Arts & Entertainment
Worth the wait?
Cher drops first new album in more than a decade this week
Age-defying Cher’s new album ‘Closer to the Truth’ packs massive dance tracks in its first half but takes a stylistic change of pace halfway through. (Photo courtesy Warner Bros.)
It’s been 12 long years since Cher’s last album.
Since 2001’s “Living Proof,” the mother of all divas has gone on a two-year farewell tour, had a stint in Vegas and a movie with Christina Aguilera. Meanwhile, the likes of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson have dominated the female pop music scene and, for better or worse, have changed the musical landscape for artists like Cher.
But Cher is a survivor, and like any good survivor, she adapts to change. Her “been there, done that” attitude garners her respect, her lustrous cornucopia of hits through six decades prove she’s somewhat impervious to pop culture shifts.
If anything, her latest album “Closer to the Truth,” which dropped this week, sends the message that she’s back and as good as she’s ever been. The bass thumping opener and first single, “Woman’s World” went to No. 1 on Billboard’s dance chart, but really ends up being one of the least exciting tracks when you compare it to everything else here.
“Take it Like a Man” may sound a bit dated and more suited for her preceding album, but ends up a fun dance romp with Scissor Sisters’ front man Jake Shears providing additional vocals.
“Red” is a club-ready dance hit waiting to happen, while the Lady Gaga-esque “Dressed to Kill” is catchy and sultry and just happens to be the namesake of her upcoming world tour (she stops by the Verizon Center on April 4).
The interestingly titled “Favorite Scars” shows that those pipes of hers are still hanging in there quite nicely. The country-sounding “Lie to Me” is one of two songs written by Pink and starts off with the cheeky lyric “Oh fuck, just lie to me tell me something sweet.” “Lovers Forever” was originally intended for the soundtrack to the 1994 film “Interview with a Vampire,” and makes a nice home smack in the middle of this lopsided album.
What starts off as a danceable continuation of “Living Proof” ends up being an album of surprisingly refreshing tracks. Don’t be fooled by the guilty pleasures on the first half of the album, all the gems are hidden in the latter half.
Standouts include Pink’s second writing contribution “I Walk Alone,” the lingering ballad “Sirens” that harkens back to her “Heart of Stone” days, and “I Hope You Find It,” currently being promoted as her next single.
While this is not quite the epic comeback album “Believe” was in 1999, it’s more varied and satisfying than the club-oriented “Living Proof.” The 11-track album can be purchased on its own or as a deluxe version with three additional tracks: The Timbaland-produced “I Don’t Have to Sleep to Dream,” “Pride,” which appears to be an uplifting shout out to her gay audience, and the powerhouse Diane Warren-penned ballad from her 2010 movie “Burlesque,” “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me.”
“Pride” makes the deluxe version worth getting. An exclusive Target store deluxe version is available as well. It includes two unnecessary dance mixes of “Woman’s World” and the somber “Will You Wait for Me” which, if album singles still existed, would probably have ended up a lost B-side.
Friday, May 23
“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Yoga” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. For more details, email [email protected].
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity and/or expression. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 24
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including Allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Black Lesbian Mixer will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a support group dedicated to the joys of being a Black lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Sunday, May 25
“The Queen’s Table: A Women’s Empowerment Brunch” will be at 11 a.m. at Zooz. This event will celebrate queer women’s strength. For more details visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 26
“Center Aging Monday Coffee and Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 27
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know you’re not 100 percent cis — this is your group. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Wednesday, May 28
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, May 29
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fairer with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Calendar: May 23-29
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