VABN Loves Evan: Vanessa’s Utah Concert
Vanessa returned to what we like to call her second home on Friday night as she played the Utah State Fair. And for a few of us, it was not just the experience of the concert that was amazing but we actually had a chance to meet her and even talk to her for a few minutes! The details are coming don’t worry but I need to back up a little before I get to the good stuff…
So who were the participants in this adventure? Well, first Brett (who is my right-hand woman) got us tickets the first day they went on sale and we scored–center, row 6! And, we had 7 of us including Brett’s sisters, Allie and Jessie; cousin, Tricia; sister-in-law, Amy; Allie’s friend, Ashley; Brett and me. It just so happens that we also are the exact same number of letters in Vanessa’s name so we made shirts each with a letter and then with Vanessa’s album picture and “So VanAshBreNique” on the back. We did have some logistical issues as we had a last minute cancellation of an 8th person so we did have to swap shirts a few times but it was all good. We also had a “Z” on the back of one with an “!” as we thought we could have fun with that as well (you know, spell Zanessa).
Let me just say that if you ever want to draw attention to yourself, wear shirts with letters on them as EVERYONE is wondering what you are trying to spell, etc. (And, do you know how many fun words you can spell with Vanessa’s name?) I can’t even tell you how many times we were stopped by people asking us questions–it was hysterical and something we didn’t expect. We also explained So VanAshBreNique several times as well! So with the shirt operation in Brett’s control and completed flawlessly, I worked on a gift for Vanessa since we were going to meet her–we definitely were not going to go empty handed! In an appropriate Disney princess bag (since she is our Disney princess!), I loaded in a bunch of chocolate including V Chocolates (which are made in Salt Lake City), a dozen pink roses, and then Brett did a shirt for her with the VanAshBreNique logo. I also added a card where I wrote that the gift was on behalf of all of her fans at VABN, that she was an inspiration and that we would always support her. Brett and I signed our names and we also signed for Chay and Jill-Renay, our fearless creators!
We arrived at the fair a few hours before the concert and I picked up our passes. After walking around the venue, we finally found someone at a gate who told us to come back in an hour. Of course at this point, I had channeled my 15-year old fangirl and Brett and I both had butterflies in our stomachs. Even though we had already seen her several times in person, this was just different! We were actually going to talk to her! (deep breath…deep breath…) So we hung out at the Radio Disney booth who also commented on our shirts and talked to some of the dancers who were performing before V’s show. A few of them we recognized from the set of HSM3 as they were some of the background dancers!
Finally the time arrived so Brett and I wandered to the gate until someone let us in and we got in line with the other 5 year-olds and their parents! 
At least I could pass for Brett’s mom but we definitely laughed about it! I noticed that no one else had passes so I asked a security guy who was in charge if we were in the right place…he said that we were. But, a few minutes later he came back to us and took us aside saying we had the special passes and would have more time with Vanessa so he put us at the back of the line!!! OMG…at this point we were literally dying (and I think squealing too)! I’ll load a pic of Brett and I with our special passes…as soon as she sends it to me! (hint,hint)
So finally the line is moving and we get a glimpse of Vanessa sitting at a table. Brett and I turn and look at each other at the same time and say, “She is so beautiful.” She had on jeans, a jewel-toned purple shirt and her makeup was just as vibrant, hair long and curly. She is just gorgeous and Mr. Efron better continue to appreciate what he has! Finally it is our turn and next thing I know Brett is saying hi to Vanessa. So here is the conversation that we had–note that this is probably not in exact order or verbatim!
Me: Hi, I’m Marcie and we help run one of your fansites.
Brett: I’m Brett. (and then we also provide her with our new handy-dandy VABN business cards.)
V: Hi nice to meet you! Which one?
Me: VanAshBreNique
V: Oh my mom goes there all the time. She loves that site. This is so cool.
Me: Well Brett and I live here and I help administer the site and Brett helps too. But Jill-Renay and Chay, live in Michigan, and are the founders. They’ve gone to 3 of your concerts but unfortunately didn’t get a chance to meet you. They said to say hi and tell you how much they love you.
V: Oh that is so sweet, you guys are so great.
Me: Would you be able to take a picture and hold our sign, too?
V: For you guys, yeah…
(So she proceeds to get up and hold our VanAshBreNique sign while someone from the fair takes our pic. We weren’t allowed to take any of our own. So we now have to contact the fair to somehow get our pic and I promise we’ll post it as soon as we can! So Brett and I are on either side of her…she is so petite…I’m 5′7″ and Brett is about 5′8″ so it could be quite the amusing picture! We all had flats on.)
Me: I know you may be running out of time but would you sign a few things, too?
V: Sure, I think I’m running late but I want to for you guys.
(so while she is signing our VABN sign…we also slide in some HSM3 stuff)
Me: You won’t turn us in for having stolen props from the set, will you?
V: No…(giggle).
Me: So, this is one of your last three concerts?
V: Well, I’ll be in New Mexico tomorrow and then LA and then I’ll be in Mexico for five days.
Me: Wow, busy. And, then promotion starts in Europe at the end of the month.
V: Yeah, I’ll have a few days before we head there.
