Oh, sexy was definitely brought back on Friday night…

Picture from Washington Post

I think the Washington Post said it best, but I’ll add my own version below this:

There was much to discuss, from stop-on-a-dime dynamics — as featured in a sultry reading of “Justified’s” Spanish-inflected hit, “Senorita” — to frequent shifts in keys, tempos and even musical styles: During an encore performance of “SexyBack,” for which Timberlake was joined onstage by the new single’s mad-professor producer Timbaland, the band suddenly changed directions, recasting the buzzing, electro-R&B song as an exuberant, D.C.-style go-go jam. (In both live iterations, “SexyBack” trumped the digitized-sounding recorded version, as Timberlake’s unprocessed vocal was superior and seemed more inspired.) Sometimes, the songs themselves changed completely. For instance, the syncopated dance-pop of Timberlake’s “Like I Love You” abruptly gave way to the metallic crunch of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Whether Timberlake was trying to make a statement by interpolating the latter song is unclear. But following the unexpected mash-up, as he sat down to play a new Prince-like slow jam, “Until the End of Time,” he exhaled and noted that he’s getting “too old for this.”

And, it seems, for some of his fans, as the smoldering show was open only to those 18 and over. Something about not wanting to offend the yutes with his salty language and dirty dancing. Not that the age restriction thinned the crowd any, as all 1,200 tickets sold out in about eight minutes.

The show opened with an amusing instrumental rock-opera rendition of Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” which morphed into a punched-up version of “Cry Me a River,” Timberlake’s infamous kiss-off of his ex, Britney Spears. Suggesting that he has more than just early Michael Jackson records in his collection — though he’s definitely studied plenty of those — Timberlake quoted Carly Simon during the opener, sneering: “I bet you think this song is about you.” (Well, yeah, sure she does, given “Cry Me a River’s” lyrics and the fact that a Britney doppelganger appears in the video.)

Yes, I was impressed with his renditions of “Cry Me a River”, “Like I Love You” and “Seniorita”…and when he prefaced the closing “SexyBack” by saying “1…2…3…everyone take off your clothes!” - well damn, I definitely did have the strong urge to take off all my clothes.

Timberlake gets up close and personal at the 9:30 Club, part of a series of intimate club dates. It’ll be like he’s singing just for you, so try to keep your shirt on.

I also enjoyed the fact that Justin seemed like an average 25 year old guy, drinking a beer on stage and winking to many an adoring fan in between his sexy sounds and swaying hips.

I was a little disturbed by the fact that there were 1,200 screaming women in the audience (OK, and maybe 50 guys total) between the ages of 18 and 35. I also am not sure who was more fierce, the girls or the “girls” (aka the many lovely ‘mos that came out to support Mr. JT).

When Justin first came out, I was a little mesmerized by the fact that he was, in fact, RIGHT THERE. I literally was 50 feet away from him. But, the novelty wore off and soon I was forced back to the facts which were - I was jam packed so close to screaming women that I kept touching their sweaty arms and chests (I know guys, I should have taken pics), and they were screaming in my ear while I was straining my neck to see over the tall ass girl that insisted on standing in front of me…and my feet were killing me. I wore 4 inch heels like an idiot and wanted to die after standing for over 2 hours. So, I committed the cardinal sin of heading to the back of the 9:30 Club to sit on the chairs and listen from the back. I know, I know. I totally wasted the opportunity. But, I just couldn’t take it anymore.

By that point it was the middle of the concert and he was playing some newer and/or slower songs. I can’t say I liked all of them, but it’s also hard to tell when it’s live and you’re hearing them for the first time.

I stood back up (sadly, this time in the back) and danced when he sang “Rock Your Body” and waited patiently for him to come back on stage to perform the hot hot hot “SexyBack” where I then proceeded to indeed, bring it.

All in all, I had a good time, with the exception of the struggle to get a cab afterwards. I had driven to Dupont and parked there, then cabbed to 9:30 and needed to get back. It took well over 30 minutes to finally catch one. Totally ridiculous.

The other sore point was the fact that the radio station called me that afternoon to tell me not to bring my camera, that no pictures were allowed. I was so distraught. I decided to get a disposable camera just in case, and not risk bringing my digital in. Well, I was the stupid one because of course they weren’t going to take everyone’s cameras…and when I got in I realized EVERYONE had their digitals out. The rules stated no FLASH photography. Oh, I was heated. So, now I have to hope and pray I got some decent pictures on my stupid disposable, and curse myself for not just bringing my digital anyway (I left it in the car). Stupid people telling me the wrong thing. GRRRR!!!!!

So now, my weekend of fun and fake fame is over…now it’s back to the daily grind. I hope you’ll all still remember me even when I’m just another blogger. Heh.

P.S. I’ll post about the “fake date” later… email me if you want the real scoop! But, don’t worry - it was definitely not a love connection of any sort.

Justin Timberlake is pretty fucking hot when he’s standing like 50 feet away from you.

Also, getting a cab around the 9:30 club SUCKS.

Back with more details and maybe pics (sigh, another saga there)…

P.S. I saw Kathryn (no, not at the concert). Wheeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

If you happened to catch the Hot Morning Mess on Hot 99.5 this morning, you would have heard yours truly winning the BLIND DATE/BACHELOR (Win a Date Wednesday) contest and…

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE TICKETS!
(Take that 9:30 Club)

I am so excited, I can’t function.

I was in the car driving to work, and happened to catch the end of them saying to call in for a chance to win a date and tickets for Justin.

