Today at our little Il Volo late lunch/early dinner party!!
Il Volo Christmas gathering of Detroit gals! It’s growing!! We met at the local Olive Garden. Our next party planned is Gianluca’s birthday – Feb 11! I’m still stuffed to the tips of my blonde and gray hairs! Lol! We all think it’s still pretty amazing how we never would have met, had it not been for the guys, and all the others, as well! The old saying that strangers are friends we just haven’t met yet, certainly rings true with Il Volo fans!
And truly much to my dismay, I think I got nominated as the ring leader! Lol!
Then as a “permanent” phone bank volunteer for Detroit PBS she gets to meet GIADA…
Here is picture of Giada and me and Chris in the far background on the top row of the volunteers! They took lots of pictures and her husband was there also!
Grande Amore! Ciao! Jana
See? Way too much fun! Plus, I can’t resist printing this “mirror image” photo Jana sent me a while back. Sweet, even if it is she and Ignazio. ~M
So this story is from Dani, a good friend of Carli’s — something that seemed quite natural as I read through her post. They strike me as two of a kind. 😉 Enjoy!
My Il Volo Story
So where do I begin (hehe!): with something like this? I feel like I’d been prepping for the concert for forever! But let’s start this story on Wednesday, June 18. The day before the concert. Thankfully I had taken the day off of work, because I never would have been able to concentrate. So Wednesday was completely devoted to getting ready for the concert. My little sister had basketball until noon, so I spent the morning finishing up the letters for the guys. Then I picked up my sister and once we got home we went straight to work!
First we turned on “Il Volo Takes Flight” to help us prepare, and then we set to work finishing the gifts. We spent the entire afternoon putting everything together and making our headbands and signs for the concert. We watched all four DVDs and listened to every single one of their songs that afternoon. We even played their music in our barn that night as we feed our horses. Thankfully the gifts were done, because once it was about 24 hours until showtime, we lost it. We started going even crazier than we had been. We were SOOO ready for this concert!
Skip to morning of the concert. We were up by 8 o’clock and ready to go! There was no sitting still for us! This was it!! We quickly finished the few little details needed for the gifts and then realized we didn’t have bags for them. So it was off to the store at 1:00 to quickly get bags! While we were there, we bought some giant chocolate bars to give Mrs. Ginoble and Barbara. We got home and immediately started getting ready. I sent my two little brothers to change right away so I could just worry about myself and my sister. My brothers ended up watching “We Are Love” again while they were waiting. My sister and I took over an hour to get ready and get hair and nails done, giggling and freaking out the entire time of course! Finally it was time to go and after checking like 20 times that we had everything and everyone, WE WERE OFF!!!!! IT WAS THE LONGEST HOUR CAR RIDE OF MY LIFE!!
So, finally we were at the concert! YEAH!!! The first thing I did was go collect my Meet&Greet band, which led to my sister and I spazzing out again. THIS WAS IT!!!! We took our seats and started the longest wait of my life. Our seats ended up being much closer than I expected, and we were dead center.
Finally it was time for the guys to come out, and as the music to “Un Amore Cosi Grande” started, I was overwhelmed by emotion! I cannot describe what it feels like to see them walking out onto that stage for the first time. All I could think was, “they’re not in my computer!!! They’re actually right there!!”. I can’t remember exactly which songs they did, but they were sooooo amazing!! 100 times better than any recording can ever be! I won’t describe the entire concert in complete detail, but I will tell about all our little interactions with them.
The first of these occurred during Gianluca’s solo of “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.” My sister and I held up her sign asking him to sing to her, and finally he pointed to her as her sang the last lines of the song. She was soooo happy!!! Then, during one of the next songs, I can’t remember which, my two brothers, my sister, and I started waving to them. Ignazio saw us this time and flashed us one of his amazingly beautiful smiles and blew a kiss. I about died at this point!!! Then a little later, during “Beautiful Day”, my sister and one of my brothers ran up to the stage with a giant jar of Nutella we had gotten for the guys. Piero came to take it from them, and as he was singing he acted out eating it and how fat he would be! Then he leaned down and kissed them both. Next was Maria, when I ALMOST was Ignazio’s Maria. He was only a few rows in front of me, but someone else grabbed him first. I still ran out to the aisle and yelled to him, and he looked at me for part of the song and then blew me a kiss and yelled “Next time!”.
