We get to do some pretty cool things working at COED, but few compare to Budweiser’s “Made in America Monuments Series” kick-off concert Sunday night. Less than 1000 21+ sweepstakes winners (and COED) were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime, private performance by nine-time Grammy award winner Mary J. Blige at the foot of the Statue of Liberty. It was an epic night of amazing music, killer burgers and tons of Buds.
The evening started off with a Budweiser fueled ferry ride to Liberty Island. The weather could not have been more perfect. Upon arrival, we had free reign of the park grounds. It was incredible to see the Statue of Liberty up close in all her glory without thousands of obnoxious tourists scrambling for a photo op.
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The food was flowing as freely as the beer. A number of stands were stationed around the park serving up some serious gourmet hamburgers, turkey burgers and veggie burgers.
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: (Exclusive Coverage) General atmosphere at TIDAL X: MIA NYC, A Night with Mary J. Blige at The Statue of Liberty on June 21, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for TIDAL)
A tandem event took place simultaneously on Governors Island featuring live sets by Misterwives, Big Gigantic and T-Pain. The highlight of the Governor’s Island event (we are told) was the ‘first of it’s kind’ 4D hologram of Mary J. Blige’s set.
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: (Exclusive Coverage) Mary J. Blige performs at TIDAL X: MIA NYC, A Night with Mary J. Blige at The Statue of Liberty on June 21, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for TIDAL)
Mary J. Blige took to the stage for a little over an hour with an energetic career-spanning set which culminated with the crowd favorite “No More Drama”. There wasn’t a single concertgoer not singing along.
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: (Exclusive Coverage) Mary J. Blige performs at TIDAL X: MIA NYC, A Night with Mary J. Blige at The Statue of Liberty on June 21, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for TIDAL)
She closed out the night with an extended version of “Family Affair’. Her band was spot on the entire evening.
On our way back across the Hudson, we were treated to a spectacular half-hour fireworks display above the Statue of Liberty. It was absolutely incredible and proof positive that Budweiser beer, America, and summer make for fantastic memories.
