Joan Jett Performs at the Best Buddies Challenge

Joan Jett, a classis on stage performance. 

June 03--Hyannis Port, MA-- Rock n'Roll icon and trailblazer Joan Jett and her band the Blackhearts performed before a an enthusiastic Best Buddies Challenge audience.  Jett sang her popular hits.  She is known for her influence in the world of rock music.  She was a pioneer as one of the first females in the dominated world of rock music.

Song list posted on the stage

Entering the business at age 15, with the punk-pop band the Runaways, she wrote and recording many songs, including, "I Love Rock n' Rock" additionally, she founded Blackhearts Records which continues to produce and promote female singers and bands.

With her early band, the Runaways, was a hard rock sound in the age of disco.  However they help set a trend of five women singing about sex, rebelling and partying.  Jett appeared in what is now her trademark, red leather jumpsuits.  The band faced an uphill battle of breaking into mainstream music but they persisted, they had many music successes,  their song "Cherry Bomb" was a punk hit. They gained notoriety in Japan, with three gold records.

Microphone stand 

After 1979, Jett and her band the Runaways disbanded.  Going solo was a hard road, 23 different record companies rejected her new album.  Thus she founded Blackhearts Records in 1980 with her producer partner, Kenny Laguna.  With help from, "The Who" Their first album Bad Reputation was picked up by Boardwalk Records.  Although her sound didn't catch on, the second album with "I Love Rock n Roll" with the title track reached #1 on the pop charts in 

1982.

The way people view concerts with their phones

She continues with her three cord rock and roll, and has continuously worked on writing and producing music & releasing albums.  Her last studio album Unvarnished was in 2013.  In 2015 she was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Her record label still promotes "girl bands" and female artists.  Jett also participated in USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tours.  

 

Fans rocking to Joan Jett in the big tent celebrating the Best Buddies Challenge

Copyright 2017 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved. 

www.LLLevin.com

IG @larrylevin

Special Olympics Maryland and UMD Terrapins Basketball

January 21--College Park Maryland-- The University of Maryland Men's Basketball team held a basketball clinic for players from Special Olympics Maryland.  The day began with stations with both  UMD players and coaches providing skills training.  Then unified play with both SOMD athletes and UMD players.  A fun and inspirational day.

Together we are better

UMD and Special Olympic MD Athletes 

My referee partners

Copyright 2017 Laurence L. Levin
All Rights Reserved. No Publications Rights Granted with Written Permission
www.LLLevin.com

Jacob's Bar Mitzvah

Jacob reading his torah portion. 

January 07--Washington, DC--More than a year before, the family confirmed the date to photograph this life event.  As the day approached, a list of specific photos and timetable was requested,  With that in hand, we made sure nothing was left out. We had the sanctuary for 40 minutes to make the traditional photographs.   We couldn't photograph during the service.   Light weight and nimble we moved from situation to situation.  But when you work with people you know and like, it makes the whole event enjoyable. 

The Family 

With Grandma

With friend

The Celebration

Copyright 2017 Laurence L. Levin
All Rights Reserved. No Publications Rights Granted without Permission.
www.LLLevin.com

Window Seat

Miami

Photographs made sitting in my seat, usually 7A, but sometimes 7F or 8A, all on United Airlines.  These made over the past two years.  Always a challenge to make something different from everybody else, that is the fun of it. These photos are made on a Nikon 1V3 or iPhone 6SE.  Photos are downloaded to my phone, corrected with Photoshop Express and then posted on Instagram @larrylevin  Click on the photos to see the LARGE size.

Landing at Newark, NYC Skyline

Not  Seat 7F more like 21F

Langley, and Potomac River

Approach to Chicago O'Hare ORD

Approach to Washington National DCA

Departing Chicago O'Hare

Downtown Chicago

The Pentagon

United Club Lounge

Approach to Washington National DCA

Downtown Chicago

Copyright 2016 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved.  No publication rights granted without written permission.

www.LLLevin.com

Jazz Night Westminster Presbyterian Church

Brian Settles

December 16--Washington, DC--Westminster Presbyterian Friday night Jazz concert, where the best DC musicians come to play for a appreciative audience.  Only 5 dollar cover charge, best entertainment in Washington.  This concert was a tribute to Miles Davis.

