Ode To the VMAs: A Tragedy

voltee ♦ September 13, 2010 ♦ 1 Comment

Item:  Skirt   Color: Beige, Suede   Designer:  Strenessee Blue   Where Purchased:  Last Call Neiman Marcus   Years Owned:  4

In honor of the Magical Tradition known as the VMAs, which were broadcast this evening, I felt it only appropriate to select a garment that was very nearly worn to last year’s event.

I belong to a website that does audience casting for shows filmed in NCY for special events.  When I learned they were casting the audience for the VMAs, I applied instantly.  Did I think it was really shallow that applicants were required to submit a picture, and height and weight?  Sure.  Did I fib a tiny bit about my age?  You betcha.  Did I get tickets?  Of course!

I was beyond excited.  So many historic pop culture moments have occured at the VMAs throughout the years.  I thought it would be a blast.  How could it not be?  Green Day, Beyonce, Lady Gaga- there was a fab list of performers last year.  I got four tickets, so we invited Kevin, and our friend Tori, who was going to meet us in the city.  Many, many hours were lost deliberating over my outfit.  I finally choose this skirt with a lovely brown silk blouse, and my favorite boots of all time.  I liked it- a little bit rock n roll, without trying too hard.

We planned to spend the day in the city, first campaigning to a dear friend in Brooklyn, and then heading over to the show.

The campaigning was actually really fun- there were stoop sales all over, and I found a few treasures.  Then we headed into Manhattan to meet up with Tori.

It’s hard to know where it all went wrong.  We arrived at the check in for the show earlier than they asked by about an hour.  But by that time it was already too late. It was swamped with teen-aged girls in sequined dresses and cheep heels, and frat boys with flipped collars and sunglasses.  There was absolutely no order to anything, and everyone was freaking out.  Finally, they took a group of people, and left more than half of us to wait and suffer.

It turns out that they over booked the show.  By more than twice the number they could let in.  They explained by saying that there is usually a percentage of those who are given tickets who don’t show, and they were trying to account for that.  Which is ridiculous, in my opinion.  What kind of  idiot gets tickets to the VMAs and doesn’t show?

What happened next was one of the most surreal moments of my life, and I will never forget it.  We were  told that we would be taken to the venue, Radio City Music Hall, and there was a chance some of us would be let in after they determined how much room was left.  We filed outside, onto the street as a giant cluster, and then chaos ensued.  There were girls squeezed into tiny lycra dress, in teetering heels, and made-up within an inch of their lives running down the streets of Manhattan as if their very lives depended on it.  It looked like the Gossip Girl Olympics, and it was absurd and wonderful at the same time.

Then we were left in limbo for an hour or more-  no one had any idea what was happening. It finally became apparent that they weren’t going to let anyone else in when the show actually started.  There were so many girls who were completely devestated.  I’m sure it was the worst thing that had ever happened to them.

Our little quartet, although disappointed, made the best of things.  We went to one of my favorite little restaurants in the city, a place called Vinyl, where the menus are made from old lp covers, and the four bathrooms are each decorated for a different musical superstar.  And the food is good and reasonably priced.

And wouldn’t you know it, they were having their own tribute to the VMAs!  They were projecting the show on a supersized screen and serving special drinks.  Instead of standing all night, smashed in a crowd of people, we got to sit in a cozy booth and eat delicious food, such as Macaroni and Cheese with Black Truffles, and drink frozen cosmos all night.  Certainly not a bad deal!  The frozen cosmos, though, oh man.  Whew.  Strong.

That was the night when I started to love Lady Gaga.  I will never forget the reaction in Vinyl when she started dripping with blood- everyone was gasping and cheering and it was great fun.  Sure, I ended the evening getting my boot stuck on something on the train on the ride home and giving myself a black eye, but all in all it was a fabulous evening, one of the best I’ve ever had in the city.

They’re just lucky that they moved the VMAs back to LA, because I would’ve gotten in this year.  Somehow.

The skirt, I still love.  Sure, it’s a little beaten up from that crazy night, but I think that just adds character.  I love the way it feels.  It is so soft, like butter.  It makes me feel good, so I think it should stay around for a while.