Photo Courtesy of Harpo Studios, Inc.
Oprah Winfrey surprises a group of women tailgating at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. This was the second stop of Winfrey’s eight-city arena tour, “Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend,” traveling throughout the U.S. this fall.
[dropcap]O[/dropcap]prah Winfrey wants her fans to remember that when things aren’t going the way you want, it might be a message from life pushing you in another direction. That was one of the topics she shared this motivational weekend, Sept. 12-13, when the “Life You Want Tour” made its stop at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Friday’s events began at 11 a.m., with O Town, an art-fair style event with vendors selling food, clothing and more.
At 6 p.m., the Palace became extremely packed, as the eager crowd gathered to see Winfrey live.
From the beginning, the audience was encouraged to send questions and share photos of themselves, using #LifeYouWantDet.
The show officially started shortly after 7 p.m. DJ Kiss got the crowd excited with fun, uplifting music, including Coldplay’s “Sky Full of Stars.” The lights then went off, and the screen lit up with a montage of clips from Oprah’s career, from her start in daytime television, to the first episode of her talkshow and the beginning of her network television station.
As the video wrapped up, Oprah’s voice boomed talking about stars and matter, and the fans’ RFID access wristbands lit up, turning the pitch-dark Palace into a solar system of lights.
Oprah strutted onto the stage in a jade-hued gown, and fans cheered as she talked about her visit to Pure Michigan, and the peaceful walk she took along downtown Rochester’s Paint Creek trail.
“Hello Detroit! The D, you’re here! You came, oh my gosh, I’m so happy to see you,” she said. “So I ask you why are you here? You know I don’t sing, I don’t dance. You know I don’t have a hit record, right?”
“I’m here to help you figure out why you’re here. I’m here to help you turn up the volume in your life, to help you figure out what your passion is, what your vision is, what your mission is. I’m here to let you know that you’re co-creating your life, right now. And if you acknowledge and honor that, you will be able to move closer to the life you want.”
Oprah had her audience’s full attention throughout the evening, sharing personal stories including a bit about the process of auditioning for ‘The Color Purple’ and other things that impacted her life, all relating to the idea that the universe pushes people where they should be.
“Be grateful even when you’re in the struggle,” Oprah said. “Be thankful for the little things. Life is speaking to me all the time,
Photo Courtesy of Harpo Studios, Inc. / George Burns
Oprah Winfrey and Toyota Brand Ambassador Amy Purdy (far left), Bonnie Davison (Devita’s father, second to left) and Devita Davison (second to right) of Detroit Kitchen Connect who was honored with The Toyota “Standing O-Vation” Award.
and gratitude is a force.”
The second day of activities started bright and early at 7 a.m., with more O Town going on all day, and a morning fashion show to kick off the day.
Throughout day 2, various speakers — the “trailblazers” — took the stage, in a classroom-like atmosphere to speak and hold mini “seminars,” where fans listened, asked questions and participated in activities. Among the guests were ‘Eat, Pray Love’ author Elizabeth Gilbert, author Rob Bell, author and philosopher Mark Nepo, Soul Cycle Instructor Angela Davis and Life Coach Iyanla Vanzant, all bringing their stories and life tips to the fans.
“We all want the same thing, and that is to be able to fulfill the highest and truest expression of ourselves,” Oprah said. “You want to be able to step into that what is your glory, take that and live everyday. And I promise you that that is what we are here to help you do this weekend.”
During the second day, in addition to more motivation talk and group activities like exercise and meditation, Devita Davison was awarded the second Toyota “Standing O-Vation” award, for her work with Detroit Kitchen Connect, “a Detroit-based organization created to build community and invigorate the economy by supporting local food entrepreneurs.”
Through this award, DKC is awarded a $25,000 grant from Toyota to help them continue supporting the local Detroit community.
After a day of speakers, the event wrapped up, leaving guests uplifted and inspired to take on their world and take control of their lives.
“All power comes from the greater power that is spirit, and your success, your happiness and your joy is in direct proportion of how you are connected to that spirit,” Oprah said.
The Life You Want Tour Continues, with more stops across the country:
Sept. 19-20 Washington D.C. Verizon Center
Sept. 26-27 Newark, New Jersey Prudential Center
Oct. 17-18 Houston, Texas Toyota Center
Oct. 24-25 Miami, Florida American Airlines Arena
Nov. 7-8 Seattle, Washington KeyArena at Seattle Center
Nov. 14-15 San Jose, California SAP Center at San Jose
