May 25, 2010
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Van Ness Stops Time
Time stopped briefly Sunday Night while Van Ness Wu performed at the Fillmore for APAHM (Asian Pacific American Heritage Month) in New York City. Tight and intense, the consummate performer gave his all to the adoring audience. Old favorites, new releases, and a bit of personal chatter, Van Ness wowed the audience in his first New York appearance. In his ‘God is better than Sex’ t-shirt, Van Ness delivered everything one could want from a star of his caliber in the intimate setting. 
Without bodyguards , on a tiny stage without props or set design, Van Ness rocked the room. When he paused very briefly to pray for the audience and God’s blessings over the evening, the people around me grumbled loudly, protesting his actions, but as soon as he launched into the next song, all was forgiven and the audience was back with him 100%. At the end of the set, I mourned the fact that real life doesn’t have a replay feature. I wanted to see it all again, repeatedly, from different viewpoints, focusing on new details, but it was over and the night was quickly becoming a favorite memory.
I have no pictures of the experience, no videos. I was too focused on the performance to notice much more than the stage and the performer I never thought I’d see live performing his heart out. It takes a lot out of you to give a polished, yet very real performance like that, and I suspect that hours and hours of work went into the 30 – 40 minute set. It showed in every single movement. No encores- no extension- just Van Ness at his best for a too brief time.
I whined that he didn’t do any Terry Tye Lee songs, because those are my favorite of favorite Van Ness’ songs. But he did many of my favorites, things I’ve written to for hours, and I loved the energy a live performance can give to a familiar sound. When he walked off the stage, I backed out of the crowd, content that our sacrifice to attend the event was worth it.
No after party, no autograph signing the next day, I had decided… just a night with Van Ness live in the city I love with people I love, celebrating the talents God has given one special person. Now… if I could just get him to read the screenplay I wrote for him! J
Comments (9)
To be remembered for sure
if only . . . = )
I’m so glad you got to go!! We have missed you here, though. Love ya, Nikki
How cool!
Does he have an agent you could access, or would that just mean a short trip to the circular file? : )
I wonder if he’s got other screenplays written for him? You should definitely try sending it in, but make sure you copyright it in some way beforehand. Glad you had so much fun! Boo to the haters in the audience: no matter what one’s beliefs are, I can’t believe anyone would be so stupid as to reject being prayed for.
He’s a true performer and a talented artist, and it’s good to know that he still remember to thank the Lord.
That sounds simply wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it!
Sounds like you had a VERY good time~~!!
And as to the screen play,..”If only….!”
Quite a memorable experience.