Let the Tour Begin....... Two New Jersey Shows
By Linda
|
In Atlantic City, the concert was late getting started because 2 equipment trucks broke down on their way from Boston. The show was supposed to start at 7.
We got there at 7 and they told us the show was being delayed by 2 hours and they would open the doors at 8. It was a bit after 8 when they let us in. Prince
Royce and Pitbull performed first. But it seemed like each performance (including Enrique's) was cut a little shorter because of the late start. Prince Royce
sang for 20 minutes Pitbull, for 30 minutes. Enrique's show was almost the full time. It ended at 1:30 am!!!!! I had a great view on Row 4 and took tons of
pictures.
The Atlantic City venue was small and the Newark venue was quite large. But each show had the same set up on stage, a ramp on each side of the stage to
get him on a higher level when he was at the side of the stage.
He had two guys up on stage in Atlantic City and he encouraged one of them sing the guy’s favorite song, O Solo Mio. He sang it. Enrique sang Donde Estan
Corazon (part of it) and Lloro por ti while they were on the stage with him and of course, they had a shot of Atlantico Rum.
The show started with Tonight, then Dirty Dancer with a laser light show. I don't remember the order of everything else but he also sang Be with you, Bailamos,
No Me Digas Que No, Cuando Me Enamoro, Hero (which he did it on a back stage), I like it with PitBull and there was confetti. The show ended with another
chorus of Tonight. (I might have left out something.) Enrique banged on the drums during I like it and also during Bailamos.
The best moment for pictures for me at the Atlantic City show, was when Enrique was coming down off the stage right in front of me. As I was getting ready to
take lots of pictures, some fans came down and stood on the chairs in front of me so I could see NOTHING and got no pictures of it. I tried “nudging” them away
to the side but it didn’t work. Oh well . . .
In Newark, my seat was on the side on the first level. It was really a great view because I was sitting even with the stage. But the lights on the stage blinded me
and created glare on my pictures so I took most of my pictures from the screen which was right next to me. Again, Enrique had a ramp on each side of the
stage going up. It bought him right in front of me. Because it was a side section with stadium seating, I could see great! There were a lot of Pitbull fans there.
They stood up for his performance but I sat, saving my energy for Enrique. It’s hard to believe but there were a bunch of Pitbull fans sitting during Enrique’s
performance! AND quite a few left after Pitbull performed! Their loss!
The show was very similar in Newark as it was in Atlantic City. Enrique added Escape to the set list. (He performed it in Boston but not AC). He did the
confetti with Escape at Newark and had the balloons during I like it. He brought up one guy on stage. Funny thing is, he had the same first name as the guy the
night before. (But they looked nothing alike so it wasn’t the same guy.) Enrique tried to get him to sing Donde Estan Corazon but he didn't know the words.
The fans on stage section was shorter than it has been on previous tours and since Enrique did sing during this section, it was better.
Enrique interacted with the fans in both shows. He took a fan's camera and took pictures of himself. In AC a girl climbed up the side of the ramp and his gave
her a kiss. The hero girl in AC was only 14. She was crying the whole time. He asked “Atlantic City, is it okay?” He kissed the young girl on the forehead.
Enrique did several jumps. IN AC he and Pitbull did a jump together at the end of I like it.
Of course, in both shows Enrique was telling the fans to come to him and he told security to let the fans do whatever the f*** they want. At that point, I noticed
security didn't bother fans much anymore.
In Newark before the show started, I decided to go to the memorabilia table. I don’t think there was anything new, besides the white shirt with the black and
white hoodie picture on it. I decided not to get it. On my way back to my seat, a girl coming in my direction noticed me and said, I remember you from the
Official Site. I can’t think of you name but I remember your picture.” Then her friend came along and she said, “Look who I found.” Her friend said, “Oh, it’s
Linda, right?” So their names were Theresa and Jennifer. I am not sure if I remember them but they said they don’t go on the OS much anymore.
I'm sure I left out a bunch of stuff, but for now, that's all I can think of.


Boston Was A Blast
By Diana
My first concert was Boston on 9/22. It was one of the best concerts I have attended as a fan. Enrique was very energetic and happy the crowd was great
they were loud and loving every moment of Enrique. I enjoyed every moment. I don’t have any pictures because I did not bring my good camera because
it said no cameras on the ticket. They made an announcement before the concert that Pitbull would not be there he was stuck in Miami. I went with my
friend whom I am converting into a fan. We had great seats row 7. Prince Royce opened he was very good I enjoyed his performance. While they were
setting up the stage for Enrique a large white curtain came down covering the stage, Enrique was lowered down on the stage on a platform. It was so
exciting. He came over to our side of the stage and told us all to come down and told security to let us do whatever we wanted I was on the end of the aisle
and up close enough for him to make eye contact with me. There were lots of special effects. There was the confetti of course but also streamers for Do
You Know. The big beach ball was headed right me and before it go to me my friend knocked it away. I said to him what did you do that for lol. The couch
scene was short. He only brought up one girl and sang one song. There was a Hero girl he was very sweet and tender with her
Since Pit was not there he sang more songs at this concert. Those songs were Nunca, Do You Know and Escape. He did not sing the new song I Like
how it feels or his current Spanish single Ayer. He started and Finished with Tonight. I am sorry I don’t have any pictures to share. I do have some from the
other concerts I attended, Atlantic City and Newark NJ. I only have pictures I took with my phone before the concert.
