PHOTO STORY

Metromix's Top 10 D.C. Concerts of 2011

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

It’s been another memorable year of music in D.C., Maryland and Virginia—filled with giant stadium and arena rock shows, memorable R&B and pop performances, and some of the biggest hip-hop shows ever to take stage. Adding to the excitement for 2011 was a brand-new, state-of-the-art music venue in Silver Spring that will surely bring top-notch acts to the area for decades to come. Metromix's intrepid concert photographer Alfredo Flores offers his take on 2011’s ten best concerts based on visual spectacle, stage presence, artist rapport with audience, and, of course, the music. This year’s edition of his top picks contains a couple of firsts—two acts making multiple stops in the D.C.-area in the same calendar year, as well as one music gathering so impressive that two Top 10 entries came out of that show. Click through the gallery to see Alfredo's best concert picks!

PHOTO SHOOT

Mark Osborne and Ryan Creighan Wedding

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores,www.alfredoflores.net

PHOTO STORY

Ryan Zimmerman's "A Night at the Park"

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

Bating a Thousand: Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman hit a few home runs for Multiple Sclerosis at the ziMZ Foundation's premier event "A Night in the Park." Guest bid on auction items autographed by athletes including the 2010 Washington Capitals and Derek Jeter. Magician David Blaine wowed the crowd and Amos Lee and Mutlu provided the night's smooth soundtrack. Inspired by his mother, Cheryl, and her battle with MS, Zimmerman and the ziMS Foundation will continue to step up to the plate.

Click on people's faces in the photo to tag them.

ARTS & EVENTS

Good Mornings: John Legend

Written by Washington Post Express contributor Alfredo Flores
Photo by Vincent Peters

IF JOHN LEGEND WAS your boyfriend, he'd want to slow dance and he doesn't care who sees this public displays of affection. And if that weren't enough, his favorite love song is about spending time with you — in the morning. At least that's the scenario he presents on "Good Morning," off of his latest CD, "Evolver." "Yeah, that song is pretty self-explanatory," said Legend in a husky morning baritone. "It's a real-life song — a lot of people know what I'm talking about — and I think that's why people like it a lot." Legend's live shows highlight the romance, packed with moments where he steps away from his grand piano to dance with female audience members, goes down on one knee while serenading senoritas and gives them roses, hugs and kisses on the cheek. Legend's songs are about love, lovemaking and heartbreak, every one exposing intimate details. "They're about personal experience, just living, experiencing life," he said. "I try to tell a story in my songs that people can relate to." Legend's breakout single, 2005's narrative ballad "Ordinary People," was just that — a song about everyday emotion and love and how it falters, how hard it is to keep strong. Other "Evolver" songs depict pursuing an elusive girl ("Green Light" featuring Outkast's Andre 3000); giving up his previous playboy ways ("This Time"); getting dumped, but in a good way ("It's Over," with Kanye West); and finding his one true love ("No Other Love," showcasing U.K. singer Estelle, who tours with Legend). But in addition to his smooth vocals, bravado and style, there's plenty of substance to Legend's craft — and to him as a person. His various philanthropic efforts include the Show Me Campaign to fight poverty through fostering sustainable development in Africa, where he's adopted the village of Mbola in western Tanzania. And during the Democratic National Convention this summer he performed the resounding debut of his Barack Obama-inspired "If You're Out There" — a call-to-action anthem, which discusses poverty and what young people, such as Legend, 29, can do about it, while also putting pressure on politicians to make a difference. "It was great to be there for such a historic moment," he said. "To be part of it was an honor. I felt the song was really appropriate for the moment that we're in and I was really happy to perform it there." Legend was born John Stephens, and taking a stage name such as Legend is bold. But it's not arrogance on JL's part; just confidence in his music. His accolades speak for themselves: multiple-platinum albums, five Grammys, and after toiling around as a session writer and musician for the likes of Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, he now has his pick of the litter when it comes to who he wants to perform for him — bringing in West, Brandy and Andre on "Evolver." "I feel like I only want to work with people who are the best at what they do," he said. "Everything I do I want it to be high quality, every bit of music that I'm part of I want it to be exceptional. I want it to be great."Legend's also getting into the record biz — the first artist signed to his HomeSchool Records is Estelle — and transitioning to being a demographic-transcending artist, having performed on TV's "Dancing With the Stars" and "A Colbert Christmas," and opened the Latin Grammys with Colombian rocker Juanes in the Spanish-language debut of "If You're Out There." All of that work is just part of his restless work ethic and creativity. "Hopefully, I'll be alive for another 60 to 70 years and I'll experiment with all kinds of things musically, and that's the fun in what I do," Legend said. "Every time I do a new album or enter a new project it's an adventure. Every time I do a new tour — I get the opportunity to expand my palate." May there be many more good mornings to come. » DAR Constitution Hall, 311 18th St. NW; Tue., Dec. 9, 8 p.m., $71; 202-628-1776.

