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.
The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.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].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. 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 3
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & 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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & 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 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair 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 Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch
Executive director of LGBTQ Catholic group to travel to Rome for conclave
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
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