7 nites alone with Prince got me so high eye had 2 look down 2 c myself flying home at 35,000 feet. THANK U Prince 4 1ce again not only leaving ur front door, but ur heart, open so we could come and visit u. THANK U 4 welcoming in2 ur home every face ur colorful place attracts, and 4 letting us walk ur halls, sit on ur motorcycle and lay r heads on ur pillows. THANK U 4 filling r ears with REAL music, r hands with a free CD, r eyes with a free movie, r minds with knowledge, r souls with The Truth and r hearts with love.

This is a thank u note in the key of C, as in now eye understand. Eye never come 2 the Park bcuz of what eye know, but bcuz of what eye don't. Eye don't just come 2 dance. Eye want 2 learn and eye am 4evergr8ful that with Prince, it's always a party with a purpose.

Whether it was attending a workshop given by one of the many REAL musicians on hand like Maceo Parker, Sheila E. or John Blackwell, listening 2 Femi Jiya in Studio B or sitting in on the XCELLENT discussion moder8ed by Tavis Smiley, eye left Paisley Park with more than just a suntan. Scuba gear should have been handed out at the door of the NPGMC room 4 that discussion...We got deep! What does it say about the English language when the HEAVIEST conversations r also the most enLIGHTening? THANK U Prince 4 inviting guests 2 work r minds as much as ur music worked r bodies.

Eye was hoping 4 a Bible discussion, especially after hearing all the different answers 2 the Speak Ur Mind question: What is God's name? We need 2 agree. Only then will we live in harmony. We've seen what happens when HARMONY is fractured: HARM ON N.Y. Just like a soundstage full of 1,000someodd voices hitting the chorus of "The Everlasting Now", we need 2 put r egos aside if we want 2 c this song as something more than just Chapter 13 of The Rainbow Children.

The nitely shows at the Park were HOT...figuratively and literally. C what happens when we stop referring 2 rselves as FANS? ;) Actually, the warmness in the soundstage was all Prince's fault. Nevermind sweating himself out of his suit, he was so FUNKY he almost sweated us out of rs as well! Eye wouldn't have it any other way...Cool is 4 the other side of the pillow.

Eye left Paisley each morning sure nothing could top the per4mance eye'd just xperienced and was proven wrong everysinglenite. 2 witness Prince alone on a stool with his guitar blew my mind as did the solo piano jam on jammiez nite. When it comes 2 songs, eye don't play favorites, but eye will admit that on several occasions, as hot as it was in the soundstage, Prince's song selection sent shivers up my spine. Eye lost my voice in the soundstage somewhere around the 6th nite but didn't bother looking 4 it knowing my gratitude would ultim8ly transcend mere words anyway. 2 quote one of Prince's old friends, the purple piano: BEAUTIFUL.

After spending 7 daze at Paisley Park 2 attend Xenophobia eye found myself at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport at a security checkpoint with a security guard searching my bag which was full of Xenophobia goodiez. Talk about irony... Less than 10 feet away, dark-haired men were getting their shoes checked. In my bag was also a copy of the June 24 edition of the Star Tribune. In it was an article on Xenophobia entitled, "With Prince, u're with the in-crowd".

While at Paisley Park eye personally met people from Germany, Canada, France, Japan, Singapore, The Netherlands, England and all over the U.S. When xenophobia is defined as "an intense fear or dislike of 4reign people, their customs and culture, or 4reign things", it was ONEderful how the diversity of the "in-crowd" reduced xenophobia 2 little more than a word printed on the lamin8s that hung around r necks. No other artist can bring so many different people 2gether as one.

All of us who made up Surrender Town btween June Twentyone - 27 need 2 seek permanent citizenship. He's got the whole world in his hands...but he's not who we think he is. We need 2 surrender rselves 2 God, whose name eye know is Jehovah. With time trying 2 CONvince us it was all just a dream, eye know that every ending is also a bginning. In other words...It ain't over!

Thank u NPG. Take a bow as eye clap my hands 4 Prince and his band. Thank u guest musicians, guest speakers and Paisley staff. If ur last December comes, know that eye remembered 2 remember u.

