The Best Day
Sally
I have had the BEST day today.
I traveled down to Sydney from Newcastle this morning leaving at 7.45 and arriving at 9.45. There were quite a few people there already. Some had arrived at 5.30am and got front row seats. There were people who traveled from Darwin, Auckland, Melbourne, Perth as well as many from country NSW. We were entertained with a promotional DVD. Many clapped, sang and swayed to the music. As midday approached the excitement grew. We were given some housekeeping instructions for the signing. Andre's own film crew were there for the whole day. I think he is making a DVD about Australia like "On the Way to New York".
And then HE arrived.
Andre played "My Way" It was so moving! This was followed by "Waltzing Matilda". Andre then played it again and we all sang. He talked about his forthcoming tour in November and December next year with concerts at Melbourne Telstra Dome, Sydney at Telstra Stadium, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
He then sat on the edge of the stage for signing. There were about 4000 people there today.( I asked a security guy.) With that in mind I didn't think I had a chance but decided to try anyway. As I was lining up everyone was talking to one another. I had my scarf on and had decided to take my copy of the book Marjorie had written. Everyone wanted to know where I had got them from. Of course I told them. We were chatting and it turned out that I was talking to Shirley from our blog. How amazing is that!!!!! We talked for quite a while as we moved ever so slowly towards Andre. Finally we got past the first hurdle that being the security guard who was letting people in the official queue. We got separated then. Shirley and Norm were about 10 people behind me. Once we were in the "queue" we were moved along fairly quickly. As I got closer I tried to take a photo but there were so many security people it was impossible.
Andre signed my book and I thanked him. The guy behind me offered to take my photo if he could. You weren't allowed to stop for a photo. I was so pleased as that photo turned out well.
As I left the area I also lost Shirley and Norm. I went to the back of the stage to see what was happening there. I met Anne and Kate who I had seen in the audience of Ch9 Kerry-Anne's show and who I have spoken to online. We waited near a black Mercedes hire car which we were pretty sure was his. Then Shirley and Norm turned up again - I was so pleased I hadn't lost them.
Finally Andre left the stage and was whisked away to a small room (probably to have a drink and something to eat.) After more waiting we saw all his gifts including a huge painted portrait being loaded into a Tarargo. Then he finally emerged and very quickly got into his car security all around. We waved goodbye and that was it.
His film crew and security all piled into the Tarargo. It looked quite funny.
Shirley, Norm and I had lunch together and discussed the day's events as well as some of the scenes in his DVDs.
All in all it was well worth the traveling and waiting time. And it was great to meet so many like minded people. I will try and send you some photos.
Regards,
Margaret
Thank you for sharing this Margaret! We look forward to any photos. Gosh, Australia is a wonderful place and so many have welcomed André with amazing kindness. He is sure to be in love.
Oh Margaret, I am so happy for you. You truly had a beautiful day. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to your photos. Just wait until you see Andre in concert there. I can hardly describe the marvelous experience so I will let you find out next year.
Thanks, Margaret. You described what went on so vividly, I could feel what it was like being there. We will look forward to your pictures. What an experience !
Oh Margaret, WOW !, Thank You for your very professional up-date on our MAN of the hour. It sounds like HE really brought out a lot of happy people. I got mezmirized in your writing, as if I had been there right with you looking at the MAN in the flesh. I am waiting for my opportunity to see ANDRE. If I get so excited just reading your review I'd probally pass out if I saw HIM in person. I just picked up more replacement ink for my PC, I was copying pictures last nite and ran out of the color ink. Anyone have an easier way to get pictures of Andre?? I'd be willing to pay for copies. I have become addicted to ANDRE. Hugs and thanks.
Hi Judith, I guess the tried and true photo printer is the best way to get pictures of Andre. I am always running out of ink! It is too bad that Andre's site does not have photos (professionally taken) that fans could buy. I have lots of photos on my PC but I do not print all of them but I do back them up on a CD or DVD. I remember years ago if you were a fan of a singer or any celebrity that you could buy them especially in New York but I don't know if they exist anymore.
Hugs
Here is a video of Andre at the Mall:
Andre At the Mall
We were truly blessed at warringa mall,arrived 8 am.sat in front seat front row 1metre away from andre.he himself came to sign our book dvds.igave him his birthday card andhe said thank you and took it.we took lot of photos.oh by the way while playing my way i blew Him a kiss and HE smiled at ME.Wonderful,after this he sat right in front of us the whole time and we stayed until he left.so close to him .what a BLESSING.
