Garibaldi's Got Talent

Remember this guy?
Performance artist David Garibaldi makes incredible paintings in minutes, usually by using inspiration through music. He almost won America's Got Talent. Here's a little clip...



He was almost as popular as Tesla, the Kings or Kevin Johnson at the Kings rally at Cesar Chavez Plaza. While his painting was broadcast live online, I tried to get him at mid-stroke to show his passion for speed-painting.



This is his process of making a painting of Michael Jackson...





and of John Lennon...








He also made an 3-D painting with the theme, "Here We Stayed"...













So, when they start building the new arena, they should ask Garibaldi to design part of it. He'll make it one of the most unique places around.

Long Live the Kings, again

Clearly I took too many pictures at the downtown rally for the Kings Thursday night..or at least too many for one blog. So...part 2

First off, I met this guy at the very long line into the Plaza. His shirt makes him look good and razzes the Maloofs for trying to move the Kings to several places. With the money they wasted..then lost due to bad investments, they would have been smarter building a new arena.



There was a really long banner, where fans got to sign their names and write their feelings about the team...and the fact that they're staying...



This is the other side of the banner, with the ultimate timeline for the team...



Some Kings players, past and present, were there like Isiah Thomas....



Tyreke Evans..



and Chris Webber, who led the team when they almost made the finals--if not for a suspicious ref, or free throws that went awry...



and the one and only voice of the Kings, Gary Gerrold



Here's a picture of Kevin Johnson with Vivek Ranadive. While their backs are to us, it still represents the future...



Thanks to his efforts of getting the Kings new owners and the prospect of a new arena, he's signing more autographs now than when he was with the Phoenix Suns...



and...this guy who was ringing a cowbell all through the rally...



True, Seattle would have had a big rally of its own if the NBA approved its proposal to move the Kings to Seattle. Still, it would not have as much excitement, optimism or love as what was generated at Cesar Chavez Plaza that Thursday night.
Seattle wanted the Kings because it didn't do enough to keep the SuperSonics in town. Sacramento wanted the Kings more, because their desire is real, their support is real, their love for the team is real, and it is forever.

Long Live the Sacramento Kings

Two years ago, thousands of Sacramento Kings fans gathered in Cesar Chavez Plaza, trying to gather support to stop the Kings from moving to Anaheim. That eventually worked, but it led to new concerns the team would move to Seattle.

This part Thursday, thousands of fans gathered at the Plaza, but this time they had no fears. They gathered to celebrate the future of the Sacramento Kings. This time, there are no fears the team will leave. This time...



This instant painting made in minutes by performance artist David Garibaldi, who made a splash during America's Got Talent last summer.

It was quite a carnival as people wore their finest Kings jerseys and caps, and even a foam finger, like this kid did...



and these two fans who had their own idea about what they should call the new downtown arena...



Calling an arena a castle may have a nice ring. For a few years, they called the arena in Anaheim a pond.

There were also these fans...





Then the crowd did a very popular dance, the KJ...



It's what Mayor Johnson did when he heard the deal came through

There was also Frank Hannon of Tesla playing "Love Song", with this woman singing lead..



They were later joined by Jeff Keith, also of Tesla...



So who is she? She is Anjili, daughter of....



Vivek Ranadive. He's currently co-owner of the Warriors, but he'll soon be part of the new Kings ownership group. He plans to turn around the Kings the way he did with Golden State in recent years. Here he is with Mayor Johnson, as they were talking to TV reporters...



And for you fans of Glee, Chord Overstreet....



His dad wrote "Forever and Ever Amen", familiar to Randy Travis fans.

To close this, let's have this kind have the last word...on his sign..



Long live the Sacramento Kings, but the day they break ground on the new arena next to Downtown Plaza really will be the first day of the rest of our lives...and the team