CONCERT REPORTS: Las Vegas, Nevada, December 10 & 11, 2010

[musicmania]

Thanks catswhiskers and Lizzy. I appreciate the comments. While I'd be lying if I denied the comments upset me I have put them in perspective and realised the positive ones outweigh the negative ones. As I said in an earlier post different minds, different opinions and people are allowed to disagree with me no matter how much it hurts. I can only draw on Leonard's reaction when we met and I feel he would never have returned to talk to me had my actions being less than respectful. That is what is important to me and is what I hold dear. Of course I also really really appreciate all the kind comments here too so thank you friends.

[anneporter]

Mirka, where were you in the video of the crowd singing?

[jdhayes]

Delighted to hear you met the great man. Never mind the begrudgers. I would love to have been there too.

[musicmania]

Delighted to hear you met the great man. Never mind the begrudgers. I would love to have been there too.

Thanks JD

Still floating on air while I try and write a report on Christmas songs when all I want to do is listen to the download of last week!!!!!

Now a bird on the wire told me we would have more videos today. That I do look forward to

[anneporter]

The Seahorse Lounge: definitely not the Roloi!

more Vegas photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4 ... 81b47a6948

[lizzytysh]

How odd... my comment here disappeared before it ever appeared! I seem to have clicked on Submit at the same time Anne did... hmmm. Well, here goes again.

You're SO RIGHT that Leonard WOULD NOT have returned to you had he felt that your presence was in any way invasive. Instead, he made it COMPLETELY CLEAR that your presence was fully welcome !!! These were his last moments of encounters with those who deeply appreciate and love him. It seemed there was a reluctance in him, as well, for it all to come to a close. In the light of day, he returned to you.

You have moments to treasure. My feeling is that he would have appreciated the extent you went to, to try to facilitate your meeting him.

My guess is that there may be many here who wish they would have had your innovation.


~ Lizzy

[lizzytysh]

So true, Anne... definitely not the Roloi .


~ Lizzy

[musicmania]

The Seahorse Lounge: definitely not the Roloi!

1.jpg

more Vegas photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4 ... 81b47a6948

Great photos!!!! You saw more of Vegas than I did!

Thanks Lizzy <3

[somewhat_nifty]

Well, I had the time of my life in Las Vegas! I was worried that it was too far to go to see Leonard, but how glad am I that I did! I only had a ticket for the final Saturday night show, but what a special experience. You could see that Leonard and the band were both exhilarated and saddened by their final show, and it made for a concert with a unique atmosphere. I can't really add much to the amazing reviews already contributed here, other than to add my personal feelings that it was a exceptional send off to an amazing world tour, of which I have been privileged to see as many dates as I have.

Lovely as well to see lots of friends in Las Vegas - it's a tribute to the devotion that Leonard inspires to see so many fans from around the world. Big thanks to Avi and the UHTC 'Thank You' project members, of which I was lucky enough to play a small part. I'm sure the crew really appreciated the gifts and the time involved. Gwen, Mandy, Ciaran, Victorine, Scott and Helen, Tom, Dick and Linda, Rick - lovely to meet you/re-meet you and spend time together, thoroughly enjoyed it. And of course thanks to Afric, travelling companion and friend par excellence

Saddened to see some criticism directed to Gwen/musicmania here - we're all different, and Gwen's integrity and passion for Leonard's music shines through to all who have met her. I loved your account of meeting Leonard, and am sure that he was charmed to meet you. He came back over which he really didn't have to do. I'm sure you will treasure that encounter forever

Rather behindhand here, but have uploaded some video to my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/messalina79

[musicmania]

Well, I had the time of my life in Las Vegas! I was worried that it was too far to go to see Leonard, but how glad am I that I did! I only had a ticket for the final Saturday night show, but what a special experience. You could see that Leonard and the band were both exhilarated and saddened by their final show, and it made for a concert with a unique atmosphere. I can't really add much to the amazing reviews already contributed here, other than to add my personal feelings that it was a exceptional send off to an amazing world tour, of which I have been privileged to see as many dates as I have.

