PHOTO STORY

'American Batik' Design Competition

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, DC Modern Luxury Magazine

Location

Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
'American Batik' Design Competition Hosted by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia.

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PHOTO STORY

Fashion for Paws 2011

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

The 5th Annual Fashion for Paws Runway Show (F4P) was held at the National Building Museum on Saturday April 9 to benefit the Washington Humane Society. This year, the event was hosted by "The Fashion Guy," Lawrence Zarian and co-chaired by Amanda Polk and Dr. Dondi Dahlgaard, and MC'ed by Pamela Sorensen. F4P began in 2007 and has raised more than $1 million dollars for WHS so far, infusing the nation’s capital with cutting edge high fashion and drawing an extraordinary crowd of VIPs, fashion lovers and animal lovers alike. The fashion show and fundraising event features 60 notable personalities as models on the runway, mostly comprised of fundraisers who must raised a minimum of $3000 in order to walk.

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PHOTO STORY

Artini 2011 at the Corcoran Gallery of Art

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Throughout the month of March, 12 of the city’s most talented mixologists competed to make the most artistic martini inspired by Corcoran Gallery of Art's permanent collection. The public was invited to taste the creative cocktails at participating bars, which included; POV at the W Hotel, PS7’s, Potenza, Mie n Yu, SEI, Art and Soul, Café Atlantico, Farmers & Fishers, Gibson, Tabard Inn, AGAINN, and Church and State. April 2nd, the Corcoran hosted Artini, featuring all 12 of these creative cocktails under one roof. Artini offered a sampling of the creative concoctions, music by DJ Neekola, dancing, and a tour of the museum’s special exhibitions. All proceeds from Artini went to support future exhibitions at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

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PHOTO STORY

Janet Jackson - Number Ones Up Close and Personal Tour

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Janet Jackson brought all her hit singles to DAR Constitution Hall last night for the first of two shows in D.C. this week. The music icon performed her greatest songs and proved that she is still very much in control of her powerful voice. The 44-year-old Jackson had no problem pulling this set together after numerous cancellations and problems that plagued her last tour. This time around, the re-focused and reenergized Janet decided to do away with the big arena glitzy productions and decided to perform in more intimate venues. The six-time Grammy winner commanded the stage and showed bravado and demonstrated why she is truly a legend!

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PHOTO STORY

Top 10 D.C. Concerts of 2010

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

It's been another fantastic year of music in D.C. What made this year particularly special were the locations and events that brought in some top-notch musical acts. From concerts on The Mall to sold out stadiums, D.C. saw it all this year. Metromix concert photographer Alfredo Flores offers his take on 2010’s ten best concerts based on visual spectacle, stage presence, rapport with audience and, of course, their music.

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PHOTO STORY

ShamrockFest 2011

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

This past weekend, some 40,000 revelers took part in D.C.’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day party ever: ShamrockFest 2011. The 11th Annual National ShamrockFest at RFK Stadium featured 50 amazing bands and DJs on 10 stages. Acts included the Dropkick Murphys, DJ Pauly D, Carbon Leaf and many more. There were also plenty of roving entertainers, endless beer stations, food and craft vendors, an Irish village, shamrock pub games, carnival rides, games and more.

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PHOTO STORY

"Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear" Pictures

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

An estimated 215,000 people from across the country joined Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert for their historic Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear on October 30, 2010. Fans of "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" flocked to the National Mall, creating a sea of supporters, costumes and homemade signs that stretched from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument. In addition to the two Comedy Central hosts, the event included performances from such diverse acts as Ozzy Osbourne, Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), the O'Jays, Wilco singer Jeff Tweedy and Mavis Staples, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow, Tony Bennett and a 40 minute opening set from John Legend and The Roots (who also acted as the event's house band). There were also special appearances from "Mythbusters" hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, "Law and Order" star Sam Waterston, basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the guest who got the most applause, R2-D2. Ironically, the rally caused insanity across the District, bringing Metro to a crawl and overflowing an already crowded Halloween weekend. And even though the event brought laughs, lightness and truthiness to the masses, Stewart's inspiring and uplifiting final speech left everyone in the crowd feeling the craziness was well worth it.

