Pisałam o tym już 26 maja. DOPIERO wczoraj ukazały się informacje na ten temat na joshgroban.com a także na profilu Josha na twitterze ("No award could mean more to me than this. I'm deeply honored and look forward to continuing the fight for ‪#artsed‬ http://online.wsj.com/article/AP8aa7d08 … html").

Co to oznacza? Że Dżoszorozkminiaczki są szybsze niż sam Josh i prędzej mu powiedzą co się będzie z nim działo niż on sam, hahaha.



Przypominam, do wydarzenia jeszcze szmat czasu, bo dopiero 15 października.

No i gala już za nami. Mogliśmy w końcu podziwiać nową fryzurę Josha. Podoba Wam się?









(z Marią Bell i Sarą Arinson)





(czy Josh stoi na palcach? )




(zakochałam się w tym zdjęciu!)













(nie mogło oczywiście zabraknąć rodziców!)




(z fankami! )







Na początku dziwnie się układała ta fryzura. Gdy włosy oklapły (po co były tak podniesione na czubku głowy? Fatalnie!) Josh wyglądał o niebo lepiej!


Raporty ludzi, którzy widzieli wszystko na żywo:

OK ladies, well I just got home and wow, what an incredible evening!! And my mind is still spinning from Josh's tweet! I feel so honored to have had the privilege to attend and see Josh accept this honor, with the other Grobies who attended too. I need to get up for work in 5 hours (yikes!!) so I will post a more complete report tomorrow, but it was a stellar evening for Josh and for all of us. Thank you for all of your tweets as well and for being so supportive of us - it's like you were all there with us in spirit!!  Although I did talk to Josh, I personally didn't get to talk to him about the ad, but I believe he does know about it, so good job Grobies - more on that soon too

It was raining quite heavily when I got into Manhattan.  Fortunately, Park Avenue has a strange configuration there around Grand Central Terminal, going around the terminal at an elevated level and over 42nd street, before returning to ground level a block farther down.  Therefore the crosswalk across 42nd Street at that point is underneath the overpass and I was able to cross without getting wet & then wait again under the overpass to cross eastward toward Cipriani -- leaving only half a block to walk in the rain with my silk dress.

Someone was waiting by the door of Cipriani with an umbrella to shelter people who walked up the steps into the venue, but I did not need that as I already had an umbrella. 

As soon as I entered the door, someone came up with a plastic bag to put around my umbrella.

Just past the man with the plastic bags was a line of gentlemen in white jackets to the left who were prepared to take coats, umbrellas and bags to check.  To the right was a table with people waiting to give us our tickets with our table numbers in them.  The tickets were all in little envelopes with our names on them arranged in alphabetical order.   We were at table 34, in the back.

Just to the right of the table with the tickets, was a velvet cord, blocking the VIP entrance.   The VIP's got their cocktails behind the table.  We turned back to the side with the men who were taking coats and went to a larger area where there were cocktails for the rest of the attendees.

I quickly found the five other fan club members, who were already there.  There was an open bar and hors d'oeuvres.  These included grape tomatoes on a toothpick with cheese, lox on very thin toast, and tiny quiches.  There were glasses of Bellini constantly being passed around.  One of my friends had previously explained to me that this beverage, a mixture of champagne and peach, was invented by Cipriani, though it has become a mixed drink that is knowing other places as well, but it remains the house specialty.

I tried to mingle bit with some of the other people, but I am a horrible networker.  I was especially curious about several young women who looked to be at least six feet tall and looked like models, but I did not quite get up the courage to talk to them. 

We stood around and talked and waited for Josh to come in.  We spotted Gayle and his parents before we spotted him.  His hair is shorter and he was not wearing his glasses, so it was a bit harder to recognize him. 

After he went into the celebrity area, we were able to say hello to his father over the velvet rope and talk to two of his high school teacher who had come from California to attend.  One of them told us that he had always felt that Josh would make it big, because he always had an aura about him, though it happened faster than he thought.  He talked about Josh's first interview with Rosie O'Donnell & how Josh had to come back to class at the high school the next day after being on Rosie.