PHOTO STORY

Kane's ButterBall with LMFAO at The Fillmore Silver Spring

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

The party rockers came out in full force in all shapes and sizes—from the young, to the extremely young—all ready to shake that and sport their Afro wigs, zebra pants, fluffy shoes, giant sunglasses, and other wacky outfits that the party band of all party bands, LMFAO, rock. The unlikely combination of the uncle and nephew duo--DJ Redfoo and SkyBlu, both decendants from Motown Records founder Berry Gordy—have taken meticulous steps in their skyrocketing to stardom with hits like “Get Crazy,” “I’m in Miami,” and “Party Rock Anthem.” An extremely hard working ethic, tremendous self-promotion and grasping to this generation’s online audience, has led to nearly eight million Facebook followers, untold riches, fame and fortune for the band, and an adulation that has already led to sold out shows in arenas. So fans of the electro pop duo in the D.C. area were in for a special treat, not only did they get to hang out with the crew with Hot 99.5’s The Kane Show as part of their ButterBall festivities, but also to see LMFAO in a relatively intimate setting at the new Fillmore Silver Spring. As far as neon-bright outfits, hair ensemble, and overall fun atmosphere it was right up there with the fanatics that come out for Lady Gaga shows, and if the hits keep on coming, LMFAO will continue their path to superstardom.

PHOTO STORY

TWO FULL PAGES SPREAD

Pharrell Williams introduces his new liqueur Qream

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

DREAMY NIGHT: Three-time Grammy-winning artist Pharrell Williams launches his high-end liqueur Qream with an all-out bash featuring 400 of the city's young and connected overachievers. Guests enjoyed hor d'oeuvres and Peach Creme and Strawberry Creme served on the rocks -- two popular Qream flavors. Go-go legend Chuck Brown stopped by along with hip-hop artist Pusha T, ABC7 anchors Cynne Simpson, Rebecca Cooper and Britt McHenry, and Mix 107.3 FM's Brooke Ryan.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW TWO FULL PAGE MAGAZINE PRINT OF PHOTOS

CLICK HERE FOR ONE PAGE SPREAD ON PHARRELL WILLIAMS

CLICK HERE FOR ONE PAGE SPREAD ON PASSPORT TO STYLE

PHOTO STORY

D.C. Fight Night 2011

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

D.C. heavyweights and boxing legends joined forces for the 22nd annual Fight Night DC at the Washington Hilton. Fight Night brings together 2,000 champions of business and government, entertainment and community service, as well as legends from the boxing and sports world, for an evening of fun, auctions, and live professional boxing. The event is the signature fundraiser for Fight For Children, an independent non-profit organization committed to improving education in D.C. schools.

PHOTO SHOOT

Violence is Scary IV

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, www.alfredoflores.net

PHOTO STORY

"Pink Rocks the Runway" Fashion Show

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Pink Rocks the Runway is an annual breast cancer awareness fashion event that combines couture fashion and live rock music. This year's show was headlined by celebrity designer Christian Siriano of "Project Runway." In addition, the evening celebrated and featured breast cancer survivors under 40 with a pink couture gown fashion show.

PHOTO STORY
FULL PAGE SPREAD

A Standing Ovation for D.C. Teachers

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

"A" Plus: The second annual event honoring 663 "highly effective" D.C. public school teachers featured headline-making presenters, including Alfre Woodard, Mayor Vincent Gray, Grammy-winner John Legend and "godfather of go go" Chuck Brown, who was so excited he felt like "bustin' losse!" Seven teachers and one principal were singled out for excellence awards of $10,000 each this year, with 20 teachers and five principals receiving "Rubenstein" awards of $5,000 apiece donated by event chairman David Rubenstein. Emcee Jim Vance noted this year's festivities raised over $800,000 for awards organizer D.C. Public Education Fund

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL PAGE MAGAZINE PRINT OF PHOTOS

