Just got back from the We Are One concert in DC

bklyncowgirl

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Mon Jan-19-09 12:49 AM
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Just got back from the We Are One concert in DC

What a great event!

We parked in Greenbelt and took the Metro in. It was a long schlep from the station to the reflecting pool grounds especially since we were carrying two folding chairs, several layers of clothing and some food and water--all (except for the chairs) in our Secret Service approved 8x8x6 bags.

My husband wanted to be upfront near the action "If you're just going to look at the jumbotron you might as well be sitting in a nice warm bar." We pushed our way forward and ended up around 50 yards from the stage to the left of the Lincoln Memorial. Great, due to this massive platform they built, we couldn't even see the Jumbotron except through the trees and only when the number of very tall people in front of us moved. We did get a great view of the Park Polices handsome and very professional horses. As a horse lover I consider police horses to be the epitomy of what you can do with a horse. We sat there for a long time waiting for the show to start. It was worth schlepping those chairs.

The Rev. Robinson gave what I am sure was a very good benediction--only I didn't hear a bit of it. The sound system went funky and the crowd started yelling at them to turn it up. The poor reverend. He's trying to give his blessing and he has 500,000 or so people screaming "WE CAN'T HEAR YOU". They finally got it worked out and we did get to hear the end. Was it a plot to mess up the gay bishop? Who knows. The system sucked when they played videos earlier too. I couldn't hear Elmo the muppet either. Maybe someone just forgot to plug something in.

I managed to climb up on my folding chair and get a look at the Lincoln Memorial and more importantly, the jumbotron. My husband, who has balance problems got stuck behind a couple of 6 footers. People in our area were very creative in trying to get a better look at the stage. There were several in trees and a group on the roof of one of the porta potties. The roof kept sagging lower and lower. Eventually they got off leaving some clothes behind them. A few minutes later the first aid squad came through. I hope they didn't fall in.

Next up was the Boss and a gospel choir singing "The Rising". I'd love to know the name of that choir who was with him that was great. If I have any complaints it was that you had to play "Name that singer" with so many of the performers. I hate that. For one thing it makes me feel very old. My inability to identify people like Usher or Beyonce on sight must mean that I am hopelessly out of touch. As for the performers of my generation, I didn't know James Taylor until he started singing--lookin a bit long in the tooth there, James--but you still got the voice. The speakers got a full mention but it was a guessing game as to who some of these singers were.

Highlights. Garth Brooks doing "American Pie" and "Shout" he got everyone up and dancing. U2--I thought only Bono was supposed to be there. Stevie Wonder--because he's Stevie and the big surprise of the day, Pete Seeger performing This Land is Your Land with Bruce Springsteen. I just watched the video and realized that Pete's grandson was actually singing the lead--He sounds just like grandpa. I loved that they sang the parts about the people at the relief office and the "No Trespassing" sign that most people leave out. Pete looks great for 89 going on 90.

It was a wonderfully friendly crowd. We met some really nice people and everyone was kind and helpful. I remember a guy in a tree who kept taking pictures with everyone's cameras so they'd get a shot of at least one of the performers in the flesh. The optomism and joy had to be experienced. Despite the cold and the fact that we probably had the worst seats in the house it was worth it.