On the first Friday following Halloween the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra presented The Nightmare Before Christmas Live at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Tim Burton’s Gothic Halloween Christmas classic was brought to life with a Movie and Music presentation.
The BSO along with soloist Freddy Kempf performed at The Music Center at Strathmore Saturday night for a concerto of Nordic favorites. It featured Sibelius’s Finlandia, Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto, and Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 “The Inextinguishable.” They were lead by conductor Rune Bergmann.
Friday, October 19th Lindsey Buckingham performed at the Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. to support the release of new Solo Anthology: The Best of Lindsey Buckingham CD Set. The Warner Theatre was filled with fans whose excitement to see Lindsey live was evident all night long.
I will admit, I am a big Lindsey Buckingham fan. I first saw him live in 1993 at the Bayou in Georgetown, Washington D.C. which unfortunately is no longer there. Some of the biggest bands have made a pass through The Bayou. For me when I think of my favorite artists who I would love to see live in in concert, Lindsey Buckingham is in the top 5.
On Saturday October 13th, the Goo Goo Dolls came to The Anthem in the newly revitalized The Wharf. This was my first time at The Anthem and that place is an amazing venue. The thought and money that went into the design of this venue is top notch, and all the staff were friendly. The Goo Goo Dolls are on tour for their 20th anniversary. They released their self-titled debut album in 1997 and since then have had a mainstream breakthrough and have had recorded over a dozen hit songs.
John Lodge, bass player for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band The Moody Blues performed on Sunday Oct 14th at the City Winery in downtown Washington DC for an intimate group of energetic fans.
John Lodge and his band started the show at 8pm sharp which is unusual. Usually shows start at least a few minutes late but not this show. I have been a fan of The Moody Blues ever since I was a kid. I am not young, but there were a lot of fans at this show that have been fans of The Moody Blues since the beginning of the band back in 1964, which is a few years before my time, but not by much!
Fourteen years ago, Usher released the album Confessions, which for me is still his iconic work. Since then all of Usher’s releases have been either good 2008’s Here I Stand or downright horrible 2016’s Hard II Love. On October 11, Usher tweeted that he would be releasing a new album, sending his fans into anticipation, hoping Usher, would finally deliver an album worthy of his talents. Sadly, Usher’s latest release simply titled A continues the downward spiral of Usher’s once-promising career.
The queen of hip-hop soul Mary J. Blige was the main act for the grand opening for the new venue in Southeast Washington DC, ESA (Entertainment and Sports Arena) Saturday night. Mary J. held nothing back with a powerful performance of all her hits throughout the years and a medley only the queen of hip-hop so could do. The new venue, that holds about 4,200 people, was a sold-out success on October 13th. The Grammy Award winning the lodge bar with her talented opening act British singer and songwriter Jacob Banks.
Wednesday night at The Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick MD I had the pleasure of seeing one of the country artists known as part of the Class of 1989. I am talking about none other than Travis Tritt.
Old school music and unity were the theme on Saturday September 29th at the Eaglebank Arena in Fairfax, VA. Concertgoers partied all night when the newest branch of New Edition’s musical family tree, RBRM, stopped in for a performance. RBRM is comprised of Ronnie Devoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell and Michael Bivins. Known for their work in the legendary group New Edition, as well as their groundbreaking solo careers. After forty years of performing together, Ronnie Devoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell and Michael Bivins can still command a stage as if it was second nature.
Romance & iconic stage presence were in effect when Johnny Gill and his New Edition bandmate, Ralph Tresvant, performed at the Rams Head Center Stage at the Maryland Live Casino in Hanover, Maryland on Friday September 28th. While the singers both came into the spotlight as members of the legendary music group New Edition, this show was dedicated to their solo material, with a few surprises thrown in as well.
