( L-R) John Legend, Jamie Foxx, Nick Jonas, and Seal, perform at the W.H. Motown Celebration. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

If you ever had a question that the culture of our White House has changed, you would’ve had your answer last night. Nostalgic tunes and tight harmonies reminiscent of a 1960s childhood wafted through the halls of the White House, pulsing from the East Room like the bass of a set.

As artists like Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and John Legend took the stage to perform Motown hits, guests were no longer in the nation’s capital. No, they were taken back in time to Detroit street corners and barbershops filled with the sounds of “My Girl,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” and “Stop in the Name of Love.”

Artist from all genres were brought together to commemorate Motown music in honor of Black History Month. The latest installment in the White House concert series was probably the most soulful yet. Politicos like D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and CBC Chairman Emanuel Cleaver excitedly took on the concert. Barry Gordy sat smiling in the audience, beaming like a proud papa who’s seeing all his hard work come to fruition.

Nick Jonas performed “I Can’t Help Myself”; Natasha Bedingfield, Jordin Sparks, and Ledisi formed a trio to perform “Stop in the Name of Love”; and Smokey Robinson and Sheryl Crow delighted the crowd with their updated rendition of “You Really Got a Hold on Me.”

Jamie Foxx hosted the affair, setting the tone for the evening by performing his own rendition of James Brown’s “Sex Machine,” called “Presidential Machine.” LOL. He even suggested that Barry Gordy lend the administration some of his Motown money to decrease the deficit.

Obama ended the evening by saying, “To Mr. Barry Gordy, thank you for helping us dance in the streets.”

The concert will air on PBS March 1.

John Legend

Yesterday Grammy Award winning artist John Legend brought the full weight of his star power to Capitol Hill to do some lobbying on behalf of under-served kids! He met with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee and other top White House policy advisers. 

According to Politico, Legend wants to help the Washington elite,

” …increase national graduation rates and reduce the achievement gap in low income Hispanic and African American communities…”

In an interview with the publication Legend said that he’s speaking for kids that deserve a quality education and don’t receive one. He also commented that he didn’t get to see President Obama this time around, but didn’t want to bother him. What do you mean bother John? He’s only running the free world!

Legend is in town for Bisnow’s DC10 Summit. An exclusive invite only business conference for the top young entrpeneaurs in the country. Tickets are a whopping $3500! Maybe next year!

I love to see celebs using their star power for a good cause!

-Angel

The Climate Rally

The Earth Day Network and other partner organizations have galvanized their efforts to bring a huge climate rally to the National Mall. They’re demanding that Congress enact more climate and clean energy legislation!

John Legend to perform at The Climate Rally

This Sunday, April 25th from 11AM – 7PM A-List acts will perform in support of the motion! The concert is free folks so be sure to RSVP, I’ll be there! Performances include Sting, John Legend, The Roots, Q-Tip and more. Rev. Jesse Jackson will hit the stage, I guess to talk about climate change (since this is an issue he’s um, always cared about…lol?!?) and Avatar director James Cameron is coming as well.

Earth Day Network is sponsoring free buses from New York City, Philadephia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, Charleston WV, Richmond, Charlottesville, and Baltimore. People driving to the event are encourage to park at RFK Stadium and take the free buses to the event! This is one event you probably shouldn’t miss!

RSVP HERE

-Angel

President Obama, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend

 President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are honoring Black History Month by hosting a special concert at the White House. Soulful sounds by Jennifer Hudson, Seal, John Legend, Smokey Robinson and the Blind Boys of Alabama will fill the halls of the East Room for the concert entitled, “A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement.”

The evening concert will be produced and taped live by WETA Washington DC on February 10th and is a part of the WETA “In Performance at the White House” series. The special will air February 11th on PBS at 8PM ET.

Check it out!

-AE

Washington dc

November is the month for giving and have I got a gift for you! The first week in November is jammed packed with art, music and social events for the DC socialista…which means I will be all around town, being your eyes and ears into the DC scene. Lucky for you I’ve listed some of my picks for the week, and your attendance is required. Check it out.

Read the rest of this entry »