Steve Vai Tour in Europe

I know that this blog posting is overdue (My mother reminds me daily....). I have been all over Europe and have way too many experiences to share all at once. All the stories are knotted up inside of me and the threads will have to be pulled out slowly and at the right time. In retrospect, I realize that I should have posted a separate blog for each country I visited, as I was visiting them. I know that some other members of the Vai band posted blogs that way. Unfortunately, I have an aversion to spending time on my computer when I am traveling the world. I also love procrastinating to the point of pain.

I'll just share a few lovely memories from the tour, and let the pictures do the talking.


The band rehearsed in North Hollywood for four weeks. Steve demanded the nearly impossible out of me, and challenged me with his brilliant compositions. He was so kind and patient with me as I learned how to work a pedal board, play the five-string violin, and play the keys! The picture shows me with my shrunken head ornament at my keys station.

The tour started began in Luxembourg and I had a day off to explore the beautiful city. The picture above and the two pictures below were taken on my free day.





I didn't have time to see the Lourve or the Eiffel Tower, but I had the most wonderful day wandering the streets of Paris. My friend Mikey and I stumbled upon the National Opera house and this picture shows the gilded interior of the impressive building.

I never imagined that my first Rock Festival would take place in the Netherlands! The picture shows me standing backstage at the Aerosmith concert.

When we arrived in Ulm, Germany, I was pleasantly surprised by the gypsy circus vibe. We performed in a colorful tent and mingled with the venue volunteers around a campfire after the show.

The striking skyline in Barcelona

I was surprised by the sandless beaches near our hotel in Barcelona. The paved shores and the large sculptures were uniquely beautiful.

The organically designed Gaudi Cathedral in Barcelona made me see churches and the splendor of nature in a new way.

It was such a treat to spend the afternoon by the beautiful beaches of Almeria, Spain.

We performed at the stunning remains of a castle in Lorca, Spain. The landscape and the view were amazing.

I spent the afternoon walking around with my friend Zack in Porto, Portugal. We found this sign in the middle of a tiny mall.

I had a lovely morning in Lisbon, Portugal walking with Steve and Mikey. We took this picture on the way to a cafe.

I spent the afternoon walking around with Zack and Pia (Steve's wife) in Barcelona. Pia snapped this picture of me. I really need to learn an attractive pose for occasions like these.

Even though I've seen the Duomo in Milan three times, I've never seen it without scaffolding until this tour.

I wished that I had more time to spend in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy. The outdoor venue was a short walk to a beautiful lake, a charming town, and a crazy crowded beach. I snapped this picture of the boys relaxing by the lake.

I got to meet the Eric Sardinas band at a festival in Pistoia, Italy. Eric let me wear his hat for this picture with him.

The Vai crew let me hit the drums at sound check in Pistoria. I was hoping I would be a natural.....

I can't believe I laid my own eyes on the Coliseum in Rome. Sometimes when you see something so many times in pictures, seeing it in reality is a shock.

I climbed all 550 stairs. In heels. The view from the top of the St. Peter's Basilica cupola was worth every step.

I climbed down all 550 stairs. In heels. Walking around St. Peter's Basilica was more than worth it. I gazed at Michelangelo's Pieta for twenty blissful minutes and will never forget how profoundly moving it was to see the sublime sculpture in person.

Jeremy and I bought rock-star sunglasses in the airport before flying to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam was such a feast for my senses. I was overwhelmed by the charming shops, the zany architecture, the glittering canals, the exquisite people watching, the eclectic food, and the world class museums. I especially enjoyed visiting the Van Gough museum.

Our performance in London marked a high point in the tour. I loved every minute on stage and I only wish that every show could feel so good.

I was really looking forward to seeing Ireland, and I am happy to report that Dublin surpassed all my expectations. It was the perfect Ireland of my dreams and more. The vibrant flowers I saw around town made me want to plant flower boxes at my own home. (I was disappointed later to learn that flower boxes are a seasonal thing.... I couldn't find them at Lowes. Boo hoo hoo!)

I spent quality people-watching time at this lawn garden in Dublin.

Moscow, Russia is too beautiful to capture in words. Just look at this view from The Red Square.

I have to thank our lovely hosts in Russia for their generosity and attention to us on our free day. Yuri, Michael, and Arthur gave us a guided tour of the city highlights, including the war memorial depicted here.