All images made on a Nikon 1V3, Nikkor 70-200, 12,800 ISO

Herm Burney

Lenny Robinson

Thad Wilson

Allyn Johnson

Copyright 2016 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved.  No publication rights granted without written permission.

www.LLLevin.com

Tuba ChristmasTuba

Happy Face

December 14--Washington, DC--TubaChristmas, the brainchild of Professor Harvey Phillips, Music Professor at Indiana University, 43 years ago to celebrate the TUBA and Euphonium and to honor his mentor William H. Bell.  Concerts are played all over the world.  Players volunteer and come to practice hours before the concert.  The Washington DC concert was played in Orchestra Hall at the Kennedy Center.  

I photographed my first TubaChristmas 39 years ago at the town square in Bloomington, IN.  Harvey Phillips dressed as Santa Claus led the concert.  This year I sat in the fourth row enjoying the legacy Professor Phillips gave us.  

All photos made with the Nikon 1V3, and Nikkor 70-200, 12,800 ISO

Light It Up 

Deck the Halls

Decorated!

Copyright 2016 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved.  No publication rights granted without written permission.

www.LLLevin.com

Middle East Institute Annual Conference: Thomas Pickering

November 16--Washington, DC--Ambassador Thomas Pickering speaking at the Middle East Institute's 70th Annual Conference, Middle East Policy Challenges for the Next Administration.  Pickering is well respected career diplomat who served as the US Ambassador to seven countries, held many positions in the US State Department, and several administrations.  He is currently vice chairman of Hill & Company.

Copyright 2016 Laurence L. Levin
All Rights Reserved. No publication rights granted without written permission.
www.LLLevin.com

Michel Richard 1948-2016

Michel Richard in Citronelle, Washington DC 2005

October 16, 2016--The French Embassy in Washington, DC hosted a Joie de Vivre Michel, Memorial Celebration of the beloved Chef Michel Richard.  One of the most joyful persons around, Michel provided a fun and incredible food experience for his patrons and friends.  He learned his trade as an apprentice pastry chef in France.  Desiring to go beyond pastries he learned, experimented, sampled and trained himself  for 10 years.  From pastry restaurants on the west coast and east coast, he finally came to Washington DC in 1994.  Michel's welcoming personality provided many opportunities to participate in the community as well as his charitable contributions.

Michel was one of the original chefs participating in Best Buddies Virginia, Life is Sweet Event.  He developed a friendship with Jenny Holden over the years.  They shared many meals together as well as served desserts at the Life is Sweet Events.

It was always a great privilege to photograph Michel and Jenny.  Michel was full of personality and energy.  His generosity was incredible.  He signed and donated book for auction, he did so much and didn't ask for anything.  Spending any amount of time with Jenny & Michel or eating one of Michel's entrees always brought a smile to your face.   Making sure he left you smiling and happy was his greatest gift.

Jenny and Michel, 2006

Jenny and Michel, 2009

©2016 Laurence L. Levin
www.LLLevin.com

Best Buddies Kyrie Irving

Kyrie and Best Buddies Ohio Walkers

September 24--Cleveland, OH--The inaugural Kyrie Irving Walk and Challenge Basketball Game
for Best Buddies Ohio.  World Champion Cleveland Cavalier Kyrie Irving is one of the most gracious and accommodating ambassadors for Best Buddies.  All of the Best Buddies sports ambassadors have the same dedication to the mission and a dedication to all of the buddies.  Kyrie walked walk and coached both teams during the game.  An exciting day for all the participants who raised awareness for Best Buddies.

Tip-Off

Copyright 2015 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved.  No publication rights granted without written permission.

www.LLLevin.com