Oprah's 24th Kickoff in Chicago

An AMAZING day that Annette, Aliza and myself will never forget. This is the first time in history they ever shut down Michigan Avenue (the main artery of Chicago) for any event. We arrived at 8:00am and the show began taping at 5:00pm. It was a Tuesday (I took off work). We got to see Black Eyed Peas, James Taylor, Rascal Flatts and Jennifer Hudson perform live. That and we got to take part in the Flash Mob dance to "I Gotta Feelin".

We at the head of the second group.

Fold out chairs kept us comfy for the 9 hours while we waited for the 5:00 show to begin.

Dance instructors.

Practicing our dance for "I Gotta Feelin"

Dance instructors teach the crowd.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKcXDSTB_8E

This guy drove us nuts. "Oprah-O! Oprah-O! Oprah-O!..." usually 20 consecutive times. He loves him some Oprah.

Aliza gets the mic for the sing-a-long with James Taylor. "How good it is to be loved by you..."

They finally let us through the gates.

Big crowd. 21,000 people

Aerial camera

Hydration brought to you by Vitamin Water.

Will-I-Am during rehearsal.

Fergie in her hot outfit during rehearsal.

Occupying ourselves while we wait for the 5:00 show. Right now it's just rehearsal.

"Tribune Loves Oprah"

Chicago Tribune building. You could see a person in almost every window.

Chicago Tribune employees checking out the scene.

The moment we've all been waiting for--Oprah!

Will-I-Am

We were part of this dance. It was INCREDIBLE!! 21,000 people! Oprah had no idea this was going to happen and you can see the surprise all over her face.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVQorfIX84w

Jennifer Hudson! Her first appearance since she had her baby and since the family tragedy.

My video of Jennifer Hudson singing "You Got the Best of My Love"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyTdI9n4grA

First time ever that the main artery of Chicago--Michigan Ave--was shut down for a major event.

James Taylor

Rascal Flatts!

My video of "Life is a Highway" sung by Rascal Flatts

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ajCCAiVvQk

Teleprompter at the back of the crowd.

This video is after the show ended and the audience decided to break out in dance again since they were playing "I Gotta Feeling". This is the tail end of the dance and you can see how happy Oprah is as she stood there in amazement. What an experience!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSE000QGGUI

Oprah closes out the show.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSVzf2OPHRQ

Aerial view.