If you follow me on the social sites you may be interested in hearing about how I ended up in Vegas last week. A lot of things happened but to keep it simple... I parked on the wrong side of the airport {Insert eye roll}
Me trying to make it to my original flight.
If you are new here WELCOME, I'm Jin. I am a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Yoga, and Meditation Guide. In this blog, my focus is always on self-care as it pertains to your whole being. That's mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I share things that have worked for me, things people in my community have shared that have worked for them, and things I've learned or studied as a way to help those who may want or need the information. Now that we have that out of the way.... let's get down to bald headed business. About a month or so ago our home girl Chelly went to Vegas to see Usher. She invited me to go but I had "homie" so I asked her to write about her experience and share it with us. This is her #streetyogireport.
Chelly's View:
Years ago, when I heard the words, Vegas, music, and residency, I never considered the letters R & B. What entered my mind was Tom Jones, Donny and Marie Osmond, Liberace, Celine Dion, not all but a few members from the infamous "Rat Pack" such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. After a little research I learned in 2015, Diana Ross made her way into the residency scene at the Venetian. My current list didn’t contain many black and brown folks. My thoughts continued to linger which led me to recall two well-known songs sang by Sammy Davis Jr.: "Hello Detroit" and "My Way" which was originally recorded by Frank Sinatra. The latter song made me think about something I thought I would never experience. But, Hmmmmm, it's about the latest residency in demand, and the name of it just so happens to be "Usher My Way: The Las Vegas Residency.”
As I am typing this, I can hear a particular song ringing in my ears going, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, YEAH!" If you're an Usher fan, you just sang the words correctly and on beat while reading them! After spending a whole car note (thankfully, which I just paid off), I could experience the concert live and in person. Hey, don’t judge me, I wanted to see the show. So, for a moment, I told them bills, "Let it Burn, Let it Burn, Let it Burn!" Though I wasn't close to the stage, there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. Skates, Lights, Entertainment, and Famous People were everywhere. The concert was a night I will remember. Well, who was in the audience? To name a few, Jermaine Dupri, Nelly, and even my lil cousin (at least in my mind) Lil Baby! Let me not forget the surprise guest Young Miami who performed her verses of "Good Love." Think of the “Bad Girl Hustle” tune if the song doesn't register. That's how we refer to it in the "D." (Motor City). Hey, no matter where you are from, you will enjoy yourself at the concert.
I wanted him to perform more on the skates, but he still delivered while crooning out hits for over an hour plus additional minutes. Since he was in Vegas, of course, a portion of the show included a stripper pole. One of the dancers represented with dimples on her cheeks, and I'm not talking about her face. For a minute, I thought about taking some master classes for pole dancing then Usher may consider taking me on the road too. Then I was brought back to reality and said, "I better stay with my day job." Maybe next life! Anywho, all the dancers represented and brought that extra something something to the occasion. If the opportunity presents itself again, I would be willing to see the show a second time!!!
Now, when I hear the words Vegas and residency, I get excited. I witnessed a multi-Grammy award winner black male who started his career at the same time I graduated from high school, be told by the internet, which was in '93. A year later, by the age of 15, he released a whole album. Let me tell you, I don’t know what water he is drinking but he is still looking good and aging better than fine wine! Usher Terry Raymond IV (his real government name) paid his dues and is making his career moves his way. He is now another member of the tribe who is paving the way for other R & B black performers to stand in the spotlight with a sold-out residency with more dates added. The singer is thankful and pays homage to those who shined on stage in Vegas, which allows him to shine even brighter which he talks about on the special, Black in Vegas: Usher and Ne-Yo share gratitude for historic Black entertainers - ABC News (go.com).
Well, getting ready to put my phone on DND cause "U Don't Have to Call." Alexa, play Usher! I don't know about you, but I'm bout to relive the concert and dance!!! I hope you see the show. Usher told me to remind y'all for now he will be performing at the Park MGM in Vegas until the end of October 2023!
Thank You Chelly for that review. I had to "Siri up" the "You don't have to call" video, a couple of things, Uncle Ush, It always makes me smile thinking about how Uncle Puff was calling to get you out of your funk and one of the 1st things you did was slide around the house in a white robe. Second thing, I don't know any single men that would be picking up random strangers at the bus stop and rolling into the club ready for a dance back and ending on sketcher skates but you. You are the only person that could get away with that well maybe Omarion.... Yea Omarion could but I don't think he would have picked up the strangers. He be too unbothered for that these days.
Anyway, Monday June 12th 2023, at 5:15pm EST Chelly and I will be guiding yoga in the memory of community garden located in her home town Detroit Mi. This is an all levels class. If you are worried about getting on the ground fear not Chelly is going to be in a chair, and we will have chairs for those who wish to practice from a chair as well. For more details on the exact locations connect with Chelly on Facebook and Instagram @heartfullofwellness and connect with me on Instagram @baldheadedbusiness
I'll tell y'all more about where I ended up once I finish my brain fully agrees that we are no longer on vacation.
Until Next Time Street Yogi's - Be Easy.
References:
Black in Vegas: Usher and Ne-Yo share gratitude for historic Black entertainers - ABC News (go.com).
Frank Sinatra. “My Way.” My Way, 1969.
Sammy Davis Jr. “Hello Detroit.” 1984
Sammy Davis Jr. “My Way.”
Usher. “Burn.” Confessions, 2004.
Usher. “My Way.” My Way, 1997.
Usher. “U Don’t Have to Call.” 8701, 2002.
Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris. “Yeah.” Confessions, 2004.
Author: Michelle (Chelly) Dawson, Blogger for "A Heart Full of Conversations" and Founder of Heart Full of Wellness, LLC.