Atlantic City. This was a special night for me because I had an interaction with Enrique. He saw me and acknowledged me. I had a hard day that day. I
drove all the way down from Boston to NY and had to stand out in the pouring rain and got soaked to the skin and the concert started three and a half
hours late we were all so tired we could hardly keep our eyes open but that few seconds made it all worth it.
Newark was another great concert. Huge sell out crowd. The most touching moment of the night was when Enrique talked about what it felt like to leave his
mother behind and go to a new country. He was fighting back tears. I have it all on video tape My pictures did not come out too good for this concert. I was
further away then the other concerts and the arena was very dark.
Enrique's Emotional Speech in Newark Click here



STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES
By Tina
Finally October 6, 2011 arrives and we are all excited because we are going to Los Angeles to see Enrique in concert!!! We had been
planning on this concert for months. I bought three tickets three months ahead of time. I planned to take my son-in-law, Steve, to drive his
daughter Skye and me to L.A. Skye had done a lot of work for me to pay for her own ticket. She filed hundreds of Enrique magazines for
me, since I can no longer do that for hours at a time. My usual partner, Angel, could not get the day off from work and I knew I would miss
her very much because we always have such a good time and now we hardly ever have mother/daughter time together anymore. I had
plenty of relatives to choose from since my whole family loves Enrique.
Skye and I talked about it for weeks, I showed her every new video as they came out. She even visited me the night before to tell me she
was graduating the next day, but her teacher had told her it was OK if she wasn't there for the ceremony. SHE WANTED TO GO TO THE
CONCERT!!!! I caledl her early the morning of the concert and everything was go. Then she showed up at my house right on time and told
me her teacher said she better show up or she was not going to graduate!! There was nothing she could do about it.
So we go to plan B.....Alexis, Angel's daughter, loves Prince Royce and she had heard me say months ago that I was going to that concert
and right away she said, "I want to go too!" I told her I only had three tickets and she was very sad. For the next few days I tried to buy
another ticket and there was nothing even close to us. I didn't have a lot of time so I just gave up. So now Skye couldn't go and the first one
we thought of was Alexis. We called her and she immediately said YES! and added, "Do you have an extra ticket for my boyfriend?"
Problems, problems, problems!!! So she ended up saying yes and we got the directions to her house. He final words were , "Please, don't
forget me!"
We were in a big hurry so I didn't get a map from Google. Steve and I took off with our directions heading North. We were very relaxed
chatting away as usual. About an hour later, I see a sign saying we are in Escondido. That is miles PAST where Alexis lives, so we turn
around and that is when the DAY FROM HELL starts!! We spend the next two hours just getting directions back to the freeway! The
directions we had were wrong, the phone number for Alexis said it was no longer in service, so we were left sucking our thumbs. We kept
asking different people for directions to Poway and they all had different directions. All this time we were driving around to wherever we are
directed. Finally I remember that I had Angel's phone number, but she was at work and I hate to call her at work. Of course there were no
public phones anywhere. I can't use a cell phone because of my pace maker, so we were very lucky and found this nice, patient, young man
who let us use his cell phone. We called Angel, she called her daughter and Alexis called us back and told us to meet her at Denny's in
Poway. In the meantime I start talking to this older lady and we have a four way conversation going and the two of them solve our problem.
Hallelujah!!! All I could think was of poor Alexis thinking we had forgotten her. We follow the directions, but Steve turns right instead of left.
We actually stopped at a McDonalds to ask where Denny's was! We make a u-turn, got to Denny's and out walks Alexis with a big smile!!!!!
It is very easy to find the Stapels Center cause it is right off the freeway. We were worried about being late cause we knew there were going
to be sixty five thousand people there. Of course we hadn't eaten or brought a camera with us. We went to the parking lot and the lady told
us where to go to buy a camera so we made another u-turn, stopped at Popeye's Chicken and bought a ten piece. He must have loved
Alexis because he gave us a twenty-piece. We ate in the car and went to a drug store to buy two throw away cameras.
Fran, an old member from the Realm, and I had made a date to meet for a late lunch, but when I realized that there were going to be
thousands of people there, we decided to wait for the next concert. I was also going to invite Rob , Maria and Marisol to join us, but had
second thoughts and decided to meet them inside the arena.
