bewitching ballas: Mark Ballas in the Iowa State Fair Opening Ceremonies, 2009

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Mark Ballas in the Iowa State Fair Opening Ceremonies, 2009

The Iowa State Fair kicked off with the Opening Ceremonies at the Grand Stand on August 13, 2009. It started at 5:30am. :) Mark and Shawn made an appearance at 7:30am. They chatted with the radio hosts and Mark sang a few songs. I have a few pics...but my camera had broken, so I had to use my Blackberry. It didn't do very well. :( The video is distorted and the pics are fuzzy. I was a lot closer to the stage than it looks in the pics/video. lol

Mark posted a photo of him and Shawn on stage:

photo copyright Mark Ballas, 2009

Check out the rest of the photos and video after the cut:

Fun fact, before Mark and Shawn went on stage, they had a Cash Cube on stage and mom won a chance to go in it. She got something like $90 bucks. :D

After the Cash Cube fun, we listened to the radio show that was live from the stage: Van and Bonnie from WHO radio. Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas arrived and were far upstage for a while, while the radio people did some more segments and Bill Riley, Jr. brought up some more Cash Cube contestants. It's hard to see, but I got a few pictures of Mark and Shawn wandering around the stage:

photos copyright Bewitching Ballas Blog, 2009

Shawn was interviewed by Van and Bonnie and then they talked to Mark for a second and asked him to play a few songs. He said he was only supposed to play one, but he could play a few. He also said that this might be his earliest gig yet...7:30am. (which was 5:30am for him, L.A. time...that darn jet lag) He sang Every Step of the Way, Get Out Alive, Leave a Light On, and an interesting blend of Sexual Healing/Marvin Gaye and Waiting on the World to Change/John Mayer. Enjoyable performance. I really loved "Light On" from the start, it was the first time he sang it for an audience.

It was also quite funny, because between each song, they took a break to do the weather/news/sports for the radio show and Mark just wandered around the stage, waiting. heehee. I took lots of video of the performances...can't see him, but you can hear him. :) I also got a few pictures of him getting ready to sing and waiting between songs for the radio show to do their segments.

photos copyright Bewitching Ballas Blog, 2009

Video #1 contents:

Shawn Johnson being introduced to the audience and doing a quick interview with Van and Bonnie (WHO 1040 Radio).

Talked about:
Iowa State Fair -
1. Shawn loves the fair but hasn't been in 5 years because of competitions
2. Food on a Stick

Dancing with the Stars -
1. Talked about being asked to be on the show.
2. Introduced Mark Ballas
3. He talked about how nervous she was at first, but that she did a great job on the show.
4. Mark talked about his music

Mark then sang Every Step of the Way.

Video #2 contents:

1. Mark talks about how it's super early for him to be singing. lol
2. Talks about his concert at 8pm on the AE stage
3. This song is about getting out of a small town
4. Sings "Get Out Alive"

Video #3 contents:
1. Mark talks about how he was only supposed to play one song, but now he's gonna play yet another one! lol
2. Says this song is about going through a hard time and keeping a light on (as in, an open mind and staying positive)
3. Sang "Light On"

Video #4 contents:
1. Mark got us clapping
2. Sang a verse of Sexual Healing / Marvin Gaye and then went into Waiting on the World to Change / John Mayer
(there is a little bit of the news at the end. Sorry, I can't edit my videos)

After he sang, Van and Bonnie did a longer interview with both Shawn and Mark. Got some details about Dancing with the Stars, season 9. He talked about how he was sure he was gonna get Lil' Kim in season 8, but Shawn walked in the door and he was very happy (he did the "Angel's singing in heaven, Thank the Lord" sign, with his arms wide open to the sky). Shawn said he thought she'd be taller. LOL I recorded the interview:

(there is about one minute of the radio show at the end in which there is no Mark and Shawn. Sorry, I can't edit the video!)

Here are some pictures of Shawn and Mark relaxing on stage between radio segments, talking to Shawn's friends and family and signing autographs. This was after the performances. There wasn't any more stuff from Shawn and Mark after the radio interview. Mark and Shawn just hung around because later in the ceremonies, Shawn got awarded an engraved brick at the Fair for her achievements.

photos copyright Bewitching Ballas Blog, 2009

Here are some more photos I have on my computer...I cannot remember where I found them! If you know the copyright, please let me know. :) I'm pretty sure a few of them are from Ash and the girls (friends who were also at the event)

Shawn and Mark signing autographs:

Here are some write-ups about the Opening Ceremonies that mention Mark:
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/08/05/mark-ballas-will-perform-at-the-iowa-state-fair/

http://theiowastatefair.blogspot.com/2009/07/opening-day-gate-admission-canned-at.html

After the Opening Ceremonies, Mark and Shawn did a press junket. Here is an interview from that junket: http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/08/13/interview-with-shawn-johnson-and-mark-ballas/ and the photo included:

Video from the Iowa State Fair: a little clip of Shawn talking at :14 and Mark singing a bit of Every Step of the Way at :29 at the Opening Ceremonies 8-13-09