I was told I should not fly.
Yeah, right <dripping with sarcasm> was my response.
Andre Rieu was Flying to Texas and so was I.

Seven of us made plans last August to see Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra at the Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie, Texas on May 1, 2005. Audrey Clough worked diligently to coordinate our tickets as we each pledged to KERA, her local PBS station. Patricia Lyons and Patsy Brown of KERA worked to keep us calm as we all wondered and worried about our tickets, imagining every catastrophe that could befall them.

I called KCPT in Kansas City to pledge for a single Meet & Greet ticket. Shirley Kirk let me know she would be there, as did Maggie Worman who worked with Carrie Habib of KCPT, to have all of our seats together in the same row. There were now 7 of us, all planning to the attend the concert plus Meet & Greet and have great time.

Ruth Morgan and I met via email and we became good friends. We planned to meet at an Andre Rieu Fan Dinner she planned with Lawrence Sudduth for April 30, 2005, the day before the Dallas concert.

I called Terry Clark from my hotel room. He graciously picked me up and drove us to the Fans Dinner held at Marsala Ristorante. Ruth made a banner & wrapped gifts; Lawrence brought a CD player & drove to the restaurant to check it out and make plans. Both of them put in tremendous effort to make the dinner a special event, and it was.

Barbara Henderson gave me a big hug and introduced herself. She has a beautiful smile and spirit. I met Lawrence's wife Pauline. She is kind and a very pretty lady. Andrea & Michael Barfoot are dear people I am proud to think of as new Friends. Janet Furniss came and everyone is glad she did. Charlene Warfield brought her mother Ruth. Charlene has a wickedly good sense of humor and Ruth is a delight. Helene Starnes is originally from Germany, and I wish I had more time to speak with her. She has interesting stories to share, and I love to 'travel' via personal stories. Howard & Patricia Andrews (Pauline's sister and brother in law) were there as was Sarah Salmela, who introduced Lawrence to Andre's music. Jeff & Barbara Wilson were at the dinner and traveled to Kansas City with me as well. They are totally delightful. Barbara is a person you can have fun with anywhere on the globe.  Ruth & Jim Morgan cannot possibly be nicer and I think of Ruth as a very dear friend who I have known forever & just met.  Rounding out the dinner was Jerry & Nita Stover whom everyone adores. Nita is a nice lady and absolute stunning beauty & Jerry a proud yet humble WWII Veteran who fought for our Freedom & to Liberate Holland from as Andre says, "The terrible regime".

We all told a little about ourselves, visited, ate good food and listened to Andre's music. Lawrence took requests for favorite songs and Ruth passed out numbered tickets for a gift drawing. Twenty people who had met for the first time left the dinner with smiles and friendships formed.

Lawrence & Pauline Sudduth found the energy to fix meatloaf and food for a Tailgate Party the following day. While I missed the Tailgate Party, everyone tells me it was a smashing success as the photos show.

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Front & Center

Row D, Seat 5. Barbara Wilson had seat 4. Our hearts were pounding in 3/4 time. Audrey Clough, Barbara Henderson, Jeff & Barbara Wilson, myself, Terry Clark and Shirley & Dan Kirk sat together in row D, Charlene & Ruth Warfield directly behind us, all eagerly awaiting the first notes of Enter The Gladiators. Anticipation rose as the lights dimmed. Trumpets announced the beginning of the concert and then: Andre Rieu! Leading the Johann Strauss Orchestra directly down my aisle towards the stage. The Flying Dutchman landed to thunderous applause.

Every number a highlight, each note a song of it's own. The JSO performed funny antics to which we all laughed but make no mistake, they are world class musicians. Teun is featured on The Last Rose of Summer sung by Suzan, Carmen & Carla, all received a standing ovation. Carla Moffioletti sang Mein Herr Marquis from Die Fledermaus and Carmen Monarcha sang Habanera from Carmen. Suzan Erens sang Memories from the play Cats and a beautiful tribute to our Military, the Liberators of Holland with 'Til We Meet Again.

Andre played a multi-song tribute for those who liberated Holland starting off with a stirring solo of America The Beautiful on his Stradivarius, the entire crowd of 6300+ standing and singing patriotically.

Johann Strauss himself would have been proud to hear the JSO as they provided hours of music lovingly played before an adoring crowd. They made us laugh, made us cry, they even made us whistle, gargle and stomp our feet!  Mostly they made us wish the night would never end …

Another Plane ~ Another Hotel ~ And A Surprise 

Arriving in Kansas City I phoned Barbara & Jeff Wilson who were again staying at the same hotel as I. We spoke about our flights and re-lived the night before when we met Andre Rieu & The JSO.  We ate dinner at 'Lilly's' a wonderful restaurant in our hotel and tried to get some sleep.

