Karen Meets Michael I first saw/heard of Michael Flatley and LOTD one evening in March '97 when I "accidently" turned on PBS and saw The Making of Lord of the Dance. I don't know what happened, but I was immediately smitten. Something had awakened within me. I HAD to see the show. I ordered the video and CD the next day. Searched the web for information on his tour. Eventually discovered he WAS coming to an arena close to me...YES YES YES!
Me and Michael Flatley...YIKES! I look awful (Geez, I swear I look better in person....lost weight since then!) but he sure looks sweet, don't you think?
What happened? Well, eight of us in two cars drove 2.5 hours. Had no traffic problems. I had never received our tickets in the mail from Ticketmaster (typical!) so I had to pick up "replacements" at the box office. When I arrived at the venue to get the tickets, I could hear the thunderous roar of tapping feet - they must have been rehearsing inside. Drooling, I begged the guards to let me in. They pointed to the doors, which were chained from the inside...no entrance! Give it up! My friends were looking at me a big strangely..."Let's go, Karen, time to eat." Had a nice dinner at a local bistro - packed with other Flatley friends. Easily made it to the venue on time. Pleasantly surprised that we had such good seats (just off the floor to the left of the stage...PERFECT view!) A perfect day! I was amazed!The performance was magnificent. There was so much happening on stage, I didn't know where to look next. We were cheering, clapping, yelling, swooning - it was more exciting than a rock concert!! Michael Flatley was wonderful. The troupe danced beautifully. Fast forward to the end of the show (why did it have to end at all?).
Eventually found the stage door entrance (from outside). We waited and waited and waited and waited (it seemed like forever!). We waited almost 2 hours as Michael got his much needed massage and I froze as the seconds ticked away. The crowd slowly dwindled and so did I. Killed time by talking to strangers. My mother sat in the car and fell asleep (no she didn't meet Michael...wasn't too keen on it anyway, silly woman!) In the end there were about 25 people left - children and adults of all ages!
As we waited, we were escorted BACK BACK BACK behind the barricades by the rude security staff. As a result, when all the dancers left, we were unable to get their autograph (they went straight to their busses). If anyone out there wonders how to find the back stage entrance, just look for the tour busses and semi trucks! You can't miss them! Oh, yeah, and Michael's limo. Me dwindling and hoping Michael is enjoying his massage....
There was a group of children who had a big sign that said something like "We love you Micheal" - yes, it was misspelled. By the time the millionth person pointed this out to them, they yelled "WE KNOW!" in unison. I told them don't bother correcting it...it was cute - they didn't seemed as amused! Time was passing by. I was trying to reassure my friends (who desperately wanted to leave) that he'd be out any minute...really...it's just a massage (then some woman comes out and gets champagne glasses from the limo....OH GOD! Please just get the massage and let's GO!) I didn't know how long my friends would be able to hold out. Hurry Michael!
FINALLY the moment came. Michael emerged with his bodyguard. He pulled a pen from his jacket for autographing. Then he gave his attention to a group of little girls that were there - he picked one of them up and kissed her (she was thrilled) and he gave the rest hugs, kisses, autographs, pictures. It was very sweet to watch him interact with them.
The most remarkable thing about Michael was his energy "presence" - it really blew me away. He was gracious, focused, calm, generous, and loving to EVERYONE - all this in the middle of mild fan mayhem. Not to mention the fact that he looked GREAT up close and personal. Many have commented that they love him even more since seeing him on Leno or Larry King - that's exactly how I felt after meeting him on this magical evening! WOW! What a generous man. He must be wiped out after his performance. He didn't have to do this. He really seemed to enjoy himself. But who can blame him? He's invested everything - money, himself, his reputation into creating this show. Why not soak up the love and adulation from his most adoring fans?
Anyway, he continued to offer hugs, kisses, autographs to the rest of us - all you had to do was ask. If people were flustered (ran out of film, flashbulbs didn't work), he would reassure them that it was okay, there was no rush...plenty of time. (In other words, he would accommodate our needs and wasn't running off in a rush. He was there to be with us.)
I was also impressed that he made direct eye-contact with you - me - everyone. He also thanked us a number of times for waiting for him.
Here is a picture of the autograph I got from MF (on the socks). This photo is from the first page in the program book.... and (right) here is an enlarged version of the autograph.
That is a very unusual autograph, don't you agree? Anyone who can figure out what that autograph is...will win a free all expense paid trip somewhere in Cyberspace... After receiving his autograph, I got the chance to have a photograph taken with him (at the top of this page). When we turned to the camera for the photo, he put his arm around me with his face right next to mine with the sweetest smile. My friend (who took these photographs) decided to take pictures of Michael with practically EVERYONE. I never even realized it, although I can be found somewhere in most of these pictures. I'm glad he did, because now I've got a great collection!
I have no idea who this woman is...but who cares...It's a great photo!
My girlfriend, MF and the back of my head..see I told you I was somewhere in these pictures!
Michael continued mingling with the crowd. One woman asked him if the Lord of the Dance came from a Catholic hymn she sang in church....MF's answer was no. Another woman was there in a body brace - which she then had MF sign. I thanked him for what he was doing with LOTD.
Michael Flatley with my girlfriend, Maria.. Michael told her "Nice hair!" 
More Friends of Flatley (strangers really) but they look happy!
Since so many people have wondered (from the LOTD Visitor's Book), I thought I'd take the opportunity to ask him his date of birth - he said it is:
and mentioned that he is a double-cancer. I delightfully informed him that I was a triple Aries...big deal! JULY 16, 1958
My friend (not pictured anywhere, since he had the camera) reached out to hug MF (he told me later, he just couldn't help himself...he thought MF was such a nice guy) and Michael said to him, "It was a pleasure meeting you." MF then pointed directly at him and said, "Good energy." My friend has been living in an ashram for the last 13 years of his life and, as a result, is a very peaceful, loving, meditative soul! Wow! The fact that he noticed my friend's peaceful energy says a lot about Michael (well, IMO, anyway).
I'm on the left...MF's (then) bodyguard is on his right...the guy on the far right is a friendly guard on duty.
©KarenFOF Do NOT reproduce on any other sites. Karen to thank her for sharing her pictures and "MM".
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