Music & Concerts

Mercurial Aretha delights in steamy concert

Classical standards and soul masterpieces make effective bedfellows at Wolf Trap concert

Published

16 years ago

August 2, 2010

When all is said and done, with Aretha Franklin, a lot more is said than is ever done. The woman talks a big game.

The typical bluster was on display during a fiery, steamy performance at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center in Vienna, Va. The biggest mystery is the continual non-existence of her unfathomably delayed “new” album “Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love,” originally slated for a 2006 release. It’s become this epoch’s “Chinese Democracy,” the decade-plus-in-the-making Guns ‘N Roses album which did finally see the light of day in 2008. Last fall Franklin announced a January QVC-exclusive release to be followed by Wal-Mart-only distribution. An April release date came and went after a listening party was held in Detroit. She’s been previewing alleged album cut “I Adore You” for so many years it feels more like a staple of her set list than a sneak preview. She said Thursday the album would be out in mere weeks.

But thankfully Franklin doesn’t always follow through with everything she says. She claimed she was retiring after her 2003 tour and, thankfully, that never happened. The unwieldily monikered “I’ll Be Seeing You With a Song in My Heart Tour” (eventually re-dubbed the “Aretha Sings her Musical History Tour” and later “The Queen is On”), was re-configured into a Dylan-like never-ending tour that has been running almost continuously for the last eight years. There’ve been highs and lows along the way — some shows, like her 2008 stop at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, have had more empty seats than filled ones. But that now seems more like poor promotion than lack of interest as the house was packed at Wolf Trap.

And at other times Franklin’s shows have had a going-through-the-motions-like feel to them. Thankfully Thursday’s concert featured Franklin looking and sounding fabulous and in a playful, engaged mood. Yes, there were several of the usual quirks — what’s with that ever-present purse she carries on stage and does this woman ever give a concert without bitching out the sound and building staff? Wolf Trap’s outdoor setting eliminated her usual obsession with air conditioning but the sound guy didn’t get off so easily. She repeatedly asked for “a little more quality on the sound.” As if there was some giant “quality knob” on the mixing board he didn’t quite have turned all the way up for her.

Thankfully Franklin more than made up for the quirks with a nearly two-hour show (quite generous by her standards; I’ve seen her play barely an hour other times) that skipped and darted around several corners of her vast discography, often landing in expected places to the pleasure of casual fans, but keeping just as much spontaneity going to please the die-hards.

Carole King’s “Natural Woman,” a Franklin staple missing on her last D.C. stop, was a welcome addition to the evening as were other Atlantic-era staples like “Respect,” “Think” and “Chain of Fools.” Now that she records only intermittently and has barely scraped the charts since her Lauryn Hill collaboration in ’98 (“A Rose is Still a Rose,” which wasn’t performed), Franklin has filled in the dearth of recent hits with recreations of memorable live appearances, like her ’98 Grammy sub for Pavoratti (“Nessun Dorma”), and her 2009 performance at Obama’s inauguration. Thursday’s performance of the former was nearly as good as it was at the Grammys and thankfully oceans better than the lame rendition of it she turned in on her VH-1 Divas tribute show in 2001 when she turned her mic toward the audience instead of even trying the aria’s highest notes. And this week’s sticky mugginess was a welcome trade-off, vocally speaking at least, for Franklin’s inauguration appearance when she sang “My Country Tis of Thee.” Everybody remembers the crazy hat, but the performance that day was lackluster due to the cold. It sounded much better at Wolf Trap.

The evening’s best moments came during unexpected selections like a cover of “The Way We Were,” the encore “If You Believe” (from “The Wiz”) and yet another operatic selection, Handel’s “Ombra Mai Fu” from “Xerxes” during which Franklin announced another bombshell — a whole album of arias she says is coming “soon.” (I love the idea but with Franklin’s track record, I’m not holding my breath.) Purists scoff at Franklin’s soul-infused readings of the operatic standards and, of course, nobody expects her to sound like Renee Fleming, still Franklin, at age 68, deserves kudos for continuing to broaden her musical horizons and not just singing the same old songs she’s been doing for decades. And she seems not to take herself too seriously. After “Ombra,” she stood from the piano at which she’d been accompanying herself and curtsied with a deadpan expression. It was priceless.

Though it was the same gown and wig she’d worn just just two nights earlier for her appearance in Philadelphia with Condoleezza Rice, Franklin looked regal (and a tad slimmer) in a floor-length mother-of-pearl white rhinestone-encrusted gown with matching jacket/cape that came off after about three numbers. She made a great show of flipping back the long, layered jet-black wig.

The concert only lagged during non-Franklin moments such as a mid-set performance by a small troupe of hip-hop dancers who performed to a banal pre-recorded track (they also added choreography to “Respect” and “Chain”). The band’s instrumental jam was fun but a synth solo, while ably performed, was jarring for the big band style.

While Franklin is sometimes content to just let her show-closing vamp-out on “Freeway of Love” be her last number, she graciously added “My Country” and “If You Believe” to her set. It made for a deliciously full evening and one got the sense, even with the intense heat (which she commented on several times, joking that she was ready to don a bikini) that she, too, hated to see it end.

