Love Today (actually, yesterday)

Whoa...what a night...First of all, today, Mika's debut album "Life in Cartoon Motion" is released in the U.S.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...if you're a fan of pop and catchy melodies, GO GET THIS ALBUM!!!!

Now to my story about last night...and what a night it was...

Last night, I went to Virgin Megastore at Hollywood and Highland for the Mika CD Signing/In-store Performance. I was still coming down from the giddiness of seeing his wonderful U.S. debut performance at the Troubadour, but really...can one get enough Mika? I think not!

A little background...Saturday, I pre-ordered the CD and got a wristband to guarantee myself entrance into the CD signing. Upon doing so, I was asked if I wanted to sing up for Virgin's V.I.P. card program. I figured..."what the hell..." I mean, it didn't cost anything and there are probably discounts that I could use down the line...

Back to last night...I arrive around 9:30-ish and take my place in line outside the front of the store. As is common on a Monday night, I was regaled with the site of street performers and celebrity impersonators on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard....tonight, a Michael Jackson lookalike was the impersonator du jour.

Soon after taking my place in line, my friends David, Mark, and Jason joined up with me:


I took a little video as we got settled in the line. As you see, we were soon joined by some of the street performers who entertained the passersby for the Mika concert at the Troubadour.


Still don't believe me? I have video of the balloon-sculpting stilt walkers and the mohawked juggler. Needless to say, Mika really knows how to get everybody in the festive mood!

I'm not sure when...but a couple of red-shirted employees came out right in front of our part of the line to make a big announcement. Were they letting us in? Not quite...and this is where the background story comes into play...One of the employees (who had projected her voice quite nicely) said, "Who here has a Virgin V.I.P. card and a wrist band?" After some scrambling, I whipped out mine and she pointed at me! She said, "come with me!" Whaaat? I thought to myself, "what does this mean?"

At this point, David was the only person in line with me. Jason and Mark decided to shop around inside. I asked the Virgin representative if I could bring David. She said that she needed to just see me. I followed her into the store and she explained that by being the first person to show her my V.I.P. customer card, I would get to have my CD signed FIRST after the in-store performance and that I'd get to have a personal photo taken with Mika. AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I screamed a little bit. :-) She said that I had some paperwork to fill out because they needed a release just in case they used my pic for promotions. OH MY GOD!!! I was told to stay behind after the performance for the CD signing and photo op. I was VERY giddy and very excited.

After signing the paperwork, I returned back to the line. I told the rest of the gang the story and they were very excited too. We made some friends with the people behind us in line during all of this. It was very nice...

A little after 11, they let us into the store and guided us towards the stage that was set up at the back of the store. It looked like there was a keyboard and a chair for a guitarist.


The area filled up and it was time for the show to begin. We spotted Andy Dick off to the side of the stage as well as Perez Hilton.

One of the DJs from Star 98.7 hopped on stage and introduced Perez who then introduced the man himself...MIKA!

Mika told a few stories about his time in L.A. recording and visiting this particular Virgin Megastore. He performed a five-song set that consisted of:
GRACE KELLY
MY INTERPRETATION
LOVE TODAY
BILLY BROWN

ENCORE: STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

Even with just a piano and guitar, the songs sounded GREAT. The audience was totally into it. It was wonderful! I would have been happy had that been it...


But alas no...there was the singing and the picture! The audience was sent out of the store to reform a line outside after the performance, but I stayed back because of the VIP contest that I won earlier that night.

April, the VERY kind Virgin manager, guided me along as I picked up a copy of the CD and waited ever so anxiously but still patiently for Mika to take his place at the signing station. I even got a poster! After a little setting up and a meeting between Mika and some women from the Butterfly Lounge, I was introduced to him!

I admit, I was shaking a little bit the minute or so before I met him. He's quite a tall drink of water. And he's VERY handsome in person.

All that aside, he was so gracious, nice, and appreciative. It was more than I could ask for. He signed my CD, my posted, and posed for a couple of pictures. In doing my best not to babble, I mentioned to him how I found out about him from his Myspace and thanked him for the great songs and performances. He in turn thanked me for my support. HEE! And here is the piece de resistance...the picture:


What a great way to cap off seeing Mika during his L.A. debut! Here are the best pics from Sunday night at the Troubadour and last night at the Virgin Megastore:
Thanks again to Mika and Virgin Megastore for a WONDERFUL evening!!!