And then it was time for the encore!! My sister and I ran up to the stage during “O’ Sole Mio”, and we ended up by Gianluca, which my little sister loved! When he came by us, I yelled his name and shoved her forward, and he bent down and sang his whole second part of the song to her!!!! Then he winked as he walked away! I wish I could have gotten her face when she turned around! It was priceless!!! He came back our way soon and grabbed both our hands and kissed mine. Then Piero and Ignazio came by and I touched them both, and Piero saw that my sister couldn’t reach him so he bent down and grabbed her hand. As they were going back to finally leave the stage, we yelled Ignazio’s name, and he turned around and blew us another kiss before following the other two off the stage.
Now for the Meet and Greet. It was extremely rushed, but I will not complain because I had a chance to meet them and get a picture! When it was finally my turn to enter the tent, I completely freaked out that they were RIGHT THERE!!!! Ignazio saw me grinning and jumping up and down and elbowed Gianluca (Piero was busy), and they both smiled so sweetly at me and waved back and blew me a kiss. When I got to the front of the line, I couldn’t believe it!!! I WAS GOING TO MEET THEM!!! I stood there waiting for the group in front of me to finish and all I could do was smile. Piero saw me and smiled and then nudged Ignazio, who looked at me and smiled sooo sweetly. I set my stuff down and ran over to them. I forgot to even say, “Hi;” I just squealed, “IGNAZIO!!” and gave him a huge hug! The adorable thing was he had already stepped forward to hug me, I think he had figured out he was my favorite, hehe!! He didn’t let go of me, just kind of turned me to the side so we could get the picture. After the picture I layed my head on his shoulder and he squeezed me, called me. “bella” and kissed my head.
Then, without letting go of him, I gave them their gifts which they very sweetly thanked me for even though they couldn’t open them then. Then Gianluca noticed my long hair and started touching it and saying how long it was. Ignazio (who still had his arm around me) slapped Gian’s hand away and said “Yes! It’s beautiful! You have your own beautiful hair! Leave hers alone!” Then he turned me around and retied the bow that had come partially undone. I was dying. Then I had them sign my shirt, and Piero teased me a little bit. I had brought a silver fabric pen thinking that would make it easier because it would show on the black. As I was trying to get it, Piero started signing the letters and I said something like “Oh! That’s a good idea!” He just smiled at me and said “Yes bella, we know what we’re doing” They were so amazing!!!!
And Ignazio gives the BEST hugs!!! And do I even need to mention how AMAZING they smell!?!?!?!?! As I was leaving I was able to give Barbara and Mrs. Ginoble their chocolate bars, and I got a hug from both of them. They are so sweet.
So all in all it was an AMAZING first concert, and we cannot wait for them to come back to Detroit. We are already saving money so my sister and I can get seats in the first couple rows next time and get M&G for us both.
Oh yes they did!! Flat out left me alone! Marie, Michele, Kelly and Elaine just packed up and went on a three concert tour. Kelly promised she’d be back after Elgin, but the others, GONE!!!
To be fair, I couldn’t go this year (did you check out my sign with the three Guys?) 🙂 so I’m here holding down the fort. The ladies have all promised e-mails and texts during their travels, so i’ll be sharing them with you every day. Keep checking this post, I will be adding to it as I hear from the travelers!!!
Marie and Michele checked in from the road yesterday about noon. They got into Detroit about 4 and just as they got in a big thunderstorm rolled in!
Elaine flew from San Francisco early yesterday morning, didn’t get to Detroit until about 7 pm, now THAT’S a fan!!
Kelly is on vacation starting today and will leave Friday for Elgin. Kelly also thinks she may be getting a cold, so medicate and drink fluids, Kelly!! We need you well to go to this concert.
Il Volo rode te bus from Nashville to Detroit yesterday and were pretty quiet. Gianluca did tweet that he was watching the World Cup. Prehaps today we’ll hear more on what they’re doing!!
For Isabel!
Piero did tweet “Detroit!” Isabel, I thought you would enjoy this picture!
Marie, Michele, Elaine and Elaine’s husband met for dinner in Detroit last night and a good time was had by all!!
Don’t forget to check this post periodically for updates on the concerts and the adventures of the concert goers.
