On December 21, 2020, during a pandemic lock-down, I attended a concert and I sang, danced, whooped, and hollered!   I know what you’re thinking but during these trying times I refused to miss out on this moment of joy.  It has been many years since I attended a “live” show. In my younger years, we would pool our change, literally nickels and dimes, providing enough gas to get to the Spectrum in Philly and back.  To get ready, a cute pair of shoes or a new outfit at Gaylord’s or on Market Street would be found.  Most times, instead of stressing over money for outfits my friends and I would switch clothes with each other for “new to me” was good enough.

For a reasonable price, I saw them all, “Little” Stevie Wonder at the Apollo in NYC, Earth Wind & Fire, The Jackson 5, The Whispers, James Brown, Lou Rawls, Jean Carne, Luther Vandross, Will Downing, Abby Lincoln, Cassandra Wilson, Naturally 7, and more.   It didn’t matter if we were at an arena, outside open-air theater or a small supper club l was always amongst an infectious group of excited people talking to each other. Even if you came by yourself, you felt among friends.  Of course, we had to encourage the entertainers on stage by calling out “Sang that song!” “Girl leave him!”  “If she don’t want you, come home with me!”

I was really worked up about this concert. The closer to show time, the more excited I became.  I had received an email reminder so when it was finally time, off I went. Up to my room where I hit the “Watch Now” button, signed onto the chat, and held my breath in anticipation.  Immediately chats from all over the country rapidly scrolled by as we typed in our greetings and Holiday wishes to each other. There was that buzz of excitement from the waiting crowd that I had been missing.  When the show went live you could almost hear the unified cheer go up. As we enjoyed the concert, we expressed gratitude to AARP for the live stream concert promoting the connection between music and brain health.   And you know we encouraged Anthony Hamilton by sending him love and telling him “Sang that song!”  “This is grown folks music!” “If Charlene don’t want you, come home with me!” as fast as our fingers could type.

As 2020 winds down, Darrel and I would like to extend to you and yours a Happy New Year filled with Peace, Joy, Good Health, and God’s Blessings.   While we can may we all celebrate moments of joy as they come our way.  Find your concert, put on your party clothes, hit the play button, cast all your cares, and dance like no one is watching.

See ya’ll in 2021, God willing and the creek don’t rise.

Amanda

Photography By: Jamie Ferguson; Concert Thumbnail: Photo by Wolfgang by Pexels