I spent last weekend in Columbia & Atlanta to go to the final two shows of Janet Jackson's State of the World tour. Atlanta was kind of last minute so I had nosebleed seats, but I was 12 rows back in Columbia. Great shows, and Missy Elliot came out on stage in Atlanta. Plus I finally went to Coke World. Here's some pix.
Janet State of the World Tour Columbia 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
My first show at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC.
Janet State of the World Tour Columbia 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
From my seat 12 rows back.
Janet State of the World Tour Columbia 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
(Sorry for the blurry) Fantasia was there. I had better seats. I guess that Idol money ran out...
Janet State of the World Tour Columbia 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
The show was filled with Socially Conscious themes, which Janet is known for.
Janet State of the World Tour 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
Janet takes the stage.
Janet State of the World Tour Columbia 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
She's 51 with a kid and still moves.
Janet State of the World Tour 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
Miss Jackson if you're nasty.
Janet State of the World Tour 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
My friend Don worked on some of the background media content, including the video playing behind her in this segment.
Janet State of the World Tour 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
Janet & J Cole get No Sleeep.
Janet State of the World Tour 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
"What about the time you said you didn't **** her she only gave you ****?!"
Janet State of the World Tour 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
Ending the show on a high note.
After Columbia we went to Atlanta for the last show of the tour. Again, I had crappy seats, but the show was still great. Samuel L. Jackson and several other celebs were there, she did a song that she hasn't performed on this tour at the end just for ATL, and again, Missy Elliot came out to sing her part on a song.
Janet State of the World Tour Atlanta 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
My crew for the Atlanta show (I was the one taking the pic).
Janet State of the World Tour Atlanta 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
At least I was able to see the entire stage. We actually were upgraded to a better seat. Sadly I couldn't find Janet's bodyguard, Joey, who has the front row tickets. I found him in Charlotte in 2015 and got upgraded to front row.
Janet State of the World Tour Atlanta 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
Missy Elliott comes out and the crowd went CRAZY on Burnitup.
Janet State of the World Tour Atlanta 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
I need a bigger zoom lens.
Janet State of the World Tour Atlanta 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
I loved when she sat down and just chilled with her dancers and background singers.
Janet State of the World Tour Atlanta 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
Giving her brother Michael a shout out.
Atlanta & World of Coke 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
We ended up with a room at the very luxurious Omni CNN Center Hotel which is connected to Philips Arena (We didn't even go outside to get to the concert) for a very cheap $99 a nite. I'll definitely stay here again next time I go down for a concert.
Atlanta & World of Coke 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
We were right by the new stadium...
Atlanta & World of Coke 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
Which was right by the old Georgia Dome that was recently imploded (Mostly).
Atlanta & World of Coke 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
The big round sky scraper is the Westin, where we stayed back in March. Its also very nice. We lucked out and got a room there for $89 on Hotwire, and it was their last room that weekend.
Atlanta & World of Coke 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
I love that the entrance to Philips Arena spells out Atlanta.
Atlanta & World of Coke 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
In all my years going to Atlanta I'd never done this. Of course I've done the tasting stations at Epcot, and even tried some different kinds at the Coke attraction in Vegas, but this was my first time here.
Atlanta & World of Coke 2017 by
C. E. Beavers, on Flickr
Mezzo Mix! And I also don't hate the Beverly like most people.