Arts & Entertainment
Galleries: The art of the matter
D.C. galleries — and one in New York — have bounty of queer and D.C.-themed shows planned
‘The Helpful Angels,’ a work by late gay artist Alfonso Ossorio on display now at the Phillips Collection. (Image courtesy Phillips)
The Phillips Collection (1600 21st St., N.W.) exhibits “Angels, Demons and Savages,” a showcase of work by Jackson Pollock, Jean Dubuffet and the openly gay Alfonso Ossorio. In their time, Ossorio was friends with both Pollock and Dubuffet, and the showcase, featuring 55 pieces by the three men, connects the three artists in a celebration of key postwar art. The exhibit is already open and runs through March 12. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and free for members and children. For more information, visit phillipscollection.org.
Yes, it’s in the Big Apple, but worth checking out if you’re up that way — the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art (26 Wooster St., New York) presents two simultaneous exhibitions showcasing queer history.
“Rare & Raw” combines illustrations, photographs, video and more exploring themes of queer history. The exhibit pairs works of older artists and younger counterparts to highlight how different generations address the same issues.
“Making History, Making Art: the Work of Jonathan Ned Katz” explores the artistic career of a late-emerging artist, renowned historian of queer history Jonathan Ned Katz. The exhibit shows shifting political landscapes transformed how sexual difference is represented. Both exhibits are currently running through March 31. Admission is free. For more information, visit leslielohman.org.
Hemphill’s Carroll Square Gallery (975 F Street) is featuring “Currents,” an exhibit showcasing four emerging talents in the Mid-Atlantic region. One artist in the group, openly gay Mexican-American René Treviño, attempts to retell history from an underrepresented perspective. His work challenges social norms and explores his need to find his place in the world. The exhibit runs until April 25. Admission is free.
For more information, visit hemphillfinearts.com
Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) has two exhibitions running through the month of March.
“Icons” by Steve Alderton features paintings influenced by the styles of Byzantine icons. He focuses on seemingly insignificant traits, such as an eye’s focus or the slight hint of a smile, to subtly hint at a subject’s complex persona.
“It’s Greek to Me” is a modern reinterpretation of Greek mythology. Narcissus, clad only in white briefs, ogles his reflection in a chrome toaster in his kitchen. Europa is a cowgirl at a rodeo. Prometheus sports a farmer tan. The artist, Timothy Johnson, will complete the collection with one final piece he will paint in person on Saturdays and Sundays throughout March.
For more information on these exhibits, visit touchstonegallery.com.
Corcoran Gallery of Art (500 17th St., N.W.) is featuring several exhibitions over the next few months.
On display until April 21 is “Shooting Stars: Publicity Stills from Early Hollywood and Portraits by Andy Warhol.” It features promotional photos of early Hollywood stars, such as Rudolph Valentino and Mary Pickford, alongside Warhol’s photos of figures such as Sen. Ted Kennedy and his Factory “superstars,” like Jackie Curtis.
“Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s” explores the D.C. underground of the ‘80s, focusing on graffiti, go-go music and the punk and hardcore scenes. Some items showcased include day-glo concert posters, stage clothes, newspaper clippings, video loops, and more. The exhibition runs through April 7.
“How Is the World? Recent Acquisitions of Contemporary Photography” brings together work by several photographers, each with wide-ranging issues of the world addressed in their art. It runs from March 9-May 26.
“David Levinthal: War Games” features photographs of staged tableaux depicting war using toys. Some scenes depicted include images of the American Indian Wars, World War II, and contemporary wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The exhibition runs from May 11-Sept 1.
Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and free for children 12 and younger. For more information on these exhibitions, visit corcoran.org.
Zenith Gallery is celebrating its 35th year with several exhibits.
“Is that President Obama at the Washington D.C. Economic Partnership?” is an inauguration art show ending Monday (act fast!). The exhibit features local artists celebrating the uniqueness of Washington, including iconic symbols and architecture of the city. It is held at 1495 S St., N.W.
“The Best of All Worlds … Traditional and Modern Art” showcases paintings and sculptures that embrace the beauty of the D.C. region with depictions of natural and man-made creations. The exhibit is being held at 1111 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. until April 27.
“Trees-The World’s Greatest Cooperators” highlights the crucial relationship between humans and trees. The pieces celebrate one of the most enduring resources on earth and respect the majesty of trees around the world and in D.C., including the Cherry Blossoms. The exhibit runs from March 17-June 1 at 1429 Iris St., N.W.
For more information, visit zenithgallery.com.
Studio Gallery (2108 R St., N.W.) presents two exhibits: a solo show with Angelika Wamsler’s “soulprint” and a duo show with “Hanna’s Table” by Chris Chernow and “Found Art” by Amy B. Davis. Both exhibitions run until March 23.
For more information, visit studiogallerydc.com.
The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Books
‘Mighty Real’ explores history of LGBTQ music
From Judas Priest to Whitney, something for every taste
‘Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969-2000’
By Barry Walters
c.2026, Viking
$35/496 pages
Step, step, tap, back step.
Shimmy in a circle, left hand waving over your head, shake your tail feathers, repeat to the beat. Once there was a time when you could do any dance in your sleep, but it’s been a while. So read “Mighty Real” by Barry Walters, and see if your toes don’t tap.
Fifty-seven years after Stonewall, and here we are: LGBTQ musicians still face scrutiny for their sexuality because, says Walters, music isn’t created for gay listeners. No problem: LGBTQ artists and writers have often penned lyrics carefully in order to say what can’t be said, “coding” songs for gay audiences that straight (and ignorant) listeners can dance to and enjoy with apparent obliviousness.
Walters offers “just a few” examples.
Lou Reed sang about trans people in the late ‘60s and offered a rallying song for the Gay Liberation Front in 1972, the latter of which felt like a message to a then-11-year-old Walters. Janis Joplin claimed she was straight, but she had several girlfriends. Motown singers often offered sometimes-ambiguous lyrics.
John Lennon’s hand placement on the back cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band made Walters begin to understand that he was different from other boys.
David Bowie is on his list, of course, as is Bette Midler, Elton John, Donna Summer, and Queen. You’ll find Judas Priest here, Green Day, and punk music. The Village People are included in this book, also Grace Jones, Duran Duran, and Cher, Whitney, Melissa, Latifah, and the lyrics from several blockbuster movies.
Two of Prince’s band members were lesbians, and they heavily influenced his albums. Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” cemented her position in LGBTQ culture, and Michael Jackson’s inclusion here takes much careful consideration.
Read about Olivia Newton-John and the B52s. And then there’s Sylvester, for whom Walters has a soft spot in his heart. Sylvester’s death still makes Walters cry.
In his preface, author and music writer Barry Walters points out that music is what you make it and that it’s interpreted differently by each individual. To that end, this book naturally consists of preferential history and personal opinions about singers, bands, albums, and songs.
Agree or disagree. That’s where much of the appeal lies in “Mighty Real.”
Here, Walters wraps his memories around his choices, giving readers room for their own views, memories, and list making. Music-loving readers might also be surprised to note who’s not on Walters’ list – there aren’t many country performers here, for example, and the overall list focuses entirely on music from roughly 1968 to the year 2000, mostly on the kinds of songs you’ll want at the club or party. Again, discuss, and curate your own playlist.
This is a hefty book, but the chapters are browse-able and generally short enough to read in under five minutes. It’s nostalgic, yet also serious in the history it presents. This is the kind of book you want to leave near your album collection, or wherever you get your tunes. But finding “Mighty Real” is your first step.
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The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performed “Soul Divas” at the Lincoln Theatre over the weekend. The show featured songs popularized by Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston and more.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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