ARTS & EVENTS

Alterna-Rican: Calle 13

Washington Post Express, October 22, 2008
Written by Express contributor Alfredo Flores
IT SEEMS LIKE just about everyone is claiming to be a maverick these days, but few have the cojones to actually be one. Calle 13 is a hip-hop/Latin-rock phenomenon that's been pegged as the future of the burgeoning reggaeton genre, but the witty duo constantly pokes fun at what's wrong with the Spanish-language pop, earning them irritation from fellow artists. For instance, last year, when Calle 13 exploded on the Latin music scene with eclectic beats and cheeky Spanglish lyrics about political injustices and pop culture figures, it earned the group an armful of awards, including Latin Grammys for best urban album and song and Billboard Latin Music's best reggaeton album, which left their competitors fuming. Fellow Puerto Rican rapper and leading lady of reggaeton Ivy Queen said that the Grammys "should have been shared better." "If you're envious of us, go ahead, cry! Gua-gua-gua, keep crying," Residente taunts in Spanish in the new Calle 13 single, "Que Lloren" from the band's new CD, "Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo." Residente (Rene Perez), along with his half-brother and multi-instrumentalist Visitante (Eduardo Cabra), both 30, have become champions of the fringe alternative-music scene of Puerto Rico, an island whose rich sonic mix of salsa, merengue, bomba and plena has been given the backseat to reggaeton, which mixes Jamaican dancehall, bachata, bling bling, sexual overtones and violent lyrics. The bar has been set high for the Boricua twosome ever since they announced their arrival with 2006's "Atrevete-te-te," a song whose video is loaded with dancing Marilyn Monroe lookalikes, with Visitante playing his clarinet from the rooftops as Residente checks out the ladies, raps that he doesn't care if they all look the same and that they all like Coldplay and Green Day. In a sit down interview in New York following the band's promotional concert at the Nokia Theater Times Square earlier this month, Residente explained in Spanish, "We're walking a fine crystal line where we're tempted to produce music that's for the masses, but that doesn't interest me. I am who I am and I feel proud to be a representative of the Puerto Rican alternative. We need to represent the music they listen to in the barrios, and alternative music is the music of the barrios." The album's title translates to "The Ones Left Behind Are Coming With Me" and the disc is dedicated to the often overlooked working class — the dishwashers, the cooks, the janitors, people who identify with Calle 13's music, with Residente giving shout outs to the names of projects, barrios and favelas all over Latin America. Residente also mentioned that those "behind" could also be his 10-member rock band, arranged by Visitante. The album has a little bit of everything — '80s synthesizer pop ("Electro Movimiento"), New Orleans second-line rhythms and Dixieland ("Gringo Latin Funk"), big band tuba ("Que Lloren"), Balkan whirl ("Fiesta de Locos"), African guitars ("Esto Con Eso"), Afro-Uruguayan Candombe tropical sounds ("La Perla" featuring a rare rap from salsero Ruben Blades about a seaside slum in Old San Juan) and rock accordion (the hit single "No Hay Nadie Como Tu" featuring Cafe Tacuba). The album's messages are positive — don't try to become something you're not just to fit in, just be yourself, stand up to those who put you down, find true love. But it's not all po-faced, as these jesters have a little fun in the process. The album is loaded with smart, funny lyrics: "She doesn't eat dulce de leche because of the cholesterol / She says Spanish words mixed with English / She's a gringa wanna be / Can't even name the capital of her country" ("Gringo"); "In our urban genre you're a tourist / Next to your personal stylist and make up artist / Wearing fur coats in an island where it isn't cold" ("Lloren"); and "For you I'd do anything / Fight 300 ninjas in Korea" ("Electro"). In the love song "Nadie," Calle 13 may have found their perfect musical mate by collaborating with Tacuba, a like-minded Mexican alternative band. The super alterna-groups blend cello, booming bass, jazz horns and accordion with a peppy and upbeat cumbia beat featuring the unmistakable nasally voice of Tacuba's Ruben Albarran and Residente's melodic rap delivery, with PG-13 (the latter's sister Ileana) providing the sultry vocals in the chorus. The song sets the tone for the overall lighter and less racy mood compared to last year's "Residente o Visitante" album. Residente feels that much such harsh language wasn't necessary this time around. "There just wasn't a need to be as hard in this disc," he said. "This is a much more colorful, more tranquil album. We came into this wanting to do something way different from our second disc and our first. We wanted to find a better way to communicate with more people."