We returned to the parking gate and the same lady was there. We had my handicapped placket hanging on the mirror and she yelled at the
man, "Give them the SPECIAL place!" It was right in front of the main door to go into the Staples Center!!! God always takes care of
Tina!!!! There were four lines of people each about a mile long already waiting to get in. I walked right up to the lady at the door and asked
if I could be escorted in because I walked with a cane due to a leg injury. She whispered, "Ask for a wheel chair and you will be the first one
in." So I was the first one in and they even stopped at the booth for me to buy a T-shirt. They took me right to my seat, all I had to do was
walk up three stairs and they told me to wait until the concert was over and they would pick me up and take me to my car. California is great
for handicapped people!!!!
I would guess we waited about half an hour and Prince Royce came on stage. Alexis was so excited, she was throwing kisses at him and
sitting on the edge of her seat. When he sang "Stand By Me," she went crazy and when he walked to our end of the stage, she stood up
and waved repeatedly and threw more kisses at him! She turned to me and said, "He looked right at me, did you see that?" Of course, I
said yes. He sang about half an hour and everyone in our area seemed to love him.
Then came Pitbull, he got a loud reception. Yes, Wanda, this is when I stuffed little wads of Kleenex in my ears and so did Alexis! I don't like
Rap, but this man can sure move! I guess Cubans are the best lovers and Latin dancers!!! Everyone stood up and danced for all of his
performance. To me his songs all sounded the same, except when we got a special appearance from Marc Anthony as they sang, "Rain
Over Me". That was special.
I went to see only one man and to everyone's surprise, Enrique didn't keep us waiting for an hour as usual. The reason was quite clear the
next day when I found out Anna was in the first row. I had actually scanned the front row and all I saw was a bunch of blonds and I didn't
check the faces. The crowd yelled and screamed like crazy and everyone was on their feet for most of the performance. He started with
"Tonight I'm Loving You" and everyone loved it. . Anyway, everyone knows what he sang so I won't go into that very much. I thought he was
acting weird on stage, more like it was a rehearsal than an actual performance. It started with the couch scene. He brought this man up on
stage, briefly talked to him, poured three glasses of Atlantico Rum, gave one to his musician and said he had just had a baby and they all
toasted and drank the rum. He talked to the man for a little bit longer then suddenly got up and sang "No Me Digas Que No" with Wisen and
Yandel., they brought the house down. When he was finished the couch and the man were gone. He briefly sang some old standard
Spanish songs, went into the newer ones from Euphoria in both English and Spanish like, "Cunado Me Enamoro," without Juan Luis Guerra
on the screen. After the confetti came down Enrique bowed down in all directions at the end of the runway and seemed to linger there quite
a while, he finally turned and ran back to the stage and made that big leap in the air and disappeared backstage. Everyone around me was
wondering if he was coming back, they didn't know if they should clap or not.
I told Alexis he still had an encore coming up and he would be coming up on a platform in the back. We waited quite a while and he finally
came up on the platform and people had a hard time finding him because the spotlights didn't seem to know what to do. Once on that
platform he started looking around for his Hero Girl. It took him forever, he even started singing the song, stopped and asked who wanted to
come up on stage. There was a lot of screaming and searching and he still couldn't find anyone. Finally he started singing "Hero" again
and this woman appeared behind him and he started singing to her. He put her hands on his buns and she joked, "My husband doesn't
have to know about this," as the crowd roared and screamed and he replied, "Don't worry, no one is going to tell." He kissed her and the
lights went out. Next he appeared back on the stage and the streamers came down as he continued with I believe, I"I Like It" and 'Tonight
I'm F**king You." He took bows all over the place, but lingered on the stage and no one knew what to expect. Finally the video of "I Like It
That Way" started playing and he left the stage.
Besides the surprise the next day, on all the Latino gossip shows, that Anna had been there, I was overwhelmed to hear them say that there
were EIGHTY THOUSAND people at the Staples Center that night!!!! I didn't wait for my wheelchair, we got out of the arena first and out of
the parking lot first! We all had a fabulous night and only Steve was deaf because he didn't protect his ears. I'm sorry I missed all my
friends, but I know there will be other concerts and I'll see them again soon.
William Levy is coming to San Diego so I have a something exciting still coming my way. God is so good to me!!!!!!!


Las Vegas Story
By Lynn
When my brother picked me up at the airport upon my return from Las Vegas, I was able to report happily that at this concert, I had accomplished one of the two things I had really wanted to do. “Oh? You got a
hug from Enrique?” I had to reply, “um, okay, one of the three things, then.” And sorry to say I hadn't gotten a hug. ha
I got a great feeling about this particular trip when the two people sitting next to me on the plane to Vegas were both Enrique fans. I will start a conversation about Enrique with complete strangers. When I
informed them I was coming to Vegas specifically for the concert that night, the man on the aisle said he was going to the show, too! He said he had been a fan since “Escape” but had never attended a live
performance. I assured him he would enjoy himself immensely. The girl sitting between us said she hadn't known Enrique was there but she would try to get a ticket. (I didn't want to rain on her parade by telling
her I thought the show was sold out.)
