Macy Gray
Glamorama 2010 Finale
Macy Gray was a pleasure to watch perform live. She sang her two greatest hits, I Try and Beauty in the World. I was a huge Macy Gray fan in my adolescence and I’ve missed her during the past decade. I think it’s great that she’s staging a successful comeback. Her singular voice is raspy and soulful, and she is an incredible performer. Beauty in the World was a fitting finale song for Glamorama 2010. As she sang, the back curtain lifted up to reveal models wearing looks from each of the shows, clapping their hands and singing in unison. Macy Gray encouraged the audience to stand up and dance – in spite of Macy’s insistence that everyone must remain seated. She was 100% correct – when else are you going to see Macy sing at Macy’s Glamorama!? As the curtain shut, an explosion of star-shaped glitter and confetti poured down from the rafters onto the audience. A perfect way to complete Macy’s star-studded fashion extravaganza!
Audience Dancing to Beauty in the World
Star Shaped Confetti Rained Down
Hutchison Performing OK, It’s Alright With Me
About midway through the show Eric Hutchison took the stage for an acoustic set. He started off on the piano, playing his hit OK, It’s Alright With Me. As a classically trained pianist myself, there is no form of music I have greater respect for than an acoustic piano/vocal set. He hit every note perfectly. The lyrics struck a chord with me and his vocals soared through the vaulted Chicago Theater auditorium. He made a couple of jokes about how awkward it felt to be performing an acoustic set amongst the glitz and glamor of the fashion show, which helped diffuse the collective tension.
Hutchison Performing Rock & Roll
His second and final song was
Rock & Roll, an acoustic guitar piece that he stood up to play. His personality was incredibly endearing and the audience began clapping in unison to encourage him. As my fiance Jeremy (exec. editor of
Chicago Jam Scene) pointed out, the only people who clap during an artist’s performance are people who rarely see live music. Hutchison thanked the audience for the clapping encouragement, but told them it wasn’t necessary. Clapping like that actually interferes with the musician’s ability to concentrate. Hutchison was unfazed and continued to pour his soul out. This was my first exposure to Hutchison, and his heartfelt performance here at Glamorama gained him at least one new fan.
Felina Opening Scene
Felina Presentation
2(x)ist Opening Scene
Male Angels
2(x)ist Final Look
The lingerie presentation was the perfect way to close out Glamorama 2010. The show began with female demons dancing around in dominatrix-inspired outfits, only to close with angelic male models wearing wings. Who doesn’t love a little skin! Watching gorgeous models prance around in negligee is a great way to ensure patrons return for Glamorama 2011. The Heaven/Hell dichotomy was a bit uninspired, but I thought it was an excellent way to poke fun at America’s love/hate relationship towards sexuality.