Later his mother came out and talked to us and the teachers.  Jack at least claimed that he recognized my face from the GFC dinner last fall.

Then we were called to sit down.  The other Grobanites in the group had asked to sit together.  The organizers apparently knew to put me with them, because they asked me when I called in what was drawing me to the event.  I said "Josh Groban."  they told me "We love him, too," and apparently decided on their own to seat me with the other 5 Grobanites. 

The other two people at our table were two men.  One of them was a man who works at Christie's auction house, who had come in with a bunch of other Christie's employees.  Apparently, Christies gives millions of dollars to Americans for the Arts.  The other man was an employee of Americans for the Arts.

If I understood correctly , Americans for the arts has two main focuses.  One is supporting community arts programs and the other is supporting arts education.  I might be oversimplifying this, but that's what I understood.

There were several honorees before dinner.  There was a speech and a videotape for each.   There were two large screens on either side of the stage, so that, even though we were in back, we could see the speakers perfectly clearly.

Then we had dinner.  During dinner, they played "Illuminations" over the loudspeaker.  I felt a bit for Josh, who has said he does not like to hear himself sing.

Dinner included a tomato mozzarella appetizer, a veal chop, vegetables, and a desert that I did not eat, so someone else will have to tell you what was in it.

After dinner, they had a group of young artists performing.  There were vocalists and instrumentalists.  They first did February Song and then a couple of jazzier numbers, which were -- if I understood correctly -- related to the other performer being honored, Brian Stokes Mitchell.  I thought the February Song cover was good and captured the feeling of the song fairly well, though it was a bit too loud for me & I had to put on ear plugs, but I have very sensitive ears.

After the performance, Renee Fleming gave a speech for Josh.  Then there was a video that featured, inter alia, Chris Botti, Angelique Kidjo, Kelly Ripa, and one of the high school teachers we had met.  Then Josh spoke.

I saw other Grobanites making videos of Josh's portion of the program, so I think that will be up on YouTube.  I made a sound recording.  I don't do video.  But I don't think I'll have to post the sound recording as others had videos.

Then there were a couple more honorees after Josh, then the program was over.

As were leaving I picked up some discarded programs, which I could send to people if they give me their addresses.  Pam said Cipriani promised to send her more leftover programs, which she also could send to people.

Gayle promised after the show to have Josh autograph a copy of the ad that people designed here & put it up on the website.  She told us she knew about it, because she reads *everything* on this website. She insisted that she reads absolutely everything on this site.

We all hung around until almost everyone had left. and Josh came out to thank us for supporting him.  He posed for a picture with us, which I think will be posted here.   He told us that he still has two more songs to record before the album is finished, but he thinks it is almost done.

We also got to talk to Herbie Hancock who said he wants to do something with Josh again.

There was a goodie bag, whose contents I have not yet examined, though I gather it includes a can of coffee, a poster, and a DVD.

When we first arrived at the venue, we were struck by how absolutely beautiful it is.  SO classy!  GREAT architecture!  We met the other Grobies as they arrived (Debs and Jenn before, and Karen and Anne there) and socialized.  We got drinks and ate hors d'oeuvres.  We pretended to NOT be watching the front door looking for a certain arrival, and while we were ACTUALLY not watching the door, he arrived with his parents and Gayle.

They took some pictures in the front and then went to the VIP section where Josh was photographed in front of the official backdrop.  Then he stepped aside and seemed to be just standing there, so Lily said HI JOSH and he said HI.  Lily said congratulations and he said thank you for supporting the arts, and he allowed a picture. (to be posted later)

Pam got a chance to say hi to Jack while Josh was getting his pic taken and had a nice chat.  He also thanked us for coming.

We saw Jerry Friedman and Gary Soerensen  from LACHSA on a bench and went over and talked to them.  They had come into NYC just for this. We told them that we’ve seen fiddler and that even at 17, you could tell the difference in the caliber of talent between josh and the other students
Gary said he knew Josh would be successful but didn’t know how quickly.  Jerry said that Gary discovered both him and Josh, but Josh got further in his career. LOL!!