Eye also have 2 thank God, whose name means "He Causes 2 Bcome". What started out as a post in the Paisley Newz section on February 18, dspite last minute changes, rain and xtreme heat, ended up b-ing a ONEderful success bcuz He always causes his purposes 2 bcome reality. Nothing is cre8ed in disagreement, c? Perhaps the best place 2 start would b 2 say we had a glorious week! Agree?

And finally, XTRASPECIAL THANX 2 Prince 4 letting me come 2 the Park and play with u. U were truly a FAMtastic host! Whether u were displaying ur God-given gift during one of the brilliant nitely per4mances or displaying impressive courage by telling a soundstage full of folx the importance of knowing God's name, u followed ur heart and gave all that u had. Eye will ALWAYS love and respect that about u.

The road u r on is narrow and will surely cost u some "fans" along the way. But, eye want u 2 know that eye will walk this road with u bcuz eye know where it leads. Don't let anybody but God change u, Prince.

After all that u gave us, eye hope we were able 2 leave u with more than just chalked up sidewalks. May the choir of voices that joined in on the chorus of "Last December" assure u that even tho radio, MTV and awards shows have 4gotten about u, we will ALWAYS re-member...as ONE, and ultim8ly as WON in The Everlasting Now.

Thankueversomuch. Eye love u, brother.

LOVE
Terri Ferriero
Clearwater, FL

I wasn't sure what 2 expect or that I really wanted to spend my vacation days on what some of my friends called a glorified visit to Graceland. I can't tell you how many laughs that one comment has produced. You know hindsight is 20/20.

It has been hard to shake the feeling I had while in the Prince camp. 2 hear exceptional musicians talk about their careers and how they are involved with Prince was amazing and so special, it really gave me a clue 2 the depth of a man and his music like I'd never known. I am not sure how to explain what it felt like, just the inside scoop if you will. 2 hear how Prince and these special musicians create and execute the music we hear was intimate and drew my respect. Let's think about it, to compose, arrange, and be able to perform all parts of a song like let's say, "Everlasting Now", doesn't that blow your mind?

Every night Prince offered a full blown concert that was reinvented from the night before. There were no cookie cutter shows this week. To hear songs like Empty Room, The Beautiful Ones, Peach, TRC (almost the whole CD) and so many more was a gift. I thank u for that gift and no price tag could be placed on what I heard and was a part of.

To see the studio was cool (pictures, awards, and all), and to talk to the other fam was cool but the highlight and what I came 4 was Prince performing his music. I was never so drawn in, mesmerized, amazed, in awe of a performer in my life. He says he's a changed man, u can see his heart is soft and loving yet his talent hasn't changed just grown stronger and more intense. Prince seems at peace and happy. Everyone has a choice in this life that is deeply personal and their choice alone. To see a musician you admire be led by the ONE that matters is a cool twist on what drew you in.

Thank you for a wonderfully uplifting week full of excitement, relaxation, and sheer pleasure! Please, please continue this week of celebration for as many years possible. Having Prince play every night was unbelievable, thank u it couldn't have been easy! Thank u 4 caring enough Prince 2 share with us your music, your thoughts, and your love. Prince, "u've got a friend, just call out my name and I'll come runnin' to c u again" !

2 wrap this note up, if u have the opportunity 2 come next time and wonder if you should, is it really worth it? Well it's worth can only be measured in sheer delight. No amount of cash could give you what I came home with! I didn't include the set lists and many other details because I just wanted to share what was really important to me, the love and the wonderment of it all. Thank U to all involved, my week was unforgettable!

Peace and b wild,
Lorribaby in Phoenix

Thank You, Prince, for continuing this unbelievable event!
Thank you for the music! (especially songs that I have never experienced LIVE)
Thank you for the workshops!
Thank you for taking us to see the movie in PJs!
Thank you for the positive message that you and your guests conveyed throughout the week!
Thank you for introducing me to more REAL music!
Thank you for making it possible for me to interact with so many of the friends I made on the ONA tour and before, and with so many new friends from around the world!

During the ONA tour you often reminded us that it is better to give than receive.........Well, YOU have definitely given all of us memories, happiness and knowledge that will stay with us forever!

