Last night was like a dream. Well, at least for 2 hours or so. I finally got to see David Garrett in person! It was surreal. I've never been starstruck, until now.
I just cannot believe it when he came out on stage... it's really him! I've been listening to his music for a long while now and it's just so unreal that he was right in front of me! Listening to David play in person is a very moving experience. For me at least. He told a few stories in between his pieces as he usually does in his shows and from them, I felt kind of sorry that he is so tired! He did not say that... but, he told a story about how he used the wrong key card to try to open his hotel room one night in Boston because he had been traveling so much and got confused. He also mentioned he had just broken up with his girlfriend 2 weeks ago ( I take that as the truth)! How terribly sad... and who would break up with David Garrett!! Anyhow, I just felt that he must be so tired. It must be really straining with all the back to back traveling.
We had pretty decent Orchestra seats, 9th row and almost dead center, but it was simply a pity that I did not have a decent enough camera for low light photography. Flash photography was not allowed, which wouldn't have made much difference any way. I should have borrowed a professional camera from my friend... oh well, at least I got some images of the show for great memories to savor for a long time to come.
At the end of the show, I bumped into Franck, one of David's guitarist who also co-wrote "80's Anthem" in the parking lot before they all were getting back on their tour bus. He was smoking a cigarette and though I hated the smell of it, I just had to see if I can talk to him! Well, it turns out Franck is a very nice guy. I told him how much I enjoyed his show and he said it was a lot of fun for him too. They were heading to dinner (how I wanted to say, can I come too?) and then to San Diego next, then fly off to Little Rock. They have such a tight schedule... no wonder half the time, David doesn't know where he is at. Franck was nice enough to have a photo taken with me. =) For the rest of February, they are playing at a different location almost every day!
Just as we were getting ready to leave the parking lot from the theater (the Wilshire Ebell), David walks towards me... well, not exactly towards me, but towards his bus... and I was standing right by his bus talking to Franck. When he was just 2 feet away from me, all I managed to say to him was "Do you mind a photo with me?"... I wanted to tell David how much I loved his music and HIM! But, being star-struck... I suppose, became speechless! He said, "Sure, common!" held out his arm and gestured for me to stand next to him. He is pretty tall! I think at least 6'2"! My pic did not come out good and the lighting from the parking lot was just awfully BAD... but... nonetheless, it's a photo with David Garrett! Who knows when I'll get to see him again! I got to touch his violin "case", the case that holds the amazing Stradivarius that's worth millions... only because it was on his back and I hooked on to it when we had the picture taken. =) Funny thing is... before the show, I had an odd feeling I'd be able to get a photo with David! Strong 6th sense I guess.
How I wish I can follow him to San Diego and watch him play all over again!!
David's tour bus.
The lounge at Wilshire Ebell... kind of creepy... and the smell was unpleasant.
People starting to trickle in before the show.
David enters playing "Kashmir".
The red backdrop was really distracting... not good for photos either.
At the theater lobby, when almost everyone's cleared out.
Franck Van Der Heijden. He is super nice!!
David looking really tired... poor thing.
Thanks for a great show, David! Hope to see you again real soon.
(Sorry David... about the bright ugly parking lot lamp above your head!)
