
Purple Rain Movie Poster
Hi folks,
It’s Wednesday…after a long day of traveling…I am exhausted but happy as a five-year-old at Disneyland!
With lots of effort and careful planning I was able to attend the Purple Rain panel and screening at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills!
Special thanks to Manuela for mentioning the event on her Facebook page back in July. After two days of waiting, I was able to purchase tickets.
Spent the next few weeks reading and watching whatever behind the scenes articles and video footage about Purple Rain I could find. I got to say, it was great to learn the story behind this Summer blockbuster.
Fast forward to Sunday, I was on the edge of my seat that in another 24 hours I’d be in Los Angeles…
7AM Monday Morning, went about with getting ready and loading up the car…12 hours until the event. After dropping my dogs off at the boarding kennel that was it, right… well about an hour into the trip it almost became a disaster because the outfit I picked out to wear had been left behind! Turned around and went back despite it costing me and my folks an opportunity of getting into town early but worth it nonetheless.
Checked into the hotel around 4pm with just enough time to grab some dinner and change outfits…
If anyone who attended saw me at all, I was the one with jeans, a t-shirt and a blue & white striped sweater.
Traffic was surprisingly good considering this was a Monday… I was born and raised in LA for a good portion of my life so heavy traffic and commuting is nothing new. Word of advice, have snacks and water in your car for this sort of thing.
A short walk through security and one flight of stairs later, I got up to the main auditorium.
The panel hadn’t started though I sadly missed the opening by Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs’ speech and the clip of Prince’s acceptance speech at the Oscars. I did get a nice view of the stage from the back row and had brought along my binoculars which was helpful.
There was plenty of applause as Jerome Benton, Marie France, Jill Jones, Robert Cavallo, Albert Magnoli, Marcus Miller and Reggie Hudlin made their way to the stage one by one. Joseph Ruffalo who was in the audience was given an honorable mention and stood up when his name was called.
However, the audience gave a standing ovation for special guest, Appollonia Kotero!
I will admit from watching the panel it was wonderful hearing the stories of people who worked with Prince in their own words.
I found myself laughing and becoming emotional during the event. Hearing how much these people enjoyed working with Prince along with Appollonia’s heartfelt commentary really gave me an opportunity to learn more about who my cousin was in addition to hearing that those who worked with him had a great deal of love and respect for him.
As the evening went on, I noticed someone getting up from the seats a few rows away from me. He looked so familiar…then I thought… it’s Van Jones! Stepping out into the theater with my Dad and sure enough it was him, in person! We had an opportunity to talk for a brief moment due his ride coming to pick him up in 20 minutes. It was a pleasant chat. Wasn’t able to take a picture with him but was still great.
My Dad and I ended up staying in the hallway for a few minutes after, saw Reggie Hudlin and Manuela.
I will admit talking with Manuela was just one of the highlights for me that night. I even got a photo with her…
Her exact words: “You’re the only one getting a picture tonight!”
All in all, we hit it off very well.
After the movie ended, people who attended started to leave the auditorium and head downstairs.
Snapped a photo of the Oscar statue on my way out. Got an opportunity to speak with Albert Magnoli, Marie France and Robert Cavallo. They were all wonderful.
I also met other people including Erica Gimpel, also known as Cocoa from the hit TV show Fame.
I did spot Jerome Benton and Cat Glover but missed out on speaking to them, Jill Jones, Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Appollonia were nowhere to be found, from what I could see… so they likely took a different exit out of the theater.
I did mention to Robert Cavallo that I had seen his interview on 20/20 back in April… turns out the news crew spent quite a bit of time at his house with 5 cameras!
A few photos and exchange of contact information later, it was time to head outside as the theater was getting ready to close for the night.
A Prince group called The Bumpsquad had a banner set up outside the theater. Various people signed the banner which will be hung on the fence at Paisley Park this weekend. My family was able to sign it before they closed up shop. What I wrote was this:
“Thank you for bringing joy 2 my life… I ♥ you, cousin.”
Anyway… I enjoyed myself and it was great to meet the people who had known my cousin through the years. They did offer their sympathy and commended my efforts to come to the panel and screening… we enjoyed talking that evening.
After leaving, my folks and I stopped for a bite to eat before heading back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep…nothing says LA like a Pink’s hotdog with fries and a Dr. Brown’s cream soda. Then it was lights out.
I hope those I met that night will be the start of some wonderful friendships.
I believe cousin Prince would be happy to know part of his family was in attendance for the event and met some of his longtime friends as well. I certainly will stay in touch.
This being both my first Prince and Academy event was truly special and one I will remember.
I have to say Reggie Hudlin, Marcus Miller, Cheryl Boone Isaacs and anyone else involved did an excellent job for this event.
If I missed meeting anyone else besides Jerome Benton, Appollonia Kotero, Jill Jones, Marcus Miller, Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Joseph Ruffalo… I hope we cross paths again one day. The stories you shared about your time together with Prince were definitely music to my ears. I am proud to have him for a cousin and miss Prince every day and will always love him.
To those I met on Monday night: Van Jones, Manuela, Reggie Hudlin, Marie France, Albert Magnoli, Robert Cavallo, Erica Gimpel, Tamika and Laurence, I thank you for your kind words and greatly appreciate a moment of your time. Prince has a special place in everyone’s hearts, mine included.
I hope to see you all again soon.
It was a great Monday night. I couldn’t think of a happier ending to a Summer day.
The gang’s all here!
I’ve got somebody’s Oscar!
Bumpsqaud banner
Banner to be hung on the fence at Paisley Park
My message was written on the bottom lefthand corner after this photo was taken
Ticket for Purple Rain Panel
Program for Purple Rain Panel & Screening
From left to right, Me and Robert Cavallo
Left to Right, Me and Marie France
Left to Right, Tamika and I
Left to right, Albert Magnoli and I
Purple Rain movie Poster
Me and Manuela
See you on Friday!
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