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Prior to the Meet & Greet
Months before the concert, Sally (webmommie), Connie & Norman, Shirley Fortney, myself & Carol, made plans to attend this concert, to buy tickets, to sit together, to attend the M & G, & enjoy each others company before, during & after the concert.
Kathleen Glenn, who lives here in Phoenix whom I'd met 2 years earlier & who had given me a ticket to that M & G, brought 13 of her friends who would be sitting in the front row right next to us. It was really nice to renew her acquaintence.
Months earlier, Sally called Channel 8 here in Phoenix. She was the very first person to place an order for tickets & the M &G.
True to Channel 8's word, we had center section, front row tickets, best seats in the house
Meet & Greet
We all met at 1715 at the Hotel where Andre & the JSO were staying, just 300 yards from Jobbing.com venue in Glendale, AZ. It was a sincere pleasure to finally meet Sally, live & in person. She is as nice a person in real life as she is on this website.
In addition to Sally, Connie & her friend Norman, Shirley Fortney, arrived in time for conversation,
While sitting in the hotel lobby, Kristen Cornelis, tour manager walked by, she was going somewhere & appeared to have things on her mind, so no one in our group said anything to her. Shortly thereafter she & some friends sat down at a table next to where we were sitting. Collectively, we chose to say nothing to Kristen, to allow her to enjoy her friends without interruption. We simply continued to enjoy each others company & conversation.
Carol, my friend who I was planning to bring to the concert, fell 2 weeks earlier & injured herself. At the last minute 2 friends connected to the Disabled American Veterans agreed to come to the concert. Toni & Randi Thompson arrived "on time" & at the agreed rendezvous place. Now here is the kicker, Toni agreed to let me show her 3 variations of the waltz & agreed to dance with me during the concert. I taught her the left box turn, the right box turn, & the promenade with a hesitation step. This is one brave lady, to agree to learn 3 waltz steps with a total stranger & to get up in front of the world & dance with me. Toni lived up to her promise.
I, sincerely, missed a person that I've never met in person; Kati Krisch who hails from Hungary & wants to dance with Béla Mavrák. Kati had a last minute family emergency & had to cancel her plans to join us. I was looking forward to dancing with her. <g>
The doors were opened at 1800, 2 hours prior to the concert, for those of us with M & G tickets
I thought the food, pastries, entertainment & our conversations with 3 JSO members was really first class
Sally, told us, she has attended 20+ M & G's & that this was the best one of all, in every respect; the finger food & pastries were straight from a french pastry shop. Exquisite, supberb, lavish, posh, elegant, are insufficient superlatives to describe the food, the entertainment, the air conditioned comfort, the spacious & comfortable tables & chairs that were provided. The food was in abundance, & they didn't run out of anything.
Entertainment was provided by a group of actors/actresses dressed up in ornate & colorful colonial costumes complete with wigs. The ladies dresses had multiple layers of peticoats. You will enjoy their website,
Kelly McCullough, General Manager of Channel 8, came up to me & reintroduced himself to me, we'd met 2 years earlier. He told us that they'd made a big mistake in pricing the tickets, & that they wouldn't make that mistake again. He thanked Sally, for her support in buying so many tickets
When we looked up, lo & behold, big as life are the 3 sporano soloists, Kalki Schrijvers, Mirusia Louwerse, & Carla Maffioletti
In conversation with Mirusia, it is was like meeting an old friend, we'd met at the M & G in Dec 2007 here in Phoenix.
It was the first time I'd met & talked with Kalki, in person. Our table was near the back of the M & G room, when the sopranos approached our tables, we called out to each soprano by their name.
As Kalki neared our table we called her by her name. Kalki stopped dead in her tracks, had a look of complete surprise & said, "you know me", was smiling from ear to ear, & took a couple of hurried steps to get to our table quickly. <g> Kalki was genuinely please. Later, we wondered if we were the only table of fans that called out to the sopranos by name instead of waiting for the sopranos to introduce themselves..that's how surprised Kalki seemed when we said "hi Kalki". Kalki spent a lot of time at our table.
She has a slight accent, & speaks in perfect English. She told us that she wouldn't be part of the Libamo number because Thomas was sick & that there would be only 2 Tenors. Kalki gave me her birthday which is 29 April.
When I had the opportunity to talk to Carla, I told her I'd been waiting 4 years to hear her sing here in Phoenix. We both remembered that Carla was here in Dec 2005, but that she didn't have any solos that night. Carla told me she would be doing the DOLL number. I told her my favorite was the Hansel & Gretl number with Carmen, Carla broke out into a big smile & said a lot of other people had complimented her on that song & that she truly did enjoy working on that number with Carmen.