Jack and Lindy came over to say hi to them and Gary told the Grobans that he was talking to the Grobanites, and all the places that they went to support Josh.  (but I think they kinda know that already! LOL!!)

Jerry was impressed that we attend all these events and asked to take our picture, and then we took a picture with him too.  Jerry said he might stand in lines with us in future Josh events instead of going alone!   We made a friend!

Then we all went to our tables.  Our table was in the back but next to the VIP reception area.  The ceremony began and they gave the first few awards and then we had dinner.  And what should come on as dinner music?  The whole Illuminations album from start to finish!  And when it was done, it started again!!!  Gayle said later that they had no idea that it would be played!  What an honor!!

After dinner, the performers began. They were a group of young musicians from Young Arts, one of the organizations that Americans for the Arts supports.  They played a cover of February Song as well as a song from one of Brian Stokes Mitchell’s shows (who was also  honored tonight).  They played another as well but cannot remember what it was. Pam filmed the February Song performance.

THEN IT WAS JOSH’S TURN.  Renee Fleming came on stage to present his award.  She gave a very nice introduction and then there was a great video which included comments from Chris Botti, Angelique Kidjo, David Foster, Jerry Friedman, Gary Soerensen, Kelly Ripa and Bob Lynch who is the CEO of Americans for the Arts.  Then Josh came up to accept his award and gave a warm acceptance speech peppered with his unmistakable brand of humor but was very humble.  Standing ovation when he came on stage and after his speech!

A few more awards, and closing remarks, and the presentation was over.  But not the evening!!
Pam and another Grobie got a chance to talk with Gayle a bit afterward .  She said that she would get Josh to sign the ad and post on FoJG.  Not tonight probably, but soon.  So hopefully we will see it before too long!

We got our goodie bags and sampled desserts and took each other’s picture in front of the Americans for the Arts sign.  There was also a group picture of the Grobies taken in front of some art work that was a display from one of the featured artists.  Pics to come later – they are on various cameras.
Then we hung around a bit more and suddenly Josh started heading our way!  He sheepishly started coming over towards our direction, we said hello, he came over, shook all of our hands.  He said Thanks for always being there, supporting me and my causes (not sure of the exact words)

He also said he was going to thank us during the speech, but “got a brain fart”  LMAO!!

Pam mentioned that I got February song on video, and he said that it was a good cover, that they changed a few chords but he really liked it. He said the lead female singer was talented and played different instruments, that she’s got something special,  “I’m going to sign her”.


We went for a group pic and Gayle offered to take it and while she was focusing told us to get closer, and Debs (who was next to Josh) said With pleasure!  Then someone said it was getting warm and he looked at Debs and said something about the velvet she was wearing with a grin.  Pam gave her camera to Gayle to take the picture and she took one shot but there was no flash. Pam said Josh had trained us well no flash in concert and he said yes so Darren won’t take your camera away. Turned on the flash and we got another shot with a lot of laughing!

Lily asked about the award and he said it was heavy because it’s bronze, and during the award ceremony, they used the same one, but his would be sent over later in a brinks truck.  He would display it in a prominent place along with all the gifts that he receives from fans. We asked about the CD and he said it was close to being done.  We asked if it would be February and he said SHHHHH and we said Mondavi gave that date,  not us!  He said he would be going up  there to make the wine.

Josh left after that.  We then saw Herbie Hancock and went over and said hello, that we were at Rose Hall and enjoyed the jamming with Josh during Machine .  He said that was fun and that he told Josh tonight that they must work together again and that it is always in the back of his mind.
We got our coats and umbrellas and somehow managed to get home.   Had to type this up to share before we forgot anything.

Pam took a video of Josh’s entire award including Renee’s speech and the video.  Hope to upload it tomorrow night after getting home.

What an incredible night watching Josh being honored and sharing the special night with fellow grobanites!


Filmiki:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl … MyTJQGBrWk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl … CNjC2xzOXg


No i to chyba wszystko.

Mamy jeszcze jeden filmik:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl … iSexM-cY_k