Pia Toscano - Hard Rock Cafe DC

October 6, 2011 - It's PINKTOBER. "The answer is out there. Together we'll find it." Pinktober is Hard Rock Cafe's campaign for breast cancer awareness.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Hard Rock Cafe Washington DC along with HOT 99.5 rocked for the fight against breast cancer in presenting an appearance and performance by Pia Toscano of American Idol fame. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Breast Cancer Research at City of Hope.

Pink Jams! recently signed a partnership deal with Hard Rock Café and as a partner, I and others were given complimentary tickets to attend the event. Pink Jams! is a Washington DC area non-profit promoting early detection and breast cancer awareness to young men and women.

There was a VIP meet and greet with Pia Toscano before her performance and then Pia performed by singing several songs, some of which were sung during her time on American Idol. Pia was amazing to hear and she also answered questions from the audience. Pia donated a dress that she wore during her American Idol appearance to Hard Rock Cafe.

After her performance Pia spent a few minutes having pictures taken with her fans. I was able to get a photograph of Pia up close and it was good to see her and have her here for this performance and cause.

Andy Zipf: Jealous Hands Tour - Arlington, VA

August 4th, 2011 - When Andy Zipf is set to perform at a venue, I try to be there and I've attended and photographed several of his shows, even one in an Apple store...yes, an Apple store (in a big shopping mall). When I heard about Andy performing at IOTA Club & Cafe in Arlington VA, I wanted to go, but I also had a lot (and still do) of work to catch up on. After a meetup with photographers earlier this evening, I went home, but then something drew me back out. It must have been the lingering echo of Andy's ethereal vocals and memories of his superb live performances that got me packing sufficient camera gear and then back on the road again to IOTA.

On the way to IOTA, I recalled how photographer Zack Arias enjoys Zipf's music after first hearing it on one of Andy's tours. Zack knows of the talent in Andy Zipf and how his words and music are pervasive and engaging. Knowing this, Zack requested Andy Zipf to come and perform along with Meghan Arias at Zack's OneLight Mixer on July 1st 2010 at BOSSA in Adams Morgan, which was the mixer before his OneLight Workshop in DC.

It was the Jealous Hands Release Show at IOTA and several other musicians also performed earlier in the evening there (Kirsten Thien, The Riverbreaks, Justin Trawick, and Bobbie Bare Jr). I arrived just before Andy and the band were to perform. I had my Nikon D7000 camera with a 35mm and 50mm lens and I know I didn't want to use any flash (and it wasn't allowed anyway).

The concert started and Andy and the band played a fantastic set of songs that I believe reached deeply into heart and soul. It's the nature of Andy's words and music to capture one's attention. A quote from Paste Magazine on Andy's website says "Jealous Hands shows off his capacity to produce one great hook after another." Check out more of Andy Zipf on his website and hopefully in a venue near you.

http://www.andyzipf.com/

Black Eyed Peas in D.C.

February 23: The phenomenon that is The Black Eyed Peas started in 1995 and they've been on an incredible journey to where they are now. Last year they became one of eleven artists who have held the number one and two spots on the Billboard 100 with their songs "Boom Boom Pow" and I Gotta Feeling." Their song "Imma Be" recently became their third number one song on the Hot 100. All of these songs plus the singles "Meet Me Halfway" and "Rock That Body" are from their latest album called "The E.N.D." which means "The Energy Never Dies." The group's frontman will.i.am describes it by saying to Billboard: "It's a diary...of music that at any given time, depending on the inspiration, you can add to it." He further went on to say to Billboard that "I'm trying to break away from the concept of an album. What is an album when you put 12 songs on iTunes and people can pick at it like scabs? That's not an album. There is no album anymore." The music is described as "a lot of dance stuff, real melodic, electronic, soulful. We call it, like, electric static funk, something like that." Well, I like that music and apparently so does many people worldwide.

I was glad to be able to go to the Black Eyed Peas concert at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. LMFAO and Ludacris opened the show and producer David Guetta laid down some wicked cool tracks. The Black Eyed Peas rocked the venue. They had an elaborate set and costumes. Very hip and cool, and futuristic too. I didn't make it to the after-party at the 9:30 club, but I'm sure it was hoppin'. Here are a few pictures from the concert, but my group was in the 400 level, so we weren't very close. But I can dance wherever I am. :)

John Mayer: Battle Studies at The Verizon Center

February 20: It was an exciting night for many in DC with the John Mayer concert, with Michael Franti & Spearhead opening. The restaurants were packed, the fans were pumped up, and the Verizon Center seemed like it was at full capacity.

The concert went well, the vocals were clear and the music was at the right volume. Michael Franti & Spearhead dished out an energetic and fun mix of songs, and many will recognize their hit Say Hey (I Love You).

When John Mayer came on, the house roused with cheer and a frenzy of flash bulbs went off as he started off his set with Heartbreak Warfare. The show wasn't extravagant as far as effects, but his presence and songs were enthralling. He's been in the music biz for 10 years and he's thankful. I think he loves DC fans just as he loves fans everywhere else, but we'll see if he makes a hell-a-boat to cruise the Potomac.

U2 360 Rocks!

September 29 - U2 360 Tour - Fedex Field, Washington DC: U2 Rocks! They are one of my favorite bands and I had been looking forward to their concert in DC for many months. I got four tickets and was glad to have some friends go with me. We got to Fedex Field early to try and avoid traffic. We didn't have time for dinner elsewhere so we go dinner at the stadium and Johnny Rockets was our choice from all that was offered there. The anticipation was constantly building and as it came time for the concert to start, we could feel the flurry of excitement. All I had was my iPhone on me, so I did what I could with it in taking pictures.

The band Muse opened up the evening and they are also one of my favorite bands with their Starlight song being one of my faves. Muse was awesome. When U2 came on the crowd cheered and was amazed at the sights and sounds around them. The whole concert structure looked like something out of sci-fi movie. The stage had a walkway all around, hence the name 360 for the tour. It was an amazing concert and even felt spiritual. It's more than just about the music with U2 as their is a definitive message in their songs, some of which are supportive of humanitarian causes. This was more than a concert, it was an experience, and one that I feel helps me to consider more than just where I am and what I'm doing, but to think in a 360 perspective with concern for what's going on in the world and what I can contribute to it.