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Intergalactic rock party

Pink-haired chanteuse brings new show to MOVA

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Special Agent Galactica, cabaret, Jeffrey Johnson, gay news, Washington Blade

 

Special Agent Galactica starts a new monthly gig at MOVA Lounge Tuesday night. Look for her there on the first Tuesday of each month. (Photo by Carl Diaz; courtesy Johnson)

Special Agent Galactica — whom her alter ego Jeffrey Johnson lovingly refers to variously as the “pink-haired one” and “the old gal” — is continuing her quest for inter-planetary musical domination: on Tuesday she starts a new monthly gig at MOVA.

Dubbed Ye Olde Rock ‘n Roll Show, it’s slated for 8 to 10 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at the bar (2204 14th Street, N.W.) and will feature the chanteuse covering songs by acts such as Pink, Stevie Nicks, Led Zeppelin, Heart, the Eurythmics, Pat Benetar and more. Galactica will be joined by a new outfit, the Rock Steady Band — Percy White on bass, Steve Guterman on drums, and Wicked Jezebel members Pauline Anson-Dross on guitar and Ginger Starling on keyboards and backing vocals.

Johnson says the shows will be more structured and rock-oriented than the bluesy, more laid back shows Galactica performs on the second and fourth Fridays of every month (6 to 9 p.m.) at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.).

“This is more bam — rock and roll,” Johnson says. “The approach will be a little different. We’ll be rocking it out.”

He says the gig came out of MOVA’s interest in expanding its musical offerings. After six months of successful — often standing room only — performances at Black Fox where Galactica performs with her Very Sexy Cute Boy combo along with regular guests, the pink haired one is establishing a reputation as a delightfully quirky performer who offers something off the beaten path.

“There are things I do as Galactica, I can’t really get away with singing just as Jeffrey,” Johnson says. “And I’m not even always aware of what those are exactly. One of the musicians told me last week, one of the few times I did a show as Jeffrey, that it was totally different than if Galactica had done it. I’m not quite sure how that works, but I think she does sell a song a bit differently.”

“We’re excited for Special Agent Galactica’s premiere and performance at MOVA,” says Manager Cliff Johnson. “Her show will capture a modern and upbeat theatrical performance that will be perfect for our chic and modern venue. … she’s a perfect fit.”

Johnson, whose Galactica persona was conceived as a one-off for a New Year’s Eve performance years ago, has found the lady has staying power. He used her for years as a spokesperson for the now-closed Ganymede Arts. He was widely known as a lip sync artist for years but after appearing in “Falsettos” a few years ago, Johnson rediscovered his love of live singing. Most of the MOVA material will be sung live, though Galactica still includes a lip synced set in her Black Fox shows.

“For a long time, way before I got into theater, music was always my first love,” Johnson says. “And there’s so much more I can do with Galactica than I can as just me. There’s a lot more room for experimentation.”

Visit pinkhairedone.com for more information.

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Baltimore

This John Waters interview has been edited for readability — but perhaps not human decency

Pope of Trash dishes on Trump, plane etiquette, last meal, and more

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John Waters in 2022. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

By WESLEY CASE | At 80 years old, John Waters is still the ideal dinner guest — incisively sharp, quick-witted and funny as hell.

The chic Baltimore native proved it again and again in a recent Zoom interview, calling from his summer home in Provincetown, Mass.

The occasion was the Blu-ray releases of two of his movies — the 1977 dark comedy “Desperate Living” and his enduring 1988 musical “Hairspray” — on June 23 by the Criterion Collection, which publishes restorations of films it deems culturally important. The Criterion stamp of approval has become the gold standard among cinephiles.

“It’s like getting an award,” said Waters, who wrote and directed both films.

The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.

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PHOTOS: Pride on the Pier

Seventh annual LGBTQ celebration held at The Wharf DC

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The Washington Blade's Pride on the Pier was held on Saturday, June 13. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

The Washington Blade held the seventh annual Pride on the Pier at The Wharf DC on Saturday, June 13.

(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)

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PHOTOS: Lost River Pride

LGBTQ celebration held in rural West Virginia

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Singer/songwriter Tom Goss performs at Lost River Pride on Saturday, June 13. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2026 Lost River Pride Festival was held on the scenic grounds of the Lost River Farmers Market in Lost City, W.Va. on Saturday, June 13. Headliner Tom Goss performed at the festival and gave a second performance at the nearby Guesthouse Lost River.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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