PHOTO STORY

Best of Peru at The Textile Museum

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

Vamos Peru! Some of Peru's top luxury brands gathered to showcase their taste, style, and unique design aesthetic at an exclusive event for WL readers. Guests enjoyed a Macchu Pisco Sour mix-off from mixologists representing Cieba Restaurant (the winner!), Funxion, Mio, The Passenger, and Occasions Caterers; sampled Peruvian-inspired food from Occasions Caterers and Mio Restaurant; viewed luxury alpaca products from Peruvian Connection; The Sandra Jordan Collection, and Alpaca International; saw luxury travel presentations from Orient Express Peru and Hoteles Libertador; learned about Peruvian humanitarian assistance organization Coprodeli; and viewed the amazing collections at the Textile Museum. Entertainment was provided from Kevin Olivera Music. Kelley Cannon Events crafted the perfect ambiance which enabled guests to enjoy this sophisticated and uniquely Peruvian affair.

PHOTO STORY

2nd Annual Sport for Social Change Awards

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

Charity is a Kick: The "beautiful game" got glamorous when several hundred of the area's top athletes, philanthropists, and business leaders joined soccer fans and players (including members of the DC Knights Street Soccer team) to honor the area's top philanthropists. Major Players: As guests enjoyed Italian cuisine from Teatro Goldoni - thanks to Jose Garcia's generous contribution - they heard words of inspiration from Washington Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis and HELP USA board chairwoman Maria Cuomo Cole. The gala honored sport magnates Sheila Johnson, Fernando Murias, and Darrell Green as well as Zachary Leonsis. The evening raised funds for Street Soccer USA programs that help educated and teach life skills homeless teens and adults via the game of soccer.

PHOTO STORY

L'Enfant Society's Ball on the Mall 2010

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

The L’Enfant Society hosted their Second Annual Ball on the Mall to raise funds for efforts to restore and improve The National Mall. Over 700 people attended the sold-out event that was held in a tent on the National Mall overlooking the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument. The ball exceeded the L’Enfant Society’s fundraising goals by $130,000 for a total of $350,000 raised. Since its founding in 2008, the L’Enfant Society has raised more than $500,000 for the Trust for the National Mall’s efforts to restore and improve the National Mall.

PHOTO STORY

Point Foundation’s 2nd Annual Washington DC Reception

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

PHOTO STORY

VIP Grand Opening of Buddha Bar-DC

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

Enlightened Nightlife: The hotspot with outposts in Paris, Dubai, and New York opened in Washington with a party that actually delivered on the hype. Then again, you can't tempt too many fates with free-flowing Veuve Cliquot, Asian-inspired hor d'oeurves, and lots of eye candy circling the room. The club's dark, cool, international vibe was further enhanced by just the right Euro Lounge Sounds, to say nothing of the enormous statue of the ancient Indian spiritual leader presiding over the scene. Spotted: Annie Gowen, Juleanna Glover and Christopher Reiter, Matt Lauer, Scott Thuman and Oscar Curry

PHOTO STORY

Wale & D.C. United at RFK Stadium

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, On Tap magazine

D.C. United kicked off their season on April 3 against the New England Revolution. Fans were treated to a performance by Wale before heading into the game.

PHOTO STORY

Bachelors and Spinsters Ball

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

The Committe of Bachlors and Spinsters held the B & S dance at the City Tavern Club. The event included a Grey Goose Eden Lounge, Heineken Beer Garden, Barefoot Bubbly Book and VitaminWater Photo Booth. Music was provided by the Mustangs and a silent auction benefited the TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) charity that supports families of the fallen.

PHOTO STORY

The Rock Bottom Remainders in conversation with Sam Donaldson

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

Tuaca Body Art Ball Washington, D.C. Fur Nightclub Photos

PHOTO ASSIGNMENT
Sunday, April 11, 2010

Tuaca Body Art Ball Washington, D.C. Fur Nightclub Photos

Photo Credit: www.alfredoflores.net
Posted by www.tuacabodyartball.com
A few shots from the Tuaca Body Art Ball at Fur Nightclub in Washington, D.C. The event was hosted by Tuaca Italian Liqueur and the Tuaca Body Art Ball show that is similar to a Cirque du Soleil performance.

PHOTO STORY

Alicia Keys at Verizon Center

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

You can’t fault the fans at Verizon Center for going a bit stir crazy minutes before Alicia Keys took center stage. The rumors that persisted pre-show came true as First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha took their seats, and the pandemonium began. The mood subdued just a bit as Keys emerged from two giant screen video boards, locked in a cage, yearning to break free. Her personal demons keeping her trapped in the intro for “Love is Blind,” and she broke loose from her inner prison with “You Don't Know My Name” to start off the D.C. leg of Key’s aptly named “Freedom Tour”. These powerful uplifting ballads are indicative of why Keys has become one of the top R&B artists of all-time, having sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Opening for Keys was R&B crooner Robin Thicke.

