Once a Diva, ALWAYS a diva. And I mean that in the most gushingly complimentary way possible. Miss Diana Ross has hit the road and is spending time with fans. Why? We have no idea! We’re just glad she is.
It takes a lot to pry me away from one of my favorite things in life: awards shows. But given the choice between watching the Golden Globes or breathing the same air as a legend, it’s not contest. She played the at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. And from the moment she stepped on stage til the final time she sashay’d away, the audience was in the palm of her hand.
The Hits Keep On Coming
She opened with I’m Coming Out, and she let the world inside the Events Center know. From there it was one hit after another. My World Is Empty Without You. Love Child. Upside Down. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.
If you’re over 40 you likely knew all the words to most or every song. If you’re under 40 and don’t? Shame on you for failing Diva History 101!
There were several costume changes, which is de rigueur for a diva of this status. All outfits entailed feathery, boa-topped cape and sequined gowns. Every time she modeled them she spun around, driving the audience wild.
And while the audience connected with her, she seemed to connect with the audience. Yes, every performer says this is the best audience ever. But you feel like she really enjoys being on stage.
It would be easy for a lady of advancing youth to cake on makeup, overdue it with the sequins and gowns and stray into Sunset Boulevard territory. But that is far from the case here. Miss Ross knows her material, knows her audience, and knows how to entertain.
She’s only playing Florida and Nevada dates the rest of her tour, and who can blame her. Those Capes are for show, not protection from the cold. A Diva cannot be made to shiver!
Time Is of the Essence
One tip: She is old school. This show starts on time! Tickets said 7pm. The band started the overture at 7:03 and she took the stage at 7:07. At 8:17 she waved goodbye and the house lights came up. There was no encore. SO SHOW UP ON TIME.
And at only 70 on stage (minus brief breaks for costume changes), this was more like a cocktail hour with Diana Ross than an evening with Diana Ross. But no matter. Any opportunity to see her live is worth it.
She probably didn’t want to miss the Golden Globes.
The Critic’s Cocktail Recommendation
Miss Ross sang proudly of a Love Hangover, so I’m going with Vodka rocks (it was what I was cocktailing before the show). It’s low in congeners, which give you headaches, and I didn’t even need my usual Excedrin with breakfast the day after!
Cheers!
Critic's Cocktail 