Lizzo: The Special 2our - A Wheelchair Accessible Evening Out at the Golden 1 Center (Sacramento, CA)

 May 28, 2023

We’ve been to the Golden 1 Center several times over the years to see the Kings play and watch Disney on Ice, but Lizzo was our first concert there. I was fortunate enough to get an email announcing Lizzo's tour stop in Sacramento and was able to purchase 4 tickets as soon as they went on sale. The concert was a week before Egypt's 8th grade promotion and her 14th birthday. It was also 6 days after Kellisa's birthday. Even though Egypt is the bigger fan, we tend to give Kellisa experiences for her birthday and knew she would enjoy her night out with family. 

I was able to get 4 seats together in one of the accessible areas of the Golden 1 Center. Some venues only allow you to purchase 1 companion seat with a wheelchair space. This is very unfortunate for families. In these cases, we find a guest services office and explain our situation and more times then not, they can accommodate us together, but there have been a few times where we've been separated.

 

I knew from past visits, we had great seats in an area with comfortable folding chairs and plenty of space,  while enjoying unobstructed views of the stage. I recommend purchasing a parking space in one of the local garages before arriving to save time and limit your preshow frustrations. We got a spot across the street from the arena on L St. This was ideal because the VIP entrance is on L St. and they allow wheelchair guests to use this uncrowded entrance without any ramps or stairs.  

After a quick pass through security, we rode the elevator up one level where it opened just one section away from where we would be seated for the show. It is also a convenient location near bathrooms, concessions, and souvenirs. Within minutes of parking, we were in our seats enjoying hot dogs and hamburgers for dinner. 

The show started with Lizzo's DJ getting the crowd excited and pumped up the for about 30 minutes before Latto and her DJ took over the stage just after 8pm. Egypt really enjoyed Latto and her revealing show while Kellisa loved the loud music and lightshow. Latto owned the stage for  30 minutes before leaving the crowd ready for the real star of the evening, Lizzo.

 

I don't pretend to know a lot about Lizzo and I'm sure you can find many reviews online, so I will just share our experience of the night. The energy in the crowd was intense from the second the house lights went down and didn't dissipate until later in the evening when concert goers were heading home. Everyone in attendance who cold stand, was standing and dancing. Egypt has an amazing memory for lyrics and has hundreds, if not thousands of songs fully memorized. Every time I looked over at Egypt, she was screaming every word along with Lizzo.  

Kellisa again was enjoying the loud music, lights, and lasers. She was even pointing and swinging her arm as she danced in her wheelchair. I recognized a few songs that Egypt listens to on a regular basis. I didn't understand every word of the evening, but Lizzo seems to have an overwhelmingly positive attitude that connects with the crowd. I found myself enjoying the show far more than I expected before the show. I was impressed and as always, loved watching the girls, especially Egypt have a great time. 

As Egypt thanked us, she added, “seeing Lizzo was a dream come true” and “this was the best night of my life!”

More pictures from an amazing evening out with Lizzo:

EVENINGS OUT

       

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A Day in Grand Teton National Park

 Wyoming

July 2022

Egypt and I only had one day to spend in Grand Teton National Park and after doing some research, we decided to take the scenic cruise around Jenny Lake. Our decision was partially based on how hot it would be when we arrived. Egypt was also suffering from an ear infection and wasn't feel 100%. We found the sun strong and the heat intense during our time on the water. It was fun to learn about the area and Egypt got a good laugh when the guide translated the meaning of “Grand Teton”. 

We were hungry after our afternoon on the water and found one of our most enchanting dining experiences ever at the Dornans Chuckwagon Grill. There's just something superlative about eating a Buckin’ Bison Burger in a teepee with your daughter while enjoying a clear view of the mighty Tetons. We had just enough room and energy left to cool our bodies down with some ice cream from the deli across the parking lot from Dornans. 

Our time spent in Grand Teton National Park was too brief, but was a day neither of us will soon forget. 