I met Wanda at the airport and we went to our hotel, where Nanette later met us. She drove to Vegas from the San Diego area and we all three would attend the concert. It was at the Red Rock Casino out in the
middle of noplace and was (gulp) an outdoor arena. I had never been outside in Vegas before -- only changed planes at the airport, so I was a little worried, especially after seeing “rain or shine” imprinted on the
tickets. I knew it was a desert and was afraid we'd be hot and sweating and not from proximity to Enrique, either, but happily it was quite cool. But the weather was perfect, in the 70s. It was a big arena (I heard a
security guard say 8,000 people) and it looked to me like almost every seat had a body in it. You go, Enrique.
Nanette and I had seats together and Wanda and Maria [her Facebook friend? not sure] sat together in a different section. they were closer to the stage but to the side and Nanette and I were at the end of the
catwalk but had about 8 rows of folks in front of us. The people in front of us did their darnedest to put a head, an arm or their camera in every photograph I took. When I swayed to the right, someone else would
sway to the right, etc., all night. It was highly aggravating but it made the pictures I did get without interference that much more exciting for me.
See what I mean? Aaarrrgh.
It did get a little chilly by the end of the evening but Enrique was prepared. He wore a dark long sleeve shirt over his usual gray tee shirt concert “costume” and added a scarf around his neck. Poor baby - he
wasn't taking any chances on getting sick! I really liked the shirt and I hope we see it again at other concerts. I'm not all that fond of his gray tee. He looks so good in black and dark colors, and in bright colors like
red and sky blue, that it breaks my heart to see him dressed in the drab gray tee. He still looks scrumptious but I was thrilled to see something a little different this night.
Prince Royce was not there in Vegas so Pitbull opened the show in his usual take-no-prisoners style. I must admit I have become a fan since seeing him on the Euphoria tour. Previously, I had only liked his
duet with Marc Anthony (and of course “I Like It”) before seeing him perform live, but now I like everything I'm hearing. I even realized a song I liked a lot (”Give Me Everything”) was his, which I had not known.
Pitbull is a fun guy in a live performance! I enjoy his arrogant strut and the little trademark sneer and my goodness can he dance or what? He tires me out just watching him. And like Enrique, he has a very
sweet smile.
I think because Prince Royce was not here, both Pitbull and Enrique sang a little longer than they had at other concerts. . . but maybe it was my imagination. (Enrique has a tendency to reduce my poor brain to
mush.)
After Pitbull came the headliner! I love how the show opens with the build-up of music and gets everybody all stirred up before Enrique ever sets foot on the stage, but then finally, there he was. He opened and
closed the show with “Tonight” and since it's one of my current favorites (they keep changing--lol), I'm very happy with that decision. I was thankful for the telephoto lens on my camera or I wouldn't have had much
of a view at all. It would still have been entertaining to hear Enrique, of course. Who could resist that man's voice? And the magic lights were fun, too, but I'm still very happy for the zoom lens.
Pitbull's performance style is like a hit over the head with a hammer -- he really commands your attention.... but the way Enrique is with his audience is pure magic. He beguiles, he teases, he makes love to
everybody in the venue. Nobody can match him for showmanship and sheer charisma. Everything he does, whether it's a calculated part of singing the song or something spontaneous, is pure entertainment.
He's funny, he's serious, he gets the crowd going. I love watching him watch the audience; I think he needs us as much as we need him--lol.
He sang a terrific collection of old and new (Bailamos, Be With You and Tonight, CME with the video of Juan Luis Guerra (Sole, spell?) and the remix version of Dirty Dancer with the videos of Usher (yay) and Lil
Wayne (to put it politely: not my favorite). He was mesmerizing the whole night with his hyper bouncy personality and humor.
He couldn't keep still, climbing up on the light fixtures, leaning dangerously over into the crowd to touch hands, and running back and forth. You know, the usual.
But no matter what he was doing, you couldnt help watching intently because he was having such fun that you had fun, too.
In the above picture on the right is an illustration of the best place to be during an Enrique concert -- right on the stage with him. And that guy has a big lens camera, too. I want to be there. Wonder if Enrique
needs another photographer for the tour....? I'm so available it isn't funny.
Poor baby -- at the time, I didn't notice the bandage around his hand. He needs to be much more careful; he's way to precious to us to risk. Enrique, maybe you need me to follow you around all day to protect you
from yourself. Certainly the least I could do as a loyal fan is to kiss it and make it better.
