Diana in MINNESOTA; tomorrow night, 7/23/16

[marybrewster]

So excited to see the Boss Miss Ross tomorrow night at Treasure Island Casino! From what I understand, Rhonda Ross will be opening for her.

Anyone else from the board going?

[marybrewster]

Diana Reigns “Supreme”: Treasure Island Casino, July 23,2016

For the causal fan, it was everything you would have expected;perhaps more. Starting with the opening chords of “I’m Coming Out”; for thenext EXACT ninety minutes, Diana Ross proved why she still is THE diva’s diva; theQueen of Motown.

Her set list played like a time machine for every era andage group: “Baby Love”, “Come See about Me”, “Stop! In the Name of Love” and “LoveChild” gave nod to her days as a Supreme. “Love Hangover”, “The Theme fromMahogany”, and “Touch Me in the Morning” acknowledged her 70’s/Disco years. Andof course, “Upside Down” and “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” paid homage to hersuccess in the 80’s.

The gowns; well, it’s safe to say she gave you the sparklethat you’d expect. Who else can pull off SEVEN costume changes in an hour and ahalf? Yes, seven. Red chiffon cape into red sequin dress. Lime green feathercape into black sequin dress. Seafoam chiffon cape into seafoam sequin dress.And black chiffon cape [[with black “casual wear” underneath). Each outfit moregrand than the one before. It was glitz and glamour times ten.

Watching her work the stage, you’d never know you were inWelch, MN. You could have just as easily been in Las Vegas. At Caesars. And I might be biased,but for seventy two years young, she looked amazing. And sang amazing. Sure,her voice did show some signs of her fifty-plus years “in the business”, buthoney, it’s Diana Ross. When she says “if you need me, call me, no matter whereyou are, no matter how far”, you’d do so in a second, slight crackle in hervoice or not.

All of this, of course, if you are the casual fan. I’d liketo think I’m not.

Having seen Miss Ross live for more times than there are fingerson my right hand, to me, this was Diana playing it safe. I dare say, Dianabeing lazy. The set? The same songs, probably in the same order, from the lasttime she was in Minneapolisin 2013. Hearing “Ease on Down the Road” then was a treat; this time, it mademe wonder where the other hidden gems were. Give me some “Chain Reaction”. Giveme some “It’s My Turn”. Give me some “A Breath Taking, First Sight SoulShaking, One Night Love Making, Next Day Heartbreaking Guy” [[you KNOW you’re afan if you can rattle off that title!)

The gowns? Again, stunning. But the red sequin and the blacksequin were just as stunning the LAST TIME I SAW HER [[see what I did there?) Theencore of “I Will Survive” still had me on my feet, as it did three years ago.I just was hoping for something new. Something fresh. What I got was “classic”Diana, which, I guess, is okay too. I’d see her again tomorrow if I could; I’dlisten to her sing my Facebook friends list. And anytime she’s ready to give meher number, I’m ready. ‘Cause ain’t no mountain going to keep me from her; samesongs and same sequins or not.

[marybrewster]

[Jimi LaLumia]

can't beieve she's not doing Manhattan or Long Island this time around!

[carlo]

Thanks for your great review and photos, Mary Brewster! Glad you had such a wonderful time! She keeps going and going, it's quite amazing! Miss Ross never disappoints.