An October Night Lands Smack Dab In The Middle Of Spring At DAR Constitution Hall
“Hear Ye! Hear Ye! “The October Nights – Calling ALL Lovers Tour” is finally here and coming to a city near you! A call to DEFINITELY be answered!”
On Friday, April 18, 2025 at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC, that call was answered in volumes. The October Nights – Calling All Lovers Tour is here and The DMV was stop #2 on the date list and did not disappoint! The doors opened at 7 PM, with the lines forming in great lengths from the doors, down the sidewalk and almost to the traffic light intersections. The vendors lined the hallway, and the DMV showed up and showed out in true “DMV Style.” Everyone was styling and profiling in their Good Friday attire. Couples holding hands, doors being held open, strangers greeting one another with smiles and laughter. The positive, laid-back vibe was like watching your favorite Black romantic-comedy movie. It just felt grown and mature, sexy even. Like the LOVE was so thick, you could cut it with a knife…THAT kind of feeling.
When we entered the hall, there was such a nostalgic energy. The stage was beautifully set up and as people filed in and filled the venue, the DJ played all of the favorites from Old School to the New School, and those of us who had our fans immediately jumped up when “Boots On The Ground” played. It was like being at a Family Reunion! Well, without disappointment, the show started on time! To set the visual on the stage, A LOT was going on as far as props, microphones, band equipment and of course the DJ. However, even with all of that going on, one thing stood out: a single keyboard. Just standing in the middle of the stage, front and center. The lights dim down and the DJ announces the Opener … Now, as we all know, if you come to The DMV and you’re new to the scene, uh, you’d better come beyond correct. As the artist now known as Joe Leone, soon found out. Joe is a multi-instrument player, singer, and producer from Long Island, NY, and as far as I’m concerned, he would’ve given R&B Crooner Jon B. a run for his money. He slow-walked across the stage, with a whole lot of swag, dressed in a pair of jeans, a matching jacket, and white t-shirt. The reception was a bit on the light side of warm, but once he got going, the crowd was definitely feeling him and his style. He interacted with the crowd, gave homage and thanks to being in DC, and broke out his guitar. Taking us back in time, as he played “Without Love” by The Doobie Brothers. His soon-to-be-released single “Discipline” to be released on May 2, 2025, Joe was well-received, and I know that I am looking forward to future works from him. He’s definitely one to be on the lookout for.
Ro James, Ro James … dressed in all black slacks, dress jacket, and tie with a pair of sunglasses, and a cowboy hat, he just looked to be a bit unkept, to me. Ro seemed to be a bit stiff, pacing from one side of the stage to the other with a microphone and a lot of … how can I say, “self-grabbing.” And although he announced that he’s been without a label for about 5 years and is now doing his own “indie thing,” it just wasn’t quite giving the Ro James we all fell in love with back when “Permission” came out. His performance didn’t really seem to resonate with the crowd. That was until he performed “Last Time” and “Permission” and the crowd began to sing along and give him warmer applause. It could be the time lapse, although he has had some musical projects released since 2020, but it was a performance that definitely needs to be refined a bit. Until next time Ro …
Now, the next up, as we all know her from her famous and beautiful sister, Toni, is Ms. Tamar Braxton. Before she hit the stage, it was a bit unusual because the stage props changed a bit and added what looked to be bed sheets to line the front of the stage with some battery-operated candles and tables with chairs on both sides of the stage, which we were later introduced to the occupants as Meet and Greet fans and later contest contestants. There also was a LED screen in the middle of the stage that lit up right before she came onto the stage. The Braxtons, as we all know and love them, are from The DMV, and we do not discriminate just because you are from the area. But it was ALL LOVE for Ms. Tamar! She came from behind the lit-up screen that displayed her name, dressed in black lingerie with black fishnet stockings and long flowing hair, and singing her face off. “Let Me Know” got the crowd to their feet, singing along with her as she popped and dropped it low in true Tamar fashion.
She also kept it real, letting it be known that she heard and read the comments to stop the theatrics on stage and just “shut the *&^% up and sing” and that is exactly what she did. No 10 backup dancers, no 8-counts, just Tamar with her stool, microphone, and 2 backup singers, and it was fabulous! Until, of course, Pop-Pop showed out … there was a brief intermission with a gentleman who tried to rush the stage, but was interrupted by Security. As Tamar stated, “Nothing like coming home to The DMV …” Back to the show, as she has always promised, Tamar gave homage to her sister, Traci Braxton, who passed away March 12, 2022. The led screen showed a beautiful collage of Traci, as Tamar asked the entire crowd to light up their cell phones and put them in the air for Traci. It was so touching and moving as those of us who had the privilege of knowing Traci lifted our lights and felt the love in the air that was shown. With song after song, Tamar raised the bar with her vocals and priceless character of surprises, and her “single living” and searching for her King. When she introduced the guests on the stage with her, she had them do a singing contest. Welp, we know how that went, with maybe one or two of them actually really sounding good and worthy of sharing the stage. All in all, Tamar didn’t disappoint, she came, she sang and she conquered our hearts once again.
FINALLY! The man of the seconds, hours, days, months, DECADE … Mr. October London himself! Yes! The stage was set with a red draped material for the backdrop, a free-standing bar, with stools, and stocked with his new bourbon, “October London Premium Kentucky Straight Bourbon.” “The Rebirth of Marvin” is the perfect description for this performance. From “Mulholland Drive” to “You Look Better” this performance gives you everything you need for a grown and sexy evening out. October has been one of my favorite entertainers for some time now and when I saw he was coming, I just knew I had to be there. It was more than I could have ever expected and then some. He arrived on the stage with a 4-piece set of musicians, once again some Meet & Greet people on the side, with a very special guest sitting on the end of what was now an added couch to the stage. The swag October gave off walking onto the stage was thicker than Alaskan ice and made time literally stand still. Fitted in a grey suit with a black turtleneck (appropriately worn because it was a bit chilly) and long black fur coat, which was quickly removed while he slid on his signature black sunglasses.
Beginning with the Intro on “The Rebirth of Marvin” standing at the microphone with just his voice and smooth persona, and a sipping glass with his Bourbon on a small gold table next to him, was all that was needed, with the support from his band, of course. When he started singing “She Keeps Calling” the crowd went off the rails! People standing and singing along with him were just amazing! The energy in the entire venue was immeasurable. Although the comparison of October’s aura is that of Marvin Gaye, he also gives off another DMV original, Raheem Devaughn, with his sway, tone, and sex appeal. “Once again, there’s no autotunes on my *&^% …” for Mr. London and even an impromptu date while hanging out at the free-standing bar and singing the “Lover’s Interlude” was beyond words. Now unfortunately October couldn’t stay around and sing forever, but before leaving us and ending this evening with a drive down “Mulholland Drive” and requesting to go “Back To Your Place,” he disclosed and gave the introduction of the surprise couch guest, DMV’s own, Donnie Simpson, who got a standing ovation.
This tour is one NOT to be missed! So, if and when it comes to your city, my advice, get your tickets NOW! Thank you to all of the Artists for sharing their time and talents. It was DEFINITELY worth the money, time and wait.