I have seen Enrique in concert many times, I'm happy to say, but each show is unique -- none were boring or tedious. He's such fun to watch -- I've always admired his good looks and buy lots of magazines
when he's on the cover, but in real life his beauty is simply stunning. And the best part is that he seems without ego about it.
The funniest part of the Vegas show came when Enrique got the two guys from the audience to sit on the stage with him. He came to the edge of the catwalk to scan the crowd (delighting the socks off me,
needless to say, because now I could try for close-ups--lol) and pointed to the two guys sitting together and asked if they wanted to come up. I couldn't hear their response but I guess they weren't sure who if
Enrique was pointing to them. “Yeah, you guys in the blue shirts.”
Of course, once all three got to the sofa and sat down, they pretty much disappeared from my view. I was able to watch the big video screen and enjoyed Enrique's attempt to interview them. (They said they were
from Chicago! Had to give my city a plug there.) One of the men was clearly thrilled to bits. I think Enrique wanted to have a more or less normal conversation with the guy, but the fan was just too overwhelmed
by his good fortune. Probably if the three men had hung out all afternoon, the fan could have relaxed and given Enrique the casual comments and opinions he was hoping for, but at this time, no way. The fan
was obviously aware that these precious few minutes with Enrique were not going to last.
“You're the most amazing man!” the fan gushed. Enrique was his usual funny self-deprecating self. “No, don't say that. Don't say that. Then people will think that the whole thing is made-up and B***S***.”
Of course Enrique had to ask them about their sexual orientation. He wasn't subtle. “Is this your boyfriend?” he asked the first guy (the one who was so thrilled to be there). The audience laughed but it was good-
natured.
”Nah, he's not my boyfriend.... though he's tried a couple times.”
The audience loved these guys. The fan admitted they were both gay but not with each other. ”I'm holding out for Enrique.” The crowd roared.
Enrique asked how Las Vegas was treating them. Had they gambled? The fan said yeah, they were down about $400 but he was having a terrific time. “I'm sitting here with Enrique F***** Iglesias!!” He was so
funny and so happy to be there next to Enrique. I am ordinarily not a big fan of the fans-on-the-sofa segment but this time I think everybody in the place enjoyed it.
The biggest laugh of the evening (for me, anyway) was when Enrique was asking if there was a particular song they would like him to sing, even if it wasn't a song of his. “Growing up, what was your favorite
music?” Enrique was probably hoping for some 1980s pop song he could sing for them. The guy responded that he had mostly listened to Irish music. He said slowly, “Irish music? Oh shit.” And the audience
knew there was no way Enrique would be able to sing Irish songs. The fan knew it, too. Almost gleefully, he said, “you're f***ed now.” Enrique had the biggest smile on his face.
Here is a YouTube link I found with that little interview. Watching Enrique work his charm on these guys is certainly worth 8 minutes of your time (lol). Enrique sings “Stand By Me” with that sexy falsetto at the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSuDImPFrc0
What I enjoyed most about this concert is what I enjoy most about any of Enrique's performances -- his joy at singing and entertaining us. I love it when he just stands and looks at the crowd going crazy.
Sometimes he'll find a face that appeals to him and he'll wave or point or someone will be doing something that tickles him. I'd be willing to do just about anything to get that happy face turned toward me.. lo
He was having such a good time that you couldn't help but have a great time, too. I think that's probably Enrique's greatest asset... drawing people in.
I sometimes laugh when I remember how the media tried to compare him with his father, especially at the beginning of his career. Not only are their singing voices completely different, but their performance
styles are in opposite directions, too, and aren't we glad! Enrique doesn't just stand in one spot in the middle of the stage and sing. He runs and jumps and clutches the microphone stand, waving his arms and
making adorably goofy faces. Even if you were deaf, you'd probably still enjoy the show. (:
The fact that he's, um, easy on the eyes, shall we say, is another factor in concert enjoyment. But what I like most is the personality. There's not a boring second in the whole concert. Let's face it. If there's one
thing at which Enrique is a master, it's entertaining his audience.
And now a time out for a personal gripe: With all the joy otherwise, it still annoys me no end when there is any kind of ban on photography. Obviously, this is an artist who not only does not care if you take
pictures, but in fact, encourages you to take pictures. Here he is catching someone's little camera (or cell phone?). Is this a guy who wants security to threaten someone who wants to photograph him?
But that's something we just have to accept and do our darnedest to get around.... lol Not like we don't have incentive.
As always, the shower of confetti came too soon. No, no, it can't be nearing the end...! Not yet. Well, Enrique did give us some encores, of course. But before that, he delighted me by smiling at everybody and
blowing kisses.
got to say I really wanted some of those kisses for real, Enrique, lol. He sure knows how to make love to his audience.