The next day I met Barbara, Maggie, Netta, Marion, Maryann and Shirley in the lobby for a pre-dinner visit. Maggie showed us the exquisite quilt she made for Andre. Our visit was cut short by the sight of Andre's new buses.  Could it be?  Were they ... staying at the same hotel as I was???  Heavens Yes!!!  While talking with bus driver Tonya & posing by the buses, we met Bob & Gloria Carlson of Arizona.  More fans I had only known via email until that day.

Andre Rieu & The Johann Strauss Orchestra would perform in concert that evening in Kansas City's famous Union Station.

I could not believe my luck when I sat in the 3rd seat from the aisle.  Once again, I was center, and Andre was about to enter the station with the Johann Strauss Orchestra.

The Flying Californian Meets & Greets The Flying Dutchman

Patricia Lyons of KERA came to our seats after the concert to lead us to the Meet & Greet.  We were excited having just witnessed a fabulous performance by Andre Rieu & the JSO. Our hearts now pounding 3/4 time we were going to meet Andre and several members of the Johann Strauss Orchestra

Andre was as charming as always, even in the 100+ degree heat of the non-air conditioned room. (complaint to Nokia has been sent). It was obvious that Patricia & Patsy had worked diligently to provide wonderful refreshments for everyone which we all enjoyed. Andre signed autographs & spoke with every person one on one. I asked Andre to sign a Thank You Sign I held up during the concert.  The cameraman zoomed in on it and then showed my entire row which had Dancing Notes. (all made by Barbara Henderson) Andre got a big smile and said "Oh Sure ... Ah, Fun". In Kansas City, Carrie Habib had laid out a wonderful refreshment assortment.  Andre joked and teased with us all.  Andre pointed to the button I wore (made by Ruth Morgan for our Dallas concert) telling me, "I know that guy".  He signed my JSO booklet (created by Lawrence Sudduth) and looked through it commenting, "Ya Ya, this is nice. I like it".  Andre signed Shirley's sweatshirt (with a design by Linda Stinner on it) playfully saying, "Did you buy it this way?  You make this? Who is this Andre? This is nice, very nice."

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Franco is very cute. He enjoys to talk of Italy, his beloved homeland and his precious little boy who just turned two. (He came to our seats prior to the concert and showed off his newest photos like a proud Daddy.)

Suzan Erens is all giggles as any young girl in love would be to show off her engagement ring.  She is genuine & sweet beyond words. I told her I am from California, and she shared her thoughts on it having sunshine all year long. "Palm Trees, Movie Stars & Air Conditioning."  She is looking forward to December and the West Coast concerts.   I let her know I would see her again in San Jose.  She remembered me in Kansas City and we spoke again.

Carmen Monarcha brought a young fan over to Suzan and told her the little girl sang The Rose every night before bed.  The room fell hushed as Suzan, the young fan and Carmen treated us all to an A Capella version of it.  Everyone had tears in their eyes.

Carmen is outgoing and cheerful.  "Ask me anything!" she said when I told her that many men email this site to ask about her.  Carmen loves the music of Madonna and reading.  She is just as beautiful in person as when performing and her lively spirit is the most beautiful of all.

Frank Steijns was at the M&G in KC, signed my booklet and teased with Shirley.  He is cute and humorous too!

Cord Peters is adorable and has a good sense of humor.  He cheerfully posed for photographs with his many fans.

Boris Goldenblank signed my booklet as did Margriet Van Lexmond.  I thanked them both for the beautiful music I enjoyed at the concerts.

Teun Ramaekers had a crowd of adoring fans around him. I can think of no other flutist who can command such emotion while performing.

Leon van Wijk thanked me for helping him with the door in Kansas City after his suitcase got stuck & I showed him an automatic door, but I did not have a chance to speak with him at the Meet & Greet. Noel Peraens was there smiling with fans as they thanked him for the wonderful evening.

Maggie presented Andre with the quilt and spoke Dutch to him.  He was clearly pleased and gave her big smiles and thanks.  Rene Henket came in to say thank you for the special treat Maggie sent to him.

A highlight of the Dallas Meet & Greet was seeing Jerry Stover involved in a lengthy conversation with Pierre.  Both men clearly enjoyed each other's company and have continued to stay in touch.  Pierre is a very polite & intelligent young man, reflecting positively on his parents.  Pierre handed me his camera and asked I take his picture with Jerry, then put his arm around Jerry calling him "A Real Hero". 

click photos to enlarge, click arrows to navigate gallery

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Vaarwel en Beste Wensen
'Til We Meet Again