Top Of The Pops

In the coming months, I will have the opportunity to see not one, but two of my favourite female performers of all time, live in concert. Posters of these idols adorned my childhood bedroom walls (along with the hunky likes of Kirk Cameron). I danced endlessly to their earliest pop songs with my friends in the backyard (often using the picnic table as a stage). My favourite concert buddy and fellow pop fan, Kristina G. will be by my side for both events and we could not be more pumped!


First up is Janet Jackson, who will grace the stage at GM Place on September 10th to launch her 'Rock Witchu' arena tour. Although Jackson rarely takes to the road these days, she ranks as one of the most successful female touring artists ever. Her 'Rhythm Nation 1814' tour was the biggest selling debut world-wide tour in history. I sure played the hell out of my VHS copy of the show. I even taught myself all of the dance moves. I also turned around and taught them to most of the girls in my neighbourhood. The baby sister of a legendary showbusiness family, Janet Jackson has strived to distance her career from that of her brother Michael and the rest of the Jackson family. She has created an enduring image, cemented by groundbreaking choreography that many contemporary pop stars still try to emulate. Many new artists have clearly been influenced by her style and have patterned their own performances after Janet's. This woman has most definitely inspired me over the years too- her tunes have long been part of my "running mix" and her infamous ripped abs have surely been a motivator to get my butt to the gym on more than one occasion. I can't wait to see her in action in just a few weeks.

For more information about Miss Janet's upcoming tour, be sure to check out her official site here.



The next event is something that I have been waiting for just about as long as I can remember. I will finally get to see Madonna live when she takes the stage at BC Place Stadium on October 30th for the Vancouver date of her 'Sticky & Sweet' tour, which kicked off this past Saturday in Cardiff, Wales. Hot on the diamante shaped heels of her phenomenally successful 'Hard Candy' disc, this tour promises two hours of nonstop hits in a show that features 16 dancers, a 12 piece band, more than 8 costume changes for the lady herself and over a million dollars worth of Swarovski crystals. I remember asking my mom if she thought that the Easter bunny would bring me Madonna's 'Like A Prayer' tape instead of chocolate the year that it came out. It was all that my little heart desired. Wouldn't you know it, that bunny came through for me and left the scandalous cassette in one of my baskets amongst the colour foiled eggs. I was beyond ecstatic. Always a chameleon, Madonna has reinvented herself a million times over and been able to come across as completely genuine in each new incarnation. Keira posted a fab tribute to the woman often referred to as the 'Queen of Pop' recently, in celebration of the star's 50th birthday. You should read it here. It provides a glorious walk down Madonna memory lane.


For the latest info about Madge and her current tour, as well as to find out when she's going to be in your city, check out her official website here.