Fabulous Flowers and Maniac Music
I've been to two riots recently: one last Saturday with mostly kid appealing pop stars and one this Saturday with soul healing irises. Each had their own appeal.
If you are into Jesse McCartney, Kelly Clarksonor the Black Eyes Peas, last Saturday's Z100's Zootopia 09 was your brain busting choice. If you're into flowers, now is the time for the annual world class iris display at the Presby Iris Gardens http://www.presbyirisgardens.org/
Well, I liked them both. Especially since at the concert,
I got to pretend that I was 14 going along with my 14 year old.
We shrieked, waved our hands in the air and generally behaved like teens--well she is! I was just pretending.
It was a laugh riot.
Back stage in the press room sitting in row two, we saw all these teen idols close up. I put my money on Kelly--who looked like a real person and someone I'd like to get to know.
Hunger and Singing
My kid asked the only thoughtful question at the " press conference"among the typical silly ones--"what is your favorite candy?" --when she speared Soulj Boy for his diamond bling. "With all the poverty and hunger in the current economic climate, why are you spending your money on all those diamonds?" His teen answer was, "I made it, I can spend it how I like". She frowned.
He tried to recover by saying that he is usually in the south at this time hosting a philanthropic event that he sponsers for kids. In stead
he was here in NJ where part of the proceeds of the concert were to go to City Harvest, a feeding program in NYChttp://www.cityharvest.org/. She still thinks his costuming is inappropriate. And he might take heed of the current zeitgeist and remake his image.
Talent and Style
There was no question in my mind that all these performer, others of whom included All-American Rejects, Flo Rider, and Ciara, are really talented. Have their own musical styles--some of which I like and others I don't, and they are packed with energy and drive, and charisma. So there we were, my 14 year old and I, 50 years older than she, jumping and waving along with the screaming arena full of teens.
It is hard to measure the staying power of any of these performers. Jessie McCartney might forge a serious acting career and Fergie might break out on her own as a solo artist. I don't see the others lasting for decades.
But then there is Kelly Clarkson, who I had vaguely heard of --the teen natter in the background of my life. Indeed, when one question was asked in the press room shows you where my head is--who are you voting for? I was stumped--what election was being referred to...DUH! They were talking about American Idol!!
Ok, Clarkson is indeed a major talent, seems to be a real person, and reminded me vocally of Joan Armatrading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Armatrading who has sung across genres and whose somewhat gravely voice sends shivers up and down my spine. Clarkson's transition to more rock gives her a range of vocal expression that is richer and less candy-coated. She has more color in her voice.
And somehow, she was almost the only singer who we could hear. the volume was so LOUD, most of the time that you could not hear the singers. Well, that is the point, I think, you are to experience the effect and not really hear if these people can sing or not--whatever their style. Clarkson can sing.
So all this was heeps of fun and keeps me connected to my kid. And I hope, I didn't embarrass her too much. I'd do it again...but with ear plugs this time.
I Am in an i.r.is State
The beauty of the Presby Iris gardens is in stark contrast to the Zootopia riot. Here the riot is in color and quietude--of one's soul and spirit. The irises bring me and others into an i.r.is state an I am state in tune with the purple fragrance of the flowers, their swaths of rainbow color and the peaceful strolling of hundreds, who stoop periodically to sniff or snap a shot. I just like to sit nearby and look at all the beauty. Takes me into the I.R.Is state. while the concert shook me up, the flowers settle me down--deep down into my core--into an is state where, I r one in isness of the flower hearts.
In China, the iris is the symbol of dancing early summer, hope and valor. Ancient Greeks associated irises with Juno and power. In France it is the Fleur de Lis and the symbol of royalty. Breathing in and becoming in an Is state with this rainbow riot of flowers, brings in all the power of spring and the valor needed to begin anew. .
I'll take my kid by to look at the irises this spring before it is too late. She can enter my world, as I did hers. Both are renewals of their own kind. And as Martha would say...that 's a good thing.
Additional performers will join Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Forest Whitaker, Aretha Franklin, Wyclef Jean, Queen Latifah, Dave Stewart, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Josh Groban, Angelique Kidjo, Baaba Maal, Jesse McCartney, Zucchero, the Soweto Gospel Choir and a host of African artists to help kick-off the first Mandela Day Celebration 
Tickets On Sale Now through Ticketmaster.com 
Ok here is the thing, I know the names. I probably am familiar with the tunes. But for the life of me, I have never been able to put the names, song titles and tunes together. Except for a few Bob Dylan or Judy Garland songs. 
