The date was June 2nd, 2007, when I experienced J.Lo live in front of my eyes singing and dancing. Three months after her first Spanish album, "Como Ama Una Mujer," was released, she was performing in Irvine, California with the Reventon Super Estrella Concert. To me, it's a Spanish Summer Jam. The top artist at the time coming together for an all star line up. In Denver we have this every June with "Today's Hottest Hip Hop and R&B," as KS 107.5 claims.
Since my 24th birthday in 2007, I had planned to see Jennifer in concert. With a Spanish album out and new English to follow 6 months later, I had my mind set that I would be traveling to see her somewhere. After I heard about Reventon Super Estrella, I scrambled to get tickets and book a flight. Since I would be in the LA area, I decided to also visit Madre's, Jennifer's Latin Restaurant that once was in Pasadena, California. I am still saddened that it closed.
When it came time to book my flight to Los Angeles, I had to arrive on day earlier than the concert in order to visit Madre's. Upon my arrival into LAX, I picked up my rental car, and headed to Hollywood to check into the Renaissance Hotel located on Hollywood and Highland. I would only spend one night in Hollywood as the concert was in Irvine and required another hotel reservation closer to the venue. Madre's was super delicious and so comfortable. I did feel like I was at my grama's house. All the candles on the tables, the fresh flowers and the table cloths so reminisent of the "mantels," my madre always had on our table growing up. The ropa vieja was so spicy and full of flavor and the arroz con leche was second best to that of my abuelitas from Mexico. I'm thankful I got the chance to experience Madre's first hand. Now it was concert time!
After driving from Hollywood to Irvine, I checked into the Marriott. For my whole life, I've stayed in Marriott hotels when traveling, thanks dad. In order to not miss J.Lo I called the Verizon Amphitheatre to get the line-up schedule. I made sure to arrive thirty minutes before Jennifer was scheduled to take the stage. The parking was outrageous and the amount of stairs I had to climb to get to my nose bleed seats was something similar to a five mile hike up the Rocky Mountains. Being my first concert to see J.Lo, I made the exception to purchase nose bleed seats. Never again would I experience her live from so far. Up close and personal is the way A.RO rolls for J.LO!
Jennifer took the stage and performed a four song set featuring the classic, "Waiting for Tonight." The above video is courtesy of JadoreDior on YouTube who was in attendance also and had a closer view than I did. My personal footage is below. Click the links to get my perspective of La Lopez. Little did I know that after this trip to Los Angeles, Jennifer would announce a tour with Marc Anthony in support of the release of her, "Brave," album. Seeing Jennifer live twice in a year? It was 2005 all over again for me. Only this time she would be singing and dancing her heart out live in front of my eyes!!! The live experience is unlike no other. The videos, the radio play, cannot compare to seeing it all live! Being in the same vicinity, feeling the energy, the heat, the vibes of J.LO is unreal! My J.LO Love Story continues, stay tuned for Chapter 4!
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