Okay, first off, can I say, I've never even heard of
Marshantucket? Anywho, that was Jewel's next stop. I entered the Almost
Famous contest in fun; you know, you enter all these contest and don't
expect to win. I was in total shock when I won not only because I won,
but also because one of my best friends, Nicole, has won the almost
famous contest once before! Details below on how silly we are, but if
the videos above didnt work for you, you can watch them here and
We were so pleased to arrive. We made our way to the theatre's
box office where we would pick up our meet and greet passes (which
weren't available yet), so we waited in line for a while where Nicole
found a friend from the Jewel message boards. Finally the passes were
available for kidnapping. We went in, gave them our tickets, then they
led us behind the high roller rows. This is where we met two lovely
young ladies with great personalities! I swear Jewel fans are all nice
(including me!) We went to stage left where we were supposed to wait to
go backstage. Then they told us it was stage right. That's when the
security guard then told us we were supposed to back to stage left. We
were then lead down some hallways. We were so excited, especially Nicole
because she decided to drink 2 energy drinks before the show. We were
placed in a dressing room with two other people. That's when Nicole and I
started to practice on the Soulja Boy dance. More people entered the
room and that's when we were all asked to take our seats. In came
Jewel, so angelic. Everyone took pictures with her and then were asked
to leave for our interview.
First we gave Jewel two DVDs. One
was a short on why Jewel should come to Manchester Community College for
a concert. We filmed it in one day and was later edited by one of our
friends. The other video was a blooper reel of a bee that landed on
Nicole's ear that just sat there forever! When my friend decided to
flick it off, Nicole went nuts as she tried to shoo the bee off of her,
HILARIOUS. Then Nicole took out her iPod for an impromptu dance
lesson. This is when we showed Jewel the Soulja Boy dance. She told us
she was going to watch the video to learn it! Wouldn't it be funny if
she randomly did it during one of her concerts?! Anyways, we then sat
down to ask her some questions. We broke off into tangents and she
taught me the basics on Yodeling. Nicole also wanted an answer on this
mysterious photo of who looks to be Jewel...was it her? We then said our
good byes and went back to our seats for a great concert! Jewel is not
only a great singer and yodeler...she's funny!
The concert had
sadly ended...I wasn't allowed to drive back home, lol. This was a
great experience. I had a great time. She told us when we came back to
the following CT show that we had to teach her a new dance. We'll see
what happens...maybe I could have a yodeling piece ready for her?!
Thanks again Jewel for a great time! Thank you all! :)
Jeff
My adrenaline is pumping. My palms are sweaty. I can’t
stay still. I’m waiting in line but I can’t seem to stop moving! This is
not good. Is this normal? I’m meeting Jewel for the second time and
interviewing her with my best friend, Jeff, at Foxwoods Casino in
Connecticut because Jeff won her Almost Famous contest.
The
doors finally open and they look at our tickets. They have a special
mark that resembles a star on them. She smiles and says, “You guys are
going to like this.” She seats us third row, a little off center, but
still a spectacular view of the stage! Jeff and I make friends with two
lovely ladies who are sitting next to us. They are huge Jewel fans and
are excited for Jeff and me to go backstage. These two ladies are so
fun! They are almost as giddy as me! They hang on every word Jeff and I
have to say about the questions we’ll ask backstage. One of the ladies
comments by saying, “You’re so cute. You’re so excited, and rightfully
so.”
Time to line up and go backstage! After being led
through a series of hallways, we’re asked to take a seat on the sofa in a
room that resembles a living room. Here she comes. Jewel, looking
angelic, walks in and stands in front of a piano and is ready to take
pictures. I think her bright blonde hair and the graceful way she walks
makes her seem so angelic. She’s even prettier in person. It’s a little
intimidating. The two fans with us take their picture with Jewel and are
asked to leave. Jewel is guided over to Jeff and me and we’re
introduced as the contest winners for the Foxwoods show. She smiles,
shakes our hands and says, “Hi.” Right now, my armpits are sweating. I
can feel it.
Time for our dance! Jeff and I look at each
other and then back at Jewel. We tell her about the “Soulja Boy” dance
and we tell her how we want to teach it to her. You hear everyone in the
room begin to laugh as we prepare. Jeff and I now do our dance for
Jewel. I can tell she’s enjoying this! We mistakenly go in the wrong
direction and we bump into each other like a pair of dice that just
collided and bounce back off each other. We laugh as Jewel laughs with
us. We stop dancing after our mistake, and Jewel says, “I’ll watch the
video, and I’ll practice it.” She keeps laughing.
We get
ready for the actual interview now. Jeff asks Jewel some questions that
he received from fans on her official website. We ask three fan
questions that have to do with her music and how she gets inspired to
write a song. At this point, Jewel teaches Jeff how to yodel since he is
a singer and knows how to use his voice in the proper way. It was so
evident that Jewel wanted to teach Jeff the basics of yodeling! She was
the teacher and Jeff was her student. I was really proud of Jeff.
Everyone in the room started clapping after Jeff practiced yodeling with
Jewel. “That’s good. You’re already yodeling,” Jewel said. “I want the
Soulja Boy with some yodeling, please.” She’s so funny!
I
know the interview is almost over. I don’t want it to be over. I’m
having so much fun. This has got to be the best interview ever. Jewel
looks at us and says, “Well, you guys are hilariously entertaining.” We
mention how we bought backstage passes and will be meeting her again in
two days. She jokingly says, “I look forward to it. I want a new dance
by then, please.” The room bursts with laughter. Jeff and I have to plan
a new dance for sure! We then take our pictures with her. Jeff mentions
how he wants a silly “gangsta” picture with Jewel. Jewel agrees that
she will be “gangsta” with us! I say, “I guess I’ll be taking another
silly picture!” This picture and another dance is something that has my
mind racing already. I don’t think it’s possible to be anymore excited
as I am at this point. I’m like an energizer bunny. I’ll be on a “Jewel
high” for years.