Music & Concerts

Odd pairings

From Babs and Elvis to Bennett and Gaga, unlikely duet partners among fall albums

Published

11 years ago

September 11, 2014

Santiago Melli-Huber

Barbara Streisand and Jennifer Hudson (Photos courtesy Karpel Group)

Barbra Streisand will release her 34th album, “Partners,” on Sept. 16. It is her second duets album and features performers such as Michael Buble, John Mayer, Josh Groban and Elvis Presley.

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga will release their collaborative jazz album, “Cheek to Cheek,” on Sept. 19. The two previously worked together in 2011 on Bennett’s “Duets II.”

English synthpop duo Erasure will release their latest album, “The Violet Flame,” on Sept. 23. The band, with openly gay lead singer Andy Bell, is popular with the LGBT community.

Jennifer Hudson will release “JHUD” on Sept. 23. The project is inspired by the 1970s. The track “He Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” features Iggy Azalea. Four singles from the album have already been released over the past year.

“Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane is coming out with “Holiday for Swing,” a Christmas-themed album. Norah Jones and Sara Bareilles are both featured on the album, slated for a Sept. 30 release.

Prince will release two new albums on Sept. 30. Their titles are “PlectrumElectrum” and “Art Official Age.”

Saxophonist Dave Koz will release his fifth Christmas album, “The 25th of December,” on Sept. 30. It will be a duet album featuring Gloria Estefan, India.Arie, Fantasia and Stevie Wonder, among others.

Stevie Nicks is coming out with “24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault” on Oct. 7. The album features new versions of demos she recorded between 1969 and 1987.

Ani DiFranco is set to release “Allergic to Water” on Oct. 14. The album is DiFranco’s 20th since 1990.

Hilary Duff will release a new album on Oct. 14. The title is still unknown and the album will be her first in about seven years. Duff recently released two singles in anticipation of the album called “Chasing the Sun” and “All About You.”

Idina Menzel will release her Christmas album, “Holiday Wishes,” on Oct. 14^.It has been reported that her former “Wicked” co-star, Kristin Chenoweth, will also release a holiday album this year.

Charlie XCX, who was prominently featured on the hit songs “I Love It” by Icona Pop and “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea, will release her third album, “Sucker,” on Oct. 17.

Annie Lennox will release “Nostalgia” on Oct. 21 and will be her first LP in four years. Her third cover album, it will feature a collection of Lennox’s favorite songs from years past.

Taylor Swift will release her fifth studio album, “1989,” on Oct. 27. It will be her “first documented, official pop album,” though her previous efforts have laid the foundation for Swift’s transition from country to pop. The lead single, “Shake It Off,” debuted at No. 1.

“The London Sessions” is Mary J. Blige’s 13th studio album. In this project, Blige experimented with a new sound and incorporated London culture. It will release in November.

Nicki Minaj will release “The Pinkprint” on Nov. 28. The album will feature her latest smash hit, “Anaconda.”

Albums that have been announced but for which release dates were not available include:

• Queen’s “Queen Forever,” it’s first new studio album in nearly 20 years. Adam Lambert has been touring with the band of late.

• Emeli Sandi, a veteran of Capital Pride last year, with “Who Needs the World.”

• Selena Gomez with a greatest hits album in December. No title announced yet but two new tracks are expected.

• Rihanna is said to be planning a November release.

• Azealia Banks with her studio debut “Broke with Expensive Taste.”

Other acts rumored to have fall releases include out rapper Frank Ocean, Adele, Rita Ora (who performed at Capital Pride this year), Madonna (she’s had studio time with several big-name producers), fun., Marina & the Diamonds, One Direction and Solange Knowles.

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Music & Concerts

Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program

‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned

Published

2 days 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.

Music & Concerts

Queer mega stars (and allies) ready to take D.C. stages this fall

Watch LGBTQ icons light up stages across the DMV as they sing, dance, and drag their way through spectacular shows.

Published

3 months ago

September 9, 2025

Joe Reberkenny

Doechii performing at WorldPride 2025's closing concert in June earlier this year. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

One of the best ways to welcome fall is by catching LGBTQ performers (and their allies) lighting up some of the D.C. area’s biggest stages. From country and pop to drag and rock, the season is packed with shows you won’t want to miss.

