Up close with Janet

Janet Jackson on stage at DAR Constitution Hall Tuesday night. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Janet Jackson brought her sold-out “Number Ones: Up Close and Personal Tour” to D.C.’s DAR Constitution Hall this week for two shows packed with hits from her long career.

She dedicated the song “I Get Lonely” to D.C. and its video played before Jackson, clad in a futuristic cat suit, opened with a barrage of tracks from 1986’s “Control” before segueing into the more recent “Feedback.” The set was spare and the focus was on Jackson’s vocals and her iconic dance moves. The venue was more intimate than in previous tours and Jackson playfully engaged with the crowd throughout the show.

A set of ballads included “Nothing,” “Come Back to Me” and “Again,” and marked the only portion of the show when fans sat down. During one costume change, clips from Jackson’s TV and film roles played to audience cheers.

After the ballads, it was back to dance, with another string of No. 1 hits, including “All for You,” “Escapade” and “Love Will Never Do (Without You).” The crowd erupted again when Michael Jackson’s image appeared on screen and Janet launched into a raucous rendition of the 1995 hit duet “Scream.” She closed with a medley of “Diamonds,” “The Best Things in Life Are Free,” and “Make Me” before performing a poignant “Together Again,” complete with childhood photos of Janet and Michael on video screens.

At 44, Jackson shows no signs of slowing down. She has said she plans to record a new album later this year. The North American leg of the world tour wraps next month and then Jackson heads to Europe.