Saints victory gives Harry Connick Jr. concert at Pechanga special feeling

Harry Connick Jr. played at Pechanga in Temecula. (Courtesy photo)

It was a packed house at the Showroom Theater at Pechanga Resort & Casino as fans waited patiently for Harry Connick, Jr. to take the stage.

A full 20 minutes behind schedule, the curious crowd soon had its answer for the late start. As cheers erupted backstage, an understanding rippled through the theater, aisle by aisle. Within a minute, the house lights went down and the curtain came up and Harry Connick, Jr. bounded onto the stage, climbed on top of the grand piano and raised his arms in victory.

And then everyone knew. Connick’s beloved New Orleans Saints had beaten the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC conference title.

“We’re going to the Super Bowl, y’all,” Connick said, as the audience cheered. “I’m so happy, I feel like I wanna kiss somebody.”

And he did. He hopped right off the stage, into the audience and planted a big one on some lucky girl in the front row.

“This is going to be the best show you’ve ever seen. I hope you brought your sleeping bags, because it’s gonna be a long night,” Connick said.

Guests were not disappointed. While the first tunes of the night – “Bill Bailey,” “Smile,” “Mona Lisa” – were performed with Connick’s usual style and grace, he was quick to admit between songs that he was still trembling with the excitement from the win.

However, it didn’t take long for Connick to get loose – a New Orleans, Mardi gras kind of loose – and turn the night into a bona fide, down-home celebration.

The real fun started when world-renowned trombone player Lucien Barbarin joined Connick and his 14-piece orchestra on the stage for a rousing rendition of “When the Saints Come Marching In” – wearing a New Orleans Saints hat and jersey. Connick ran backstage and reemerged wearing his own Drew Bees jersey.

Connick’s lighthearted banter with band mates had him pondering what the Super Bowl would be like if Minnesota had won. “What kind of songs would they be signing? I mean, I like Indianapolis, but what kind of music do they have there?” Connick said, reminding the crowd that, with the Saints in the big game, the tailgate party at the Super Bowl in Miami is going to be one movin’ and groovin’ party.

Connick jokingly told the audience that he was considering loading up a flat-bed truck with musicians and heading down south for the party.

There were some poignant moments, too. There was a stunningly powerful performance of “Besame Mucho.”  And Connick spoke humbly, referring to the hardships so many are facing.

“I’m so aware of how tough it is right now for everyone. I take that very seriously. It’s an honor for me to perform here for you tonight,” Connick said, acknowledging that the money spent on tickets to his show was likely hard to come by for many of the night’s guests.

Connick also took time out to explain just what the New Orleans Saint’s Super Bowl appearance means to him and other Louisiana natives. “New Orleans has been hurt so badly by (events) of the past years. This is going to help the city and the people so much,” he said.

The evening ended with the toe-tapping “Come By Me,” followed by a rousing encore that had the entire audience dancing in the aisles. The only thing missing were those shiny Mardi Gras beads.

By the end of it all, we were all fans of the New Orleans Saints.

Kerri S. Mabee can be reached at ksmabee.swrnn@gmail.com with comments or questions. Follow me on Twitter at SWRNNaelife.

Tags: Harry Connick Jr., New Orleans Saints, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Showroom Theater, Super Bowl, SWRNN

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