It's 9:25 p.m. Tuesday. That's 25 minutes past the anticipated curtail "fall," revealing the small but ever-so-mighty bonafide rock star.
Bruno Mars, 27, wearing a rusty colored vest, white striped, short-sleeved polo, and a wide-brimmed hat, busted out with some "Moonshine."
To his right were four guys, armed with brass instruments and always in step with their fearless leader. (Inevitable eavesdropping led me to things like, 'They're Jackson-5-ing it up!' and 'They've got that old-school '60s thang down pat!')
To Mars' left was a guitarist and a bassist, both of whom contributed to the on-stage gyrations. Yep, these gyrations instantaneously produced deafening squeals and 'Eeeeeeks' from 94 percent of the female attendants. (Editorial note: The remaining 6% were buying drinks or were applying mascara in the bathroom.)
The backdrop on stage remained relatively constant -- a retro-inspired striped set that switched from aqua and purple, to red. But it enhanced the jumbotron effect, displaying images and video of black panthers, flames, and -- naturally -- Bruno's face.
When Mars was leading into his mega-hit "Treasure," he said one line that made the jam-packed arena self-reflect: "PUT YOUR PHONES DOWN AND DANCE WITH US."
That was music to the ears of our neighbors in section 104. People looked at their blinking red record button, glanced over at their better half, and thought for, like, a second. They thought, 'Hm, let's soak this up.' Cellphone. In purse. Now.'
Mars slowed this down with "Marry You" and "If I Knew," saying he "has a special place in my heart for old school music." Oh, and he and his band picked out a gal named Gaddy in the crowd and serenaded her -- one at a time -- with their own witty one-liners. (The cameraman was 12 inches from her face and we were all thinking that we'd see her on the jumbotron, but perhaps it malfunctioned during that part of the show. Her reaction throughout this ordeal would've been Facebook priceless).
Anyhoo, to the 'nosebleed-behind-the-stage-are-the-only-seats-available' show, Mars delivered, and left our new friends concocting their plot for entrance into his after party. If they got in, what happened there, well ---.