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Monday, June 7, 2010

Ain't No Mountain High Enough...

... to keep us away from Diana Ross. The Queen Supreme Diana Ross played an outdoor show at the Memphis Botanic Gardens on Saturday night, but we didn't have tickets. Rather than miss an opportunity to hear the Detroit diva live in concert, my friend Nathan and I planned a sneaky let's-catch-the-show-for-free picnic at Audubon Park. The park is located a few blocks from the outdoor show, so we were hoping to hear the performance.

Nathan popped open a bottle of bubbly for the occasion:

I brought some ciabatta bread and a couple of spreads from my cookbook for toppin' — this tasty vegan Pimento Cheeze Spread:

And some Garlicky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus:

On the side, we had my Granny's recipe for Southwestern Corn Salad (also in the cookbook):

And some tortilla chips with this tasty Sweet Onion Salsa:

Here's my plate:

And here I am stuffing my face as usual:

After we filled our bellies, we sat around and talked for a bit. And lo and behold, we suddenly heard a thumping bass line in the distance. I looked at my clock, and sure enough, it was Diana time. So we packed up the picnic gear and made our way across the park's golf course toward the show. It was dark outside, and though the course was closed, we were hidden from view. We got as close as we could without tickets, and we could see the fabulous lighted stage and the occasional glimpse of Diana's glittery attire. I heard my fave gay anthem, "I'm Comin' Out" and we felt so very sneaky.

Would the view have been better if we'd bought tickets? Sure, but I doubt we'd have had quite so much fun!

15 comments:

  1. Looks like lots of fun. Can't beat good food in a nice park, with a live soundtrack :)

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  2. Awww I love this story! What a fun way to hear and sort of see a concert. I bet it WAS more fun this way and now you have a great story to tell. Plus, you got to eat all of this delicious food.

    You know Bianca, I don't think I have ever anticipated a cookbook as much as I am eagerly looking forward to yours. Everything you EVER make looks incredible and I always want to eat it NOW. Please send me a vat of that pimento cheese dip....?

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  3. Pimento cheese is my Mom's favorite southern food, will have to make her some from your cookbook! Looks like an awesome picnic!

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  4. lol @ "my favorite gay anthem" :)

    great idea, i've done something similar with the local amphitheater here at Station Square...

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  5. Pimento cheeze spread! I always forget I shouldn't look at your blog if I'm hungry :)

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  6. WOW!!!! such a great sneaky idea...I got to see her show in Central Park (N.Y.) so many years ago and she was great. Love the food Bianca you even make a picnic look glamorous.

    http://nuestracena-vegancuisine.blogspot.com

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  7. I loved pimiento cheese as a kid, and then at some point I became bothered that it was electric orange. Yours is going to be worth a try. I love a picnic, and even better to toss in a concert!

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  8. Oh my...I am so jealous that not only can you drink in the park, but you can have glass bottles! NICE :)
    When is the cookbook coming out?

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  9. I think that is is way more fun that you were able to experience it without buying tickets.
    Plus the food (and booze) looks delicious!

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  10. i love your sneaky park concert, Bianca - it sounds like you and Nathan had a gloriously good time. bubbly, pimento spread, ciabatta, and chip 'n corn salsa all sound wonderful, Bianca! i am also about your power protein pockets - i can't wait to try out the marinade for the 'fu & i love seeing all those mung bean sprouts in there. dreamy tahini sauce sounds like one tasty way to pull it all together. yummmmmmy stuff all around!

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  11. Sounds like fun! I would have been afraid of getting caught, haha.

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  12. My..what big EYES you have, My Dear....

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  13. The pimento cheez spread looks so rawkin!! I can't wait to see that recipe and try it out!!

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  14. What a fun night, I haven't done a picnic in ... I can't remember the last time we had one! But I want to now. :-)

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  15. Looks like you two had a great time! Hummus looks delicious!

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