Wednesday May 6th, 8 p.m. – A rock n roll classical concert (yes, I said rock n roll classical and not classic rock) took place in Baltimore Wednesday night. Ben Folds, this generations Mr. Piano Man took to the stage to play some all new material; a album he’s been working on with yMusic not due to be released until later this fall.
Thursday April 30th, 8 p.m. – Black Violin is a violin and viola duo, Wilner “Wil B” Baptiste and Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester. They perform progressive hip-hop and classical music as suggested by the title of their second studio album release “Classically Trained” (2013). Tonight at the Barns at Wolf Trap they shared with us this innovative expression.
Gospel singer Lindsay Slaton is known for her beautiful voice and her love for the Lord. Now, she has recorded a new single, “I Still Believe”, which truly expresses her trust in God. The Virginia native performs with a praise and worship team at her church in Waldorf, MD as well as with the gospel group “Anthony Slaton and the Voices of Inspiration”. Her previous single, “Call on Jesus” was her personal testimony. “I Still Believe” is an affirmation, and one that Slaton’s fans will be able to understand.
Storm Large
Consummate entertainer Storm Large made her Kennedy Center debut in 2011, singing for the first time with the band Pink Martini backed by the National Symphony Orchestra. Now, Storm makes her triumphant return to the venue as one of four special guest soloists for the NSO Pops’ “Let’s Be Frank” celebration of the Frank Sinatra centennial, first performed at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops on April 10. The concerts will take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6 at 8pm. Ticket prices range from $30-$95; click here to purchase or call 202-467-4600 for the box office.
Saturday April 18th, 8:00p.m. – The Moguchaya Kuchka, the “Mighty Clutch” or the more widely known “The Mighty Fistful,” are five of Russia’s most influential composers. They include Mily Balakirev, César Cui, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Alexander Borodin, and Modest Mussorgsky. They took a nationalistic approach modernizing the sound of Russia during a time music from Italy, France and Germany were the current manner. A talented group of amateur composers eager to incorporate Russia’s strong tradition of folk music into orchestra suites and operas. Tonight with The Music Center at Strathmore as their canvas the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra crafted Mussorgsky’s most famous composition, Pictures at an Exhibition.
Pennsylvania-based rock band Halestorm returns with a new masterpiece that’s ready to hit the airwaves. Into the Wild Life is an energetic album that does not disappoint. Whether or not you are a fan of rock music, you will want to take a moment to listen to this album.
Saturday March 28th, 8p.m. – Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 is one of the most technically demanding piano concerts ever written. The finger work involved is amazing! Tonight at the Music Center at Strathmore the National Philharmonic Orchestra along with guest pianist Haochen Zhang are poised to perform what is often considered the Mount Everest of piano concertos. This program also included Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy and Capriccio Espangnol, Op.34 by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
Many artists have said that their work was inspired by personal experiences. Christian rap artist Anthony “TK” Kellems’ new album “Mixmaster” was inspired by his recovery from a shoulder surgery. Each track is thought provoking and will have the audience screaming for an encore.
Saturday March 21st – 3p.m. – In Southeast DC lies a patch of land, the old RFK Stadium parking lot. It has always been one of my favorite DC concert venues. Whether it was HFStival, the Vans Warped Tour or ShamrockFest, something about that crumbling patch of warped asphalt and highway overpasses is magical. Enjoy it while it lasts. With DC United getting a new stadium at Buzzard Point in 2017, RFK Stadium will likely be demolished. I’d give it a few years at best before Shamrockfest has to pick up and move elsewhere. DC is pretty limited when it comes to large outdoor concert space but hopefully it stays in DC.
NBC’s hit show; “The Sing-Off” comes from our TVs into real life and onto a stage near you. If you want quality entertainment for either a group outing, a date night, or family night this is the ticket to buy. The producers have put together some of the favorite acts in a spectacular revue.