We felt such longing to share the joy of those in Sydney and Melbourne here in Brisbane. If you were one of the 'lucky' ones you spoke for all of us who could not cover the distances. We can only hope a similar opportunity presents to us up here when Andre comes next year.
Hi Janice, where do you live? I am sure you will have your chance next year when Andre gives his concerts. Believe me it will be worth waiting for. You will have a wonderful, unforgettable time. Beautiful things do not always happen for everyone at the same time but they happen so you will have your chance. Hugs to you
I am comging back to read all the wonderful Entries by Andre's Aussie Fans. I would bet he didn't want to leave. All that love he was shown, must have warmed his heart.
Now the fun begins to wait for next year's concerts.
Thanks for this story Margaret. It is like being there with you.
hi sally has it been annonced yet when the oz tour of andre's will go on sale i was away from sydney when he arrived and a friend called me in noosa while he was playing my way i stood listening an crying that i was not in sydney to finally be able to see Andre
WOW WOW WOW what is left to be said. It looks like everyone has covered it all. Andre and the JSO are just unbelievably wonderful.
Hubby & I are already making plans to go to the Melbourne and Sydney Concerts, we are lucky enough to live 1/2 way between the two cities, but lucky enough to live in country NSW, so off to 2 shows we plan to go.
My main plan of action (after securing the 2 sets of tickets) will be to actually dance with my husband during Andre's Concerts,(as many do on his DVD's) Even though this is definitely not an original idea on our behalf, Dancing in any form has not been possible for me due to back and leg injuries.
Hubby made a comment this morning, about how wonderful it looks on the DVD's when the audience members just get up and dance. I am now committed to getting myself to the point where I will be able to at least have a slow waltz with hubby in November & December 2008.
The only thing that I am disappointed about is that it's more than 12 months away, what a long wait, BUT WON'T HUBBY BE Surprised WHEN I ASK HIM TO DANCE!!! Finally.......after near on 10 years
I love reading all the comments on the blog site, and I find that Andre is my spoonful of sugar.....a daily dose of Andre is better than taking any happy pill
Regards,
Kris
Hi Margaret,
I too had the best day. I took my adult Down Syndrome daughter, Nycole to Warringah Mall to see our idol and we weren't disappointed. Can't wait to see Andre in concert when he returns next year. Anziously awaiting for the tickets to go on sale. Does anyone know who will be selling them as Nycole has been saving a little each week out of her pension (for about 18mths) and I don't want to miss out.
Ta Judy
Hi Margaret: What a wonderful treat for you and your daughter to share. I'm sure we will hear of ticket sales in the next month or so.
In the US we are used to buying tickets a year in advance. That's the only way we get good seats. Still, any seat at a concert is good, just to hear Andre and his JSO live.
A big Hello to Nycole too.
Thank you so much Sally for posting my story on the Blog. And thanks to everyone who has added a comment.
It was very difficult to concentrate on work yesterday but I had to, as I hadn't been able to get much done for the 5 days before. I wonder why?????
Anyway I have had some of my photos printed and I am waiting to catch my son to help me send them to Sally. As an extra I am learning a whole lot of new skills with the computer.
Now we have to wait for dates to be announced.
I'm sorry I'm so late in commenting on your experience Margaret. I'm so happy it was a very nice and exciting day for you and your friends. It was fun reading your words and I know you will look forward to seeing André in concert when he returns. Thanks for sharing and we will look forward to seeing any photos you may have.
Thanks to everyone for your wonderful comments about my story.
I think I am coming back down to earth. I am now trying to figure out how to send some photos. I have tried but the files are too big. I'll keep trying.
Hi Margaret, good to hear from you. Are you sending the photos to Sally? You can send them no matter how big they are and Sally will web optimize them and post them. Hugs to you and thanks.
hi Margaret
sounds like you had an exciting day....at Warringah Mall
I am a fan of Andre Rieu too and I painted the portrait that you saw being taken out with the gifts....
I wasn't aware of this wonderful blog until Sally visited my blog and invited me to write a story about the portrait.....
hi Sally and thanks for inviting me over here ....it looks like a fun place with lots of interesting stories......
all the best to you both...
regards Kim