.
Feedback

The Artist Formerly Known as Judy Judy

Alameda native and Patch Contributor Judy Judy ("I married Mr. Judy, that's why") gives us a piece of her quirky mind Fridays on Patch

This week I am going to write about how excited, no wait, giddy, yes that’s right, giddy I was to attend Prince’s, “Welcome to America” concert Wednesday night at the Oracle Arena.

Why do you care if I went and saw his paisley badness live and in concert? You probably don’t. But you do probably have something that makes you feel young and spry, that has the feel of your youth, and Prince’s concert did it for me.    

When Prince announced that he was going to hold a series concerts with only three days notice, my inner twenty-year-old shouted, “Yay, I love Prince!”

And then my forty-year-old self took over. “Hold up. Who does Prince think he is? Willy-nilly deciding to have a concert and not giving a girl any notice. If he thinks I’m just going to drop everything and …”

I had to shake my head to cut off the bipolar voices inside. While the 40-year-old me was still worried about spending that much money, ("C'mon, you're 40! Don't you think that ticket price would be better spent elsewhere?") the 20-year-old reminded everyone that this is life and sometimes you have to live it up and just party like it's ... wait for it ... 1999!

At that exact moment I got a text from a friend with an extra ticket to the show on Wednesday night and that shut Mrs. 40 right up!

I swooped up that ticket with such a quickness I think I made "Doves Cry" With my internal argument settled, I turned up, “Little Red Corvette” on my iPod and proceeded to do some serious, living room dance party moves—in the middle of the afternoon.

If you happened to be walking by my house, it probably looked like I was trying to start a broken lawnmower (or having a seizure) but that was just Mama gettin' her grove on!  

Now, if you’re not a Prince fan, you can stop here. I'll give a quick review in the comments below but I'm curious if any Alameda Patch readers saw Prince this week and if so, what did you think?

I'd love to read your reviews because people, I had a great time.

Lauren Do February 25, 2011 at 06:34 pm
No quick review! Please lay out the all the details for those Prince fans out there not fortunate enough to secure a ticket or child care for the three nights he was here. I want song lists and costume changes in all their glory.
Judy Judy February 25, 2011 at 06:44 pm
OK, I've been to my fair share of live shows but Prince tore it up at the Coliseum! Oakland was simply not ready for his purple majesty. Unless you live under a rock (and not just any rock, a rock encased in cement and buried under the sea) you've heard of Prince. And even if Prince isn't your bag, if you listened to the radio at any given time in the last 30 years, you probably know a handful of his songs by heart. The playlist for Wednesday evening certainly included most of his biggest hits and let me assure you, he delivered. We didn't get Carlos Santana like Monday night, but we got more of his hits songs, so no complaints from me. The guests we did get certainly brought their A-game. Bass player Larry Graham from, "Sly and the Family Stone" and "Graham Central Station" brought some serious funk and local favorite Sheila E.? Words can not express. She pounded those drums like a woman possessed and, I might add, looked good doing it!
I'm waiting for someone to tell me they didn't have the time of their lives Wednesday night and I think a lot of it is because it felt like Prince was having a blast, too! No, "Slave" written across his face, no drama, just fun! He engaged with the audience, his guest performers and let me tell you, that man can work a room! He made his guitar scream, he made his piano sing and he even made "Purple Rain" with confetti shooters! So much fun!
Judy Judy February 25, 2011 at 07:04 pm
And ladies, the costume changes? Ridiculous and simply fabulous! I'm a little bitter because the 52 year old Prince can simply work a pair of heels like he's on a runway in Paris. He wore red and black silky satin, he wore a gold dinner jacket, he wore sequins from head to toe and made them all look amazing. He donned disco ball-sized necklaces, diamond ear jewelry and even made some crazy, white, Nanook of the North furry boots look good. I am a little bitter that Prince can wear white stretch pants better than I can- if I dared to wear white stretch pants, but don't worry, I won't.
Judy Judy February 25, 2011 at 08:28 pm
OK, here is what I could find regarding the playlist for Wednesday's show. Oh, and did I mention he came back out for four or five encores? Well he did!
Let's Go Crazy Delirious Little Red Corvette Glamourous Life (Shelia E) I Love You But I Don't Trust You Controversy Love Bizarre w/Shelia E Play That Funky Music White Boy/Thank you For Lettin Me Be Myself (w/Graham Central Station) Fancy Dancer/Freak Out (Chic) Love Rollercoaster (Ohio Players) Housequake Kiss Purple Rain Baby I'm a Star (EncoreMedley): When Doves Cry/Nasty Girl/Sign Of The Times/Alphabet St./Forever In My Life/Pop Life/Housequake/Black Sweat/Dirty Nikki/Single Ladies (all played around on his electronic purple grand piano/sampler of the actual tracks without the band) (w/full band): The Bird Jungle Love
Barbara Mooney February 27, 2011 at 09:01 pm
Thanks for taking me back. It doesn't seem so long ago I was in my Jetta with the crank sunroof and cassette tape playing most of these songs as I pulled into the student parking lot. I remember upgrading to a digital read stereo that let you auto scan 6 stations. When did I get old?
Sorry but When Doves Cry should have been higher on the list. I am going to go on Itunes now and download tons of these. I may be old but I am not dead.
Maria M. March 1, 2011 at 04:26 pm
I had a wonderful time at the Prince concert on Thursday evening. My sister surprised me with a ticket to go with her that evening. It was such a fun, electric show! Had a blast! We danced our asses off and loved, loved, loved it. Sheila E. was amazing.....and the 4 encore performances after...
well, I can see why people love going to his concert. I am not a die-hard Prince fan, but after the show at the Arena on Thursday evening, I am a convert! The Oracle Arena was rocking all night long Thursda February 24th!
Judy Judy March 1, 2011 at 05:08 pm
You and me both sister! I had a great time and probably like you, danced for 2 1/2 straight. I would have happily danced all night had he played that long! I'm glad to know someone else from the island city had as much fun as I did.
And Barbara, the kids are just about ready for me to put Justin Bieber back on the car radio but I'm not quite there yet. Maybe next week... Thanks for the comments ladies!