And the concert wasn't over and neither was the love. As with previous concerts, the stage darkened, the band played background music and Enrique sneaked to the back of the venue to a little stage for the Hero
Girl performance. Whenever the Hero Girl is not me or anyone I know it is disappointing, of course .... but I can still get a kick out of the song and it helps when the fan Enrique chooses is entertaining to watch.
Sometimes the fan gets a bit, um, overexcited and that isn't any fun. The Las Vegas Hero Girl was just right. She was excited to be in Enrique's arms (big surprise there, right?) but didn't say anything
embarrassing (or boring) and played along with him perfectly. Their little dance and later hug and kiss was a bit hit with everybody.
Look how much the crowd is enjoying this tender moment.
Because I was having a terrible time getting the pictures I wanted near the end, I decided to video instead. I did get lots of film bits for I Like It with Pitbull and the last Tonight performance, but have no pictures to
share of that part.
Overall, it was a wonderful evening. What was it that the producer guy says at the end of Can You Hear Me? Oh yeah, appropriate here, too. “Enrique, you did it again.”
ox ox
Lynn, your intrepid reporter
p.s. Oh, almost forgot. The two things I really wanted to do during this concert series is (1) get the drum stick that Enrique tosses into the crowd and (2) get my hands on one of the huge white e.i. balloons.
Nanette said she'd help me snag either of those things if they came her way. I was smiling when I saw one of the big balloons sailing over to us straight into her hands.... only to have the guy in the row ahead of
us jump up and bang it away. I may have said a bad word. And then we got another chance when a different big balloon came toward us, only to have the guy bat it away again. Instead of commiting a homicide, I
decided to tell him I was looking to get one of the balloons. He gave me a puzzled look, but did help me get the next balloon that came bouncing over to us. Thank you! Unfortunately, I had to pop it in order to
carry it with me, not to mention make it easier on myself to travel back home with it, but still .... the little e.i. letters are clear and intact.
Now I only have to get one of those drum sticks!






The Sprint Center is a smaller venue, so it felt very intimate, like there wouldn’t have been a bad seat in the house. We weren't on the floor, but we were in the side section directly out from the side of the
catwalk. When we walked in I was so excited, I was jittery!! We started our descent down the stairs to our seats, and even at the top of the stairs the catwalk seemed quite close, but we kept going down and
down and down and finally we were at our row…I looked at Rick (my husband) and pointed to the catwalk and said, “He’s going to be right there!!!”. About 1½ sections over was where the side stage came
out so I knew when he was stage right he would be really close…though not close enough for me to touch, close enough to bask in his golden, gorgeous presence!!
We took our seats and I honestly just sat there and enjoyed knowing I was in the same building as Enrique..*sigh*. Billie Jean, Moves Like Jagger, and Pumped Up Kicks (which I LOVE, by the way) were just a
few of the pre-show songs (there were only like 5 total). Then Prince Royce came on…he is definitely a cutie. His music was extremely loud and it was difficult to hear his voice, but he interacted quite a bit
with the audience and commented on a few girl’s signs. Then Pitbull came out…he is so energetic and interacts with the crowd extremely well. Pitbull definitely has got the moves. He performed for about an
hour and the crowd was on it’s feet the entire time and sang along to every single song!! Nayer also performed a verse of her song and then sang with Pitbull…would’ve liked to have seen the two of them
dance a little salsa together, but that didn’t happen (what did I expect, it wasn‘t Dancing with the Stars after all…geesh).
Anyway, the moment I’ve waited years for was finally here……it was time for the main event!!!!!! The white curtain was up and then it all started!! I’ve watched so, so many YouTube videos of his entrances,
but I was still in complete awe of the whole thing…my heart was racing knowing that he was right behind that curtain!!! Then the lights went out, the curtain disappeared, and the spotlight came on that
breathtakingly, fine human being and what a sight he was!!!!! He honestly does take your breath away and I had that feeling like when you’re on a roller coaster and you have to scream because you feel like
you won’t be able to breathe if you don’t….you all know that feeling, right?? Wow, I’m almost speechless just thinking about it…wow! So he sang “Tonight” and when he was ready to “get dirty“, he came over
to our side…damn, he’s just so easy on the eyes that I was afraid it would hurt if I took my eyes off him!! Next song was “Dirty Dancer” and I have to say after seeing the laser show on TV, it really is so much
better live!!
