One Great Weekend!
One Great Weekend!
Early in the Summer, I was looking at my Nephew’s Football schedule at Princeton. After all, this was going to be his senior year. The last home game is Senior Day and it is usually against Harvard or Yale. The game was November 11th Yale vs. Princeton at 1:00 PM. The game will be Princeton’s homecoming, Senior Day, as well as my Nephew’s last home game and Veterans Day! I couldn’t think of a better weekend until…. Janet Jackson announced she was performing the “State of the World” tour in Philadelphia Monday, November 13th. Now, this was going to be one great weekend!
My Nephew kissing the Ivy League Trophy
It was as if the scheduling gods smiled upon me. What a dream trip. To go to Princeton University to watch them play Yale and possibly for the Ivy League Championship. You know my Nephew’s Team is the defending Ivy League Champion (2016). When you add to that the new tour of Janet Jackson with a day to recover in between. This can’t help but be one great weekend!
One Great Weekend!
Who is in the Crew
If you are going to have one great weekend you need to have the right people! So, our squad looked like this. We began with our usual crew.
- From West Palm Beach, FL she is my travel buddy. She is always ready and always on time – AMY!
Amy
- My road dog, friend; a sister from another mother – YVETTE.
Yvette
- Our Kansas City connection another veteran traveler who currently resides in West Philadelphia. Known in the Group as Nikki 3, aka Nikki from Philly – NICOLE L.
Nicole L. (aka Nikki 3)
Nikki and I added two newcomers. It always good to add fresh travel blood.
Bill & Nikki
- So, by way of Pittsburg, currently in Orlando, FL – MICHELLE!!!!
Michelle
- Finally, she stands at 6 feet tall and knows how to party from Springfield IL we brought D-A-N-I-E-L-L-E!!!!!!!
Danielle
Saturday
We woke up to cold weather after all most of us live in Florida so, 37 degrees was a shock! It was so cold that we decided to pass on the tailgate party. Instead, I had assorted breakfast food from donuts to crescent sandwiches. After eating we went to the lobby to meet up with my Sister and her friends. We took pictures and headed to the stadium.
Before the Princeton Football Game
Senior Day began with all the Parents of the Seniors on the field in the far end zone After the team runs out of the tunnel. The announcer introduces each of the Senior on the Team. The Senior runs out of the tunnel one last time and then all the way across the field and gives the parents a hug. I got chills watching my Nephew make that trip.
The game began and we cheered on my Nephew and the Princeton Tigers! Unfortunately, they were not the victors of the day. Nevertheless, we were proud. After the football game, we went to the Cannon Club. Cannon is a private dinner club, to which my Nephew belongs, it sits on the campus of Princeton University. There we had all kinds of food and drinks and most of all heat.
Inside the Cannon Club
Sunday
Brunch at Warmdaddy’s in Philadelphia.
Since we had the extra day, Sunday. I planned Brunch at Warmdaddy’s, in Philadelphia, which is quite frankly the best Jazz Brunch in the country! FACT! That is not open for debate! Live Jazz, excellent food, and a warm friendly atmosphere. This just made one great weekend even better. You can never go wrong planning around food!
A private show for the Ladies!
Sunday night we had an opening for some type of entertainment. So, by my count when I include my wife we had 6 Women. 5 of the 6 are single so I wanted something they could all enjoy. Have some fun and be safe. Luckily, we have a local connection and with some careful research and planning we pulled off the perfect nightcap. A Male Stripper! We used the Omen Exotic Entertainers of Philadelphia. They are online and reasonable. No hassles and no real surprises and all the women were happy!
After the Private Show!
Monday
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Monday rolled around and the weather was not nice. It was bad for Floridians. It was in the high 30s and raining! We adjusted and did some sightseeing. The rain did finally stop around noon. Our group went to visit the Art Museum of Philadelphia. The museum was made famous by the movie Rocky as these are the iconic steps he ran up during his training.
The Liberty Bell
We also took in the Liberty Bell Center which included Independence Hall. The group got to see the Liberty Bell. Pose for pictures alongside the bell. As well as learn the detailed history, Across the street, is Independence Hall. Its historical significance is this is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and eleven years later and the United States constitutions was signed. This was an eye-opening experience for many in our group.
Independence Hall
Philly Cheese Steak
Tony Luke’s
Our last destination on this outing was to find a snack. Who goes to Philadelphia without getting a Philly Cheese Steak? Not us, so we went to Tony Luke’s Old Philly Style Sandwiches. It is a nice stand that has been converted into an indoor facility to provide comfort to the customers during the cold Winter months. We all had Cheese Steaks and most had fries. The food was hot, fresh and had a good taste. We ate it there and took pictures before heading back to get ready for the Janet Jackson Concert that night!
We had a few hours to relax before time to get ready for the concert. Therefore we decided to eat in instead of trying to get in and out of a restaurant before the concert. I prepared a Seafood Feast for our group. We had crab legs, shrimp, mussels, corn, potatoes, and sausage. I also made a large pitcher of Margaritas. This hit the spot and got us ready to see one of the greatest Entertainers of all time.
Seafood Dinner before the Janet Jackson Concert
Janet Jackson
Arriving at the Janet Jackson Concert
One by one the Ladies came to the living room dressed to go to the concert. All the Ladies looked beautiful. In our group, we had it all leather, lace, leopard, sparkle, and fur! We had boots, sandals, wedges, and pumps that went with each Ladies selection. There were hoops, dangles, and diamonds attached to ears. However, the best thing that each Lady wore was a smile. We were having one great weekend!
Comp Ticket
We traveled to the Wells Fargo Center and arrived about an hour early. That gave us plenty of time to get to out seat and take lots of pictures along the way. The 7 of us were all in the same section but broken into 2 groups. As we sat in the second level awaiting the concert to start. 2 Men approached our group. They were officials who offered us 7 comp tickets on the lower level in the 112 section. The tickets were just off the floor and very close to the stage. So as far as I am concerned we were the guest of Janet Jackson!
Janet Jackson
The concert started and Janet did her thing! She sang and danced all the hits. The crowd knew every song. We danced and sang along. I took to Facebook Live to share with my friends. Others went to Instagram to scrapbook the event. All over social media was our group at the Janet Jackson concert. 2 hours later Janet left the arena with the crowd on their feet. Smiles and tears of joy were abundant. After all, this was Janet Jackson and the end of one great weekend!
Janet Jackson
Helpful Links:
- Exotic Male Dancers in Philadelphia: http://www.omenphiladelphiastrippers.com/
- Janet Jackson: https://www.janetjackson.com/
- Warmdaddy’s: http://warmdaddys.com/
- Princeton University: https://www.princeton.edu/
- Cannon Club: https://cannonclub.com/
- Tony Luke’s: http://www.tonylukes.com/
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Bill Collins
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