Things, as one would expect, aren’t as off-the-charts red hot as they were in her heyday. Though highly entertaining, it was a bit hard to hear numbers like “Dr. Feelgood” and “Old Landmark” Thursday and not compare them to the far-superior live versions she performed on her classic albums “Fillmore West” and “Amazing Grace” (respectively). Yet her vocals have a slightly richer, thicker timbre to them than they did even 15 or 18 years ago before she quit smoking. She lacks the breath control she had in her younger years so she doesn’t often hold the notes for very long, but she’s hitting more of them than she was even a few years ago and, approaching 70 and with all her musical siblings sadly gone, it’s great to hear Franklin in such fine form.

Aretha’s set list:
*Overture (instrumental medley of Aretha hits; band)

1. Respect

2. Natural Woman

3. Think

4. Make Them Hear You (from “Ragtime”)

5. Old Landmark

6. Ombra Mai Fu (from “Xerxes”)

7. Baby I Love You

* hip-hop dance interlude

* Band jam (big band style with solos)

8. I Adore You

9. I Say a Little Prayer

10. Chain of Fools

11. Dr. Feelgood

12. The Way We Were

13. Nessun Dorma (from “Turandot”)

14. Freeway of Love

15. My Country Tis of Thee

16. Natural Woman (reprise; mostly band)

17. If You Believe (from “The Wiz”; encore)

* If You Believe (instrumental reprise)

Music & Concerts

DJ Chanel Santini is bringing the heat and some gender-fluid diversity to XBIZ Miami

Pool party celebrates most charismatic personalities, creative artists in adult entertainment

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2026

Susan Hornik

DJ Chanel Santini (Photo courtesy of Miss Lainie PR)

Chanel Santini has crossed over to being a DJ, performing at clubs all over the country. Now known as Santini, they will be making music and hyping the pool party, DJ-ing at XBIZ, the conference for adult creators and digital players, in Miami.

Taking place on Monday to Wednesday, the event honors the most charismatic personalities and creative artists in entertainment.

“I am honestly so excited — getting to DJ in Miami Beach is literally a DJ’s dream!” Santini told the Los Angeles Blade.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity because I haven’t been around my industry peers in a long time. It’s a great event to network and show off the new me!” said Santini.

While Santini is unsure what music they will be playing, they want everyone to have a good time. “My goal is to ignite the dance floor and play great music that everyone will vibe to. My sound includes house music, bass house, tech house, and I always like to throw a little bit of hip-hop in my sets.”

Santini loves how DJ-ing brings people together.

“Music really ignites us all! It is so universal, no matter what language you speak. I think it’s the best high in the world when you play a banger track, and everybody on the dance floor screams loudly. You can’t describe that feeling until you’re up there on that stage.”

Santini describes DJs as the “modern rock stars” in today’s world.

“I always feel like such a superstar when I’m up on that stage. The best feeling is after my set when I have people come up to me and say, ‘Thank you for sharing that amazing music.’ That’s how you know that you’re a good DJ — I love when I get those types of compliments!”

*DJ Chanel Santini / Photo courtesy of Miss Lainie PR*

While sometimes it’s hard to please everyone’s musical tastes, Santini endeavors to try! “You just have to go out there and give it your all and be the best DJ that you can be,” he noted.

Santini, who had previously identified as transgender, recently decided to transition back to being gender fluid.

“It’s definitely been a journey, but I’m definitely happier in my own skin now than I was. I don’t go by he/him pronouns. I don’t go by they/them either. I guess I just really don’t have a preference. Whatever you see me as is your opinion. I’ve learned over the years that I’m not trying to be one specific thing. I’m just Santini. I’m just me.”

Santini acknowledged they felt respected more when dressed as a woman.

“I think it’s just because femininity runs the world. When I started to de-transition, I felt like I had to just be a boy all the time. But I’ve realized over the years that I don’t need to stick to one specific thing. I am always gonna be feminine, and that’s OK.”

Recently, Santini has been embracing their feminine side more.

“I definitely feel more comfortable in female presentation, and more powerful when I’m on stage dressed as Chanel. I love DJ-ing in drag because there are so many straight male DJs in the world. It’s almost like a superhero when he puts on his cape! I think it makes me confident and stand out more as an artist.”

And because Santini loves makeup and fashion, they can incorporate that into their sets. “I’m not just bringing you good vibes and good music. I’m bringing you a show/ production!”

Santini is already working on big plans for the future.

“I’m opening up for a huge Pride block party in my hometown, Albuquerque, N.M., on June 12 and 13. It’s a two day festival and I’m super excited for this opportunity. I’m even hiring backup dancers and a choreographer.”

Santini plans to go “all out” for this show.

“It’s gonna be the biggest crowd that I’ve ever played for,” Santini enthused. “I’m putting my heart and soul into this performance, especially because it’s Pride in my hometown, and that means so much to me. I know the younger me would be so proud.”

