In a dazzling display of talent and charisma, Diana Ross graced the stage at San Francisco’s Stern Grove on Sunday, celebrating her 81st birthday with an unforgettable performance that left the audience in awe.
The legendary singer emphasized the importance of staying vibrant, saying, “Move it or lose it, that’s what they say,” during her second costume change of the night.
This concert was the culmination of a spectacular month of outdoor music in San Francisco, which included a host of renowned acts such as Doechii at Outside Lands, Dead & Company’s anniversary shows, country sensation Zach Bryan, and rock band Kings of Leon.
The Pointer Sisters also performed at Stern Grove last week, followed by Damian and Stephen Marley this weekend, making it a truly vibrant concert season.
Diana Ross closed out Stern Grove’s Big Picnic, an annual fundraising weekend where reserved tables, some going for thousands of dollars, help maintain the festival’s free access for the wider community.
Clad in her iconic oversized feathery robes and sparkling gowns, Ross captivated the audience with a medley of her timeless hits, spanning her illustrious career with The Supremes and her solo projects.
Fans delighted in tracks such as “Baby Love,” “Stop in the Name of Love,” and the 1970s favorite “Love Hangover.” Notably, Ross also introduced a new song, “Some Day,” co-written by her eldest daughter, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, who joined her on stage for several performances to provide a breather for her mother.
As she closed her set with the soul-stirring anthem “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and Gloria Gaynor’s empowering hit “I Will Survive,” the audience erupted with applause, demanding an encore.
Ross returned to perform “Thank You” from her 2021 album, much to the joy of her fans.
Despite a few sound difficulties with her microphone and monitors during the performance, Ross handled the situation with grace and humor.
Adapting to the moment, she quipped, “It’s like these AI cars. We have all these cars going around with no drivers. I can’t sing without these monitors clipped to me these days, and it ruins my dresses.”
Throughout the season, Stern Grove witnessed impressive attendance, with crowds ranging from 10,000 to 11,000 each Sunday.
The lineup featured a diverse array of artists, including Sleater-Kinney, Channel Tres, Orville Peck, and Chromeo, showcasing the festival’s commitment to offering varied musical experiences.
The past two years of Stern Grove have seen star-studded and eclectic lineups, appealing to a wide range of demographics.
In 2022, the concert series welcomed acts like The Commodores, Lucinda Williams, Chicano Batman, and Chaka Khan, alongside electro-pop performers DRAMA and Franc Moody.
Stern Grove Board Chair Matthew Goldman expressed optimism about the festival’s future, stating, “We’re really excited because we’re in a generational perspective where we want this to go on in perpetuity.
That requires us to continue to evolve our audience base while not alienating existing audience members.
It’s hard to be something for everyone, but we can try.”
Goldman, along with his twin brother and Vice-Chair Jason Goldman, are fifth-generation stewards of Stern Grove, having taken over the reins from their father, Doug Goldman, in recent years.
The tradition of concerts at Stern Grove dates back to 1932 when the first San Francisco Symphony concert, hosted by their great-great-grandmother Rosalie Meyer Stern, took place.
Gifted to the city and named in honor of her late husband, the venue has hosted free summer concerts since 1938, enriching the community for generations.
While managing the logistics of accommodating up to 11,000 attendees can pose challenges, including long bathroom lines, the atmosphere remained cheerful and orderly throughout the 88th season.
As the concert series concludes, anticipation builds for the announcement of the 89th season’s lineup in the coming spring.
image source from：sfist
