BETTE AT THE COPA

I have seen Bette Midler live numerous times over the years including Carnegie Hall and various Broadway stages.  But the one time that was, and is very special to me was one night at the Copacabana in New York City.

I can't remember how may of us were in our party (I'm thinking six) but I do recall we got the tickets well in advance of the Friday night performance on January 13, 1978.   Yes, it was Friday the 13th.  8 O'clock.

We had a ringside table (No.3) and the show was all I expected it to be.   Bette was in great voice and sang all of her hits (up to that point in time).   Intermission came with the service of more drinks to the reveling crowd.

There was a cover charge for two drinks beyond the price of the ticket (a mere Twenty dollars which is nothing by today's standards).  At any rate, the show went on again and she sang them all...."Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Chapel of Love," "Do You Want to Dance," etc.

Except for one. She wisely saved that for her encore.  (You've Got To  Have) "Friends" was her anthem at the time and she did it proud.  As she neared the end of the song, she bent over and removed a garter from her thigh and swung it around in the air above her head.   The audience of "friends" rose en masse with hands flailing the air saying "pick me" in hopes she would throw this frilly souvenir their way.

I don't know to this day why I did what I did.  I stood, ringside, while those around me were going mad with all manner of attention-getting gestures.   I looked at Bette and simply cupped my hands in front of me, reminiscent of all those times in high school when we were singing in Glee Club. 

For an instance, Bette's eyes met mine and she looked past those flailing, outstretched arms and smiled that Midler smile.  Then, she pitched the garter into my waiting Glee Club cupped hands.   Friday the 13th?  My lucky day!

Thanks Bette!  It is in a frame and proudly displayed!  And I cherish my Midler moment!

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