I told Carla that Connie had a personal gift, a hand made knit purse that she wanted to present to Carla during the concert & after her solo. Carla told me that no one was allowed to accept gifts during the concert & that if Connie would give the gift to security people near the stage entrance prior to the concert, it would be delivered to her.
A lot of people took photos, sadly, I didn't start taking any photos until after the first half of the concert. Hopefully, the photos that were taken during the M & G will be added to this topic.
All to soon the 3 soloists had to leave. It was time to find our concert seats after a visit to the bathroom.
There were plenty of people that were able to direct us from the M & G room to our seats. Jobbing.com had all the amenities, the staff were all friendly & helpful, without exception
Phoenix Concert
We readily found our seats, which weren't hard to find....front row, center section. Lucky me, I had the isle seat which means I would be able to see the orchestra coming down the isle, that I would have plenty of room for my 5 signs on a variety of highly visible fluorescent colors poster board & my camera.
Connie & Norman weren't sitting with us in the front row, however, she saw me & came up front to talk. I took Connie over to the security people near the stage entrance where Connie left the gift & explicit instructions that it was for
C-A-R-L-A.
2000, the place lit up like it was high noon, 76 Trombones began, & the orchestra came down the isle & up to the stage. Traffic back up a bit & for 10-15 seconds Nicolle Steins (choir) & I looked right into each others eyes. Darn if I could remember her name, I was speechless & trying, trying desperately to recall her name so I could utter it. The moment passed, she moved on probably thinking of me as a dolt.
Linda Custers (viola), came by, gave me a big smile & said, "hi Bill". I've said this before & I'll say it again, Linda is without a doubt the friendliest & most flirtatious I've met. While on stage, all during the concert, she is making eye contact & body language to every individual that is sitting in the audience in front of her. Linda flirts with the guys in the audience while Marcel (drums) is flirting with the ladies; during the entire concert, non-stop!
I was surprised at the number of people attending the concert. I thought the attendance was pretty good, considering the price of the tickets & the deterioriating state of the overall economy. This crowd had life in it, during the concert they stood up & applauded the Tenors & Soprano soloists, they got up & danced in the isles, they clapped enthusiastically after each musical number & I think Andre & the JSO orchestra realized they were playing to an appreciative audience. It was really fun to be part of an audience that showed & expressed appreciation for the musical talent, something that was missing in prior concerts here in Phoenix
Thanks to Marlene, for her complete list of musical numbers in her concert report, so I'll not duplicate that list.
Sign #1...THANK YOU, CARLA
After finishing her "DOLL" song, the audience stood & enthusiastically applauded her outstanding rendition. As she was coming back out on stage the 2nd time to accept applause, while standing, I held up my sign, THANK YOU, CARLA which she saw, & blew me a kiss as she walked off stage. It was worth the 4 year wait to hear Carla. Seeing & listening to Carla was one of the high points of this concert. I hope she will be part of the Dec 2010 concert here in Phoenix. Sadly, this was during the first half of the concert so I didn't get any photos of her doing this number.
Sign #2...MARGARIET, WITH ANDRE FROM THE BEGINNING, THANK YOU
I held up this sign during the first half of the concert, considering I was sitting right in front of her, she clearly saw it, & blushed! The other cellists, looked at her & although I couldn't hear what was being said, they were definitely saying something to her, while grinning.
The intermission arrived much to soon. Someone from security, politely asked me if he could look at my other signs. He smiled, said OK, & departed.
The people sitting behind me, said they remembered me & my bright chartreuse attire from 2 years ago. I didn't wear my photo T shirt, this year because it was simply too hot for a second layer of clothing on my torso.
Friday, before the concert, I took my T-shirt & a photo of Marcel Falize (drums), & Nathalie Bolle (flute) to the place that had added the other photos, only to find that they no longer provided the photo transfer service.
Connie & Norman joined up front where he told us we had been on the monitors, briefly, right at the beginning of the concert. Connie simply bubbled over with enthusiasm & joy after hearing Carla, she went on & on about Carla this, & Carla that. I know she is really hoping Carla lets her know she received the gift.
Lance, a person that lives here in Phoenix that I've emailed for years, came up front & introduced himself to me & Sally. Again, here was a person I've only known, up to this point, on Sally's website. I'm hopeful, Lance will add his photos & comments about the concert as a reply to this topic. Thank you, Lance, for coming up & letting us see & talk with you, live & in person
2nd Half of Concert
Half of the orchestra returned after intermission & André looked around & asked out loud, "where are all the ladies?"
As the clog dance began, the ladies in their colorful costumes paraded in, while the guys provided the music.
