Paisley Park: Chanhassen Minnesota

 

Prince Roger Nelson was born in Minneapolis on June 7, 1958-April 21, 2016. He was a producer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He won numerous awards throughout his life. He won seven Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for the film Purple Rain.

Paisley Park Studios recently opened to the public after the passing of Prince. Paisley Park served as a home, performance stage, producing, and recording studio.

When visiting you have the option of an early General admission $38.50 or General admission $50 + a $7.50 service fee.

• Main floor of Paisley Park, including recording and mixing studios where Prince recorded, produced and mixed some of his biggest hits
• Prince’s video editing suites and rehearsal rooms
• Massive sound stage and concert hall where Prince rehearsed for concert tours and held exclusive, private events and concerts
• Prince’s private NPG Music Club

Or the option of VIP $100 + 7.50 service fee – VIP includes items above plus additional items below.

• Guided tour with expert guide
• A 30-minute longer tour experience – exclusively for VIP Tour guests
• Tour additional rooms and studio areas – exclusively for VIP Tour guests
• See additional artifacts from the Archives – exclusively for VIP Tour guests
• Unique and exclusive photo opportunity – exclusively for VIP Tour guests

On Thursday nights VIP include the opportunity to record live vocals over a segment of Prince song and Sunday Includes Brunch.

Paisley Park After Dark: $60

Friday Nights -Dance party with a DJ in Prince’s private NPG Music Club

Saturday Nights -Prince movies and exclusive, rare performance footage starting at 9pm.

***copied from website ***

Paisley Park Tour

I attempted to get 2 VIP tickets for Sunday morning but tickets were sold out via the website. I contacted Paisley Park via their Facebook Page and they promptly responded. Although they responded quickly, they also informed me that all VIP tickets were sold out. My friend and I decided to drive to Paisley Park on Saturday. Fortunately, they allowed us to pay for a tour in person. I recommend purchasing tickets well in advance to avoid any issues. I was looking forward to recording live vocals over a segment of Prince’s track but unfortunately, this activity is only included on Thursdays VIP tour.

Phones are not allowed on the property and they immediately locked our phones away. As a blogger, I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to take photos to place on the blog. Prince didn’t allow photography or videography in Paisley Park while he was alive and they have decided to continue to honor his request.

During the tour I visited the following rooms:

In the Atrium are Princes beloved doves Majesty and Divinity. He gives them singing credit in his 2002 album One Nite Alone. Near Majesty and Divinity are Prince’s ashes. He was cremated shortly after his death. The remains are located in an urn that looks like a replica of Paisley Park.

Prince was very talented. Not only did he write and record his songs, he also produced them. We had the opportunity to visit his production room. In this room, we listened to a song that has not been released to the public.

Inside the Purple Rain room was a copy of the script from the Movie Purple Rain, music video of purple rain playing on screen projector, Academy Award  and the famous outfit he wore during the movie. The guide told us that it used to be a basketball court in the room but they removed it for tour purposes. Prince was known to be so fashionable he did not wear gym attire to play basketball but he played in fancy shirts and pants to shoot hoops.

We went into a sound room where we saw the infamous purple piano and guitar. This is where we were allowed to be photographed by our guide. It is to be noted that you can only get this photo if you purchase $10 USB. They also had a ping pong table that we were able to play on. The guide explained that Prince would often play with old and new employees to break the ice.

 

Sound Stage and concert hall showcased his 2 cars and various outfits that he wore while performing. While observing the outfits, I realized Prince was a tiny man, standing only 5’3 and a little over 100 pounds. He was small in stature but bigger than life as a musical and talented artist.

After completing the tour, the guest was served brunch. Prince was a proud vegetarian, as a result brunch was meatless. Brunch consisted of French Toast topped with marshmallows, eggs with avocados, potatoes and orange juice. If I had to give the brunch a grade it would receive a C-.

After leaving the museum, you have the opportunity to take photos with cardboard replicas of Prince. I actually thought the photos I took with my camera were a lot better than the ones taken by staff.

Fans from around the world have left tributes at Paisley Park to honor his legacy. Paisley Park appreciates the fans and has decided to keep all the tributes and post them as memorabilia in the souvenir store.

If you are ever in Minnesota or live in Minnesota, I recommend taking the tour.

****At Paisley Park I met a man and women who were traveling together. When I asked what their relationship was, they responded they were brother and sister in law. The wife was traveling with her daughter to South Africa and they decided to come to Minnesota from California. Question: would you allow your significant other and sibling travel together?****