I decided what the hell, I’ll call…and after multiple busy signals, I finally got through!

There were three girls chosen and each was asked a question about what they liked to do for fun. I answered that I liked to go out in DC and hit up the club scene, and was also fine just hanging out at home. The other girls said things like they liked to go fishing and that they liked to go to football games. After that section, the DJs came on and told me they had chosen me to be their bachelorette for the day!

I had to pick three questions to ask the guys….

The first one was, “If you were any drink, what would you be?”
Guy 1: Red bull and vodka (I forgot why he said that)
Guy 2: Sex on the beach….no explanation needed

The second one was, “What’s the best date you ever had?”
Guy 1: Took gf to a bed and breakfast
Guy 2: Inner Harbor

The third one was, “Since we’re going to see Justin Timberlake, which of his songs really ’speaks to you?’”
Guy 1: Um, I don’t really know any Justin songs
Guy 2: Sexy Back (I said “because it’s the only song he knows!” to which he answered another song of Cry me a River haha)

After careful consideration (and text messages from friends), I decided to go with Bachelor # 1. He seemed more laid back and like he had a better personality than the other guy. I was a little put off by Guy 2 saying “sex on the beach” for his drink (can’t think of something less cliche?) and also that he wanted someone with big boobs (even though I guess I have those haha).*

He called me a little bit ago, still seems nice…I checked out some pics of him, looks fine……….whatever, I don’t really care too much about the “date” - I GET TO GO SEE JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE FOR FREE!!!!!!

How crazy is that?!?

Sidenote: When I told my mom, she first was like, “Only you, AM. That would only happen to you.” Then she asked me who Justin Timberlake was (”I think I know, but I’m not sure.”) then she got stuck on the idea that maybe my date would be great (”Ohhhh so it’s a DATE too?!?”) and was all excited about that. Sigh. Not the point mom!!!!!!!

*So now, the DJ told me he was surprised I didn’t pick 2 since he seemed more outgoing (AND he said maybe he was a little cuter damnit), and a few other people said they would have picked Guy 2. Oh well, guess I’ll never know!

I love summer concerts. This was my third time seeing OAR - and it was the biggest venue. The first time I saw them was at a tiny college gymnasium, the second time was at 9:30 Club, and this time was at Merriweather Post.

It was a good concert, although I don’t love feeling so old, and being around a bunch of kids with braces. I bought a beer just to show that I was old enough. Haha.

Jack’s Mannequin was good, I have their CD and I definitely recommend it. OAR rocked it as usual with renditions of Crazy Game of Poker and Hey Girl…and they ended the concert with their current single Love and Memories.

The only bad thing about the night was the awful HEAT. You just couldn’t escape, even when the sun went down. But, all in the fun of a summer concert, right?

My friend A and me - smiling through the sweat - man it was HOT!

I have to take the time to network with another blogger…

Self portrait…I think you can see our faces melting off in the heat…

For some reason lately I’ve noticed it’s really really hard for me to put in a full 40+ hour week.

I guess that means that summertime is peeking around the corner.

So what does that mean other than blockbuster action movies, vacations, and rooftop happy hours?

CONCERTS.

I’m a sucker for live music. In fact I’m a sucker for anything on stage.

Right now I have tickets to see O.A.R. and Jack’s Mannequin in July. I’m also looking at tickets to see Dave Matthews Band in Indiana (I’m going there for a weekend to visit friends) and probably KT Tunstall at the 9:30 Club in June. It will actually be the third time I’ve seen O.A.R. in concert, and the first to see Dave.

But man, there’s so much more. I want to see Chicago at Wolf Trap. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington at the Kennedy Center. Confessions: What Women Don’t Know and Men Won’t Admit at the Warner Theatre. I’d even like to see the Doobie Brothers or some other oldies like that at Wolf Trap. I offered to buy my parents tickets for their anniversary - so I can pretend I went. Haha.

I guess you can say I’m a concert/musical whore. I’ve seen so many. I feel in love with theatre at a young age, and continue to love it today.

So exactly how much have I seen?

Musicals
Phantom of the Opera
Rent (two, maybe three times)
Caberet (twice)
Cats
Whistle Down the Wind
Jesus Christ Superstar
Grease
State Fair
The Producers (sadly not the Nathan Lane/Matthew Broderick version)
Movin’ Out
Les Miserables

Still waiting to see: Evita, Wicked, Miss Saigon, West Side Story (love the movie version), Chicago
Apparently I have an Andrew Lloyd Webber and Rodgers & Hammerstein thing.

Concerts
Boyz II Men
Dru Hill (how funny, a little group called Destiny’s Child opened for them)
Usher
Eminem
Ludacris
Outkast
O.A.R. (twice - soon to be three times)
Rascal Flatts (my first and only country concert)
Ryan Cabrera
Rob Thomas
Billy Joel

Still waiting to see: Elton John, Madonna (yeah VP), Dave Matthews Band (because I feel you should go once), and I’ll admit it - I would totally go see Kelly Clarkson if anyone would go with me.

Other
John Leguizamo
Dave Chapelle
Jim Gaffigan (thanks KassyK!) at Improv
Aaron Karo (thanks Sara! Duh.)
Colin Quinn at Improv

So yeah, you could say I have a bit of an obsession for the stage. I’m probably forgetting a few too!

Granted, I know my laundry list of events isn’t nearly as bad as some people’s…but I like to think I’ve racked up a nice collection.

So, who should I make sure I see on stage sometime in my life? Ideas?