He laid down on the stage during Usher’s first verse…Lord, have mercy!! During Usher’s part when he sings “she can win with her eyes closed” and Enrique says “open your eyes, open your eyes” in the
video…well he was up on our side again and I watched him say that part and do a little move with his God-like sculpted arms…makes me all giddy just thinking about it. When that song ended, there was a
little keyboard music, but the entire stage was black for about 1½ minutes, then the spotlight came on and he asked how many people speak Spanish and after the crowd reaction, he did that sexy laugh of
his…pause, while I savor that memory…ok, so he sang “No Me Digas Que No” and was back on our side of the stage again for the beginning of it. Gilmar performed the Wisin n Yandel parts and he did such
a good job!! Then the band played their little gig before the beginning of “Bailamos” and Enrique asked if anyone was over 20 and said “let’s take it back to 1999“…after he played Gilmar’s drums with him,
he came out to the end of the catwalk and surveyed the audience while they set up the stage, wiped his sweat off with some of the stuff thrown on stage and threw it back in the audience, put a shirt down his
jeans and then threw it to the audience…of course, the crowd loved it (as did I). Enrique went back to the main stage for the sit down portion and sang “Cuando Me Enamoro” and did a little more of his chest
movement (aka dancing)…yummy!
I absolutely love watching him sing the Spanish songs live (who am I kidding, I love watching him do anything, really). Then he did a little more walking around and interacting with the audience…just love how
he takes it all in He brought up two guys on stage that he thought were a couple, but they weren’t; although they were gay, so his gaydar was working just fine. He felt bad about it, but they all laughed it
off. They had some shots of Atlantico and he chatted with them for a bit. I don’t think the rum goes down as easy as the vodka did for Enrique…haha Next, he sang “Lloro Por Ti” and the way he sings the
chorus of the song just thrills the hell out of me and much to my delight he came to the end of the catwalk to finish the song **sigh** Then he went to his knees and sang the chorus twice **double sigh**. He
had a little crowd interaction while they changed the stage, then Emmett played guitar leading in to “Be With You“…another one my favorites to watch him sing. The oh-so-familiar beginning chords of
“Escape” started and he was encouraging everyone to come closer. The screens behind the band all filled with a huge image of Enrique….so breathtaking!!! Once again, he was back on our side for a long
time and at one point, he stepped over the rail and sat on the outside of it (how would I have controlled myself if it had been me down there???). He got off the rail and ran down the catwalk and out came the
confetti!! Then he ran back to the main stage and did the famous jump for the first time of the night!! Lights out.
Back to Stage B. “Hero” started, he sang the first verse, laid the mic down and the crowd sang the chorus. He pulled a lady up and immediately started singing again. I have to say this wasn’t one of my
favorite “Hero” performances, he didn’t talk to the lady at all and just didn’t seem all that into it, but it was still good and he was as sexy as always. After they went down the trap door (what I wouldn’t give to
have those few seconds alone with him…sigh!!), we watched the band for awhile until he appeared on the main stage again and sang “I Like It” and the balloons came out. He came back to our side of the
stage and then he threw the drumstick out to our section and it ended up in our row about 10 seats down!!! I would’ve given my right arm for that stick because he had it between his legs before he threw it
Pitbull came out and the place went wild!! They did their thing at the end of the catwalk and then they ran back to the main stage together and did “the jump”. The band left, but Enrique was still out there
and a girl came running on the stage behind him from our side, he turned around and hugged her, walked her offstage, then came right back out and threw some balloons off the stage into the audience,
thanked us, then did the Ole chant. He started speaking the lyrics for “Tonight” and proceeded with one verse of the dirty version. He thanked us again, then did one last jump. One thing that I loved at the
end was that his band left, but he stayed out there on the stage looking around the arena for about a minute or so and then was the last one to leave. After he left, people started filing out and then after
about 3-4 minutes, they started playing the “I Like How It Feels” video. Then it was officially over Enrique only performed for about 65 minutes total, so my only disappointment was that I wish we could
have had him on stage much longer than that. I assume having Prince Royce and Pitbull along this time meant he had to cut back on his setlist…understandable. Honestly, he could’ve sang every song he
has and I’d still be left wanting more. I hate to say this, but I think the majority of the people were there to see Pitbull because the crowd was so much louder and more involved when Pitbull was onstage. Not
to say that Pitbull isn’t an excellent performer, but in my opinion, Enrique was absolutely amazing and I look forward to seeing him live again. Now, if only I could meet him in person, face to face, my life would
be complete
Kansis City
By Kerri
Linda's Pics from Orlando and Miami..the best of the best
|
Enrique in Wandaland, Texas!!--MY EUPHORIA!
Thursday, October 13, 2011-- SAN ANTONIO
…..As most of us know, The Euphoria Tour 2011 first began back in February at Foxwoods in CT, The Borgota in AC, and MSG in NYC. It wasn’
t easy mustering up the $$$$ for all of these fabulous shows, but with the grace of God and careful planning, somehow I managed to pull it off.
