A Great Big Diva!

By

You are now entering the United States of America.
I woke up on July 4th bright eyed and bushy tailed. I had a lovely breakfast (room service) and got ready to go downstairs for our 1pm pick up for soundcheck. I couldn’t wait for the guys to see the grounds and the Ambassador’s house. We pull up to the gate and of course get stopped by security. I was told yesterday that once we pass those gates we are on American soil – in the middle of Canada. It’s a crazy concept. This international, embassy, diplomatic, foreign borders is heady stuff. You travel through embassy row and you gawk at all of the grand dwellings. Each state flies their national flag and crest. This is a whole different world. And I like it.
The Ambassador's Residence on July 4th.
The grounds at the Ambassadors Residence are set for the party. They are expecting four thousand guests. There are US Flags everywhere. There are food tents, liquor tents and dining tents. There is food representing the “diverse influences of Illinois”: Poland, Mexico, Italy and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” (“Chicago” themed fare like sliders and “the famous Chicago all-beef hot dog”) And Chicago Sweets – Eli’s cheesecake, apple croustade and ice cream… YUM!

sound check
So we feel out our stage, tweak out the system, run through the sound check – play a tune – scare the Ambassador to death with our sheer volume. Oops! Did no one tell the sound tech how loud my band is? The sound tech is told that this is a summer lawn party, not a festival rock concert!

Sound check is completed and we go back to the hotel with barely 45 minutes to shower, change and get back to the embassy. Did I mention that it’s a kazillion degrees out? It is so hot! I am wearing a gown and a girdle and a tank top under the gown because the dress shows too much cleavage for me. It is sweltering. Even my necklace makes me sweat. Luckily our green room is air conditioned.

It’s show time! The band takes their place and we watch as a ceremony goes on right before we start.

Pomp & Circumstance
It is poignant. Canadian vocalist John McDermott sings “O Canada” and our “Star Spangled Banner” – I get emotional – I suddenly notice the attendees who have placed their right hand over their hearts – I notice my band members doing the same. The act of placing my hand over my heart during the National Anthem fills me with so much emotion that I began weeping.
Men in uniform.
I think of every time I have sung the National Anthem. I remember the sole bugler playing “Taps” at my father’s graveside ceremony, and the WWII veterans (Daddy was a veteran of WWII and Korea) who showed up at his graveside service. They did not know my father, but they knew that a soldier had fallen and they came to honor and salute him. I remember the comfort it gave me. Pomp and circumstance is not lost on me… I will never sing the National Anthem the same way again. I will always think of these moments.
too darn hot!

But there’s no more time for such thoughts. We got a party to entertain for. It was so hot that most of the guests remained under shelter of trees and tents.

Dancing in the Sun!

Eventually the groove got to them and folks slowly emerged from their shady refuge into that burning hot sun and started dancing! What joy was mine!

Happy Shivers! happy Lynne! Note: my boas
The party was great and the Band was a big hit. We represented Chicago, the State of Illinois and the United States of America. It was a job well done.

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Comments

  3. Hi Lynn:

    I was honored to be one of your tablemates at United States Ambassador’s dinner table…i had lots of fun visiting with you and learning more about Chicago. I got lots of great pictures of you singing your lungs out July 4 to all 4,000+ lawn guests. I promised you the night before at dinner I would take lots of pictures for you and I did! Will be more that happy to send them to you. You did a wonderful performance!!!!

    Sincerely
    xoxo
    Mrs. Emily Capps

  4. Hi Lynn:

    I was honored to be one of your tablemates at United States Ambassador’s dinner table…i had lots of fun visiting with you and learning more about Chicago. I got lots of great pictures of you singing your lungs out July 4 to all 4,000+ lawn guests. I promised you the night before at dinner I would take lots of pictures for you and I did! Will be more that happy to send them to you. You did a wonderful performance!!!!

    Sincerely
    xoxo
    Mrs. Emily Capps

  5. Thank you sooo much Emily!! It was great meeting you too. And thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I can’t wait to contact you & get those photos!

  6. Thank you sooo much Emily!! It was great meeting you too. And thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I can’t wait to contact you & get those photos!

  9. How AWESOME!! I cry like a baby every time I sing the national anthem. Really… A big ol’ gay baby!

    • I am so glad that I didn’t have to sing it at the party. I woulda been bawling like a baby!! Thanks for stopping by & commenting!!

  10. How AWESOME!! I cry like a baby every time I sing the national anthem. Really… A big ol’ gay baby!

    • I am so glad that I didn’t have to sing it at the party. I woulda been bawling like a baby!! Thanks for stopping by & commenting!!

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