Day 2 of my BCS (Social Scene) coverage for Campus Insiders “Ain’t Nothing Like a BCS Party.” On the 2nd day in search of BCS fans from Alabama and Notre Dame, we hit up Ocean Drive and found the epicenter of fun before the big game!
Campus Insiders
This weekend I’m turning in “social scene” reports for digital TV show Campus Insiders… It’s a crazy busy time in South Florida with the BCS championship going down Monday night at Sun Life Stadium. And with that, thousands of college students and fans reppin’ Notre Dame and Alabama have descended upon the Sunshine State!
OTF: Gallery 85
The San Francisco 49ers Vernon Davis recently celebrated the Grand Opening of his very own Gallery 85 art gallery at Santana Row in San Jose. On the Flipside, in association with Bay Tiger Productions, was there for exclusive coverage of the star-studded event! Press play for some of the red carpet highlights!! And visit On The Flipside for more exclusive video segments.
OTF: Fabulous Females
In the newest video segment from On The Flipside, Football’s Fabulous Females are showcased at this year’s 2012 Raiderette Reunion, marking 50 years of a sisterhood. Press play to see highlights from the spectacular game and halftime performance in Oakland, and watch the ladies work it, including the “OG’s” from 1962! For more “On The Flipside,” visit http://ontheflipsidetv.com
50 Years of Raiderettes
I recently celebrated 50 years of Oakland (and LA) Raiderettes with a few hundred of my “Football’s Fabulous Females” sisters, who have also been honored to hold the Raiderette title! The 2012 Raiderette Reunion started off with a dinner at the Eastside Club at the Coliseum…
On display were the various uniforms and costumes donned by the Raiderettes over the years…
The next day after we gathered at the Raider facility to “practice” for our anniversary halftime show! We had all received a video link prior to the reunion weekend, to learn our respective routines…since we were celebrating 50 years, they divided us into 5 decades, and you learned the routine that corresponded with the decade you became a Raiderette! So the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and (my group) 2000’s!! It was the first time we got together for a dance rehearsal with everyone. Ah, what a reminder of the hard work it takes to be a Raiderette!!!
We also received these beautiful medallions to mark the 50 year celebration!
Finally our reunion weekend culminated with a spectacular halftime performance at the Oakland Coliseum where the Raiders hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars!! Lots of fun and reminiscent of old times…starting with a bus ride together to the stadium.
Then of course GAME TIME!!
And — it’s great to dance alongside with the current squad and to see what a GREAT job these ladies are doing to carry on the Raiderette tradition!!
I don’t have the final number of how many alumni turned out to attend the weekend, but at least 300+…and I imagine if each and every former Raiderette was able to be there, the number would be more like 500…that’s a lot of Raiderettes!! 🙂
Finally, what would a performance be without the VIDEO…haha! You can actually see me in the clip below…I danced on the 25 yard line, closer to the north end zone, then in end zone (near the “K”) during the finale!!
Once a Raiderette, ALWAYS a Raiderette!! 😉
DANCE FEVER
The 2012 West Coast Pro Dance Convention in San Jose on Sunday, January 29th was a HUGE success!! The event drew a diverse group of dancers, from retired alumni of the Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush to Washington Redskins, as well as current dance teams members of semi-pro ABA teams & AFL Arena Football, along with aspiring pro team dancers gearing up for the 2012 audition “season!”
We also welcomed a trio of Japanese Cheerleaders who have danced for professional American sports teams, as well as pro teams in Japan!
Here’s a shot of me and Keiko, who has an impressive resume including all-star teams from Asia to the U.S.A…
This year’s West Coast Convention staff was jam packed with a super talented roster of Pro Team Alumni with credentials in the NBA, NFL, AFL and more!! WATCH the highlight video for a taste of what went down!! Press play…
Thanks to all our sponsors – Shakeology, PPN Solution, Go Wild! Wear and of course the San Jose Athletic Club for being our venue host!
For a complete list of all the Going Pro Entertainment Dance Conventions taking place all over the country, visit – http://procheerallstars.eventbrite.com/
I’ll be at the 2012 Miami Pro Dance Convention coming right up on Sunday, February 19 … REGISTER NOW >> http://miamiprodance2012.eventbrite.com/
#RedHotReporter – DAY 3 RECAP
Football Sunday arrived so quick, I was still reminding myself I was IN London! Since going to Wembley for the “main event” was the focus of the weekend, I couldn’t wait to get there…I’d heard so much about all the great sporting events that had been held there, as well as concerts and other events…it’s sort of a pseudo hobby of mine to visit different stadiums and arenas when I travel, so I can now add Wembley to the list!
Kickoff was set for 6pm, but the Virgin Atlantic crew headed out early to attend the NFL Tailgate festivities being held outside before they opened the doors…
It was quite a sight to see THOUSANDS of fans out early in an array of NFL jerseys, representing virtually every one of the 32 teams… I sort of wondered how the British fans were selecting their team garb, was it the colors, the team’s city, the player?? I even saw some fans who sort of mixed and matched team apparel..hehe That’s a first! Nonetheless, great to see them all in the spirit and having fun taking part in an All-American tradition!!