I pulled out my camera, made some adjustments & started taking photos of the girls doing their Clog Dance, something that I've been waiting to see & hear, live, for several years
The girls seemed just as enthusiastic tonight as they did on the DVD, however, this time I was up close to the stage & could see the fun look in their eyes.
---------Clog dance photos & closeups of the dancers-------
Finally, THE concert highlight arrived as André announced they were going to play the beautiful Blue Danube waltz. Is there anyone that doesn't eagerly anticipate this number? The concert simply wouldn't be complete without it.
I had Toni focus her attention to the faces of each JSO member appearing in the water on the large monitors which were really out of our line of sight, during the prelude. It was now time & I took Toni by the hand, we stood, got into our waltz position. I've known how to waltz for 3 years & tonight was going to be the first time I could waltz with a dance partner, during the concert.
Thank you, Toni, for being so brave & getting up to dance with me. You were a perfect dance partner & I later learned that we appeared briefly on the large monitors while we were dancing.
For the first time at a Phoenix concert, a lot of people came up to waltz right in front of André & the JSO. This had not happened during prior Phoenix concerts. When I looked up, André was smiling & looking over all the couples that were dancing; clearly André was pleased to see people naturally reacting to the music. Collectively, we couldn't sit in our chairs, we just had to get up to dance.
After the concert, I learned that a short video of Toni dancing with me had been taken, I suspect it will appear in one of the replies.
The ever popular Radetzky March was greeted with grrrreat audience enthusiasm, the hall was alive with music.
Sign #3....I Like the Choir
When I held up this sign, Judith Luesink, Laura Engel , & Nicolle Steins + 2 others I didn't recognize held up both arms & waved in recognition of my sign. For me, the Choir adds so much to the music, they are always moving, always singing to each other, doing things with their arms in time with the music, in fact, they are probably the most physically active members of the concert, they put a lot of energy into their contribution to each musical number. A concert wouldn't be complete if the choir was missing.
I tried to bribe them with a variety of flavors of Belgian Chocolate brownies from Fairtale Brownies that were made right here in Phoenix where they have production facilities. I asked the hotel if they would put the variety of brownies in Judith Luesink's room & see that she got them when she first arrived in the hotel. The hotel assured me my wish would be fulfilled.
Along with the brownies was a request that the entire choir come up to the front ot the stage at the beginning of the intermission so I could take a close up group photo of the choir. I included a photo me in my JSO photo T-shirt so they would know who they were from. The choir is sooooo far away from the front of the stage & so difficult to get photos of. Since they contribute so much to my enjoyment of the concert, I was really hopeful. I can only assume the brownies were never delivered to Judith's room.
Along with the brownies, perhaps I should have enticed them with a promise of my undying friendship & gratitude. Maybe next year!
Sign #4....I Love Agnes
At some point during the encores I held up my I LOVE AGNES, sign which was on a bright chartreuse colored poster board. The JSO member reaction was instantaneous giggles, those sitting in front of Agnes turned around to look at her& I'm sure the zingers were flying. Agnes, bless her, flashed her world class smile at me, shifted her position so I could clearly see her, so I could take some photos of her, & she held that position in my full view giving me ample opportunity. Agnes & the JSO were visibly amused at my sign. I suspect Agnes will be subject to a lot of zingers from a lot of people over the next several days. hmmmm, I wonder if Agnes knows how to waltz or polka? I don't know now, but I'm a gonna find out <g>
A couple of days later i noticed the violin player next to her, Jennifer Kowalski, wasn't anywhere to be seen. She was hiding out, she positioned herself so she wouldn't appear in any photo I took of Agnes.........uh huh, & you thought I wouldn't notice.
I wonder if any other person in the audience of any other concert in the world has ever held up an I LOVE YOU sign, & named a JSO member? I'd give a shiny dime to know the answer to this question.
Sign #5.....Roland You & Me
In between encores I held up this sign, then began flexing my biceps, clenching my fists, threw a couple of punches, put on my best fierce bully & intimidation face, motioned for him to come on down toward me... I called him out.
Roland, the double bass player, that really big strong physical kind of guy, the one that did the anvil number with Noël Perdaens (french horn player) broke out into a big smile & immediately gave me two thumbs up as a sign of recognition. I have a photo of Roland, waving to me & looking right into my camera & other members of the JSO are turning around to look at him.....undoubtedly the zingers were already flying in his direction. And the JSO members were, collectively on the verge of hysterical laughter because I am a small boned old f---.
AFTER the Concert
While we were waiting for the crowd to disperse, a lady came up to me, introduced herself to me as Sherri & told me she had seen me waltzing, & had been unable to find anyone to ask her to waltz. She knows how to waltz & polka, same as me! C'mon André, we want a polka at the next concert.
