June 2, 2008 - Amsterdam, Netherlands (Amsterdam Arena)

[Un Rêve]

haha, okay, fine, Suus you were right: apparently it IS a collectors item

[Davey84]

Davey, your photos in front of the hotel are AMAZING!!!

 

I even managed to get one autograph - my hand was too short again, LOL, but an another helpful hand handed my stuff to Celine. Unfortunately the photo of me and my baby girl who one of my friends handed to Celine has fallen INTO the car... So Celine won't probably ever see it... Sigh... Or had just seen it after she entered the car, LOL! But there was no wrting on it so she won't have any idea who is it, hehe...

 

thank you! you're all welcome for the review and pictures

 

Did you have the D'elles booklet? I handed that one to Céline! I'm happy you got one autograph!! And I do hope someone will be kind enough to return it to you!!

 

and if that photo fell into the car.. I'm sure Céline would have spotted it! just imagine Céline thinking 'hmmm what's that?? Who's that baby??!!"

 

Oh and I also have that ArenA card! my dad bought one!

[Dionesque]

Davey, mine was the small "D'elles" booklet - you know, the small one from the collector's edition with glossy pages and Celine photos in it.

If you handed that one to Celine - thanks a lot for your help!

 

And about my lost "Taking Chances" booklet - somewhere I've heard you have a Dutch forum/mailing list? Maybe you can ask there is anyone got such booklet at the hotel with Aaron autograph on the back?? Maybe someone will be so kind to return it...

 

As for the photo - it was my baby AND me on the photo But I have brown hair on that picture and no glasses, probably Celine wouldn't recoginze me, hehe... But maybe she would like the picture anyway - it only sais "It's my Céline" on a paper sticked to the picture. A friend got an idea that it would be cute to get an autograph on it for my little girl's album...

[Un Rêve]

Yea, Davey, those pictures are amazing!! I'm sorry we didn't get to talk, but at least I saw you! I didn't even notice until much later that you were sitting in the same row! I'm so glad you were there with such great seats, though! What a night, eh?

[BrigitteIsabella]

Me and my mom didn't meet Celine at the hotel because we were on a terrasje with an old friend.

[Dionesque]

Here are my pictures from yesterday afternoon:

 

http://i29.tinypic.com/2whpmr8.jpg

 

http://i31.tinypic.com/2lbiakn.jpg

 

http://i30.tinypic.com/2cdfold.jpg

 

http://i30.tinypic.com/66gjeo.jpg

 

http://i31.tinypic.com/2enom1h.jpg

 

http://i27.tinypic.com/2r6ms1x.jpg

 

And here's a pic of the Amsterdam ArenA in the night, after the show... impressive, if you ask me!

 

http://i29.tinypic.com/ipnt74.jpg

[racey3229]

well i am just back in the uk from amsterdam!! oh my word, i am still speechless, at celine signing autographs outside her hotel for around 10 minutes!! she was so kind, to sign all of our cds etc, i thought in manchester when i got my program signed,i would never ever manage to get another autograph,but it happened!! i have a number of pics of her outside the hotel,and a video too,need to figure out how to put them on here. i was stood right next to celine on the same side of the car as her,so got some great pics,and picked up the interview on my camera too!!

[BrigitteIsabella]

Did someone else also notice that before she sang PQTME she held the exact same speech as in Vegas

[BrigitteIsabella]

EERSTE REVIEW!!!

 

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/1454/39500160ks3.jpg

 

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9514/rating45ey4.gif

 

A lot of people will think of the movie 'Titanic' instantly when they hear the name Celine Dion or identify her with only cheesy songs. Some will even say that Celine Dion is outdated. If you were in the Amsterdam Arena on Monday evening June 2nd to see her Taking Chances World Tour, then you know that the above is absolute nonsense.

 

(Sentimento.nl) - Een hoop mensen zullen bij Celine Dion direct denken aan de film ‘Titanic’ en haar wellicht vereenzelvigen met slechts zoete nummers. Sommige zullen zelfs zeggen dat Celine Dion passé is. Was je echter maandagavond 2 juni in de Amsterdam Arena voor haar Taking Chances World Tour, dan weet je dat het bovenstaande totale onzin is.