Also, in response to your comments in Canada about wanting new people up front, I stayed at the back every night this week. I'm glad that others were able to experience what I was fortunate enough to earlier this year! And by the way, it was GREAT from the back, too!

Finally, thank you Mani for being so friendly to my sister and I when we were over buying some water. We did go to the arboretum and enjoyed it!

Much Love,
Kim Campbell

The annual Prince Celebrations are special events in more ways than one, as I met my girlfriend at the very first Celebration, on the very first day (June 7, 2000) while standing in line waiting to do the guided tour of Paisley. We kept in touch after the week was over, and even got together a few times over the course of the next several months. Prince did a "Hit n Run" show in Las Vegas in December 2000. We met up there and knew we definitely had something special.

Last May 2001, a month before the 2nd Celebration, we drove my girlfriend FROM Minneapolis TO Phoenix, Arizona so we could start a life together. We started it off with a BANG, flying to LA the day after unloading the U-haul truck to see Prince at the Hollywood Palladium May 4, 2001!

Now we've just wrapped up our 3rd Celebration and it was even more amazing than the last one! IT AIN'T OVER!!!

We had hoped for a chance to jump in front of the "Speak Your Mind" video booth and share our story with Prince, Mani, the Paisley staff, and the entire NPG music club in attendance, but it never came to pass. :-( We figured on doing it next year for sure, as we are already discussing plans for our 4th Celebration in a row!!

THANK YOU PRINCE, for the MUSIC, the MESSAGE, and for taking us all to the MOVIES!! That was unbelievable!!

Peace, Love, and God Bless,
Joe & Natalie in AZ

Thank u so much 4 an njoyable week at the Park. I must say that u r all such gracious hosts and certainly no how 2 throw a good party! Having the opportunity 2 meet Prince fams from around the world was so xciting, especially under the important theme of Xenophobia.

I'd also like 2 thank my new Brother 4 creating an atmosphere that enabled me 2 speak freely 2 others about the Bible. Everyone present knew how important it was to b without the fear "of that which is foreign, especially of strangers or foreign peoples." Because of that we were able to have upbuilding conversations about Spirituality, the Scriptures, and the Witnesses. NPG fams are like no other... thank u all 4 allowing us 2 speak 2 u. We hope u have a new perspective.

Thanks Again! And we'll see you next year.

Craig T from New Jersey

I attended this year on my own. Last year's vibe and message was too much for my companion. I observed a great amount during the week that helped me validate my own feelings about the clebration and the commentary it imparts. The message of love that Prince brings is a phenomenal fuel; I left Paisley this year and last with a renewed sense of what is really important in this world, and I indirectly refer back to my experiences there when trying to convey to others the power of leading a spiritually centered life.

Xenophobia, theocratic order, everlasting now... address the root problems that exist (greed, hatred, lack of compassion, etc.) you takle these subjects head on. Saying there is one God is like saying there is one flavor of jellybean. It is neither fair nor possible to agree on this, however, it can be acknowledged that the world needs love, no matter the form or source.

The Celebration started because of music. Music carries our souls and dreams to a better, more real place. Keep it about the music and it will grow and attract a diverse and spiritual following. Thanks again for a great gathering and hope to see you all next year. - KC

Sheila, Victor, Nora, Rachelle, Maceo, Bernard, and Musiq were fabulous!!!! The museum, the photo-op on the motorcycle, and the group discussions were excellent!!!

I met so many people of different cultures and languages within such a short time. There was so much camaraderie and love between the group. It was very surprising, yet wonderful. Everyone showed general concern 4 everyone else and lent a helping hand when they could. I will be in contact with several people I met during the event: Shout out to Louis (Maryland), Azuma (Cali), Jennifer(New York), Patrick (San Diego), Shawn (MPLS), Brian (Security), and Damon Dickson (Cool Brother.) I am sorry I missed the first two years...but I have to say that I have not had this much fun in a very, very long time.

Thank U, Prince..for inviting your "family" into you private space and showing us what "real" music is all about, giving me some dap on the last night, letting us have an impromptu dance party at the Park after the show that night, (what happened?!) and for taking us to the movie in our PJ's!!! (Nobody believes that one!!)

Next Year My Brother!

Peace & Love 2 U All!

