Beyonce 's two-second Minnesota co-star in the concert version of the "Single Ladies" video, Kiana Marie, below, had her first big singing gig this week, and an "American Idol" alum was there.
Paris Bennett was in the front row of Monday's sold-out event at the Lab Theater. Paul Douglas , founder and CEO of WeatherNation and famed former TV meteorologist, went as my guest at Kiana Marie's request. He's her all-time favorite media person.
Kiana Marie's band included keyboardist and musical director Tyson Williams (remember this name), sax player Willie Moore, and bass guitarist Dan Ristrom , whose band is The Big Throwdown. Singer Cameron Lewis and Tina Flewellyn, of Hype Dance Troupe, were among the warmup acts.
Kiana Marie opened with "Single Ladies," then paid tribute to Michael Jackson and sang a terrific song she wrote, "Reality Check." Very solid lyrics chiding an ex-boyfriend for immature ways.
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Kiana Marie's cousin, Dale Topps, was threatening to bring tomatoes to the show. While leaving, Topps, who bore no fruit, said Kiana Marie had done a good job.
Paris, Paris, Paris. Princess P was pretending not to see me. She knows she owes me an apology, but I'm not holding my breath -- she thinks she's royalty. While Bennett couldn't see me, I could hear her. "Are you gonna really come to New York? You gonna come to all my shows?" she asked a young man. You can overhear it, too, at startribune.com/video . This may explain some gossip a source has promised to give me at a later date about a Twin Citian appearing in the Broadway production of "Shrek."
Kirk the jokester
By now, director Wyatt McDill is surely accustomed to the abuse flowing from the lips of his Children's Theatre Co. chum, Justin Kirk, right, the "Weeds" star.