We exchanged emails with the understanding we would meet, practice our waltz moves between now & the next concert & that we will become twin Twinkle toes by the next concert. We have subsequently spoken to Sherri on the phone & we are in the process of planning to rendezvous to start our dance partnership.
Toni & Randi (age 14) thanked us for allowing them to join us for the concert. I couldn't have asked for 2 nicer people.
Another gentleman came up to us & introduced himself as Bob. He seemed to recall I was showing off a fan website on my photo T-shirt at the last concert. He wanted the URL, which we proudly gave him. Bob promised to send us "a bunch" of photos he had taken during the concert. I'm wondering if Bob & Robert Coleman, a columnist for the Tribune newspaper are one & the same person. Robert Coleman, article has been published & appears on this blog <g>
We headed for the hotel lobby to share our feelings & thoughts of what we had just experienced. In time several of the JSO members passed us, on the way up to their hotel room. We acknowledged each others presence, expressed a few "thanks", & made no effort to intrude into their passing conversations.
When I got home, I sat down & absorbed myself in memories of the evening. I spent the next 2 hours looking at the photos I'd taken & relived each & every moment of the day & evening.
-----photo of Roland----
-----photo of Boris-----
-----photo of Jennifer Kowalski---- (with her eyes open this year) One of the best photos taken at this concert
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Els Mercken
photo of new violinist---- ???? (name?)
-----photo of new drummer--- ???(name?)
-----photo of Alicja Zajaczkowska (harpist)
-----photo of Teun Ramaekers (Flute) one of the best photos this year
-----photo of Joëlle Tonnaer (cello)
This was my 4th André Rieu concert, & was the best one yet! Each concert I think it can't get any better, yet it always does get better.
Thank you André, the JSO, the choir, all the soloists, the tenors, & the set up crew. As Lawrence once said, "It is the sum of the parts" that make André's concerts so memorable.
Honor Roll of missing JSO members
The following JSO members were conspicious by their absence. I just want you to know I missed seeing & hearing your contribution to the music.
Ruud Merx (trombone)
Heidi Pittie (choir)
Celine Saleh (choir)
Resie Vahsen (choir) I hope a certain male someone notices the correct spelling
Frank Steijns (violin) Frank broke his leg a few days ago jumping off the back of a vehicle carrying his Carillon. I wish you a speedy recovery, Frank.
Diana Morsinkof (violin)
Luca Madrigo (violin)
Kremi Mineva (violin)
Thomas Greuel (tenor)
Carmen Monarcha (soprano)
Suzan Erens (soprano)
Karin Hinze (cello)
Pierre Colin (viola)
#1: I cannot visualize the highest note Carla can sing & would very much appreciate it if André would ask a cameraman to look over Stéphanie Detry (piano) shoulder as she strikes the piano cord several times. I know Carla can hit a high note, & I've been told it is a high C; seeing just how high on a piano keyboard would be something I think everyone would like to see & know. Perhaps André could tease us a little & have Stéphanie strike several cords below Carla’s top note...& have Carla say higher....higher.....higher, until finally Stéphanie strikes the correct cord.
#2: When the last note of the last musical number is played, the concert always seems to end so abruptly, so awkward. The music ends & the musicians seem to want to duck & run for cover.
I'd like to suggest that the musicians leave the stage with music in the same manner as they arrived, like triumphant warriors.
André use to announce the various sections of the orchestra during Funiculi Funicula & it was very personable.
In the musical, Paint your Wagon there is a wonderful song at the very end of the musical/movie entitled, "I'm on my way". This musical number would be a perfect way for the orchestra to exit the stage, with music, instead of dead silence. Here is a link to the lyrics in English & German.
If the choir came to the front of the stage, they could sing & direct each section of the orchestra to exit. This would provide all the orchestra members a chance to wave to those up close to the stage as they are gracefully leaving the stage with music & also provide everyone in the audience with close up photo opportunity of their favorite JSO member, including those members that are normally so far from the front of the stage.
Mireille Brepols, the heartbeat of the orchestra, the one that is "always on time", who is sooo far away, I think we'd all like a close up photo op with Mireille as she leaves the stage
#3: I'd sure like to see a photo of the set up crew displayed on the jumbotrons sometime during the concert & hear André express a few words about their important contribution to the concert tonight
Please give me your thoughts on these suggestions & don't hold back. Add your reply so everyone knows of your thoughts. You may very well have a couple of constructive suggestions of your own that you'd like to share.
I will continue to compose this report....please check back.