Ed

The stage for Xenophobia has been taken down, we have returned home, and can now reflect upon our time we shared.

The Celebration not only gave me yet another unforgettably spiritual experience with Prince, but provided me and countless others from around the world a place for everyone to hang out and share the love. A coming together of people from across the globe, who share more than Prince in common, but a real love 4 one another...

It was more than the best concerts with Prince and his band... more than me saying to the person next to me, "am I alive?"... it was bonding, spirituality, and love... It was dance... music... hugging... kisses... and a sense of being a part of a group of people uninhibited by the world around them.

Prince... I moved to MPLS 10 years ago... from the first time I saw you perform live at the Ryde Divine... for the years at the unforgettable GlamSlam MPLS... Erotic City Nights... Paisley Park private parties... countless rehearsals and concerts that I have seen you perform with all you got... I have stood in the background in awe.

The Xenophobia Celebration only proved to me that I was right all along, I believe you are a gift to us from the most high, given to us to make us think, given to us to deliver messages of love, intimacy, and spirituality - a human who much like ourselves is always looking for the ladder. Your angelic voice, beautiful smile, and fingers... all messengers... they reach into my soul, and remind me of the reasons I never get tired of hearing, seeing, or being in the same room with you - just to feel your aura - and I am not alone.

Thank you for enriching my life beyond words... thank you for LoveSexy... as your message of positivity gave me all the right reasons to live. Thank you for giving, and giving, and giving.

Looking forward to your guidance... and next years Celebration...

The one and only,
LaVisHh

I am especially thankful to one of the security guards for getting me a chair on Wednesday night. I only wish I could have had a chair the first few nights. Next year, I think it might be nice to have chairs accessible (on the sides or back of the room) to those who would like to sit down.

All the performances were intensely moving and brought the crowd together as a family. Although it was great to see Prince perform every night, I am sure he and his band were exhausted after 7 nights (I know I was). I just want him to know that I will understand if he decides to play less next year. Maybe he could make an appearance with the other groups each night and then plan 3 or 4 concerts.

It was nice that Prince made families with children welcome, but I felt bad for some of the little children at the concerts. The music was too loud for them and I saw some babies crying and small children holding their ears. I think it would be nice if earplugs were made available to parents next year.

All in all, the Celebration was a memorable and deeply spiritual experience for me and I am looking forward to next year. Thanks again to Prince, the NPG band members, all the performers throughout the week and all the staff at Paisley.

Love & Honesty
Peace & Harmony
Kim Lane
Sandy, Utah

Thank you for opening up your home and sharing a piece of your day to day life with us. To us and many many other people who apprieate what you, Mani and all the wonderful people you had there to make sure we were all safe did, THANK YOU!!!! Frank and I were taught many lessons through this Xpedition. Frank and I are grateful for all the wonderful people we met in this 7 day Xperiance, and now have the pleasure of saying that they are our friends.

Xemolify- is the only word that describes all the musicians that shared their talents with all of us. These wonderful people include: Prince, Rhonda, Renato, John, Maceo, Greg, Eric, Sheila E and all the wonderful people who shared the stage, The Wooten Brothers and all the wonderful people who shared the stage with them, Nora and all your wonderful people, Bernard and all your wonderful people, Musiq and all your wonderful people, Rachelle and all your wonderful people and last but not least Mr. Larry Graham. ( I'm sorry I don't remember the names of the band members but we do recognize you and your talents as well.)

Even though words do not do justice for the feelings Frank and I experienced these word start to describe.

Accept- Accept others for who they are even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs or motives. Create- Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams and happiness with. (Some one already blessed us with this.......NPG MUSIC CLUB) Explore- Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer and you have much to give, every time you try something new, you learn. Journey- Journey to new worlds and new possibilities. Try to learn something new everyday and you will grow. Love- Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart there is no room for anything else, but when love is in your heart, there is room for endless happiness. Open- Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times in life we still have so much to be thankful for. Play- Never forget to have fun along the way. Share- Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Work- Work hard every day to be the best person you can be.

These words can only describe a small part of what we felt. Just as many other NPG MUSIC CLUB MEMBERS stated, Frank and I never wanted it to end because that meant we had to leave our wonderful new family.