PHOTO STORY

Embassy Chef Challenge 2010

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

BON APPETIT!: Chefs from numerous embassies demonstrated their culinary expertise to a panel of celebrity judges, whipping up their most impressive hors d'oeurves for a crowd of 350 hungry guests--including Qatari diplomat Mohammed Al-Madadi--who also got to experience a silent auction featuring exclusive tours, restaurant meals, and other unique offerings donated by embassy participants and other contributors. The event benefited Cultural Tourism D.C., a non-profit organization that invites people to celebrate and experience Washington's unique heritage.

PHOTO STORY

Oscar Night D.C.

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Supporters of the American Red Cross attended Oscar Night D.C. at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the area's only official Academy-sanctioned viewing party. The fun-filled evening included a silent auction, a red carpet and real time Oscar coverage. A diverse group of members of Congress, the corporate sector, the philanthropic community, DC's fashionistas and movie buffs came together to celebrate the American art of cinema. The emcee of the party was WJLA 7 reporter Pamela Brown and the event was covered live by WJLA's Arch Campbell. Oscar Night D.C. benefited the American Red Cross National Capital Region.

PHOTO STORY

Jay-Z at Verizon Center

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

It’s no secret that President Obama cites Jay-Z as one of his favorite musicians, so you can’t fault HOVA for starting his set a few minutes tardy. “I just came from the White House!" he boasted towards the end of his electrifying two-hour set at a sold-out Verizon Center. And Jay-Z put on a show worthy of such swagger, continuously leaning back, holding his arm out to calm the excited crowd down, and smiling as his fans literally shouted out every lyric from the hit songs that have made him one of the most successful rap artists off all time—40 million albums sold and 10 Grammy Awards and counting. So it was apropos that Jigga started off the night with “Run This Town”—a claim he can brag about in every city he steps into.

PHOTO STORY

Backstage with Los Amigos Invisibles

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Los Amigos Invisibles are some of New York City’s most beloved rockers. Their performance-oriented Latin dance rock is heavily influenced by their native Venezuela’s gozadero music (which comes from the Spanish for ‘gozar’—to enjoy). And enjoy is what the crowd did at the Black Cat, grooving to the heavy funk, disco, and acid jazz that has made Los Amigos one of the most respected live acts in the U.S. Their 2009 album “Comercial” garnered Amigos their very first Grammy award. Opening for Amigos is D.C.-based trio Thunderball—consisting of Sid Barcelona, Steve Raskin and Rob Myers (who also plays sitar and guitar for Thievery Corporation). Check out Metromix's pictures of these amigos backstage and on stage.

PHOTO STORY

Black Eyed Peas at Verizon Center

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Over-the-top show delivered a visually stunning performance to D.C. fans.

PHOTO STORY

Thievery Corporation at the 9:30 Club

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

It all started at Dupont Circle’s famed Eighteenth Street Lounge, where a young Rob Garza met with owner Eric Hilton to discuss musical influences and tastes. Hilton was a veteran DJ of the D.C. nightlife scene, and Garza was a rising star. That chance meeting led to the formation of the world-famous Thievery Corporation that set off a string of hit records, sold-out stadium tours worldwide, collaborations with the likes of rock legends Perry Farrell, David Byrne and the Flaming Lips, and recently five-sold out shows at the venerable 9:30 Club in the DJ-duo’s hometown Washington, D.C. Hilton and Garza have always embraced the international culture and music found in D.C. and their music reflects that, with songs sung by their collaborating artists in English, Spanish, French, Persian, Portuguese, Romanian and Hindi. Their live shows also reflect on the multi-cultural nature of the band, with a diverse set of musicians rotating in-and-out of the 9:30 Club’s stage to perform various musical genres. Among the local musicians on stage were Rootz and Zee from reggae band See-I, guitarist Rob Myers from Fort Knox Five, as well as local salsa performer Verny Varela. Here are images from a wonderful weekend full of great music, electic performances and good vibes.

