By Vivien | @stormy_seas on Twitter

August 7, 2010 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands, TX (Houston)

I would like to preface this write-up by stating that: (1) this will be very Didi-centric (i.e. all Didi, all the time), since she is my favorite by a long mile (or ten) and the sole reason I bought tickets to the Idol tour; and (2) there may be some poetic waxing and geeking out over Didi.

Pre Show

So before heading out to the venue, I put the finishing touches on my gift for Ms. Benami – a beautiful red guitar strap with sun design – that when I first laid eyes on it, instantly reminded me of Didi, she of the Love and the Light. A brief letter to Didi to go along with the guitar strap, and I’m ready to hit the road. My sister accompanies me for today’s adventures and we make the hour-long drive to the concert venue. We arrive at about 3:45 pm and though not very familiar with this venue, we somehow find where the buses are parked. We take our spot among the small gathering of people and join them in the waiting… and waiting… and waiting. And the melting. Because, damn, it is HOT. I see a pregnant woman among us, and I’m just thinking, wow, we are all insane. Blame it on the heat and the blazing sun beating down on us because I don’t even think to ask the folks there if Didi had already come out. At a quarter to 5, there is a stirring among the crowd as Big Mike ambles toward us. Once he gets to me, we exchange hellos and he signs for me. Very nice guy. I politely ask him if he knew when Didi would be coming out. He tells me he didn’t. I think about asking him the favor of bringing my gift to Didi but decide against it for a number of reasons. I overhear some girls talking about how they had met Lee and someone else (I can’t remember who) earlier, and I realize how late we had arrived. All this time, we hear what appears to be soundcheck and we figure no one else would be coming out to sign. At this point, we decide to leave, and I am bummed because this would have been the ideal setting to meet Didi: small crowd, relaxed. But, alas, it was not meant to be. Yet.

The Show

We trek to a nearby mall to cool off and find refreshments, because by this time I am looking like I’d just gone swimming. We return to thevenue at 7 and rush to find our seats because Didi is opening this thing, and I do not want to be late. On the way to our seats, I note that the place is packed – a very good size crowd in attendance. We pass by a karaoke contest booth with just one – and only one – song on the setlist… and that song is “Lean On Me”. I, of course, find that totally amusing. Anyway, can I just say that I wish Didi was performing later on in the show instead of first? (My preference would be that she performed last, hee.) Because people just don’t seem to be ready, and the applause is not as uproarious as it could have been. They’re still milling about, trying to find their seats, chatting about whatever, getting that third hot dog…. I mean, COME ON, folks! You are about to be in the presence of the incomparable Didi Benami! And she’s going to serenade you with her exquisite voice! Sit down and bask in the awesomeness! And, no, you are not worthy! Ahem. I, of course, am already settled in my seat, camera in hand, eagerly awaiting my first live glimpse of Didi. Her intro begins, and I’m entirely focused on the stage in rapt attention.

Photo by Nicole Pollack

AND THEN DIDI APPEARS!!! Looking like the goddess she is, she bounds out onto the stage, waving at us in that super cute way of hers. She is GORGEOUS, stunningly and breathtakingly so. She is wearing the teal top, jeans and boots; her curly, golden locks glimmer under the lights. And then she opens her mouth to sing, and it’s just… WOW. You may think you know what an incredible singer she is, but, really, you have no idea until you see/hear her live. I am completely awed by her voice; it’s beautiful and pure and ethereal and soothes the soul. I mean, I had already thought her voice was amazing coming from my TV, but live…it’s just indescribable. I really don’t have words to do it justice. Sublime and magnificent come close, I think. She moves through her set with grace, charm and energy, owning the stage and performing “Lay It On Me” and “Terrified” to perfection (thanks to Didi, these two songs will forever be a part of my musical diet). She connects to her songs, connects to her audience, opens herself up to the love; and everything she says and does is heartfelt and genuine. Oh, and the dancing! The cute, cute Didi dancing. And the awesome guitar-playing! All the while, she is, like, GLOWING from within. There is this light and joy and serenity that seem to emanate from her very soul and onto the audience. You can’t help but feel all warm and calm and giddy and happy. Indeed, she is a radiant, beautiful presence.

Meanwhile, we in the audience are glowing too…from the sheen of sweat on our faces. I hardly notice the heat, though, as I am completely mesmerized. If I was a cartoon, I’d be sitting there with my hands tucked under my chin, grinning from ear to ear, and hearts fluttering in my eyes. I decide not to take pictures because (1) we are, like, a million miles away from the stage, and (2) I just want to concentrate on enjoying Didi in the moment. I do, however, manage to take video of her entire set via the monitors. (Be warned, though, the camera work is kind of shoddy and might make you dizzy. And when I’m cheering and giving Didi applause-love, I, um, forget to film. The sound is good, though.) All too soon, her set ends, and I am left with Didi withdrawal for the rest of the show. I’m sure the other Idols are doing a fine job entertaining us, but I have to admit I hardly notice. I’m either busy educating my sister (who did not watch this season and has no idea who these people are) on all things Didi Benami or running out to get merchandise (a tour program and two Didi photos). While out there, I forget that Didi returns before the intermission for “The Climb” and with no time to run back in there, I am forced to watch on the little TV monitors…at a concert. The irony… it hurts. I am KICKING myself for missing this because Didi sounds soooo amazing on her solo.