To all our new friends,Laura, Damon, AD, Trevor, Logan, Shane, Marcea, Kejora, Larry. We miss you!!!

Thank you again for all you, Mani and the wonderful staff at Paisley Park did! We are truly grateful.

Frank and Desiree'

Miisha from Ames, Iowa P.S. I almost forgot to give a big hug and huge THANK YOU to Debbie McGuan for taking the time out to talk with me and re-instill strength I thought I had lost. She is yet another piece of power that I can now draw energy from. She's homegrown, unique, and very cool. Thanks again for so much information in so little time, it truly helps me sort out a few things for the future, especially as an artist/designer in training. You go girl!!

takki and aya always love u all.

* Prince - Thank you for having such an enormous heart. Only someone who is giving, loving, grateful and free could give what you gave and continue to give to fans and people in general. May your heart smile as bright as you've made mine.

Damon, Adonis and crew - May I reach out and extend my arms again to hug you for all the time and great effort you put in daily to entertain everyone, especially those in line in that heat! Damon, thank you for taking the time out to play a game of ball with me and thank you for NOT being easy on me. Much respect! Rematch perhaps? Maybe we can ask Prince and Adonis to play next time. (2 on 2) Me and Prince, you and Adonis, indoor court... 21. I'm sure we would win :)

Laura and crew..... Wow! What a job you had!!! I'm sure we only saw a small fraction of what you had to put up with. Again I applaud you and your crew. As I said, I was impress with your organization and how calm and composed you remained all week. Classy you are!!! Thank you again!!!!

Security - Thank you for protecting all of us. Although you had to search us, you remained respectful, professional and thorough every time we entered Paisley Park.

Maceo, Sheila, Victor, Norah, Bernard, Musiq, and Rachelle - You were all the bomb!!! Thank you !!!!

Maintenance Crew - Thank you for being patient with the messy people and creating a clean environment each day and night. Please excuse those who didn't know where the garbage can was located. I'm sure their parents would not have approved.

Tech crews - What can I say?... Prince has the best! Thank you!

Fellow Fam members - Thank you to all of you who helped me and others during the duration of the week. It is so refreshing to know that complete strangers can get together to celebrate and also help each other when someone needed language translation, got sick from the heat, was lost, stranded, thirsty, hungry or lock out of their car. * Thank you Louise !!! You've contributed to the restoration of my faith in man kind :)

To the city of Chanhassen, Chaska, and surrounding cities... thank you for your kindness and hospitality.

To all those I may not have mentioned ...... Thank you for your collaborative extraordinary efforts. A job well done! What an amazing success!!!

May we all have peace w/N

Azuma

Renita

P.S. I think that Victor Wooten and his bros. are so talented! To Rhonda "Go ahead gurl!" To Shelia all I have to say is..... WOW! Bernard Allison was like "Dang!" Maceo and Norah were wonderful too (as expected) but, I already knew Prince had good taste.

All I have to say is I will be back cuz "IT AIN"T OVER!"

PEACE AND HAIRGREASE
Mellisa AZ

thanx so much 2 RENATO ......we talked about italy.....thanx so much 2 Chris and best wishes 4 her baby of course thanx 2 our MAN .....and i hope 2 c u again next year.

oopppps 1 only thing u missed.....my yellow funky costume.....what a pity!!!

ciao
Toto'

For many many years (since 1978 to be exact) your music has been a MAJOR part of my life. It has seen me through the up's and down's and all the in-between's too. As the music has grown and evolved, so has my life… and so far we are on the same path.

This has been a VERY challenging year for me with the death of my best friend/husband. Keeping my faith, my children, and the music are the things that are getting me through. On top of that, I am TRULY blessed with GREAT friends that I have met strictly because of my "Prince Thing" (as my husband would say). People who call me or message me EVERY day - just to make sure I'm okay! Some of these people I only get to see when we are allowed the privilege of getting together in your home at the celebrations (That is what I meant above by PEOPLE). It is sooooo SPECIAL!

I also felt and saw all the effort that was put into trying to accommodate every past request made to "improve" the celebrations. You and your staff went above and beyond the call of duty as far as I am concerned! Combine all of that with other special and treasured moments… add on the music… (which TOTALLY blew me away - especially after you played 3 of my favorite songs in one night) and I HAD to say THANK YOU!