If you attended this concert, please add your comments & if you have some photos to add, send them to me or Sally:
sally@andrerieufans.com
bill@andrerieufans.com |
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Oh Bill, that photo is gorgeous!! Thank you. Cannot wait for the full report. Hope you have more like that : ) Big hug
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Yes, Bill, I must agree with Jeanine Ann, this IS a good photo of André!
I could use a few more like this too.
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O.K. Bill enough, chit, chat, we WANT MORE PICTURES
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In the next few days, I'll have a photo of Cord's eyes, it is as though you are standing 12" from his face.
Boris, Joëlle, Nicole, Jenny, Mirusia, Kalki, Carla, Gary, Béla, Els, & my favorite violinist, AGNES, to mention just a FEW of some really up close & personal photos. You name the JSO member & I probably got a photo of them during the concert, a photo that is SHARP! I have photos of the new choir members, the new drummer, new violin players......almost everyone & yet I overlooked a couple of JSO members
I am working as fast as I can, with a very limited amount of time available
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More closeups of Andre, Yes? PLeassseee
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Yes!
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New message from Andre from Twitter with nice photo leaving U.S. See "The Daily Rieu" page!
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Bill & Sally, I'm trying to catch up!Enjoying the pictures.
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Wow Bill, these are AMAZING! The close-up of Andre is so professional. Hope you enjoyed every minute of the concert.
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Hi Bill, These are wonderful photo's. You did very well. What kind of camera did you use? Of course it would help if you are in the first row. I am planning on going to Phoenix next time. (Hurry up "next time").
I was watching the JSO as always noting how much they keep their eyes on Andre.
Course we all do!!!
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Bill you are taking a big chance putting a photo of Andre at the beginning of your report! : ) It is taking a long time for me to scroll down to read the remainder of the article. All the photos are great - that is beautiful of Mirusia. Thank you so much. Bring on more!!
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The pictures are great Bill, very nice close-ups. You give such detail of your concert experience, I am looking forward to reading the rest!
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What a presentation! Good job, Bill. Wondering what you wore??
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naturallyt, he wore all his chartreuse all over.
He was the Ladies man!
Most importantly, all had a great time!
Kati
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I think, by now, everyone knows about the "little green man".
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I really love reading your concert reviews Bill because they are so detailed. I miss all these little things that you mention because my eyes are glued to Andre during the entire concert except of course when I want a photo of someone in the orchestra. Hugs
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Hey, if André is supposed to return to Phoenix in Dec 2010, I hope that means that he will also be in Portland and the rest of the West Coast, too. That will be something to look forward to!
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Yes, we were told December 2010. So that was exciting.
LA told me he was booked for 2010, but after the concerts started I wasn't so sure. Now it seems Andre is signed to return!
Yeah!
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Merci pour les photos et les reportages . Juillet arrive avec les concerts de Maastricht,cette année comme chaque année j'y serais , peut-être nous croiserons-nous sur cette place du bonheur "Vrijthof", je vais au pic- nic avec des amies Françaises. amitiés de France May rose
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Thank you for the photos and stories. July arrives with the Maastricht concerts this year as every year I would be, perhaps we will cross us in this place of happiness "Vrijthof" I go to the picnic with friends Françaises. Friendships May rose de France
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Bonjour Mai Rose,
So nice de vous entendre. Je vous souhaite un merveilleux moment à la concerts. Veuillez s'il vous plaît et envoyez-nous un rapport des concerts et peut-être quelques photos? Nous serions heureux de faire une page en vedette fans pour vous sur le blog. Si vous parlez l'anglais qui est le mieux, sinon nous allons traduire. Merci beaucoup et avoir du plaisir.
Love and kisses,
Jeanine Ann
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So nice to hear from you. I wish you a wonderful time at the concerts. Please and send us a concert and maybe some pictures? We would be happy to make a page for fans featuring you on the blog. If you speak English, which is better, otherwise we will translate. Thank you very much and have fun.
Love and kisses,
Jeanine Ann
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Wow Bill that was a fantastic report -
really felt I had been there. Will look
forward to the rest of the photos.
Cheer Norma
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You always have such details in your reports Bill! I've enjoyed reading about the Phoenix concert as you gave new information and pictures.
The photos are fantastic!
Thanks for sharing!!
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Stand by....I have a LOT more....I mean, a LOT more photos.....however it takes time
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Le choeur des fans ... d'André Rieu.
voici un lien pour un reportage sur André Rieu , avec des fans françaises. diffusion le 7/11 13h20 may rose
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Thank you May-Rose. This is such a nice article, I created an entire Entry with it to be certain all the fans can see and read about you with Andre.
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