is for




"Madonna". Wish it were for "Marife", but no -- this blog entry is not about me. "M" is for Madonna!

There are two queer but talented artists who I truly admire, and their first names start with the letter "M" -- they are Michael Jackson and Madonna, the King and Queen of Pop (and queer), respectively.

My husband, Joey, and I had the good fortune of catching Madonna on her "Confessions" 2006 tour in Phoenix, AZ. I was thrilled to finally see her perform live, though not really up close! Our seats were not too shabby at all -- lower level facing the stage. Still, I wish we invested in binoculars! Dang.

The show was scheduled to start at 8PM. Joey and I got lost with all the rerouting (Glendale roadworks are ongoing), and found ourselves parking the car somewhere "talipapa" dusty, as Joey called it. The walk to the Glendale Arena was short, and we were amazed that, at 815PM, there were still long car queues all around the parking lot.

As expected (I had read that in other "Confessions" performances, she started the show late), the show didn't start on time. People were still filling up the place. People ... of all genders! Oh, but wait -- I didn't see any lesbians/tomboys. Hehehe. Okay, side story: a gay barkada sat one row ahead of us, and quickly, I thought the muscled guy in white sando (muscle man shirt) was very friendly and amusing -- he immediately chatted with this female stranger on his left. He was truly amusing and endearing! But wait till he starts dancing to Madonna's songs -- gyrating, shimmying, and waving his hands in the air! Homophobic Joey couldn't help but laugh and be thoroughly amused. I wanted to hug "Muscle Man" -- he was so endearing!

I have always admired Michael Jackson and Madonna for being total/complete performers (parang Gary Valenciano ba?) -- they sing AND dance very well. They blow my mind whenever I see them in their MTVs, dancing in great choreography with their back-up dancers. And in "Confessions", Madonna delivered the goods -- powerful singing and fabulous choreography! She sang and danced the night away. This lady was tireless! Her body was buff; her arms were ripped; and her energy was overflowing. A woman of 47 put to shame my body of ... 37 (uh-oh, I can't believe I admitted my age!).

Joey and I were impressed with the entire production -- they had fantastic videos of horses and African children, all in perfect timing with the songs. A giant disco mirror ball was lowered from the ceiling (out came Madonna for her opening number!); several mirror balls appeared onstage during the "disco" sequence; "electronic" lighting filled the stage walls; and yes -- that infamous cross sequence -- the mirrored cross on which Madonna hung was also startlingly magnificent.

Madonna sang 20 songs -- some taken from her latest album; and a few old old ones that we grew up to, like "Like a Virgin", "Live to Tell", "La Isla Bonita", and "Lucky Star". I'm sure that after this concert tour, her "Confessions" album will run out of copies!

Madonna has been in the music scene for at least 20 years, but she has never run out of style -- this artist always successfully reinvents herself. From pa-cute virginal girl in "Like a Virgin" to seemingly blasphemous evil witch in "Like a Prayer". Madonna rocks the house! What will she think of next?

But, please -- chop off that long wavy Farrah Fawcett hairdo. It's hideous!