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PHOTO STORY

Bon Jovi Live 2011 Tour at Verizon Center

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Perhaps fist-pumping really is a Jersey thing—not only limited to those from Jersey Shore. Bon Jovi brought his New Jersey arena-rock band, along with some 20,000 fist-pumping fans to pack the Verizon Center on Sunday night. This is the band’s most extensive tour since their Jersey Syndicate Tour in the late 1980s. Bon Jovi’s current Circle Tour is in support of the band’s Greatest Hits album. It was an impressive set-up, a completely open 360-degree circle stage that allowed Bon Jovi to play to both the front of the audience, as well as to those behind the stage for a couple of choice notes. There’s also something to be said for someone who has been filling arenas and stadiums for well over two decades. In his song “The More Things Change,” Bon Jovi boasts that through time, Madonna gave way to Lady Gaga to Justin Timberlake and even Justin Bieber; but the only thing that’s stayed the same is “this” as he points to his face. The Verizon Center completely erupted. The same eruption was heard during such storied ballads as “You Give Love a Bad Name,” and “Bad Medicine”—the fans’ reaction easily audible blocks away from the arena.

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PHOTO STORY

Julieta Venegas at State Theatre

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

It’s hard not to like Julieta Venegas. The six-time Grammy winner is undoubtedly one of Latin America’s most talented songwriters and performers, but Venegas also brings a sweetness and kindness to her act that can be felt in the soul. That was evident Tuesday night, as a sold-out crowd at the State Theatre braved the cold temperatures to be warmed up by the soothing sounds of Julieta. The Tijuana, Mexico native was at home in the Falls Church, Va. venue, at ease swaying around in her willowy dress, and absolutely rocking her signature accordion, before moving on to guitar and keyboards. The crowd sang along to most songs, but none more so than her hit single “Me Voy”—a bittersweet track about saying “goodbye, I’m gone.” But this is not an angry breakup song, simply a statement song about how the breakup is unfortunate, too bad, but time to move on, all done with traditional Mexican ranchera folk music. Opening for Venegas were standout D.C.-area Latin rock band Nayas, who often perform at Bossa Bistro & Lounge in Adams Morgan and Growlers in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

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PHOTO STORY

"So Others May Eat" Jr. Gala 2011

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

So Others May Eat hosted the 8th Annual Jr. Gala this past weekend at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The event featured live music by the Blue Tips Rhythm Review, appetizers, dancing and cocktails. The fundraising gala turned out to be a huge success where young professionals were able to raise money for those in need. Proceeds from the gala will be used to build a playground at Marguerite's Place, a new community center being built by SOME.

PHOTO STORY

The Kidney Ball

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

UNFORGETTABLE: Every November the Kidney Ball seemingly outdoes itself, and this year was no exception. The cavernous ballroom was crowded with scores of local tech execs for dinner, dancing and cheering on aerial trapeze artists before the finale by Grammy Award-winning chanteuse Natalie Cole, whose late father, Nat King Cole, joined her by video in a spellbinding duet. Led by chairwoman Debbie Ikirt and attended by Mayor-elect Vincent Gray, the National Kidney Foundation's 30th annual gala raised $1.1 million for kidney disease research. BELIEVERS: Chuck Prow, Ted and Carla Davies, Anne Altman, Xavier Alire, Bradley Schwartz, Tenly Carp, Carleton Jones and David Samuels.

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PHOTO STORY

Global Kids International Benefit at French Embassy Residence

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

GLOBAL KIDS: The ornate reception rooms of the French ambassador's residence spilled over with goodwill and some of the best cooking imaginable as guests celebrated the Manhattan-based Global Kids International's Washington debut in grand style. French Charge d'Affaires Francois Rivasseau hosted the event, which featured a silent auction and delicacies prepared by award-winning chefs Daniel Boulud, Jose Andres, Todd Gray, Cathal Armstrong and Michel Richard. Global Kids' founder Carole Artigiani announced the launch of the group's District-wide initiatives as the event's organizer, Countess Elisabeth de Kergolay welcomed guests who included celebrity auctioneers Sen. Mark Warner and NBC 4 anchor-reporter Kimberly Suiters.

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PHOTO STORY

Put on the Gloves Fashion Fundraiser at Town Danceboutique

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

The first-ever Put On The Gloves Fashion Show, held on January 27 at Town Danceboutique, was such a smash success that many guests already were asking when the next one will take place. The event was created by Daniel Townsend, Ashley Arias, Elaine A. Mensah, Eboné Bell, Tedd Davis, and Vanessa Reed with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Trevor Project and Capital Queer Prom. The event was hosted by Will Thomas of Fox 5 and Anji Corley of WPGC with music by DJ Natty Boom and special guests that included singer Mya and "Real Housewives of DC" star Cat Ommanney. In partnership with B.O.I. Marketing & Promotions LLC, Fashion BS, and Tedd Davis Events, the event is a fundraiser dedicated to the freedom of our LGBT youth to express themselves through fashion and the fundamental "coming of age" American tradition - prom.