photos by Paige Parsons
words by Patty Riek & Jon Bauer
Diana Ross closed out day two of Stern Grove’s The Big Picnic weekend with an emphasis on the power of love. Love was all around the grove on Sunday!
Filling the stage in a chartreuse outfit with her signature dulcet tones, Ross opened with “I’m Coming Out” and followed with a Motown medley of Supreme’s songs including “Baby Love,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Come See about Me,” and “Stop in the Name of Love.”
The love motif continued with “Touch Me in the Morning,” “Chain Reaction,” and a cover of Billie Holiday’s “Don’t Explain.”
Her six piece band and two vocalists added sonic depth to Ross’s legendary oeuvre and a bit of cover as she changed into a pink ensemble for the second part of the set which included “Ease on Down the Road,” “Endless Love,” and “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” which the crowd did and followed her instructions to repeat her message of gratitude. How could one not feel grateful to share space with an icon among the redwoods in one of the most beautiful cities in the world? Amazing day.
Commenting on the nature of growing older, Ross noted that she started performing at 16, and though now 81, she still feels 16. Many in the audience seemed to relate.
Bringing her first born on stage, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, to perform Kendrick’s song “Count On Me” added to the layers of love all around the grove.
What a season and what a closing concert! Can’t wait for next year!
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