JUNE 11:

Fams from around the world joined us on the first day of the Celebration. Many friends from Detroit, Chicago, Germany, Japan, England, Italy, California, and Minneapolis (of course) were on hand 2 b the first ones 2 listen 2 the new Prince album, The Rainbow Children. As this new musical and spiritual xperience filled the rooms of Paisley Park, many fams were seen getting up and dancing as the spirit moved them. A lively discussion followed where topics of love, God, the truth, the digital garden, Prince. and everlasting life were discussed and ideas xchanged. Sometimes heated, sometimes harmonious, fams of the NPG have no shortage of opinions and will xpress them any chance they get! The doors of Paisley Park were then opened up and all r friends were allowed 2 walk around and vibe out the building. A beautiful place 2 b hangin' we think. But who was that sleeping on the couch in the game room!? :) Get ur rest, we gots a long night ahead. And 2 give us all a taste of what was 2 come, Prince & The NPG began their rehearsal and decided 2 let the lucky visitors 2 the Park that day come on in and injoy some intimate moments. U never know what's going 2 happen at the Park next! The Purple Masquerade Ball began at night and u shoulda seen what walked thru that door! oh my goodness, u'all know how 2 get wild! Thank u 2 everyone who dressed 2 the 9s. U were beautiful. And special props 2 r little Prince and Lenny Kravitz lookalikes (pictures here), everyone thought they were SUPERCUTE and gave them first prize. Amel Larrieux per4med a brilliant set and we got much love 4 her and her band. Smooth soul music and her sweet voice filled the soundstage. And just when u thought it was safe 2 go outside, Prince and the NPG just couldn't stay off the stage. A late-night jam ensued and sure enuff, the sun was risin' by the time the doors closed

JUNE 12:

Another day of love, light, and Rainbow Children was xperienced the second day of the Celebration. The new CD once again filled the rooms as the next wave of friends got 2 xperience the new groove. This is one CD ppl will b talking about 4 a LONG TIME. A small group discussion was held in the Atrium and one could feel the impact this is going 2 have. What world do u want 2 live in and what r u doing 2 bring it about? What is the truth? Should we all b one? We could go on 4 daze and daze and daze.... and we will :) The Paisley Park open house filled the studios with a steady flow of visitors. Lively discussions broke out in the Atrium and folks just start hangin', greeting old friends and meeting new ones. "Did u hear the new album yet?" "Weren't u at the Vegas concert?" "U flew all the way from where!!??" could b heard as u walked through the many rooms. The Nightly Paisley Parties were once again the spot 2 b. The Fonky BaldHeads lived up 2 their name and proceeded 2 shake the walls with their hardcore grooves. Then it was time 2 take us back 2 the old school. What Time was it? 1982 and THE TIME were about 2 GET IT UP in a hot set that set r minds 2 reminiscin'. "Aww yeah, that's my SONG!" And who was that on the keyboards during "Cool"!? Well... let's just say he was c-o-o-l. After The Time, thought the night was over? Oooooh no, this is PAISLEY PARK u'all, u know how we do it! Maceo Parker and his band surprised us all and proceeded 2 turn it out all night. By the time we were done, the birds were chirpin'. wednesday, Erykah Badu. What a glorious week.

JUNE 13:

Day 3 began with a lively and heated (boy was it hot in that room!) discussion following the listening session. What was it? Three hours? Four hours? Time meant nothing as God, Jesus, the Bible, Truth, Allah, Oneness, and Atheism were all tossed around the room like lightning bugs. If u haven't heard this album, catch a plane NOW and get down here, only 3 more days 2 xperience the Rainbow Children!! When will it visit us again? We'll c how the spirit moves the creators. The nightly party keeps getting better and better. Each night we r amazed at the talent and joy that graces the Paisley Park stage. Erykah Badu, we love u. Words cannot xpress the passion and power of this woman's per4mance. The soul pouring out from the stage touched us all and we thank u 4 it. And of course r friend came up 2 lend a little flavor on guitar. Common was also onhand 2 bring his light 2 the xperience. Truly another onederful night in a week of nonstop onederful nights.

JUNE 14:

More listening sessions, more happy faces. What is it about this album that makes ppl want 2 smile, sing along, close their eyes and FEEL it so strongly? More lively discussion, more heated debate. This is how Paisley Park was meant 2 b - intelligent, heartfelt wordz exchanged thruout the halls. Maybe we should do this every week!? Alicia Keys was the first per4mer 2 grace the Paisley Park Stage that night. Lookin' all cool in her big ol' hat. The sister can play them keyboards, is that where she got the name Alicia KEYS? Sounds right 2 me. And did u hear her version of "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" So nice, so nice (tho u gonna have 2 pay the cuss jar, girl) :) Common brought his flavor next and took us on a musical journey. TIME TRAVELLIN', indeed we were. It was real cool 2 c positive hip hop vibin' the crowd. And his band was TIGHT! Erykah Badu graced the stage 2 take us even higher, and we even saw Prince & Kip Blackshire sneak on a few times. Truly this is living in The Light.

JUNE 15:

Prince & The NPG at the Xcel Energy Center

JUNE 16:

Prince & The NPG at the Xcel Energy Center

JUNE 17:

After 2 amazing nights of Prince & The NPG, we were nrgized 2 return 2 Paisley Park 4 the final day of Prince: A Celebration. The Rainbow Children CD once again took over the day 4 us. Many coming in2 the listening sessions this day had heard all kinds of things about the new CD from fams who had been 2 the previous day's sessions. A mix of reactions had been echoed in conversation and online ravings, already creating an atmosphere of anxiousness 2 hear this new xperience firsthand. And the reactions did not disappoint in the lengthy group discussion that followed. Race, Marriage, Society, Government, Education and even Basketball all came up in the debate. The cameras were rolling, we're sure that if u get the chance 2 c this, ur mind will b lovin' it just as rs was. The final nightly party kicked in with the hot and sticky soul power of Nikka Costa. Hip-shakin', body-movin', soul-screamin', good time music from start 2 finish. Every night this entire week has been a revelation. We give much props 2 all the beautiful souls who shared the Paisley Park stage this week. And thank u 2 all the fams who joined us 4 this week, u all made Paisley Park feel 100 times "LIGHTer" and the gift of ur positive nrg will not b 4gotten.