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A Wheelchair Accessible Evening Out - Sacramento, California

 Mesmerica and the Bank

It all started with a random email about Mesmerica with a brief description and link to buy tickets. Basically, it's music composed to a light show projected on a planetarium's screen and it was scheduled to be playing in Sacramento for a couple of weekends at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity. To be honest, we didn't even know there was a SMUD Museum. In our defense, it's a rebranded museum that reopened in 2020. The tickets were a little confusing. You could buy accessible seating, but only for 2 people. There was an option to buy VIP tickets, but it didn't really explain what you got for the VIP tickets. I didn't want the hassle of calling, so I purchased 4 VIP tickets and figured we'd figure it out when we got there.  

We arrived a little early and found available disabled parking in the museum's lot for about $6. I wheeled Kellisa to the ticket counter and they asked for our last name to match to their list. Our hands were stamped VIP and we were pointed towards the elevator. Once on the second floor, their was another employee who saw our stamps and told us we could enter the theater and it was open seating, but the front is easier with a wheelchair.

The VIP tickets got us in ahead of the general ticket holders, and even though I purchased 4 seats, we found 3 seat in the front and I left Kellisa in her wheelchair. It was worth the extra little expense to enter early so we could sit together and not have to wait in a line with a wheelchair. 

The theater has a strict no photography rule, so the only picture I took from inside the theater was Kellisa after watching Mesmerica. I'm sure you can find pictures and reviews online along with possible videos, so I'll keep it short since it's hard to describe.  

For about an hour, you relax to the soothing beat of the rhythms of the music while focusing on an artistic light display that jumps between nature scenes, to geometric forms, and to architectural elements with some spoken words to encourage living a hay life while taking advantage of the precious short time we have on earth. 

The show was so relaxing, Egypt slept through most of it. I would gently nudge her periodically, and she would ask to be left alone. Kellisa stayed awake and enjoyed what she could see. She doesn't have peripheral vision and even with strong glasses, it's impossible to know the quality of her visual experiences. But, she clapped and asked for more, so I think it's safe to assume she liked the sounds and visuals.

The night was still young, so we decided to live it up a little and have dinner in downtown Sacramento. Kellisa and I once ate at The Bank and we knew Lisa would like the atmosphere and Egypt would love the food options. The bank is well, a refurbished bank that is now an open three stories with multiple food options and a sorts bar with a lively, yet family friendly appeal. 

Lisa enjoyed a chicken salad, Kellisa ate pub pretzels, Egypt got a poke bowl filled with salmon and crab, while I enjoyed a juicy cheeseburger. The girls enjoyed the festive atmosphere and loud music laying on a Saturday night. 

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A Day in Mammoth Cave National Park

 September 2012

Egypt and I were ready for another father-daughter trip. From my research, Mammoth Cave is not that accessible. The accessible elevator has been broken for years, preventing disabled visitors in wheelchairs the opportunity to go inside Mammoth Cave. (Editor: the elevator was fixed in 2016. Read Kellisa's trip report HERE) 

I thought it was a good park to visit without Kellisa. Not because I'm avoiding it with Kellisa, but actually the opposite. I wanted to scope the park out a little with Egypt before planning a trip with Kellisa. The trip was an all around success. Egypt enjoyed the trip and I have many ideas on how Kellisa can enjoy Mammoth Cave National Park and the surrounding area.

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of our plane:

Mammoth Cave National Park:

Lunch at an overlook:

We signed up for the easiest cave tour (Frozen Niagara), which required a short bus ride. Waiting for the bus:

Excited to be on the bus:

Egypt struggled with the concept that we were "below" the ground while inside Mammoth Cave:

Waiting for the bus to return:

Back in the rental car to "auto tour" the park:

We found this cool tree while enjoying a scenic drive:

The Green River Ferry:

Egypt loved the short ferry ride:

Egypt pretending to be a bear on the Sloans Crossing Pond Walk:

Looking for creatures:

Sloans Crossing Pond:

Egypt was done shortly after returning to our hotel room:

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