Now the dilemma… I WILL NOT approach you. I feel that you get pestered enough in your life - I don't need to add to that (hence, the comments above about wishing you could just be one of us for a day). I won't try and give you a gift (as much as I would like to), because I understand the legal implications of why you can't accept gifts (and unfortunately… some would take advantage). So, what to do…. what to do…..? This was the question running through my head as I went to sleep Tuesday night (morning - hehehehehe).

When I woke up… I knew what I wanted to do. I explained it to my friends… bought the supplies… and asked for permission. The rest as they say is history.

Except, what you don't know is the permanent impact that had on my life. To be witness to all the positive outflow of feelings from all the people involved - WOW!! To watch people of all races, nationalities, personalities (The Rainbow Children) come together as one to draw and write such beautiful heartfelt sentiments…. The serious, the funny, the bold, the modest. Words can NOT describe what that did to me! I just sat there and cried for the beauty of it all! The healing it did for my soul - to see such beauty after so many months of ugliness. That is a moment in time that I will carry with me always! THANK YOU!!!

It Ain't Ova...
I sincerely hope that we can continue to do this every year.

(My six year old son practices his dancing EVERY day in the hopes that he will one day be able to dance on stage with Prince. He was extremely disappointed not to be able to come with me this year - we had planned to come as a family - but, with circumstances… it was not possible)

I hope "It Ain't Ova".

Peace!
Shawn in Virginia

AKA: PurpleToo

(btw… you are welcome to come chalk up my front yard anytime - hehehehehehe

It was wonderful to completely forget about everything back home and to get lost in the music performed by my favorite artisit. Prince performed like he would no where else.....he played songs I hadn't heard in a long time.....and songs I've never heard him perform at all. It was so beautiful the night Prince came out with his guitar and performed one of my favorites, Pink Cashmere. I thought I couldn't stop playing the Rainbow Children and One Night Alone CDs....now, I have so many songs in my head, that I am going to have to purchase some of the older songs I didn't have. I really "dug" the selection of songs that were played in the Xenophobia Room where the guitars were displayed. Those songs really touched my soul.

Prince is the only artist, I know who could pull off 7 days of performing - he has spoiled his fams by the energy and passion he puts into the creation of his music as well as the love he gives through his performances. Each night was filled with anticipation awaiting what Prince would surprise us with. The hard edged funk was jamming, the ballads and songs of faith reached out to me and made me cry. Each night was special. (I was also pleasantly surprised by Prince treating us all to a movie during the Pajama Party. And the slamming gift CD "Days of Wild" ------ Truly above and beyond!)

I appreciated the thoughtfulness that went into selecting the diversity of opening artists included with Prince's nightly performances. There was someone for everyone and I enjoyed the different styles of each. It was great seeing Sheila E. perform again. She radiated joy and gave her all during a "hot," high energy show. Norah Jones was smooth. I think she was surprised with the responsiveness of the crowd. Bernard Allison's bass was thumping! The dedications to Prince by Sheila E. and Rachelle Ferrell were heartfelt.

I enjoyed meeting the artists in an informal setting during the workshops and particularly was interested in the discussion facilitated by Tavist Smiley regarding xenophobia in the music industry and the elite's control of the master recordings and radio programming. Prince's great courage in taking the risks that he has during one of the heights of his career is a true model of faith and I have found this to be tremendously inspiring. Through God's influence on his life, Prince will continue to reach new heights.

I appreciated Prince's openness in welcoming us into the Paisley Palace where we could listen to his music, review his numerous awards for his compositions (as well as an award from the Ark Foundation for education regarding cruelty to sheep in the wool industry) and just relax. That is true love!

It was incredible meeting and talking with the diversity of fams who came from all over the world. His music and the "man behind the music" crosses all generations, nationalities, cultures, and faiths.

The Xenophobia Celebration took an incredible amount of planning by Prince and the NPG. I was touched at how Prince bent over backwards to be responsive to feedback from previous celebrations as well as daily issues that surfaced with this year's celebration. The NPG staff worked hard to make fams comfortable and their experience enjoyable.

