Virginia Beach

Hi......Just got back from Shania Twain's Virginia Beach, Virginia Concert.
Fantastic performance! Crowd treated her with a lot of respect and she
responded with a lot of fan interaction. Everyone had a wonderful time. Our
family personally was touched by her beautiful smile and caring heart when
she came off the stage to meet our son, who adores her. We have a beautiful
picture of those two that will be treasured for many years. Shania gave 100%
to the fans at Virginia Beach.....Shania thank you!!!

The Wiggs,
Greenville, North Carolina

It will surprise no one to know that I had a fantastic time Friday at
Shania's Virginia Beach concert Friday June 11. Accompanying me were my
wife, 25 year old son and 8 year old granddaughter (my oldest daughter's
girl, Carolina).

Arrived at the GTE Amphitheater at 5:30 and had to line up till the gates
opened at 6:00. When we got in, a band (Danielle and Duncan) was playing
near the front gate. They were apparently substituting for Shane Minor, who
I still haven't seen. We only had lawn tickets this time but that turned out
really well. We staked out a nice place in front and spread our blankets.
The lawn section had lots of families with kids. Seems if you have a full
squad of kids the lawn area is great because it allows them to be a little
more rambunctious without harm (not to mention the expense of having a whole
handful of tickets to buy). My wife is short and had a little trouble seeing
over people the last time. This time she actually had a better view the
whole time, even though further away.

Leahy got things going about 8:00 and performed probably a little over half
an hour. As always the crowd responded enthusiastically to them and sent
them off with a standing ovation and loud cheers.

Shania started at 9:00 with, "Are you ready Virginia Beach? ... I said, are
you ready Virginia Beach?" Boy, were we ready! A sold out 20,000 + crowd
was just wild with enthusiasm the whole night. "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!"
was the opening number. The song starts with no Shania or band visible on
stage. A fireworks explosion and the lifting of the tarps and they appear
out of the smoke. Shania's set list is the same as I saw in Bristow and has
been reported elsewhere. Still letting "the music sell itself," she has not
added "You've Got A Way." Shania's show was 1 hour 40 minutes, divided into
two basic sets with only a very quick pause between. As in the past, Shania
disappears into a drum after "I'm Outta Here!" and emerges being carried
through the crowd before doing her reprise of "Any Man Of Mine" and "Rock
This Country."

Shania's costume for the first set was the same one I saw in Bristow. Black
vinyl pants and a full black top with white stripes at the waist. The second
costume was a leopard suit quite similar to what she wore in "That Don't
Impress Me Much." The differences were that the top was a turtleneck and
the pants had a higher waist. She wore a black silky coat ,or robe or
whatever you call it, over the leopard suit for "From This Moment On" and a
couple numbers after. Her hair was a waist-length pony-tail (actually an
extension). She's beautiful and sincere. She never stopped for a second to
bask in the applause and cheers. There is no ego and no phoniness about her
at all. Her smile is genuine and her charm and warmth was obvious to all.

As usual, Shania pulled a few fans onto the stage with her. One especially
cute child (about 2 or 3 years old) kept insisting they were 11 when Shania
asked. She got a big kick out of that. Shania climbed off the edge of the
stage with help from security and went down into the wheelchair section. She
posed cheek to cheek with one young paralyzed man and then did it again when
the first pix didn't turn out. He had a huge smile, as did Shania. Before
leaving, Shania kissed him on the cheek.

GTE Amphitheater rocked! This crowd just adored Shania and everyone had a
ball. The lawn section was one big party. EVERYONE was up dancing and
rocking all night. People were making friends with their neighbors. Shania
injected good will and joy. Carolina made friends with a thirty-ish girl
next to us and they danced together for a lot of the numbers. My wife was
dancing with the girl next to her. My VERY reserved son was shouting and
waving at Shania. Of course, you know I was! I wasn't quite sure what to
expect with lawn tickets. It was a blast!!!

This crowd was noticeably more female than male. My son and I both estimate
a 60/40 mix. As well as the families and couples there were lots of girls
from teenagers to 40's.

The highlight for me, along with watching everyone having so much fun, was
"God Bless The Child." It's my favorite and always touches me. Whatever
cares and troubles life has given to the thousands at Virginia Beach, for a
while Friday Night, they disappeared. God Bless The Child From Timmins.

Vivashania@aol.com