Velvety red seats in this grand, gothic theatre matched this evening’s performance.
 
Carvings of strong, robust Romans protecting the perimeter like body guards as magical red stars danced on the stage floor.
We could feel her presence like a thousand electric butterflies were fluttering around us.

As the spotlight perfectly captured her walk on the stage we were overwhelmed with cheer.

She was absolutely beautiful and perfect as always.

Her performance was delightful and engaging.  

The band played the familiar Talagh, the crowd started clapping to the music, some already on their feet in anticipation. 

The music stopped, the crowd cheered; then ever so quietly, there she was.  Our Googoosh.  Our Precious Superstar. 

At the sight of her, the crowd erupted in the loudest cheers and applause; everyone on their feet, and it seemed nobody wanted to stop!  She looked thinner, but absolutely gorgeous in a white satin gown with a beautiful sequined jacket. 

She bowed, and then welcomed everyone to “your night of song” as she always calls it. 

She acknowledged the beauty of San Diego – “I had heard a lot about the beauty of your City and also your hospitality”—and the crowd gushed.  Then, she said “I don’t know why we Iranians always arrive late.  Just as I was coming on the stage I was told that there was a lot of people still outside and just beginning to come in.  I apologize for starting the show late”. 

She opened the magnificent show with the song Talagh, and followed it with an absolutely perfect performance to the end.  Her voice was more powerful than ever. 

During the first half, she also performed:  Ghayebe Hamisheh Haazer, Porsesh, Otaaghe Man, a medly of old favorites which she reminded everyone that she knows are everyone’s favorites:  Do Panjareh, Hejrat, Oon Manam, Bavar Kon, Harf.   Needless to say, there was standing ovation and cheers, and the calls of “Googoosh we love you” after each song.

Before performing “Setareh Ay Setareh”, she said that she sang this old song many years ago to a slow beat, but Mehrdad rearranged it and sang the song in his album.  Since he will not come on stage, I will perform it for you”.  Then, as though such a thing was even remotely possible, she said “I hope you will forgive me if I mess up.  This is my first time performing this song”!!! 

She continued with Ay Mardom Mordam, Marham, Ahouye Eshgh, Pol, Ba Ham, Eshgh Yani Hameh Chiz, and ended with Mordab.  Wow.  Her performance of Mordab had the crowed on their feet cheering for quite a few minutes. 

The second half, our Googoosh appeared on stage in a beautiful black dress, with her hair down, and looked so pretty.  The dress was perfect as she danced to all the songs, and every delightful move she made, drew loud cheers.  She was just so lovely. 

The songs in the second half were:  Makhloogh, Chelleh Neshin, Gol-e Bi Goldoon, a medly of old favorites, and quite a number of other songs that all of us cannot get enough of.  Again, all I can say about her performing Jaddeh and Kavir, is WOW.  

It is amazing the number of songs she sang – and danced to most of them – in a short few hours (which she does in every one of her concerts).  No one else in the world can perform the way our Googoosh does.

I can dare say that Our Googoosh’s performance breaks language barriers.  My son and his girlfriend accompanied me to the concert for the first time.  

Neither of them speaks Farsi, but they enjoyed the performance tremendously.   They agreed that there is no need to understand the words because of the feeling she conveys to the audience with all the delightful moves and gestures that is unique to her. 

After she left the stage the audience continued cheering and applauding for about 10 to 15 minutes, but she did not return, as the committed for the concert was over and the crew had started clearing the stage. 

At the end, I would like to add that the stage was lit with beautiful lights, which changed appropriately with every song.  It was very, very nice.  But, I have to say, it seemed that the sound technicians were not able to regulate the amplifiers.  The Symphony Hall is acoustically perfect which was not taken into consideration it seems.  The sound was too loud and it took away from her singing the high notes so beautifully and with such a powerful voice.