Taylor Swift treats children to a private Phoenix concert, pizza party and photo op

Mesa foster parents Abram and Ashley Ellsworth thought the e-mail they received last week was a hoax.

The invite from the Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents began:

"You and your family are invited to a PRIVATE Taylor Swift Concert. Yes, you read that right.''

"The first reaction was, "This has got to be a scam,'' Abram Ellsworth said. "Who gets a private concert with one of the world’s most influential people?''

The couple, who are currently fostering an infant, responded to the invite and soon received confirmation that they had tickets to the 7 p.m. Saturday show at University of Phoenix Stadium for their family, which includes four biological children ages six to 13.

The only fine print: no cameras or cell phones, a policy that was "not negotiable.'' The group said Taylor Swift didn't want to publicize the concert in advance.

The show was billed as a "dress rehearsal" for Swift's forthcoming 'Reputation' stadium tour.

Kris Jacober, president of the Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents, said she got a phone call last week from someone working for Swift, asking if she could find some families who wanted to see the singer's dress rehearsal.

"'Seriously? I think I can do that!'" Jacober laughed.

They agreed on 2,000 tickets, and Jacober went to work reaching out to families in the membership organization. The audience was comprised of children who are in foster care, adopted from foster care or from group homes, and the biological families of the foster children.

Ellsworth, whose children had only attended one other concert, a Piano Guys show before they became famous, said the Swift event was over the top.

It started with tables full of soft drinks and free candy, including Twizzlers and Skittles. Then Swift performed for two hours.

She came on stage on time and said, "OK, we're just going to do the entire show, unless any of you object," Ellsworth said, adding that attendees are not allowed to share details or specifics about the set, such as costumes and songs.

Janine Waldera, who lives in the San Tan Valley, attended with her husband and two grandchildren, Lilyana, 6, and Liam, 4, whom they adopted. She said they canceled Cinco de Mayo to go to the show.

"It was overwhelming to see so many people that came," she said. "(Taylor) told all of us that we had more energy than if the stadium was filled and a sold-out concert. Kids were so excited, screaming, dancing, and they let everybody walk around."

Waldera said it was also a chance to meet other foster and adoptive parents, and visit with other families with similar experiences.

"There's no way we could have afforded to take our kids to the experience that they had," she said. "It was really generous on her part."

Jacober wasn't at the show, but said her daughter was there with her four-year old son, whom she adopted from foster care. Jacober loved hearing the stories about the unforgettable experience, how the kids would run after Swift when she moved from one stage to another. And it's especially meaningful, she said, as May is National Foster Care Month.

"It felt like a miracle," she said. "The association's been around for 13 years, and nobody has ever made us an offer like this. I know this doesn’t happen everyday. We just are deeply appreciative of her kindness toward our families."

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Visiting fans

The concert came hours after Swift visited a fan at the Arizona Burn Center who is recovering from a St. Patrick's Day accident.

The attending families flooded social media Sunday post-concert, with reports about the private Saturday night show, the pizza and photo sessions with Swift.

Concert attendees described Swift as "nice" and "friendly."

Ellsworth, who is in a cast from an Achilles tendon injury and can't stand for long periods, received an added surprise during Saturday evening's performance.

He was sitting in a seat at the stadium when an older gentleman asked him about his injury and the show.

At the end, he said, "'So what do you think of my daughter?'" Ellsworth said. He said, "'Yeah, I am Taylor's dad.'"

Swift's father gave Ellsworth's daughter a guitar pick with Taylor's picture on it.

Social media reports also indicated that Swift's parents mingled with fans in the parking lot and handed out memorabilia.

Swift's highly-anticipated 'Reputation' stadium tour launches Tuesday at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

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