Michele and I checked into the hotel and met these lovely ladies for dinner.
They are Allene, Mary B., Me, Jane and Dorothy (You won’t recognize Dorothy’s name. She’s a reader). Michele, Mary’s Daughter Anne, and Dorothy’s Granddaughter were also there. These Ladies were my main reason for scheduling Milwaukee. Laura and Suzy, there was room for you both at the table! We also met a few more Flight Crew members before the show.
The concert was sweet! The Milwaukee Theater was beautiful. The Guys on stage were beautiful! It was their, and our, third concert in as many nights. They got a little slap happy – literally. Gianluca slapped Ignazio hard on the rear and Ignazio paid him back in the middle of a song. Pictures were not allowed at this venue.
Between dinner and the concert I noticed this picture Piero tweeted from his hotel room.
Here’s a close-up picture I took earlier from my hotel room.
I fell asleep dreaming They were in the room above mine.
The next morning Michele came to my room to tell me Ignazio was in the gym. Of course, I immediately threw on some clothes and flew. There he was on a treadmill! He wore earphones and was singing!!! I pretended I was just exercising on an elliptical machine. Soon though, I’m embarrassed to say, the raving fan took over my brain and body. I walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. He took off the earphones and smiled. I told him I had enjoyed the concert the night before and could I please take a picture. He said “sure” and started to step off the treadmill. I stopped him and said “I don’t want to interfere. Please just continue exercising and I’ll snap one.” He said “OK”, smiled (dreamily), put the earphones back on started walking and I took this picture and left.
I’m a little ashamed about interrupting him during what I’m sure was a non-fan time. I blame my mom. If I had been raised properly I probably wouldn’t have done that. Michele and I spent a few minutes outside the gym just listening to him sing. You know I wanted to run back inside and… So, Michele and I went down to breakfast.
After we sat down we noticed two of the Il Volo band members at the next table. We recognized the drummer and the guitarist. When they got up to leave I stopped them and told them how much we enjoyed the show. Believe it or not they were thrilled and stood by our table talking for a while. I asked them if I could take their picture. They immediately and happily surrounded Michele – very closely. It might have been her blonde hair and green eyes! I’ll save that picture for her and share this one.
They left and Barb Vitali sat down at the table across from ours. We told her we loved the concert then left her to her toast and juice. She was in a hurry and said the bus was loading in 5 minutes.
We finally checked out, had the car brought around and how lucky, there they all were loading the bus. We stayed way back by the car and took a few shots.
Bye Gianluca!
Bye Ignazio! (I should have run back in that gym and…)
Bye everyone! Hope to see you all again soon!
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Oh! Wait a minute. I almost forgot (sure!). Before the bus left. Before Barb and the band. Even before Ignazio in the gym. I spent more than 30.58 minutes alone with Piero. Yeah, I did! That’s next.
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.
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.
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
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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
An email from Jane (MaryJane). Posted with permission.
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
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
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 languageto 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 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
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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
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!
Send us your concert Photo’s and Stories. We’ll post as many as we can. ilvoloflightcrw@outlook.com
For those of you going, enjoy every extraordinary moment. For those of you who are not going, please enjoy Il Volo through our eyes and ears.
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Hello, All About Il Volo!
We are pleased and proud to announce that “All About Il Volo” is our newest affiliate. We have been informally sending you to them for their terrific articles, translations, links and videos. So, we decided to make it official. Their link is – http://www.ilvolo.mus.br/ It will remain on the left side of this page (in gray) under “AFFILIATES”. Go there! Just don’t forget to come back.
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Jane & Mary Milwaukee Bound
This From Jane (maryjane)
COME MEET AND GREET YOUR FELLOW FLIGHT CREW MEMBERS BEFORE THE MILWAUKEE CONCERT!
The Calderone Club Downtown 842 N. Old World 3rd St.
Reservation at 5 PM (Traditional Italian Restaurant…3 blocks from Milwaukee Theatre)
Can go on-line and look at their menu.
Please let me know HERE ON THIS BLOG if you would like to join us. Need to give final count a few days before concert.
Let the party begin!!!
(I’m there, Jane)
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Who could forget?
Don’t Forget!
Get those Piero Birthday videos/pictures/words to us soon!
Jeanette JoAllan T. and friends Anne Q and friends Carol Vitoriafe 80 and anyone else from Flight Crew to meet and greet each other (and me) inside the Greek theater near the northeast gate which is on the side of the stage building near the box office. Aim for 7:15pm to 7:30pm (or as they let us inside). A chance to meet each other and put a face with the name. Also, I am in section A – row K – seat 21 (and some other friends from Las Vegas). also, you can call me on 414-335-0717.
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If you have been unable to print or have a badge made, I have a few extras. Let me know.
BTW, are you listed in the “Who’s Going Where”? Go to “Topics” right side of this page.
So many things going on! I’m so ready! Got my check today. Spent most of it on Il Volo tickets. Wasted the rest of it. ~Marie
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.