 

Celine's last time in the Netherlands was nine years ago and the public was really happy that she was present again. You could feel the enthusiasm go through the stadion. And justly, because her was overwhelming. From the very beginning she ravished the public and kept this feeling throughout the whole night.

 

Negen jaar geleden was ze voor het laatst in Nederland en het publiek was enorm blij dat ze weer aanwezig was. Je voelde het enthousiasme door het stadion heen stromen. En terecht, want haar show was overweldigend. Vanaf het begin wist ze het publiek te betoveren en kon ze dit gevoel gedurende de hele avond goed vast te houden.

 

The stage was in the middle of the Arena and had a couple of big screens surrounding the stage. The show was projected on those screens, so everybody could have a good view of Celin. In the middle of the stage were four screens that formed a block. Images were projected on those screens that gave the show extra flair. A very effective way to create extra dimension to the songs.

Het podium stond in het midden van de Arena en had een aantal grote schermen rondom. Hierop werd de show geprojecteerd, zodat iedereen Celine goed kon zien. In het midden van het podium stonden een viertal schermen die samen een blok vormde. Op deze schermen werden beelden geprojecteerd die de show extra sfeer meegaven. Een zeer doeltreffende manier om een extra dimensie te creëren aan de nummers.

 

De show had verder een goede variatie. Zo begon ze sterk met een uptempo nummer om de zaal in extase te brengen om vervolgens over te gaan in een rustiger nummer. Met souplesse beweegt Celine zich over het podium, waarbij haar kracht en charme vooral in haar stem zit. Dit is natuurlijk al goed te horen op haar album, maar live komt dit nog beter tot z’n recht. Wat kan die meid zingen zeg!

 

Ook weet Celine goed het publiek mee te krijgen door het publiek goed aan te kijken, te klappen en uiteraard door het publiek zelf af en toe te laten mee zingen. Hieraan merk je dat je met een wereldster te maken hebt. Tevens brengt ze nog een ode aan Queen en zingt ze enkele soulklassiekers. Helaas leent haar stem zich hier minder voor en haar show heeft dit niet nodig. Maar dat is dan ook het enige minpuntje aan de avond.

 

Alles is namelijk zeer doeltreffend geregisseerd en passend bij de avond. Zo ook de diverse outfits, waaronder een sexy rood/roze glitterrok aan het begin, een zwart glitter gilet met lange broek tot aan een mooie lange jurk tijdens de ‘grande’ finale. En groots is het eind met ‘My Heart Will Go On’ als de perfecte afsluiter. De zaal verandert in een soort sterrenhemel die de grote arena tot een intiem plekje maakt. Bijzonder om mee te maken.

Edited June 3, 2008 at 01:30 PM by BrigitteIsabella

[I Surrender]

Great review. Thanks

 

Wonderful pics Barbra. You guys are very lucky.

[BrigitteIsabella]

I was editing my post, but now it's not possible anymore

 

The show had a good variation. She began strong with an up tempo song to get the venue in ecstasy and then continued with a slower song. With limberness Celine moved around the stage, at which her strength and charm especially in her voice. This is of course good to hear on her album, but live the songs get that extra strength. The girl can sing!

 

De show had verder een goede variatie. Zo begon ze sterk met een uptempo nummer om de zaal in extase te brengen om vervolgens over te gaan in een rustiger nummer. Met souplesse beweegt Celine zich over het podium, waarbij haar kracht en charme vooral in haar stem zit. Dit is natuurlijk al goed te horen op haar album, maar live komt dit nog beter tot z’n recht. Wat kan die meid zingen zeg!

 

Celine knows how to get the crowd pumped up by looking them in the eye, clapping her hands and naturally let the public sing their selves. To this you know you are watching a superstar. furthermore she did a tribute to Queen and she sang a couple of soul classics. Unfortunately her voice isn't too good for these kind of songs and her show doesn't need it. But that's the only negative point of the evening.

