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www.alfredoflores.net honored by photography award

www.alfredoflores.net honored by photography award
Named to Washington Life magazine's Hot List September 2010

Monday, September 21, 2009


PHOTO STORY

Fruit Bats Hang at Black Cat

Photos by Alfredo Flores NBC 4 Washington's Around Town

Fruit Bats were formed in 1999 by guitarist, pianist and singer Eric Johnson, the band's main songwriter and only constant member. The folk rock band originated from Chicago, but is now based in Seattle. Originally part of short-lived Chicago group I Rowboat, Johnson and two of his fellow Rowboat members, guitarist Dan Strack and drummer Brian Belval, created Fruit Bats as a side project.

Aziz Ansari @ Sixth & I Historic Synagogue

by
Alfredo Flores
September 26, 2009
8:00 pmto11:00 pm

Comedian Aziz Ansari is a scene stealer, such as when he played a racist fruit vendor who refuses to sell apples to kiwis in “Flight of the Conchords.” But it’s his hilarious role as hyperactive, sex-obsessed stand-up comedian Raaaaaaaandy (that’s no typo, he spells it with 8 A’s) that truly stood out in a movie full of outstanding stand up comedians, this summer’s “Funny People.” Raaaaaaaandy starts a Darfur charity just to hook up with a girl, has his DJ repeat the punch lines while remixing the comic’s name and throwing in sirens that you’d hear in reggeaton concerts, and dispenses cash via “money cannons.” It’s akin to the obnoxious ‘Def Jam’ hip-hop style comedian Reggie Warrington that D.C.-native Dave Chappelle played in “The Nutty Professor,” only amped to the umpteenth degree. Ansari’s first Comedy Central “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening” debuts this fall. 8 p.m. showtime. $22.50, $25 at door. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue: 600 I Street NW, D.C. 202-408-3100

Thursday, September 17, 2009

ARTS & EVENTS

Elementals of Passion: Guillermo Arriaga's 'The Burning Plain'

Written by Washington Post Express contributor Alfredo Flores

FOR MORE THAN 30 years, the horrifying image of a couple trapped inside a burning house in Mexico City has haunted screenwriter-turned-director Guillermo Arriaga. Arriaga, best known for penning " Amores Perros," " 21 Grams" and"Babel," let his imagination run free, wondering who these people were; what their stories were. The story was the catalyst for Arriaga's directorial debut,"The Burning Plain." It's a romantic tragedy staring Oscar-winners Kim Basinger and Charlize Theron, who plays Sylvia, a restaurant manager by day, sex junkie by night and, later on, a mother. One singular tragic moment of a burning home propels this story of love between a mother and daughter in New Mexico, and the love of that daughter and her own little girl in Oregon. We talked to Arriaga about his latest project.» EXPRESS: How did you approach Charlize Theron about her role? » ARRIAGA: It didn't take too long to convince her to be in the movie. She told me, "In Hollywood, we're used to being likeable characters." This character is hard to like, at least in the beginning. But there's hope in this character, in that she has many layers and that she can improve her life. It's what drew Charlize to the project, and she's the first person that came to mind when writing this story. » EXPRESS: Have there been concepts in this film and in your previous works? » ARRIAGA: When I think of stories, I always think of a concept. In "Amores Perros," it was about the relationship between man and dog. In "Babel" it was the last day of something, the 24 hours that changed the life of someone. In "The Burning Plain," the concept was the four elements. The story of Sylvia was the story of water, and it's what held me to the location — in rainy, gloomy coastal Oregon. The story of earth was with Gina [Basinger] and Nick [Joaquim de Almeida, two lovers in the farmlands of rural New Mexico]. Air was represented by the farmers when they fly their crop dusters. And then there's fire, which is Mariana [Jennifer Lawrence] and Santiago [Danny Pino, the kids of Gina and Nick], with Jennifer Lawrence always making fire or playing with fire. It gave me coherence for stories I've been gathering in my mind for many, many years. » EXPRESS: Despite the very dark scenes throughout the movie, in the end, is this a love story? » ARRIAGA: This is a movie about love, but not the Valentine card kind of love. It's love in all its intensities. It's love in all of its destructiveness, redemption capacity, romantic love, love between mother and daughter. It's an exploration of love, through tragedy, an exploration of love through the hope that love can bring. » Area theaters, opens Fri.