Santini remembers going to Pride when they were younger and telling themself they couldn’t wait to be up on that stage.

“I’m truly living my dream right now, and I’m so excited for the future. The last 10 years of being in the adult entertainment business have been great and have given me major success. But I always knew that I didn’t want to be in this industry for long.”

Santini acknowledged that, in the recent past, it was a struggle.

“I’ve been trying to find myself and figure out what I wanna do next with my life. Now that I’ve found this passion for DJ-ing, it makes me want to go far in this business.”

In addition to being a DJ/artist, Santini is starting college next semester.

“I’m gonna get my degree in audio engineering,” Santini enthused. “I can’t wait to start producing my own tracks. I especially can’t wait till the day I’m headlining a major festival! I know with a little bit of patience and hard work that I can get there! I just have to continue believing in myself.”

Santini wanted to thank all of their fans for their support. “Truly, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to fund my art in the way that I have. I’m truly grateful. And I’m excited for the future!”

Music & Concerts

Gaga, Cardi B, and more to grace D.C. stages this spring

Shake off your winter doldrums at a local concert

Published

2 months ago

March 13, 2026

Evan Caplan

Lady Gaga plays Capital One Arena on March 23. (File photo courtesy of Might Real Agency)

D.C. shakes off its winter blues this spring as the music scene pops off. We all know the big star is coming: Lady Gaga will perform at Capital One Arena on March 23. But plenty of other stars, big and small, will grace D.C. stages, including many LGBTQ and ally artists.

March

3/15, 9:30 Club, St. Lucia – Indie electronic music project known for its synth-pop sound, which blends ‘80s influences with electronic and indie rock elements.

3/31, Lincoln Theatre, Perfume Genius – Indie/pop singer/songwriter Mike Hadreas, also known as Perfume Genius, has toured with a full band, but he is stripping things back for this tour.

April

4/8, Capital One, Cardi B. Cardi B, from New York, unapologetic and proud, is the first solo female artist to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. This year, she’s on her Little Miss Drama Tour, in support of her second studio album, “Am I the Drama?”

4/13, Lincoln Theatre, The Naked Magicians. Australia’s The Naked Magicians are two performers who deliver live magic and laughs while wearing nothing but a top hat and a smile.

4/18, Capital One, Florence and the Machine. Longstanding indie rock back from Great Britain, much-loved for lead singer Florence’s powerful vocals. On their Everybody Scream Tour.

4/16, Capital One, Demi Lovato. Singer/songwriter from Texas, who came out as nonbinary, is traveling on her “It’s Not That Deep Tour.”

4/21, The Anthem, Calum Scott. Platinum-selling gay singer/songwriter Calum Scott released his latest project, Avenoir, last year. Scott rose to fame in 2015 after competing on Britain’s Got Talent, where he performed a cover of Robyn’s hit “Dancing on My Own“.

4/26, Atlantis, Caroline Kingsbury. American queer pop musician from Los Angeles. She released her debut album in 2021, and has two additional EPs. She’s played Lollapalooza 2025 and All Things Go 2025, as well as gone on a co-headlining U.S. tour with MARIS. Shock Treatment is her latest EP.

4/26, Anthem, Raye. This bisexual artist, known for her current chart-topping “”Where Is My Husband!” single, blends pop, jazz, R&B, and more.

4/30, Union Stage, Daya. This bisexual singer/songwriter is on her “Til Every Petal Drops Tour,” touring the album of the same name that was released last year.

May

5/1, The Anthem, Joost Klein. Eurovision comes to D.C. in Joost Klein: Originally a Youtuber, he was selected to represent the Netherlands at Eurovision in 2024 with his song “Europapa.” He released a new album on New Year’s Day.

5/1, Fillmore, MIKA. MIKA is on his Spinning Out Tour. Born in Beirut and raised in both Paris and London, MIKA sings in multiple languages and has co-hosted Eurovision.

5/7, 9:30 Club, COBRAH. Clara Christensen, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, record producer, and club queen, making electronic dance music.

5/19, Atlantis, Grace Ives. New York-born singer/songwriter, known for her high-energy synth/electronic, bedroom-pop-style music.

June

6/2, The Anthem, James Blake. English crooner got big from his self-titled debut album in 2011. He won two Grammys and just released his 7th album,Trying Times, in March.

Music & Concerts

Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program

‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned

Published

5 months ago

December 5, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by orson/Bigstock)

The full Washington Master Chorale will return for its annual holiday concert tradition with “Thine Own Sweet Light” on Friday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church (D.C.) and Church of the Epiphany (D.C.).

The concert will feature the rich sounds of the 50-voice, a cappella chorus performing lush, seasonal choral music inspired by the theme of light. Highlights include Edvard Grieg’s “Ave Maris Stella,” Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque,” and Christopher Hoh’s “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts.” The program will also present a new work by Barcelona composer Josep Ollé i Sabaté, along with charming holiday folk songs and seasonal favorites.

For more details, visit the Washington Master Chorale website.