Lovely as well to see lots of friends in Las Vegas - it's a tribute to the devotion that Leonard inspires to see so many fans from around the world. Big thanks to Avi and the UHTC 'Thank You' project members, of which I was lucky enough to play a small part. I'm sure the crew really appreciated the gifts and the time involved. Gwen, Mandy, Ciaran, Victorine, Scott and Helen, Tom, Dick and Linda, Rick - lovely to meet you/re-meet you and spend time together, thoroughly enjoyed it. And of course thanks to Afric, travelling companion and friend par excellence

Saddened to see some criticism directed to Gwen/musicmania here - we're all different, and Gwen's integrity and passion for Leonard's music shines through to all who have met her. I loved your account of meeting Leonard, and am sure that he was charmed to meet you. He came back over which he really didn't have to do. I'm sure you will treasure that encounter forever

Rather behindhand here, but have uploaded some video to my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/messalina79

I'll thank you here first and then head across to watch your video's It was a pleasure to meet and spend sometime with you and Afric again and I'd have enjoyed more time if we had it Totally agree what you say about our devotion for Leonard. In all the concerts I've been to I've never seen such devotion and Leonard so deserves it so I'm very happy he receives it.

[musicmania]

Just had a look at your videos. Brilliant as always and you managed to capture my favourites, Hallelujah and So Long Marianne. I especially love the "extended" So Long Marianne

[mirka]

... As I said in an earlier post different minds, different opinions and people are allowed to disagree with me no matter how much it hurts. I can only draw on Leonard's reaction when we met and I feel he would never have returned to talk to me had my actions being less than respectful. That is what is important to me and is what I hold dear. ....

hi Gwen,
we met for about 30 secs - I asked you to take my picture in front of the Leonard poster after the concert.

While I haven't read in details discussion following your story of meeting the Man, I understand some of the fans didn'tike it ...? don't take it to your heart Gwen, there are as many opinions as people, you loved the experience, Leonard didn't run from you screaming "take that crazy woman away from me", so I don't see any problem here
(Leonard is a big boy and certainly can take a good care of himself )

I'm happy you have your dream fulfilled, the memory of meeting the Man in person is yours forever, and that's what really counts.

IMHO Leonard and the Band appreciate those random encounters with fans, it reminds them how much they are appreciated, they draw energy from the audience, I saw it happened many times.
I was at one of the first concerts in Eastern Canada in 2008, send a rose bouquet with a card to LC, and got acknowledged by him from the stage, there certainly was a reason for this to happen:
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=11116&hilit=mirka#p121066

Be happy, and don't regret anything

[mirka]

Mirka, where were you in the video of the crowd singing?

hi Anne,
in the clip below I'm in the upper left corner, first row: there are two blondes there, I'm to the left, to my right is Ute (hi Ute !).
at 0:26-0:40 (and later):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXQa01IS ... 9C2E249873
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoDVbkE2Th8
ps.
above I added link to Albert's second clip below Zenon's, they can be watched without interruption (can be done in YT PlayList).

[musicmania]

Wow Mirka, that is something special. How that moment must live in your head! Leonard is so special and kind. Yes I remember taking your photo I LOVE that poster! Walked by there many times! Thanks so much for your kind words here. I appreciate it

[leonardfan2010]

I really can't add anymore to all the wonder eloquence displayed by forum members here.

Friday night was my first Leonard Cohen concert ever, and Saturday was the second. I can't imagine any concert experience ever topping them! (And I've been to many concerts...this wasn't even my first time flying 3,000 miles just to see a concert!)

I met many wonderful forum members, none of whose names I remember now. It's not that you weren't rememberable, I just have the worst memory for names and faces. But everyone was so nice.

One nice man stands out in my memory who sat next to me at Friday's show. I had one drunk beside me singing off key the whole show, one jerk behind me singing off key the whole show, and two people behind me to my right who talked through the whole show. Then the jerk decided to "educate" the woman next to him during intermission with all the facts he knew about Leonard, that of course , where totally wrong. Anyway, I asked this lovely forum member to my right if he would be willing to be a character witness at my trial if I killed all of these jerks, and he was kind enough to agree. That's class!

Saturday's crowd was much better behaved!

Lynne