Sanjaya Malakar - Omaha, NE - American Idol Tour
The Ponyhawk and Crying Girl! Woohoo! Rock on Fanjayas!
Teen Pop Sensation Sanjaya Malakar in Omaha, NE
Go Sanjaya!
Vote for Sanjaya for Teen Choice awards
Sanjaya Malakar -- Sanjaya Malakar -- EP (aff) on iTunes
Sanjaya Malakar -- Ain't No Mountain High Enough -- Single (aff) on iTunes
Get your Rickeyjaya or Ninjaya t-shirt
Torch report from MelissaFromTulsa at dazeoffire:
We were going to be in Omaha for my husband’s high school reunion. We had the option of drinks/dancing/hors d’oeuvres with people he hadn’t seen in 20 years (and I have never met) OR spending the evening with those we voted for and cheered for MONTHS at Idols Live. Let me tell you, the choice was clear!I purchased the tickets on eBay and hoped I had good seats. Qwest Center, Section 123, Row BB, Seats 1&2. For those of you leery of online purchases, do your research and trust your gut. Our tickets were excellent and only a fraction of the face value.
The venue was huge! It was built just a couple of years ago and is so nice. We arrived a little before six and the line to get in was very long. I didn’t notice many people wearing orange (other than me!) but it could be that we were smack in the middle of Husker Country and everything here is red.
We walked around before the show and checked out the merchandise. Pop Tarts was there making sure everyone was having fun. It was gearing up to be a fabulous night! I noticed people of all ages there, just proving AI spans generations and is fun for everybody. I managed to find one Fanjaya sporting a ponyhawk and got a photo of her (with mom's permission of course!). She looked fab!
The show started about 7:20 and all the Idols looked and sounded great. On that note – if your venue says NO CAMERAS, please contact them and find out exactly what they mean. I was so afraid to take my nice digital for fear of it being refused entry and all the notice means is no PROFESSIONAL cameras. Personal digital ones were fine. Good thing I at least had my camera phone!
Sanjaya came on I think second with his duet with Melinda – it was FAN-TAS-TIC! There were no mic problems to speak of like I had read happening at other shows. Loved the MJ song, Sanjaya was truly great and having a fun time.
The side we sat on seemed to be having lighting issues. So many of the performers stayed away from coming to our side. Shortly after the start, the problem must have been fixed and they started coming towards us for close ups.
The funniest part of the night was when Phil, Sanjaya and Chris Sligh were talking to the audience. Sanjaya was hilarious when he stated that you didn’t need just a “brilliant voice” to be an American Idol and then he and Chris S. shook their crazy hair around. Standing next to shaved bald Phil, the crowd went wild!
A few fans had signs for Sanjaya and those rocked. Both sides of the venue and the floor seats were all filled but towards the back of the place, I noticed that many of those seats were empty. Not sure why it wasn’t a completely packed house. Idol tryouts are at the same venue next week – FUN!
And because I know you are wanting to know – YES YES YES, I got to meet Sanjaya! I can describe him in one word – gracious. OK, maybe not just one word. He was adorable, nice, friendly and above all gracious. I have heard people in “the biz” quoted as saying you have to be nice to go places. Sanjaya will most definitely go places! He was genuinely happy to meet his fans. I was tongue tied but managed to tell him how great we all think he is (I think that’s what I blubbered out!). I asked him if he was tired and the redness in his eyes said yes even before he did. He’s working very hard for us every night and is just so sweet in spite of all the hard work. His sister was with him and she is both friendly and beautiful. I mentioned the DAZE OF FIRE forum to them and they knew about it and were pleased that we were there.
It was a tremendous night and one that I won’t soon forget. If you are attending an upcoming show, get ready – it’s a BLAST!
More at dazeoffire