Me: So we were wondering how are you going to get from Santa Monica to the VMA’s on time on Sunday?
V: (serious look) That is a good question, we are not quite sure about that…
Road Manager: yeah, we are little worried about that and not sure how that is going to work…
(V still has a very serious look and is kinda frowning…)
Me: I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make you worry about it! Do you know what you are going to wear yet?
V: I have it down to two dresses.
Me: Do you usually know this far in advance what you are wearing?
V: Actually this is cutting it close. I need to decide.
Me: So you just bought a house too?
V: Yes, I just closed two days ago!
Me: Congratulations that is great! Have you purchased anything for it yet?
V: No, nothing!
Me: What will your first purchase be?
V: I don’t know…(laughs)
Me: Well I assume something to sit on then!
V: Yeah…(smiles)
Me: Oh, here are some treats for you…lots of chocolate…we weren’t sure what kind you liked so I got you both light and dark?
V: Oh I like both…you guys are so sweet! Thank you so much for this and all of your positive support.
Me/Brett: Our pleasure…thank you so much! Bye…(and she was gone to get ready for her concert…)
Brett and I just looked at each other and said, “Wow!” We stood there for awhile talking to the security guy who then walked us back out as we were the only ones left! We could barely contain ourselves as we showed all our signed stuff as well as repeated our conversation to the awaiting girls! As we sat in formation (V-A-N-E-S-S-A), people were staring at us. We decided that we wanted pictures in front of the stage…and then a few girls wanted pictures with us. We kinda felt like celebrities ourselves…and yeah, did I mention we talked to Vanessa?
The Radio Disney dancers came out shortly after and got the crowd going with various HSM songs, Miley, Cheetah girls, etc. Then finally Vanessa was announced and I’ll just say it was hard to remember everything about the concert! She came out singing “Sneakernight” and proceeded through the set–”Let Go,” “Never Underestimate a Girl,” “Don’t Ask Why,” “Amazed,” and “Say Ok.” When that started, we had to do the shirt switch and turn into ZANESSA…the girls are convinced that she caught a glimpse of us and almost started laughing. The rest of the songs flew by to our disappointment as I know I could have watched her for another few hours and not been bored! One note is that after Identified she asked if we liked that song to which the crowed screamed. She then said she was glad because it was her favorite song. So no mention of it being her next single this time. But I wish it was because it is one of my favorites!
I haven’t been to a concert in a long time but I’ll just say she is amazing live and everyone needs to make effort to see her if you ever have the chance! She is truly a double threat–dance moves amazing and singing while doing it even better! My only constructive feedback is that I would have liked to have seen the backup tracks replaced with backup singers to hear more of her voice!
And two more stories before I stop this novel…at the end of the concert, a ton of people were hoping to get a glimpse of her leaving. We went to the other side of the stage and actually saw one of the dancers, Sarah. I called out to her and told her who we were and gave her Jill’s card to give to all of Vanessa’s dancers. She was really sweet too! (That mission was a request from Jill!) We eventually wandered over to the other side as the crowd started screaming. A van was waiting and Vanessa actually came out carrying a cake. She said to the crowd, “We have some leftover cake and thought you may want some?” She then handed someone this huge sheet cake! She walked back around the corner of the stage and didn’t get in the van yet (with all the dancers). She reappeared with her princess bag! She waved one more time before she got in the van that took them over to the tour buses!
Whew! What a night! I hope that these details show how sweet and appreciative Vanessa is to all her fans! Your support for her is not going unnoticed! A fangirls dream, don’t you think? So as my 15-year old fangirl is put away until my next meeting, with all of you, I’ll continue to show the positive support that Vanessa (and Ashley and Brenda and Monique) all deserve! She truly is an inspiration…without it we never would have been able to bring this encounter to you! Here’s hoping for more!
Here is the link to the pics and more will be coming. We have some video clips too.
And, just a few more notes–thanks to Vanessa and her team for letting us spend extra time with her. Both Brett and I really appreciated it! It was a great experience and a thrill to meet her–it gave us some insight as to how crazy and busy her life is and I can’t even imagine what it would be like–and for her to remain so poised is remarkable. And, thanks for a great concert as well! I’m looking forward to the next one for sure! And, Evan next time you are in Salt Lake, dinner is on me!
Special hugs and kisses to my girls–Brett, Allie, Jessie, Amy, Tricia, and Ashley! Thanks for a great night! I laugh so hard everytime I am with you!
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Love these pics of V.
http://www.fotolog.com/zv_themusicinme/12151664
http://www.fotolog.com/zv_themusicinme/12151121
http://www.fotolog.com/zv_themusicinme/12148389
i think its not a tatoo.it looks like a henna & it comes off.she used to have one before…
There are new Ashley pictures on Gossip Girls. I love her hair.
i really like this picture of vanessa/gabriella.
http://pictures.vanessa-anne.org/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=-1141&pos=3
well i’ve got a question to ask….
the hsm3 a dog’s life clip is that vanessa that come out at 2:18??
maybe it’s the back of vanessa..or is that the other cast??
can anyone answer me??
did anyone see this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR6vG0cVN2o&feature=user
i love it when stella starts jumping when they’re like, “VanAshBreNique loves you!”
how did you get meet and greet passes?