*****This just in from Marie this morning!
Good morning, Linda,
Well, Michele left for our trek from Wash. D.C. the night before last. Stayed the night in Pa. And picked me up yesterday morning in Ohio. We made it to Sterling Heights by late afternoon. After checking into the Hampton and driving around the building to make sure there was no bus with a picture of 3 young Italians on it we found we were close to the venue. We drove there it is an amphitheatre. No bus there either. We figure the Boys had to come north the same road we took. We went back to the hotel and waited for Elaine and her husbands plane from San Francisco. They arrived and we went to dinner. What do you suppose the dinner topic was? Everyone shared pictures of their previous concert. I have now “met” 4/5 of the Flight Crew Board!
***** Just in from Kelly at 4:30, she’s getting her mani/pedi and then getting her rental car!! The color for her nails, All lacquered up! You go kelly!!
*****Just in from Marie at 7:45pm, met Flight Crew members, Donna May and her daughter Chris, also met Joanne and Diane. Concert about to start!!
****** Update from Marie on Detroit concert, says it was fabulous!!
******From Marie early this morning (Friday at 6:30am) On the road soon to Elgin, following the Boys!
******From Kelly on her way to Chicago for Elgin Concert!
Good Morning!
Got a pretty early start today (6:15ish), making sure to have my #1 Road Trip necessity: sunflower seeds to keep me awake!
I have about an hour to go; just taking a rest to stretch my legs (the nurse in me always worries about DVT). It’s a wonderfully cool breeze right now. If it stays like this, the night will be perfect!
*****Just in from Marie at 2pm. Marie, Michele, Elaine and Elaine’s husband are caught in Chicago traffic. Kelly is hanging out at the venue hoping to get a glimpse of “The Guys”!
****** Just in at 8:30 from Marie at Elgin! Marie is with Kelly,Michele, Elaine and Ann. They met Loretta and Irene and were introduced to 2 members of the Elgin Symphoy Orchestra!! They’re having a beautiful evening, kelly is enjoying a srawberry vodka lemonade and sent a photo, but I couldn’t download it, darn!!
Tune in for more!
******This is the e-mail from Marie, this morning 6/21!
met so many Flight Crew members and soon to be members that I can’t begin to list them all! However I have most of there names and some pictures of them I’ll share when I get home.
The concert was, once again stupendous! Piero received a birthday cake from an audience member and blew out the candles. Ignazio jumped off about a six foot stage to mingle during Maria. Him getting back up on the stage was pretty comical. Meet & greet was fun. Gave that kiss to Piero for Isabel and got Ignazio’s OTHER dimple real good for me!
When we were driving away we saw a few people standing by the back gate. So, of course we stopped and got out. Pretty soon Piero came out and chatted. A few minutes later out came the other two! All four of us were able to have actual conversations with them! I can’t say enough how wonderful these Guys are! They talked about being pretty tired, yet stood there leaning on the fence talking to us. Oh yes, I have pictures. Following the Boys to Milwaukee in the morning!
Marie and Michele have reached Milwaukee, Marie texts at 3:45 today:
“Made it to Milwaukee! Yay! The theatre is just outside my hotel room window! Big picture of “our Boys” on the front!!”
From Kelly his evening!
Well I’m home, and already needing reasons to go back to my happy place from last night (getting back to my own car from the rental place was a huge fiasco that had me exhausted, over-heated and aggravated beyond belief), but being home with my mom to fuss over me has soothed that over. An immediate 2 hour nap helped too.
An amazing time with some great stories which I will write soon…some I will keep to myself for a little bit. I wish I was in Milwaukee…one concert seems like not enough when they can’t get to my neck of the woods too often.
Thanks for doing this, Linda, and I hope our readers enjoy it.
*****Update from Marie and Michele, 6/22/14 They are in Springfield, Ohio! They are spending the night and will be home tomorrow. They both seema bit weary from their marathon concert attendances and all that driving. WHEW!
Not since the British invasion (the army and The Beatles) has an event been more anticipated than the Il Volo Concert Schedule Announcement! Even though all dates and venues haven’t been made public, people (me) are trying to find tickets.
