I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but Beyonce is on tour. The Renaissance World Tour to be exact. My college-age daughter began talking to me about the tour before it even started overseas so yeah, this event of the year has been on rotation in our conversations for an extended period. We’ve discussed everything from tickets being way too high for working individuals to afford, if I really wanted to attend, what friends or family members my daughter could go with instead, the tour not even coming to our city, to eventually where we could travel to see her. We decided on Las Vegas.
Las Vegas was the best choice for us as it was one of the few shows taking place during the weekend which afforded us not missing school or work. Turns out, it also afforded the rest of the family the same opportunity. What was going to be a mother-daughter girls’ trip became a weekend family getaway. I must say, as a family who works together, we worked extremely hard this year, especially during the summer so we were all looking forward to a little break before heading back to the office. But still, dealing with my very opinionated family has its challenges, and this trip, like others, was no different.
We don’t usually rent a car while in Vegas but there were six of us plus luggage. Oh, I forgot to mention, a young lady who is a family friend, a bonus daughter, traveled with us. It was her birthday week and her mother wanted to do something special for her so she and I pulled our resources together to make it happen. From the time we landed one of my children had something to say about every little thing. As I like to say, they had their Jack-A-Hat on. It was quite annoying and almost ruined the trip for us, especially my daughter who was the whole reason any of us were there to begin with.
After getting settled into the hotel, we drove to Israella’s pop-up boutique so that my daughter could find some silver to complete her outfit for the concert. Honey, I said, look, I do not have any silver and did not know about it before I left home so this Renaissance Tour is about to get what I have which was a teal jumpsuit. Then, we went out to eat at Aisha Curry’s restaurant, International Smoke. We had dinner at the San Francisco location a week prior where the food and atmosphere were exceptional so, my expectations were high. They were met with mediocracy. The service and food were nothing to be desired or brag about. I was so disappointed I didn’t want to leave a tip but I did. And being that I am a woman of a certain age I cannot and will not pretend to like something if I don’t. We walked the food off by checking out the smoke-filled casino which was a treat for three of the young adults who were experiencing Vegas for the first time. And, because I am a woman of a certain age, after about an hour, I was tired and ready for bed.
The next day, the day of the concert, we spent most of our time looking for the perfect accessories. A clear bag for me and the cutest silver clutch for my child. We get back to the hotel in enough time for everyone to shower that hundred-degree Las Vegas weather off of them, primp, beat our faces, and make our way to the concert. Would you believe, the shoes I packed from home were silver? I put them on and grabbed my black flats. We got a tip from one of the locals to have the Uber driver drop us off at the Mandalay hotel and walk across the bridge so that is what we did. Everyone is excited! We get to the bridge and it looks like a scene from the movie Selma minus all of the bloodshed and racist police. This one human was wearing some silver boots and walking like they were a runway model. All I could think is you betta werk! The Beyonce fans did not come to play and my daughter was one of them.
We finally get to the checkpoint, my daughter is the last one in our group through the gate, and the lady who has let people through with larger clutches than the tiny clutch my daughter spent her hard-earned money on says it’s too big. What?! You playing, right? Is this real? Who is messing with my baby trying to spoil this moment for her? She removed her items from the purse, left it with the lady, went through the gate, and burst into tears. Not because of that moment but for all of the moments leading up to that point (women, I know you can relate). We immediately surrounded and spoke life into her. I was not going to allow the enemy of our souls to ruin what she had been looking forward to and planning for months. Nope, not today! You won’t break our soul.
Inside, we stop by the restroom, find our seats, do a concession run and the moment we’ve all been waiting for is unfolding before our ears and eyes. I’m looking at my family, the joy and anticipation on everyone’s face is priceless, and my heart is full from the time the image of Beyonce graces the screen to her first song in that breathtaking red dress to her final bow. Not to mention, I was a part of the city that was declared the winner of the Love On Top song. Yep, we were singing the roof off of that stadium.
If I’m being honest, the highlight for me was when Blue Ivy came out to perform. Beyonce introduced her and the crowd erupted in cheers before she even took the stage. Everyone was extremely encouraging and not only could I see the overwhelming gratitude of emotion on Beyonce’s face but I felt it in my heart. As a mother who is also a performing artist with a daughter who is a singer, actor, dancer, director, and has been on stage with and without me, making her own way, I was overcome with all the feels too. I imagine that’s what Tina Knowles must feel about Beyonce when the world embraces her the way they do and also has to pray over and cover her when they don’t.
I wrote this blog post in September not knowing if I should post it or what it would lead to. I now know so stay tuned for part two.
Full-Time Woman 