Much love to Prince and the NPG
Forever,
Care

The Celebration started off with a bang for me on Friday night when you invited me onstage to dance during 1+1+1=3 / Love Rollercoaster! Talk about a rush!! That was So Awesome! I carried that feeling with me for the entire week! I don't think you'll ever fully realize just how good it makes your fams feel to be onstage with you!! And my little Pets.Com Puppet Puppy had a great time singing along to "Dolphin" at the show on Sunday night!

The Celebration means so much to me and I look forward to it every year. It is a time for me to reconnect with all the friends I have met over the past 3 years attending this event. I have met some wonderful people from all over the world as well as right here in the U.S., and we all share a common bond in that we all love you! You have brought a lot of people together through your graciousness and hospitality. I really love that about you!

Thanks to you, Mani, JB, Nato, Rhonda and the entire staff and family at Paisley Park for everything!! I had a ball!! I hope to get the opportunity to see you again real soon!!

Jo in Chicago - Fam Name RedZRyder!

(A photo of my writing in your driveway made the website! That was Cool Fa' Days!!!)

MY WARMEST APPRECIATION AND GRATEFULNESS FOR THIS WONDERFUL PRESENT OF YOURS TO WELCOME US ALL @ YOUR HOUSE FOR THIS CELEBRATION WITH SO MUCH OPENNESS AND WARMTH TO SHARE AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE 2GETHER.

LOVE FOREVER AND A DAY,

INGI C.

Prince often uses the word "friend" for us, which seems somewhat paradoxical. On one hand, he must know that his music hits us in a personal place that makes us feel we are close to him, making the word friend feel appropriate. He also appears truly grateful for our support, and clearly thankful for what we give back to him. As long as we know about his search for truth but he can't know about ours, however, I don't think I can say I AM a friend, but that in a gestalt sense WE ARE a friend to Prince. I think that this is a good way to phrase the relationship we have with him in the one-to-many kind of communication that dominates in a situation like this.

The music this week was of a nature that I don't think anyone could have asked for. It had a "truth is stranger than fiction" quality - if somebody had got their hands on a full set list of the week to come and spread it around, they would have been laughed out of town. Who could have believed we would witnessed all of these musical rarities? This was a truly unique event. And with this music being used to power such a spiritually charged week as well, it made for an experience that offers food for the soul far beyond our time in Chanhassen.

When the jam finished on Thursday night, I was physically exhausted, spiritually excited, and emotionally saddened to see it all end. But then I turned from the stage and looked around the room at the people who I had met, and who had become special to me over the week. As I danced and mingled they too showed me that I had become special to them. That is when I realized that Prince had done something very important. A network of positivity had been forged in our time together, and in mere hours it was about to spread out over the world again. He appears committed to the goals he discussed through the week, and so I look forward to seeing and participating in that network of positivity continuing to grow and grow.

Prince, thank you. Thank you for a top-notch music festival held in your home. Thank you for showing me seven new artists I may not have otherwise known to seek out. Thank you for Elephants and Flowers, a song that has always held a very special place for me, and which I will never forget singing with you and the rest of the New Power Generation. And thank you most of all for so personally listening to our wants and needs, giving us your all through the week.

Blessings,
Zinj

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for what was one of the best weeks of my life. The music and the atmosphere were just amazing and impossible to describe to those who were not there. For those of us who were, we can just nod knowingly at each other. Words fail to describe the feeling, inspiration and love the week gave each and everyone one of us.

Thank you to Prince for being one of the biggest givers...organising (with your fantastic staff) such a great week. I know a lot of thought and a great deal of effort went into it and I am not alone when I say that it was greatly appreciated.

I do hope that this becomes an annual event, we could achieve so much coming together like this....you will always receive my support, so once again NPG Thank You and I shall look forward to next year!!

XXX

P.S. Here comes a request. Please consider releasing the unplugged set from night 4 and the piano set from night 7. I am just sick that I missed those, but all is not lost. Please consider releasing those through the Club. You still have 3 more CDs to give us for the year, perhaps that could be a part of it (or VHS/DVD performances). Thank you again so much.

See you next year!