Parties, vigils, other tributes to Prince in many cities

MINNEAPOLIS-- The owners of the downtown Minneapolis nightclub where Prince's "Purple Rain" was filmed were holding an all-night dance party in his honor.

First Avenue owner Dayna Frank says the club wanted to give people a place to share their emotions and celebrate Prince. Entry to the event was free.

The 57-year-old singer died Thursday at his suburban Minneapolis compound. His death is under investigation.

Scores of people came to the club Thursday to leave bouquets, balloons and a guitar under the star that honors Prince on the club's exterior wall. Frank says everyone at the club is devastated.

Prince last played the club in 2007.

By Thursday night, thousands lined the street outside of First Avenue, where the block was barricaded to accommodate the massive crowd, CBS Minnesota reported.

"I think this shows you the impact that Prince has on this city," Andrea Swensson told the station. "I mean, they literally shut it down."

Local acts took the stage to perform their take on the Purple One's music. The party wrapped up at 10 p.m., after which fans headed inside the venue to take part in a free, all-night dance party in Prince's memory. Dance parties will also take place during the Friday and Saturday overnights, starting a 1:30 a.m.

Despite the range of emotions on their faces, Prince fans danced, sang and shared some of their favorite memories.

"Purple Rain was the first rated-R movie I went to without my parents!" Johnette Jordan said.

Judging by the energy in the street Thursday night, many in the crowd were likely to make it to sun up -- just as Prince would've wanted.

Elsewhere in Minneapolis, the Interstate 35 West bridge over the Mississippi River was covered in purple light, the Star Tribune reported.

Meanwhile in New York, filmmaker Spike Lee drew a crowd of roughly 1,000 for an impromptu street party honoring Prince, presiding from the stoop of his Brooklyn headquarters in a purple T-shirt.

Fans brought their babies and their dogs, dancing to Prince's music in front of Lee's 40 Acres & A Mule production company. Police shut down the block for the celebration, which was going strong late into Thursday night.

The mood was jubilant as people wearing touches of purple swayed and sang along. Some hoisted bouquets of purple flowers.

Also in New York, Madison Square Garden was bathed in purple. And the cast of Broadway's "The Color Purple," including star Jennifer Hudson, paid tribute to Prince after Thursday night's performance. A video of their tribute can be seen here:

What's more, Harlem's iconic Apollo Theater's marquee paid tribute as fans gathered outside:

Massachusetts Gov. Governor Charlie Baker asked MassDOT to light the Zakim Bridge, South Station and Government Center in Boston and the Burns Bridge in Worcester in purple in honor of the pop icon, reports CBS Boston.

A vigil quickly turned into a party at Los Angeles' Leimert Plaza Park, where dozens danced as huge speakers blasted Prince hits and deep cuts. Some wiped away tears but most treated the gathering as a celebration.

In San Francisco, City Hall was lit up in purple for Prince, and people gathered out front to see it.

In a city as musical as New Orleans, the loss of a superstar couldn't be denied.

Prince;s death sent shock-waves around the city, CBS affiliate WWL reported.

That's why it came at no surprise that the Mercedes-Benz Superdome was also lit up in purple to honor Prince.

Reactions to his passing from famous fans came swiftly, with celebrities registering shock and surprise. "Prince was brilliant and larger than life," Ellen DeGeneres tweeted. "What a sad day."

"I can't. I just can not," tweeted television giant Shonda Rhimes.

"And just like that ... the world lost a lot of magic," Katy Perry posted. "Rest in peace Prince! Thanks for giving us so much."

To see more celebrity tributes, click here.