WASHINGTON POST EXPRESS
WEEKEND PASS COVER STORY

ARTS & EVENTS

No Identity Crisis Here: Jeff Dunham

Written by Washington Post Express contributor Alfredo Flores

JEFF DUNHAM'S STAGE show starts out as most comics' do, with a short stand-up set. That changes when he unloads boxes that surround him, and Dunham's quiet persona transforms into those of his filthy-minded politically incorrect dummies, er, ventriloquial figures. Achmed the Dead Terrorist got his start in D.C. in Dunham's 2007 "Spark of Insanity" TV special filmed at the Warner Theatre. It's the character that became a YouTube sensation with 200 million hits — the fourth-most-watched online video ever — and turned Dunham into the world's first superstar ventriloquist. Achmed — a bearded, furry-eyebrowed character who tries to act tough despite being all bones — gets frustrated when the audience laughs at his vain attempts to terrify, shouting, "Silence! I kill you." Achmed is an incompetent suicide bomber whose explosives suffer "premature detonation." When asked about his skeletal appearance, he replies, "It's just a flesh wound." To get through airport security, Achmed just says he's Lindsey Lohan. Part of the humor arises from how the characters' carefully crafted appearances immediately telegraph their provenance and attitudes — we give you Bubba J, Dunham's resident "redneck." Once the visuals have been established, the performer is free to provoke and intensify that attitude. And it gets pretty intense: "Each character is me, just exaggerated beyond the socially acceptable point for anyone living outside a suitcase." Dunham himself has become a polarizing figure. Ventriloquism has never been fully embraced by the comedy community, and for every laudatory review — Slate says he's "America's favorite comedian," although that may have been a slap at us, not him — there is scathing criticism. The Washington Post called his recently cancelled "The Jeff Dunham Show" "deadeningly unfunny," and the Chicago Sun-Times called for his viewers to "destroy all the puppets in your home." Ouch. While not all of his characters have been well received in the mainstream, they are adored by Dunham's fans. Those attending Dunham's Verizon Center show on Thursday night will hear from Walter, a Vietnam vet curmudgeon with crossed arms. When Dunham mentions that "Girls Gone Wild " was shot in Fort Lauderdale, Walter replies, "That's only during spring break. The rest of the year, it's 'Girls Gone Saggy.' Then it's 'Girls Gone Senile.' Then it's just 'Girls Gone.'" Expect Jose Jalapeno on a Stick, a mustachioed, sombrero-wearing talking pepper that's unhappy about being on stick. He doesn't enjoy skiing with the other puppets because, he laments, "I had to snowboard." Peanut is a hyperactive Muppet-like purple-skinned "woozle" with white fur on most of his fuzzy body. Peanut asks Dunham if he has ever done drugs, which he denies. Peanut then asks, "How the hell did you come up with me?" Nothing here is going to explode the boundaries of performance. Add to these mild, personality-based gags the stigma of ventriloquism as musty, corny children's entertainment and it's hard to fathom that one of America's most popular comics is a ventriloquist. (He's the third-highest-earning comedian in the United States behind Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock.) But Dunham is tapping into something. "I realized early on that the ventriloquism needed to be just a vehicle for the comedy," the Dallas native said. "It couldn't be the focus of the act. In other words, I needed to focus on the material and the jokes and keep people laughing. The ventriloquism just happened to be my instrument." Dunham has come a long way from the days of performing at any place that would have him — churches, banquet halls, a Six Flags amusement park, and heck, even a TV commercial for a local Datsun car dealership. (The name Datsun, now Nissan to you kids, is the only clue that the youthfully handsome and confident performer is 48.) After the completion of his 60-city tour, Dunham is planning on shooting another one-hour Comedy Central special, and his autobiography "All by My Selves Walter, Peanut, Achmed and Me," will be published this spring. "To me, hard work which results in success at the end is always fun and exciting. More than half the fun of the race is getting to the finish line." » Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW; Thu. Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m., $46.50; 202-397-7328. (Gallery Place)

PHOTO STORY

Stars of Jersey Shore host McFadden's Tuesday College Night

Photo Credit: Alfredo Flores, On Tap Magazine

Two reality stars from the MTV series, "Jersey Shore" Jenni "JWow" and Pauly D, made a red carpet appearance at McFadden's on January 19. The duo was there to host the sold-out crowd, award a spring break giveaway and, oh yeah, do some fist pumping.

PHOTO STORY

Timbaland at the 9:30 Club

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Many people at the 9:30 Club probably couldn’t predict what kind of show the man who made his living producing some of the most memorable pop music since the mid-1990s would put out. Would he bring in any of the A-list pop stars he’s worked with (Nelly Furtado, Missy Elliot, Justin Timberlake)? Would he rely on his deep throaty rap vocals to fill-in for the guests? And it turns out it was a bit of both, at least virtually. Timbaland was quite the show man, often flexing his giant muscles, smiling and preening for the audience, and making the crowd at the 9:30 Club wave their hands in the air and get down to hit after club banging hit. Sitting in on the jam fest was his house band: Timbaland’s brother Sebastian, rapper Petey Pablo (who rose to fame off of the Timbaland-produced “Raise Up”), and a special preview performance of the newly signed Dr. Dre prodige Haze. For the tracks that didn’t feature those artists, Timbaland looked on to a video screen just to his left where images of his chart-topping co-stars appeared and sang along to Timbaland’s raps—many of the videos coming from last year’s “Shock Value II” including the hit “Say Something.”

PHOTO STORY

Modus Union 2010

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

The Modus Union 2010 fashion show was held at the beautiful Mayflower Renaissance Hotel. The runway show was presented by Mary Amons, founder of Labels for Love and featured Lela Rose’s Spring 2010 Collection. The event was a benefit for the Center for Heart, Lung and Kidney Disease at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC. Guests included a who’s who of fashionable Washingtonians including Paul Wharton, Ebong Eka, and Blonde Charity Mafia’s Krista Johnson. The official VIP after-party was held at Recess.