 

Ook weet Celine goed het publiek mee te krijgen door het publiek goed aan te kijken, te klappen en uiteraard door het publiek zelf af en toe te laten mee zingen. Hieraan merk je dat je met een wereldster te maken hebt. Tevens brengt ze nog een ode aan Queen en zingt ze enkele soulklassiekers. Helaas leent haar stem zich hier minder voor en haar show heeft dit niet nodig. Maar dat is dan ook het enige minpuntje aan de avond.

 

Everything is efficient directed and suitable to the evening. Ditto the outfits, under which a sexy red/pink glitter skirt in the beginning, a black glitter gilet with long pants to a beautiful long dress during the 'grande' finale. And grandiose is the end with 'My heart will go on' as the perfect clincher. The venue turned into a sort of starry sky that turned the big arena into a intimate place. A once in a lifetime experience.

 

Alles is namelijk zeer doeltreffend geregisseerd en passend bij de avond. Zo ook de diverse outfits, waaronder een sexy rood/roze glitterrok aan het begin, een zwart glitter gilet met lange broek tot aan een mooie lange jurk tijdens de ‘grande’ finale. En groots is het eind met ‘My Heart Will Go On’ als de perfecte afsluiter. De zaal verandert in een soort sterrenhemel die de grote arena tot een intiem plekje maakt. Bijzonder om mee te maken.

[I Surrender]

3 pics of Celine in Amsterdam: http://gespot.at5.nl/2008/06/02/celine-dion/

[Bralo20]

Nice to read the reviews of the show. Concerning the problem with the security in the hall:

 

I know that some people like to stand, sing and dance during the shows but you must realise that there are security rules for some reasons. When security staff ask to sit down I think everyone should follow the guidelines those people give.

 

Most of the shows are booked as seating only shows with no place to stand (or limited spaces like in Antwerp at the topfloors). The center stage has been made for the seating only shows and it is rather low compared to regular stages. This gives people in front of the stage a good view on the stage. It means also that you have to be seated to give people behind you a good view on the stage as well. However, while the show is sold as a seating only show it means also that some security measurements are reduced compared to other shows. If you look at the stage you will see that there are no crash barriers placed between the crowd en the stage. Such crash barriers are obligate at shows with a standing crowd in front of the stage (they actually protect people again injuries). Security guidelines are very strict about such details. Without crashbariers installed the crowd must remain seated and can not stand in front of the stage. This is only to protect everyone from injuries! And not only the missing crash barriers are a problem, also the loose seats are a problem were people could get hurt... With officials (Fire & Rescue, EMS, Police) running arround to check if everything is done by the book you must realise that security staff can not do anything else then give the crowd the order to sit down.

 

You know that a concert could be stopped just for people standing instead of be seated? If officials say the safety isn't covered due people standing (or dozens of other things) they can actually stop a concert at any given time.

 

So give them some credit and sit down when asked to. I'm sure they will let you stand for a (couple) of minutes but ofcourse limited in time. It's only for your own safety

 

 

All those security guideline came after several people were killed during shows (in a couple of countries) during the past (fortunately not in Belgium nor in The Netherlands as far as I know).

 

 

Just my 2 cents.

Edited June 3, 2008 at 02:29 PM by Bralo20

[I Surrender]

We know all this ofcourse but I guess people got carried away in the excitedment

[Davey84]

Barbra; yeah it was the little D'elles booklet... so you're welcome

and great pictures!! THANKS!!

 

Willemijn: Yeah it was a pity... but I'm sure we'll meet again yeah we had great seats!! Thank god on the right side of the stage

 

All those security guideline came after several people were killed during shows (in a couple of countries) during the past (fortunately not in Belgium nor in The Netherlands as far as I know).

 

yeah during heavy metal concerts NOT CÉLINE DION!!! erm yeah I know it's tragic... but that had more to do with people not being able to go out the stadium, or agressivness... nothing to do with standing up and clapping during an upbeat song! I'm sure they are only following guidelines... but it did do some 'afbreuk' to the whole experience!

 

btw! did anyone notice that the 'Fade Away' dance is the one from Dans Un Autre Monde??