PHOTO STORY
FULL PAGE SPREAD

Noche De Gala and After Party

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine
ARTISTS IN ACTION: Always a highly anticipated event early in the fall social season, this year's Noche De Gala once again benefitted the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, which grants scholarships to young people of Hispanic heritage with dreams of working in television and film. Making the celebration even more poignant was three-time NHFA scholarship recipient, Rashaad Ernesto Green, whose first film, "Gun Hill Road," is currently showing in theaters. Green spoke movingly of NHFA's efforts to help him achieve his lifelong dream of filmmaking. Later, guests headed to Cuba Libre for a rollicking after party with a Latin twist.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL PAGE MAGAZINE PRINT OF PHOTOS

PHOTO STORY

Jill Scott's Summer Block Party at Verizon Center

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Host Doug E. Fresh sure knew how to throw down an old school party with this simple one phrase—“We’re bringing it back to the Capital Centre!” For the current generation of Washingtonians, the only big arena concert venue in the area has been the Verizon Center. But prior to that, for previous generations, it was the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland that hosted all the great R&B acts. But at Jill Scott’s Summer Block Party, the Verizon Center truly felt like the old Cap Centre! Venerable R&B and hip hop icons DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mint Condition started the night out with a bit of nostalgic music, while crooner Anthony Hamilton brought the house down with his superb vocals. Jill Scott then closed it off with her powerful vocals and tremendous stage presence. All in all, the vibe and feel of the night had people reminiscing about old school block parties in their neighborhoods. It was a night most in attendance won’t soon forget!

PHOTO STORY
FULL PAGE SPREAD

Thelonious Monk Gala

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

QUEEN OF SOUL: Aretha Franklin revisited her first love--jazz-in a surprise performance for the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz's All-Star 25th Anniversary Benefit, held during the annual International Jazz Competition. Former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell presented Franklin with the Maria Fisher Founder's Award for her contributions to Monk Institute.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL PAGE MAGAZINE PRINT OF PHOTOS

PHOTO STORY

NOW at the Corcoran

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, DC Modern Luxury Magazine

DC Magazine at the Corcoran celebrated the launch of NOW at the Corcoran with a cocktail reception at the museum. NOW at the Corcoran is a program of unique exhibitions of new work by emerging and mid-career artists.

Location: 500 17th St NW, Washington DC

PHOTO SHOOT

Baptism at St. Stephen Martyr Church

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores,www.alfredoflores.net

PHOTO STORY

Enrique Iglesias' Euphoria Tour at the Patriot Center

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

While there may not be any NBA basketball in the foreseeable future, there was plenty of Miami heat at the Patriot Center as two of The Magic City’s biggest Latin music stars took the stage at the sold out show! Joining heartthrob Enrique Iglesias was fellow Miami-native Pitbull, who got the late-arriving crowd pumped by doing renditions of club hits such as LMFAO's “Party Rock.” The crowd surely needed a bolt of energy as many arrived well past the 7 p.m. start time due to traffic, forcing the show to be delayed some 40 minutes. Nevertheless, star-in-the-making Prince Royce got the show started by crooning the predominant female crowd with soft jams such as his Spanish version of “Stand By Me.” Pitbull then took the energy level even further by tirelessly working the crowd, jumping, fist-pumping, pointing, posing, and then displaying the rapid-fire rhymes and sick hooks from his new album “Planet Pit,” featuring the club hit “Give Me Everything.” Fully engaged, the crowd went into absolute pandemonium the second Enrique Iglesias took the stage. His show did not disappoint as he showed off his charm- giving his adoring fans hugs and handshakes- and displaying his soulful vocals that went well with the driving dance and pop beats from his “Euphoria” album.

PHOTO STORY

Andy Warhol: Shadows Opening Party‏ at the Hirshhorn Museum

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden hosted the grand opening party for Andy Warhol: Shadows art exhibit, kicking off an entire season of Warhol in D.C. The soirée included a reception flowing inside the museum lobby, out on to the plaza and a very special transformation of the Hirshhorn’s Lerner Room into an artist’s lounge. Influenced by Warhol’s favorite colors: “aubergine, chartreuse, carmine red, yellow, midnight blue … and white,” the funky chic lounge inspired a "Warholian" outlook on the present day. Andy Warhol: Shadows will run from September 25th to January 15, 2012.