With AC Taj Mahal, Newark, Vegas, Houston and San Antonio now behind me, there is still Orlando, Miami, and Madison Square Gardens to
look forward to!!! Not that I am being biased or anything but Enrique obviously LOVES Texas, and with the exception of Austin, he definitely has
a huge fan-base here in our state. As he mentioned at the Houston show, with it being the 3rd city he has visited for his very 1st U.S. tour, as
well as mentioning how partial he is to San Antonio as well, Enrique has always felt this special connection with us and for that reason alone, I
am forever greatful! In comparison to all his other concerts I‘ve already attended, it seems I enjoyed Houston and San Antonio the most! And
even though it was a lot of fun in Houston seeing Enrique with my dear friend Lynn, I would like to focus this story on San Antonio for the
purpose of my own personal ‘connection’ that I had with Enrique there myself.
…..After leaving Houston Thursday morning, I returned back to Austin precisely at 1:30 p.m. when my friends Bernadette and Elsie then arrived
to pick me up from the airport. From there, we went back to B’s apartment, freshened up a bit, and then left around 4:00 p.m. for San Antonio.
Rush-hour traffic slowed us down a bit but we still had lots of time before reaching our destination. Of course, we needed to have dinner first
before arriving at the venue so we stopped along the way at Mamacita’s with each of us splitting a huge order of Chicken Quesadillas!…YUM!
As you can probably guess, I didn’t allow us to make this trip without listening to the EUPHORIA CD in the car…lol! Bernadette didn’t comment
but Elsie loved it and asked me if I was crying when “Why Not Me” came on. It was a good thing I was wearing my sunglasses (sniff!). We soon
arrived at the venue around 6:30 p.m. and since Bernadette knew her way around since she has been to the AT & T Center many times for the
Spurs basketball games, we then went up to the ‘celebrity’ lounge to have drinks until it came time for us go to our seats that were located
conveniently on the first floor. While waiting, I could hear Enrique’s own sweet voice doing his sound check to “I Like How It Feels” on the other
side of the wall! Oh my! If ONLY they would have opened up those black curtains so that I could have taken a peak!! If ONLY he would be ready
to sing the song LIVE!!…After finding our seats, soon it came time for the concert to begin with Prince Royce, Pitbull and then Enrique with the
same setlist of songs as for all his other concerts. Max, someone I knew was called upon stage to sit and talk with Enrique and I am sure he has
a great story of his own to tell as well!…
…..My special ’few seconds’ with Enrique came quite unexpectedly! Actually, it happened twice! My friends and I were situated on the 15th row
on the floor, about 5 chairs from the catwalk---a close enough stretch to where Enrique could get a good look at his fans about 10 feet away!
Just as I had hoped, for a split second, there was a clear path between where Enrique was standing at the edge of the catwalk and where I was
standing when suddenly he caught a quick glimpse of me! It was like God had just opened up the Red Sea, and without fail, Enrique recognized
me right away!…OMG!…taking advantage of the moment, I screamed out his name and without thinking, practically ran over my poor friend
Elsie in order to get closer to him! She was ok, but laughed hysterically on how funny I was reacting to Enrique smiling and waving at me and
worth it to her to watch ME go nuts over him doing that! Of course, I apologized to her but she said she needed a good laugh and this was the
right moment for it….lol! After that cute little smile and wave he gave me, he quickly strutted to the left of the stage like a little monkey and
climbed over the railing to make other fans go nuts as well. When it came time for him to sing “I Like It” that was another memorable moment
when all the white Euphoria balloons started floating around. Determined to catch one of them since I wasn’t able to catch any of the other
concerts I’ve been to, I paid no attention to the song OR Enrique himself, if you can believe that! My brain was in high gear with my main mission
waiting for a balloon to come my way and then grab onto it. In the process, there were many attempts to latch onto them but I kept failing as it
wasn’t as easy as it looked, mainly because they were either slippery, or other people around me would punch them in other directions…grrrr!
…Needless to say I kept trying to catch one as they were floating around the audience, and this one girl sitting in the row in front of me (whom I
asked earlier for whom she was here for---Enrique or Pitbull and she said Pitbull) was quite annoying…lol!…Okay---fine! Meanwhile, another
balloon came my way and we both grabbed onto it at the same time and I politely asked her if I could have it. Normally I wouldn’t do that but
knowing she wasn’t there for Enrique, I thought to myself, why not ask her? At that point I was feeling frustrated because I wanted one really
bad, when suddenly, here comes another balloon up from above and as soon as it reached me, the same girl punched it towards Enrique and
then he punched it right back towards my direction and she tried snatching it away from me AGAIN! For a brief second, Enrique looked at the
girl and said to her: “Let her have it!”---meaning ME!…and so she did! I thought to myself, “Enrique! Thank you, baby!” Mind you, this all
happened in a matter of seconds. If Enrique had not been there precisely at the right moment, I would NOT have gotten a balloon at all---a
special one at that because Enrique ‘punched” this particular one towards me. Not only do I have a balloon, but it has Enrique’s DNA from his
fist all over it…lol! Sadly, I had to pop it in order to get it in the car.) Thank you, Enrique for a wonderful concert and for making my day!…a
great time was had by all!….sigh!