First off, I've got to say that shows at the Bowl are one of the true "LA Experiences." Earlier this year I caught Jigga and Mary J, as well as the Playboy Jazz Festival, which closed out with Herbie Hancock. Fabulous. Folks skew a little bougie, but there is a spectrum of folks that come out, bringing their wine, gourmet Trader Joe's or Whole Foods picnic fare... some even try to get romantic with it by laying a blanket out on the concrete with a battery operated candle stick. uh, yeah we were like, umm.... ok... i THINK that's cute....
The girls and I were checking out the latest in picnic basket and portable cooler styles, particularly impressed by the slim cooler:
...because a diva should be efficient and stylish in her picnic gear - NOT carrying around beat up plastic bags, or heavy-ass coolers that take forever to put on the ramp and annoying everyone trying to get up to their seats. And then where are you going to put it when you sit down? Block the aisle? In large venues, be respectful of shared space. It's a pet peeve of mine when people don't get that.
Anyways, I digress. On with the program.
Let's start off on a quick definition of a "diva." We can go on forever discussing this topic, but we won't, because this time around it's not that serious. Like I said, the girls and I had fun last night!
The word "diva" is derived from the Italian "dea," or "goddess." It is also the term used for female opera singers, and over time has come to describe women of strong presence. Whether it be sexuality, sensuality, speaking her mind or breaking social mores, there are both negative and positive connotations to what "strong presence" may convey. In present society and culture, by merely having a strong presence, women go against the role that this male-dominated society attempts to chain us with - subservience, meekness, demonization even...
In books and articles I've read, back in ancient times, women were honored and revered, as the bearers of life, as intellectuals, as leaders. I wonder where those times have gone, though I can't wonder too much or else I get left behind, buried... constantly feeling like I have to prove myself to get the respect that men automatically get. And then, add on to that, being a woman of color? ...ok. I'll save that for another post.
Diva. Some women shirk from the thought of being called one, because of those stereotypical negative connotations - obnoxious, entitled, bitchy, bossy... it can make life more difficult to get through as a woman. But hey, guys are like that all the time!
For me, those icons referred to as divas, usually fascinate me. Sometimes I feel sad because they seem like they are just a slave to their own fabricated image. However, many of them have taken charge of their image, not caring what other think, have built their own enterprises, and don't depend on a man to take care of them. Complex as it is, there is a sense of empowerment there.
So let's take, case and point, self-professed diva, Diana Ross.
"It takes a long time to get to be a diva. I mean, you gotta work at it." -Diana Ross
Some notable "diva" moves - One of the top singers of all time, she has 18 #1 songs (tied with the Beatles), led the legendary Supremes and has garnered numerous awards; did not show up to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction for the Supremes; went on a short-lived Supremes reunion tour without the original members.
So, we got the chance to enjoy an evening with the diva herself. An evening of lightheated, unbridled diva fun. Some notes we took from Lady Supreme:
Diva Lesson #1: RED is the diva color.
So Gerlie, Anna and I tried to guess what color dress she will come out with. Gerlie said yellow and orange, I said black, and Anna said purple and gold (go Lakers!). We unanimously agreed that she will have a minimum of three wardrobe changes. We were all wrong.
I think we all secretly wanted to guess red, but that would be too predictable. But hey, I guess there is no way around it. Come out big and bold. Opening song? You guessed it. "I'm Coming Out"Also to note in the photo above - we termed this pose, "Diva Pose #1" - arms outstretched as if she is embracing her audience. Also a little... messianic. That part's kinds weird.
Diva Lesson #2: Let the people know why you are the Diva that you are.
All divas have their claim to fame. For Ms Ross, it's her string of hit songs that you don't even realize you know the lyrics to. She rolled them out - Baby Love, Where Did Our Love Go, You Can't Hurry Love, and of course...
....yes indeed! She continued on with Love Hangover, Do You Know Where You're Going To, Endless Love solo - she did both parts of the duet. This song brings back memories of me and my mom singing it together when I was like six years old. She ended the night with the original independent women's anthem, "I Will Survive."Diva Lesson #3: You don't have to do an encore if you don't want to.
Maybe it was the Bowl's rule that she end at the time, but even with a standing ovation and cheers from the crowd, she called it a night after the last song. But hey that's cool. Rather that then her singing some "song from her new album." Let's face it, it's about her past work, not her latest album.
Diva Lesson #4: Bell sleeves rock!
(wardrobe change #2)
I couldn't find a photo of her doing diva pose #1 with the bell sleeves, but it just looked hot. Classic, majestic even.
Diva Pose #2:
(wardrobe change #3)ok so it's more like DP #1.5, but it's about shoulders back, chest out, and one leg in front of the other, for the mermaid effect
diva pose #3: play with your hair a little bit
diva pose #4, the finale: diva pose #1 with a kiss and wave
(final wardrobe change)Indeed a fun time. (read: don't take this too seriously. Sequins and tulle are NOT my thing) G, Anna, Evie and Daisy - thank you for the food, spirits and laughter!