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Alameda Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Harve Coats June 14, 2013 at 09:17 pm
Woke me from a dead sleep. Sounded like 6 or 9 gun shots north of Melrose on Maitland DR.
David Howard June 15, 2013 at 02:08 pm
APD said they found no evidence of gun shots and suspect fireworks.Read More http://www.action-alameda-news.com/2013/06/09/fourth-of-july-public-service-announcement/
JSanders June 17, 2013 at 11:55 am
When they build that high density development on the Harbor Bay Club site with 25% low incomeRead More housing requirement, Bay Farm will be hearing a lot more gun shots at night.
Analisa Harangozo (Editor) June 12, 2013 at 11:42 am
So sad to see. Did you report this to East Bay Regional Park District? I provided the number in yourRead More last posting.
Lorraine Sarullo June 12, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Yes, I reported it to the EBRP staff who happened to be nearby at the beach. I also reported it toRead More the warden of Fish and Wildlife in Sacramento and the warden of the local territory. The local warden told me yesterday that he will be patrolling the area, but I did not get to speak to him today (only left both wardens a voicemail message).
Analisa Harangozo (Editor) June 12, 2013 at 04:11 pm
Nice, thanks for the update, and sharing these posts with us, Lorraine. If it is a person behind allRead More of this, hopefully he/she will get caught soon.
Carol Parker June 12, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Anonymous tip to the fire department?
quietneeded June 12, 2013 at 04:17 pm
Leaving a note to them is a bad idea if it really is a illegal operation. So many ways that can goRead More wrong. Just call the police dept. Leave a tip. Simple and safe.
Analisa Harangozo (Editor) June 13, 2013 at 09:03 am
Agree with Carol. Perhaps an anonymous tip to Alameda Fire or Alameda Police.
Alex Gronke (Editor) June 11, 2013 at 07:35 am
My condolences to Mort's family. This was a man who had a rich, full life. Thank you for sharing.
Nay June 11, 2013 at 09:24 am
Given the targeted harvesting of parts, this is not a "times are hard and food is scarce"Read More issue. It's greedy, ignorant, and yes it's disgusting and disrespectful to nature. http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/2012/01/17/manta-rays-endangered-by-sudden-demand-from-chinese-medicine/
Lorraine Sarullo June 11, 2013 at 04:13 pm
Thank you both (Nay and Analisa) for the information. Maybe I got the name of the park serviceRead More mixed up. It was the beach area around Grand St.
Lorraine Sarullo June 11, 2013 at 11:18 pm
I contacted Crown Beach (part of the EBRP). They checked into the matter with Fish and WildlifeRead More (previously Fish and Game), to see if there was any wrongdoing. On the surface of things, it seems the wings (fins) are the edible part of the ray. And apparently, the way regulations are written it may not be even be considered littering! So, however inhumane, disrespectful, selfish, gruesome it may seem, there may not have been any fishing laws broken. Although, when I spoke with the warden of Fish and Wildlife he said he will be looking into the matter. To voice your opinion and propose changes to regulation, you can write a letter to and attend a Fish and Game Commission town hall meeting here is the link: http://www.fgc.ca.gov/contact/ and http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2013/index.aspx I plan on writing to suggest regulation against polluting public beaches with unused portions of the catch from fishing and also ask for recommendations on limiting the catch on fish that only have small percentage of edible parts (such as the rays). I would welcome any help in a letter writing campaign, the contact information is listed on the link provided above. Many Thanks.