A Night Out with Barbie
Spoiler: I felt the Kenergy
During lockdown, and over these last 4 years, one of the things I’ve missed most was going to concerts or outdoor events. There’s nothing quite like going to an event where everyone is there to share in the enjoyment of the same thing. It creates an indescribable energy.
Last Saturday, I was finally able to partake in one of these events. I found out the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles was having a 1 year anniversary celebration of the Barbie movie, complete with an all-female, BIPOC orchestra. It was pretty last minute so I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to go, but with the help of my friend who goes to the Bowl a lot and some fortunate circumstances, we made it work.
[Video is from the fireworks show after the movie. Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night Away” is playing in the background"]
I can’t tell you what it felt like to be at something like that again. It was definitely the largest scale event I’ve done since 2020 so I kept my mask on except when I was in my seat and a bunch of people weren’t coming and going around me. We were able to get ADA accessible seats (because wayyy too many stairs at the Hollywood Bowl) that were also on the end which was great.
From the staff to the people there to see the show, nearly everyone was incredibly helpful and kind. There was just this palpable camaraderie because we were all there to enjoy a movie we love so much (men, women and all gender identities alike) and cheer on the orchestra, and wear pink! The Hollywood Bowl employees all greeted us with “Hi Barbie!” as we walked past them. Before the movie started too, Issa Rae asked us all to turn to the Barbie next to us and give each other a compliment (from the screen…only wish she had actually been there!).
This was the first time I took, Red, my rollator walker out for a full-on outing too. I don’t think I’ve ever been more grateful I said yes to getting a walker. I wouldn’t have been able to walk as much as I did or go up and down the hills at the Hollywood Bowl without it. They really had the accessibility thing down well there. We took a bus so we didn’t have to contend with the parking or getting up there, and they had a specific spot at the end of the night were the bus would come pick you up, right near the entrance. And the bus had a ramp so I could get right on with my walker. The ADA seats at the venue itself had room for my walker too (which one of the Bowl employees actually picked up and moved for me so I didn’t have to). There were plenty of accessible stalls in the bathroom. They have elevators everywhere you need them and ramps wherever there are stairs.
Besides the built-in camaraderie, it was the first place I’ve been in a long time where I didn’t feel completely alone or “different.” I was not the only disabled person there. I was not the only person wearing a mask. It’s hard to fully put into words what it feels like when you go somewhere and you feel accepted and like you belong. You kind of learn to deal with being the “only one” places when you have a disability (or are a part of any marginalized community) I think, and if you still wear masks, but sometimes it’s just so nice to see other people like you. I’ve never felt more isolated than I have the past 4 years, so being around other people with commonalities, made me feel such an immense sense of belonging and comfort.
I don’t know if my life is ever going to look like it did before the pandemic, but I’m so grateful that I’m still able to do certain things safely, even if it’s not all the time. Getting out and feeling human connection is so important, even for introverts like me. I may not get to do it at the same frequency as I used to, but this gave me hope that it can still be a part of my life in a smaller way.
[If you’re ever thinking about going to a show at the Hollywood Bowl and need specifics on how the accessibility works, let me know, and I’d be happy to share the details.]
Sidenote, the last time I was at the Hollywood Bowl was 1997 and I was there to see Hanson. I’ll leave you with that 😂
What Made Me Happy This Week 🌞💞
Besides the obvious in the above post, getting to see friends and coworkers. The extroverted side of me and my heart are so full this week.
The Olympics (📺) - From the Opening Ceremonies (it wasn’t the Last Supper, people), to the U.S. men’s gymnastics team winning a medal for the first time in decades, to the U.S. women’s gymnastics team completely dominating…what a Games this has been. I’ve loved seeing so many underdogs take the gold, silver, or bronze. The Brazil women’s gymnastics team won a medal for the first time ever and the Italian women’s gymnastics team got a medal for the first time since the 1920s. If you want to verge on the edge of going into the ugly cry like I did, watch Daniel Wiffen of Ireland on the medal podium hearing the Irish national anthem at the Olympics for the first time.
I made a gross oversight in my post last week about the Olympics too. I completely failed to mention the Paralympics which will air from France in August. Here are all the deets. It was nice to see several Paralympic athletes in the Opening Ceremony, and I think a lot of people missed that there was a disabled model in the fashion show.
Happy weekend everyone ❤️
I'm so glad you had a great time! And also that you took out Red.