he slid across the floor on his knees and tore a hole in his pants! He was (mock) upset and moaned about the hole and tried to enlist the others’ sympathy, but they weren’t buying it!  The time flew by–it was a too short two hours. And then it was over and we were waiting for the meet and greet.

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Finally it was our turn. We were waiting in a line that was extended into the room where the meet and greet took place. We opened the cake box so we could show it to Piero when we got up there. Piero saw the cake box and stuck out his stomach and made a gesture with his hand–like I’m getting fat! I grinned at him, and he grinned back. At last it was my turn.  It was my first M & G, and I was a bit tongue tied. I mumbled something to Ignazio (I have no idea what), got him to sign the back of the badge, told Gianluca he is way better than Sinatra ever was (to which he thanked me), and Piero said, “A lot of people are telling him that!” Well, why not? It is certainly true! Piero looked at the cake, gave a big smile and thanked me, and then we were hustled into a line for the photo–They took one of the 3 of us: Loretta, my friend Susan and me. Loretta convinced them to take another one of just her and the guys. While this was happening, I spotted Barbara and I went over to her and thanked her for all that she does for our young men.
A lovely evening indeed!

Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!