A Diva comes to town

City Councilmember Claire Mack was involved in organizing this event and intends to make it an annual event.

"We will do it until we can knock down the bill for the new library, but the library always needs more money," Mack said.

Mack thinks it is important for San Mateo to have a place for people to see good entertainment.

"If you want to see a show you have to go to Shoreline or San Francisco and that's putting tax dollars into another city," she said. "We also need to get people out of their cars and off the freeways." According to Mack, people who take public transportation to the concert will receive a dollar refund. The train will drop people off at the door, she said. Mack expressed concern over the fact that with Bay Meadows closing down in two years, San Mateo will be without any large space to host a show.

"We're going to take our last open space and tear it down," Mack said. "That grandstand will never be replicated."

Mack said she is looking for future performers for the next "Music at the Meadows" or wherever else the event ends up.

She said she is looking into various artists, including: Pavarati, Toni Bennet, Natalie Cole, Shania Twain, and Barry White.

They chose Patti LaBelle because she happened to be available for the date and affordable, Mack said. " has a big following and I think people would be interested in seeing her," she said. "She also hasn't played in the area since Circle Star was open, and that was a long time ago."

The event is scheduled for this Saturday and begins at 7:00 p.m.