[Dionesque]

I really understand your point, Bralo! And I was also annoyed when some people from back rows/blocks came forward and stood just in front of the stage.

Not only because I bought the expensive front row seat exactely to be in front so that noone will stand before me and disable me from having a good view but also because of the safety reasons.

Maybe it will sound selfish but I was happy when the security guys sent those guys back to their seats.

 

But I think something else is if you stand up at your seat so you are not moving around the arena. You just stay at your seat but you stand up and also dance a bit if you feel like doing this. That's also what Celine likes to see - the crowd that enjoys the show. (I think every pop/rock artist likes it, hehe)

 

I think there is no danger or safety problem if people stand up just at their seats.

[Bralo20]

yeah during heavy metal concerts NOT CÉLINE DION!!! erm yeah I know it's tragic... but that had more to do with people not being able to go out the stadium, or agressivness... nothing to do with standing up and clapping during an upbeat song! I'm sure they are only following guidelines... but it did do some 'afbreuk' to the whole experience!

 

btw! did anyone notice that the 'Fade Away' dance is the one from Dans Un Autre Monde??

 

I know that but the general security guidelines are the same for every type of concert...

And yes, fortunately nobody ever got killed during a show of Céline but you can't rule out the possibility. And it's the government and emergency service who write the guidelines

[I Surrender]

Funny thing was we got a MERCI at the end on the screen and not THANK YOU.

 

I guess Celine was so impressed we sang PQTME with her she decided we should have the MERCI

[Dionesque]

Yeah, I noticed that "Merci" at the end too, haha!

Actually I thought they will write "Bedankt" so it was funny to see "Merci" but than I thought that maybe Celine now will thank not in audience's native language but in her native language.

I don't remember how it was in Antwerp but I think it was "Merci" as well, right?

[I Surrender]

Yep in Antwerp it was MERCI

 

We'll see later this week if she does it again or she will continue in english again.

[Davey84]

oke I just bought 'de telegraaf' and apparently Céline also got a golden award for TC here in the Netherlands!! BUT the stupid thing is that they said Céline also sang Think Twice now maybe I was in a coma for 4 minutes but to my knowledge she didn't sing TT! I get so agitated when they don't even do their research properly!!

[Dionesque]

Thanks for the info Davey! Is it a big article in "De Telegraaf"?

My friend reads "Volkskrant" but she said there was no article about the concert in it today... In "Metro" I saw a VERY tiny text on the concert. Acutally only 1 or 2 sentences but as this newspaper is for free, I took one so can post a scan of the clipping later.

 

They really wrote she sang "Think Twice"?!! Guess the reporters were at Croke Park in Dublin on Friday and not in ArenA, hahaha! Or I was in coma for 4 minutes as well, together with you and with many others who don't know a thing about "TT" being sung in Amsterdam....

[Davey84]

well the article isn't that big, but there's a picture that is rather big! on www.telegraaf.nl you can click on the newspaper somewhere on the right... then select pagina 7... but in '99 she had a full page

[BrigitteIsabella]

Hmm if I click on the article, it says I have to be a subscriber

[I Surrender]

Yep u have to be a member. It makes sense. It it was for free noone would buy the newspaper anymore and they dont want that. You still have time to get it from the shop. Its only 1.20 euros.

 

A Golden Award for TC ? I didnt know that either but good on her

[BrigitteIsabella]

Could somebody maybe scan it? I don't want to go to the supermarket to be honest

[kathyc25]

Thanks for the reviews everybody! This sounds like the best show yet!!

[Bellamy]

What did she sign after take a photo with one fan and said unfair? Is it a money note?

[Davey84]

yeah it's a money note.. she made a joke about it with Nick but I don't remember what it was about anymore

[Celine_2533]

Yesterday at the Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam, around 5.p.m before the show...signing autographs

 

http://tip.at5.nl/wp-content/plugins/embed...8&width=360

 

 

I was suspect .

What 's happen in video time in 17-20 second ? ( Celine , Bodyguard and one fan sound shout the loud )

 

Ps. sorry my eng is bad.

Edited June 3, 2008 at 03:55 PM by Celine_2533