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.

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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

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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."

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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.

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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!

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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.
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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.

PHOTO STORY

U2 360° Tour at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Just like the rough and physical play of the hometown Baltimore Ravens, the action inside their home stadium got started just minutes prior to U2’s set when a massive fight broke out, leaving several fans with bloody lips and police escorting the perpetrators out of M&T Bank Stadium. And then, as almost on cue, Bono emerges from the smoky backdrop of the band’s alien spaceship-like ginormous stage, and helps bring the peace with the southing “Even Better Than The Real Thing." Over the course of several hours over 80,000 U2 fanatics got to enjoy the band's first show in Baltimore since their 2001 stop at 1st Mariner Arena. While pyrotechnics and visuals had their limitations a decade ago, there was nothing holding U2 back from showing off their multi-million dollar stage that featured giant video panels, lighting sources form all of the ships 'tentacles' and offered the entire arena—even people sitting in the nosebleeds—a chance to see U2, as several band members ran around the two inner circles that surround their stage.

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PHOTO STORY

KE$HA "Get $leazy" Tour 2011 at Patriot Center

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Glitter, glitter everywhere. It's how best to describe not only the glitter-soaked fans (and the girls who wore sparkly dresses), but also the music lineup at the Ke$ha concert on Sunday August 21st, as the pop starlet shone in her first big arena tour in the D.C. area. The "Tik Tok" hitmaker began her show with an industrial metal stage backdrop and Kanye West-like glow-in-the-dark glasses. She then turned to her two male backup dancers and proceeded to dominate them in to doing her bidding. It set the stage for a thoroughly entertaining night. Not to be outdone, LMFAO provided a fun vibe with their outrageous neon colored tops and matching zebra striped pants and crazy party rap tracks.

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Chris Brown's "The F.A.M.E." Tour at Verizon Center featuring T-Pain

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

Chris Brown is one heck of a performer. Brown dazzled and wowed the crowd with his impressive vocals, and his outstanding dance routines and flips. Many times he reveled his chiseled abs to the delight of the predominately female audience at the Verizon Center, and after tirelessly running and jumping throughout his 90-minute set, it's easy to see how he stays in shape. Out of all his impressive dance numbers, it was the show's closer "Beautiful People" --where Brown and his dancers all wore LED jumpsuits-- that stole the show. During this dance routine, dancers in the top row would blink first, and then that light source would cascade down the brightly lit stairwell to the dancers below before they all danced in unison. Verizon Center wasn't quite full, but Brown's talent level is without question, and it's only a matter of time before his F.A.ME. will be able to fill up every arena he steps into.

PHOTO STORY

Mary J. Blige at The Fillmore Silver Spring Grand Opening

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Special to Metromix

It’s not too often that the Queen of hip-hop soul gets upstaged at her own show, but it’s also not every day that a sparkly new 2,000-seat ode to great concert venues of past, present and future make their debut. This was the impression that the brand new Fillmore in downtown Silver Spring left the gasping audience waiting for Mary J. Blige to take the stage for the venue’s first ever concert. Many in attendance were in sheer awe of the venue’s lighting, visuals, amenities, arts on display, and state-of-the-art sound system that is among the best in the D.C. area. It was ten years in the making, and after overcoming a slew of red tape, project delays, and funding issues, the venue made a great first impression. Throughout the halls were odes to the rich history of the Fillmore’s past in San Francisco, New York and other cities with concert flyers of epic performances from those legendary venues. Perhaps one day Mary J. herself will be among those to grace the venue’s walls! And with her stirring performance Thursday night, she made a great case for herself to be inducted to music wall of fame.

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Evening of Exploration at National Geographic Society featuring James Cameron and Chevy Chase

Photo Credit:Alfredo Flores, Washington Life Magazine

SPLASHING DOWN: Numerous delighted gasps were heard as guests entered the National Geographic's cafeteria magically transformed into an undersea wonderland with "seaweed" floating down from above and luminescent "fish scales" in the form of CD's covering the walls. A video of underwater life played throughout the room, giving the impression of dining in long lost Atlantis (On Philippe Starck-designed chairs no less). EXPLORERS: Film director James Cameron was named as an Explorer in Residence, prompting an uncharacteristic "I'm not worthy!" reply.

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