Once inside, we made a beeline to the Virgin Atlantic Suite at “Pitch West,” where I was greeted/escorted by the gorgeous Virgin Atlantic Cabin Crew…
…into a stunning suite!! VERY “SWANKY!!”
Next, I ventured down to the field level to hang out on the sidelines before the game while the teams warmed up. FYI – I used the “Queen’s Lift” to make my way down!! 🙂
While down on the field for pregame, I ran into Tony Siragusa doing his thing for NFL on FOX… And — I bumped into my buddy Major Wright who is a Safety for the Bears.
When it came time for the game’s opening ceremony, it was very comparable to what you’d see in any NFL Stadium on a Sunday. They had the pregame performance by the cheerleaders, the anthems, the pyro, etc…
There’s just something about hearing the US National Anthem in another country…makes me proud to be an American! And, I think they did a little ‘extra’ for this game too, with a performance by the Goo Goo Dolls! 😉
T and I even got to visit with some of his friends from Chicago who made a spur of the moment decision to fly out for the game! Talk about loyal fans…
Eventually, we ‘retired’ to the Virgin Suite to take in the beautiful view!!
We also got an unobstructed overhead look at the shirtless guy running laps on the field…LOL Sort of random, but even more amusing was how he easily ran up and down the field, stopping to “high 5” one of the Bucs and eluding a few security before they could tackle him! WOW!
The NFL International Series game experience in Wembley was nothing short of awesome…definitely something I will never forget!
Sadly, the next day was time to travel back across the pond -I did try to extend my trip, but flights were tight, so I’ll just have to go back another time! However…BONUS!! We experienced the Virgin Atlantic VIP treatment once again when we got to Heathrow to check in for the flight home.
First was a separate VIP entrance for check in and security…
Then a MEGA 12,000 square foot Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, where we could chill out prior to boarding!
Talk about “swanky” this place was super plush with lounge seating, a restaurant, spa and salon as well as fully-stocked bar! See for yourself….
Usually I’m not trying to have a LOOOONG time at the airport before my flight, but I could hang out in this clubhouse all day! Too bad I didn’t have more time, as I would’ve indulged in ALL the services!! haha
Thank you Virgin Atlantic for hosting us on this absolutely FABULOUS, one of a kind, trip of the year!! My experience as #RedHotReporter was nothing short of AMAZING and I can’t wait to do it again! 🙂
#RedHotReporter – DAY 2 RECAP
I woke up well-rested for my 2nd day in London as Virgin Atlantic’s Red Hot Reporter. We started with brunch at an Italian Restaurant near our hotel – St. Martins Lane is in a “happening” spot, literally steps to several cafe’s, restaurants, shops and points of interest! Then, the first activity on the agenda was a trip to Trafalgar Square where the NFL was holding its “Fan Rally.”
T is from Chicago, so he suited up in his BEARS gear…and I did too for the occasion! 😉
The place was packed with British and American fans. Thousands of people flooded the square, and it was really cool to see the NFL getting so much LOVE in London! And even though it was technically Tampa Bay’s “home game” in London, there were clearly more BEARS fans in the crowd. BTW, did you know the Bucs owner also owns Manchester United, hence a great UK tie-in for them! **NOTE: I kept thinking if the RAIDERS ever get to play in London, I KNOW the RAIDER NATION would be out in full force and England would be covered in Silver and Black!
We caught this moment of the Chicago Bears making a brief appearance at the event…
One of the main attractions were the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders…they can’t get enough of the NFL Cheerleaders in London! And — since the BEARS are one of the few NFL teams who do not have Pro Cheerleaders, the spotlight was squarely on ladies from Tampa Bay! I had the opportunity to interview a few of the ladies before they got on stage to perform, that will pop up On The Flipside soon!
At the same time I bumped into the cheerleaders, I also got the chance to meet NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He was very cool and took a few moments to chat with me about being the Red Hot Reporter and what I was doing for Virgin to share my NFL London experience with my peeps on social media..he was into it! 😉
The rally was a cool experience, I met many NFL Legends, including members of the 85 Bears, as well as fans who trekked from the U.S. and other parts of Europe to experience the festivities.
Uhm, did I mention I was interviewed for NFL Network?? I have no idea if this has aired or what they are going to do with the footage, but I’m sure someone will let me know if they catch my interview!!
After the rally, the excitement did not stop as we did a quick wardrobe change and set off for the NFL London Bash!
It was a swanky “invite only” event with some “celeb” sightings…
Jerome Bettis (Above) & Cuba Gooding Jr. (Below)
I haven’t talked too much about the cuisine in London, and they are NOT known for it, but one kind of “interesting” dish they had at the party was a beef meatballs with tomato sauce over mashed potatoes dish…not bad! :/ hehe
The highlight of the evening was a performance by London native, now international superstar Estelle!
All in all, a FUN night, overall GREAT day..and the best is yet to come!! At this point, the credentials are stacking up and I needed to get a good night’s rest for the big game at Wembley Stadium.
DAY 3 of my Red Hot Reporter RECAP is coming up tomorrow!!