ARTS & EVENTS

They Walk Among Us: Dinosaurs Roam the Verizon Center

Written by Washington Post Express contributor Alfredo Flores

HIDDEN IN THE Verizon Center stands will be a master puppeteer inside a miniature version of a large-scale dinosaur, moving his arms and head in dino-like fashion. On the arena floor, a gigantic robotic lifelike version of the real thing will be making the same motions as his master. This is aptly called the "voodoo rig," one of the many techniques used in the Verizon Center return of the large-scale production of "Walking With Dinosaurs — the Arena Spectacular." In charge of creating the pre-historic creatures is self-proclaimed "dinosaur nerd" Sonny Tilders, and few are more qualified. He's considered one of film and TV's top animatronics engineers from his work on "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Like other arena stars, the 17 massive creatures who star in the show are caravanned around in 25 trucks with a road crew of 60. Its largest passenger (after she's assembled) is the Brachiosaurus, 36 feet tall by 56 feet long. The mighty T. rex is the star attraction, showing amazing agility for its size and startling audiences with its fierce roar that echoes throughout the arena. Those walking just outside the Verizon Center need not be frightened; it's just your everyday dinosaur letting his presence be known. » Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW; through Sun., Sept. 20; $29.50-$65; 202-628-3200. (Gallery Place-Chinatown)

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

PHOTO STORY

SneakerBall VI

Photo Credit: Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

SneakerBall VI is the only black tie and sneakers gala (yes, that’s right, a gala where guests are welcomed to don sneaks with their tuxedos and evening gowns). The event annually celebrates the best of sports in the Greater Washington D.C. region and was held at the National Building Museum. The event was organized to benefit the Greater Washington Sports Alliance Foundation, which is made up of six local charities and creates avenues for corporate philanthropy to enhance the region's youth sports programs and facilities. There were over 1,000 attendees, more than 50 professional athletes & Olympians, the Greater Washington sports franchise ownership groups, leaders of the region's business community and the Sports Alliance charitable partners. New to this year’s edition were the SneakerBall Awards, an interactive awards program that allowed the public to vote for the winners in categories that define excellence in athletic performance, franchise leadership, community sponsorship and media coverage. At the event, Eunice Kennedy Shriver was posthumously honored as a 2009 Hall of Champions inductee for her tireless work with Special Olympics.

Monday, September 14, 2009

PHOTO STORY

31st Annual Adams Morgan Day Festival

Photos by Alfredo Flores
On Tap Magazine

The 31st Annual Adams Morgan Day Festival featured two large signature music stages and other innovative and dynamic cultural, music, arts and dance activities. The famous Columbia and Florida Stages, located at the top and bottom respectively of the Adams Morgan 18th Street strip, showcased live music acts from all genres from Central and South America, Latin rock, salsa, jazz, and soul—including reggeaton artist Cristopolis and funk rockers Funkmnkyz. The festival is the longest continuous neighborhood festival in Washington and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty dropped by to greet supporters as well as his father, Philip, who is the owner of Adams Morgan’s Fleet Feet running store. The festival consistently draws large attendance in the 25,000 range, and this year’s edition was no different.

Monday, September 07, 2009

PHOTO STORY

Old Ebbitt Block Party feat. Bruce in the USA Springsteen cover band

Photos by Alfredo Flores
On Tap Magazine

The First Annual Old Ebbitt Grill Labor Day Block Party has held right in the Ebbitt's backyard on G Street NW between 14th and 15th Streets in downtown D.C. Food was provided by Old Ebbitt Grill, and attendees were entertained by performances by Mudcat, a high-energy Blues Musician from Atlanta, local street performers such as On Tap magazine featured artist Justin Trawick and headlined by Bruce in the USA--nationally known as the premier Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band. A portion of the proceeds from the Block Party will go towards D.C. Central Kitchen, celebrating its 20th anniversary of proudly combating hunger.