The Meet and Greet

Fast-forwarding to show end, we rush out to the buses (thank goodness we already knew where it was from earlier!) and the public meet & greet. By the time we get there, though, the crowd is already 3-4 rows deep, and I’m thinking there’s no way I’m meeting Didi today. I walk the semicircle and find a small break in the mass of people, and think, “Eh, why the hell not.” You have to know that I do not do well with the lack of personal space and people brushing up against me and breathing on me. I just get so claustrophobic and uncomfortable. But, for Didi, I suck it up and decide that I’m going to try my best no matter what. So I squeeze in there as best I can. I’m still a ways back – made worse because I am so dang short – but it’s something. And so we wait. All the while, I am trying to maintain ground while also attempting to make ground to near the front. It’s hard work, this holding place and inching forward, lol. Security keeps pushing the barricades back, causing consternation for some folks who fear they’ll lose their spots. It’s great for me because I am somehow ushered closer to the front.

Thirty minutes pass before the Idols appear. First, it’s Aaron (who is a cutie and very sweet), followed by Lee, then Tim, then Andrew and Mike, then Crystal and Siobhan.

While I’m waiting for Didi to show, I watch the other Idols pass by, chatting amiably with fans, all the while their Sharpies moving furiously and their eyes darting every which way as they try to get to everyone wanting an autograph. They are a super nice bunch. Every once in a while there is a hint of stress in their eyes, and I wonder if everything is like a blurry haze to them, with the huge crowd and so many faces and voices calling to them.

Photo by Nicole Pollack

I’m not ruminating for long because then DIDI APPEARS, and all other thoughts fall by the wayside. She is just a super-cute ball of energy, instantly dashing to the side closes to me…and suddenly, I get very nervous – like incredibly so. And as she gets closer, I start shaking like a leaf, and there’s a fluttering in my stomach. It’s weird because I was totally fine with the others before and talking to Mike earlier. I should be taking pictures as she makes her way over, but nope, my brain is apparently as frozen as the rest of me. Finally, Didi is before us and I decide first order of business is to present her with the gift. So I shakily lift the gift bag (which, by now, is not looking so crisp from me toting it around all day) over people’s heads, trying to get it in Didi’s line of vision. She finally sees and reaches for it, asking me if it was for her. I nod yes, and she gently takes it from me with a sweet “Thank you so much!” By this time, the folks in front of me had parted some to allow me personal time with Didi. Very cool. I hand her one of my Didi photos to sign, and she pauses, looks right at me (she has such kind eyes) and asks me for my name. I am taken aback for a moment because I am not at all expecting a personalized autograph, especially with so many people waiting. So I tell her, “Vivien…with an ‘e’ instead of an ‘a’.” I feel silly and dorky for adding that, but Didi totally accommodates and carefully spells out my name…then proceeds to write a rather lengthy message. And I’m thinking, OMG. It’s funny because at one point we’re all just kind of standing around and looking on as Didi continues to sign for me.

Needless to say, I am feeling pretty darn special. I am still ridiculously nervous and star-struck (add to that my natural shyness), to the point that I seem to have lost the power of speech and barely able to say a word to her. I WANT to tell her that I’ve been a devoted fan since the very beginning; that she is my all-time favorite, and I voted for her harder than I’ve ever voted for anyone; that I came to the show today specifically to see her; that she is amazing live and needs to do a solo tour pronto; that she is so dear to me and has me as a fan for life. But, yeah, none of this makes it out, and all I’m capable of is an awestruck stare (lol). I do, however, think to ask for a picture with her. She is like “of course!”, so after asking a very nice lady behind me to take our picture, I fumble with my camera (which has suddenly become very hard to operate, especially with trembling fingers). Meanwhile, Didi has begun signing for others around me and chatting with someone about her love of The Beatles.

It’s awesome watching her interact with fans. There is a time crunch, but you wouldn’t know it from watching Didi. Her progression down the line is like a leisurely stroll. (She spends a good chunk of that time in my area.) She takes her time and is kind and attentive and talks to you like she’s known you for years. Of all the Idols, she seems the most at ease and in the moment.

So, anyway, we pose for the picture – which I don’t think I’ll be sharing because, while Didi is her usual gorgeous self, I am looking a hot mess. (They should really do these tours in the fall or something.) So I find it hilarious that when we part, she says, “Ugh, sorry I’m so nasty.” And I’m thinking, uh, you are nowhere near, Didi, nowhere near. I leave the scene completely Benami’d and content and on cloud nine. I can’t stop grinning the rest of the night. To top it all off, Didi thanks me that very night via Twitter for the guitar strap (she tells me she loves it and once had a backpack with the same design). Amazing.

So the moral of this story, guys and gals, is: to meet Didi Benami is to love her (or love her more as is the case here). Period. End of story. I wish I had been able to control my nerves enough to at least utter a few meaningful words to Didi. I wish I had taken some pictures the whole time she was right in front of me. I wish I had asked her for a hug. But you know what? It’s no matter because it was an amazing, unforgettable experience, beyond anything I could’ve ever hoped for…one that I shall treasure forever. I thank my sister for her patience and for standing in the blistering heat with me. I thank that kind lady for snapping the photo. And I thank Ms. Didi Benami for the special one-on-one time amid a swarm of people, and for bringing me so much joy in what was truly one of the happiest moments of my life.

More Houston concert photos from Nicole Pollack here. |

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