I already know I will be at the Chicago (Elgin 6/20) and Detroit (Sterling Hts 6/19) concerts. I think a lot of us will be in Chicago. I can hardly believe I will have the chance to meet some of you who I have been in communication with for well over a year. Last year I was privileged to meet Loretta, Mary B. (and family), Christine, June and Lisa (Lijoy). Could I be so lucky to see them again and meet even more Crew this year? Just wait until you see the hug I have in store for Linda, Kelly, Elaine and Michele! It will always be odd to me how you can know someone and yet, never have laid eyes on them. I know I missed meeting some of you last year. This year I will make an avenue available for those of you, like me, who want to meet other Flight Crew Members at the concerts.
Although I would like all 15 concerts close to me, I am already satisfied. My wish is for our other friends to have the opportunity to see and hear such special talent. That’s why I’m hoping for concerts scheduled in or near, at least, New Orleans, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Portland. I purposely did not write Minneapolis. No, not because I couldn’t spell it (I couldn’t), but because it’s too far for me to go and I’m hoping to force 3 lovely ladies to Chicago! You can pretty much count on California, New York and Florida to be Il Volo stops. Oh heck Boys! We need another month!
Mary B, Allene and Jane – You know the others
Be sure to watch our calendar. We’ll let you know as soon as other cities are announced.
So, what are your thoughts this year? Here are some more of the things spinning around in my head: – Will They be different (hope not) – Will They look more like grown men? (Oh No! I really want my curly haired babies back!) – I hope we can take pictures! – Wow! Performing with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra! – Wish we had a clue to what They will be singing. – I’ll get Meet & Greets so I can touch Them again! – Will I embarrass myself by rushing the stage or attacking security personnel? – Will we see Them in May on Family, The Talk, Tonight Show? – Will a new album come out first? – Could there still be unlucky people who have not heard Il Volo? – How did I get so lucky? – Will They be more out of my reach, the more famous They get? – Will They finally sing songs They wrote? – Will They be back in the Fall? Christmas? – Will there be another PBS Special? – When will They realize that no one loves Them more than I do and come over for dinner? – Will They be clean shaven or sport those handsome beards (w/o dimple coverage, Please!) – Will I still swoon when Gianluca smiles? When Piero pushes back his glasses? Because Ignazio exists? – And the ever present – Can I lose 10 pounds before the concert?
Me and The Boys
What have I missed? What else is it that we positively, absolutely have to know? What thoughts do you have?
Well Boys, we have the welcome mat out, the light on and our credit cards in hand. We’re ready for you. I just know, that by now, your souls are yearning to sing to us!
All photo’s from the Detroit “We Are Love” Concert
Why are they so different from other singers? Ruth (Ruth Rapp), believes it because “Music speaks to that place within us that matters the most, and nobody understands that better than Il Volo.”
So, that’s why we listen.
Why did we fall for them so completely? Mary B (Mary Bohling) thinks it’s because “With our Boys what you see is what you get.”
So, that’s why we hang on every word they print.
How do they make us feel?
Well, “The thought of them warms the heart on a cold winters night”, says Jane (maryjane56).
So, that’s one reason we love them.
Do they even have healing power? Laura (Laura Lee Badtke) thinks so, “…listening to my boys is the best medicine ever.”
So, that’s why we share their music with others.
Can it be simply said?
Sure, Myron (Myron Heaton) can, “What music, what heart, what soul.”
So, that’s why we’ll be fans, forever!
What if we dare miss a concert?
“I am still pained by missing them..last summer. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth on that situation.” I feel Connie‘s (Piratesorka’s) pain.
So, that’s why we patiently (?) wait for a new concert schedule.
What do we want?
You’re right Loretta (Loretta Foley), Boys, “Enjoy your time at home and rest sweethearts, we are waiting with open arms for your return.”
So, that’s why we wait some more!
What about the friends we’ve gained? Carol (CaroljB) says, “It’s as though we’re many hearts, but one soul joining with them.”
So, that’s what they have allowed us to be.
Could they even be ambassadors?
According to mlla they are, “They revive peoples interest in Italian art, music, landscaping, historic sites, etc.”
So, that’s why we’re so interested in all they do.
I think we give our hearts because they have heart, they have faith in themselves and they have us.
And when they come back, to quote our Helen (Helen, oh you know), it will be the “Beautiful Spring of the Boys Return.”
***
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
I wish I was in Milwaukee…one concert seems like not enough when they can’t get to my neck of the woods too often.
