1999 NPC Texas State (Intro)
By -jabber


Ah, a show back in Dallas, as God intended.  It's funny, I could see a show
halfway, heck ALL the way across the country, and I plan ahead, getting
tickets, hotel reservation, rental car, all that jazz.  But a show in
Dallas?  Poorly planned (on my part), we haphazardly hopped into the
-jabbermobile and ONLY saw the Evening show.  Yes, uncharacteristically, I
missed the Prejudging. :-(  Oh well, life goes on (and luckily we got good
and inexpensive tickets to boot).

In addition to the Texas State Championship being of decent quality and a
National Qualifier, although it had some "history" for me (most notably last
year :-) ), this year it was being held in the aptly-named Majestic Theatre
in Downtown Dallas.  That alone was reason enough to see the show.

The Majestic Theatre is an old-fashioned "historical-looking" theatre in a
similar vein to the more well-known Apollo in Harlem and Fillmore in San
Francisco (neither of which I've been to in person, but have seen concerts
taped there on TV).  

It was interesting watching these muscular sometimes unreal bodies walking
around this genteel Southern Theatre carrying gym bags and bottled water and
whathaveyou.  An interesting study in contrasts.  In fact, the intermission
music for this show was none other than Frank Sinatra.  Somehow, that fit
the mood just perfectly. :-)

The personal history I have with the Majestic Theatre is although I was only
there once before, it was quite memorable.  It was to see the comedian Chris
Rock.  The show was great, but it was ironic as the audience was about 95%
black or more, including my date.  Weirdly, the show seemed to be marketed
toward a black audience only, in fact, it was my date who let me know about
the show.  Strange, as I believe his show would appeal to all walks of life
(well, except the prudes :-) ).

Second matter of history, the Majestic Theatre was the venue for the last
concert John Denver ever had in Dallas.  Although I've not been a huge John
Denver fan, of course, if I knew it would be the last opportunity to see
him, I would've attended. :-(

On with the show...

-jabber