Maren Morris – The country, rock, and pop diva—known for hits like “The Bones” and for standing up against Nashville’s anti-LGBTQ voices—takes the stage at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Rd, Vienna, Va.) on Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $64.

RuPaul – The mother of modern drag and host of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will spin a DJ set at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE) in Northeast D.C. on Sept. 20. Before RuPaul swaps wigs for headphones, Trade and Number 9 owner Ed Bailey will warm up the decks. For tickets and details visit echostage.com.

Conan Gray – The queer pop prince, celebrated for his Gen Z anthems like “Heather” and “Maniac,” brings his Wishbone Pajama Show to EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA, (4500 Patriot Cir) on Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $113. For more info visit shop.conangray.com/pages/tour.

All Things Go Music Festival – With a lineup that includes Noah Kahan, Lucy Dacus, Kesha, Clairo, Doechii, and more, the beloved LGBTQ-friendly festival takes over Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, Md.) Sept. 26–28. For tickets and details visit allthingsgofestival.com.

BERTHA: Grateful Drag – This unique tribute brings drag artistry and the sounds of the Grateful Dead to The Atlantis (2047 9th St NW) on Sept. 27. Tickets start at $47 at theatlantis.com.

Peach PRC – Rising Australian pop star and out lesbian, whose confessional tracks like “Perfect for You” and “Forever Drunk” have made her a queer TikTok darling, performs at The Atlantis on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. The show is general admission only. Additional details are on theatlantis.com.

Addison Rae – The TikTok star-turned-pop princess, who’s crossed over into music with glossy hits like “Diet Pepsi” brings her sold out show to The Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.) on Sept. 30. Tickets are sold out, but resale options start around $80. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary – Celebrate the cult classic that’s been a queer midnight-movie staple for decades, with Barry Bostwick (a.k.a. Brad Majors) at the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $41 via Ticketmaster.

Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight & Stephanie Mills – Four legends, one stage. Between Khan’s funk, LaBelle’s soul, Knight’s R&B, and Mills’ powerhouse vocals, this concert at Capital One Arena (601 F St NW) on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. promises pure diva magic. Tickets start at $103. For more details visit capitalonearena.com.

Lorde – Joined by The Japanese House and Chanel Beads, the Grammy-winning New Zealand singer-songwriter behind “Royals” and “Solar Power” returns to The Anthem on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Lorde has long been embraced by queer fans for her dreamy pop and subversive lyrics. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.

Andy Bell (of Erasure) – The British queer rock icon, best known for synth-pop classics like “A Little Respect” and “Chains of Love,” brings his Ten Crowns Tour to the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $90.45.

Doechii – The self-described queer “Swamp Princess”—and WorldPride 2025 headliner—continues her breakout year with the Live from the Swamp Tour at The Anthem on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. Known for blending rap, R&B, and avant-garde performance art, Doechii is one to watch. Tickets start at $153.

Neon Trees – The out-and-proud Utah rockers behind “Everybody Talks” and “Animal” perform at the Lincoln Theatre on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Lead singer Tyler Glenn, who came out publicly in 2014, has become a strong queer voice in alternative rock. For tickets and info visit impconcerts.com.

Sasha Colby – The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15 winner strips down on the Stripped II Tour at the Warner Theatre on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets available now on Ticketmaster.

Lola Young – The bisexual indie-pop sensation, whose raw songwriting has earned her millions of TikTok fans and multiple chart soaring hits visits The Anthem on Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available.

Opera Lafayette

Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas

Featuring Mary Elizabeth Williams as Dido

+ Elijah McCormack, Chelsea Helm

Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Sixth & I

PostClassical Ensemble

The Pale Blue Do: A Musical Voyage Inspired By Nature

Featuring National Geographic’s Enric Sala, Guest Curator

Wednesday, November 19, 7:30 p.m.

Terrace Theater

Washington Concert Opera

Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride

Starring Kate Lindsey, Theo Hoffman, John Moore, and Fran Daniel Laucerica

Nov. 23, 6 p.m.

Lisner Auditorium

Washington Master Chorale

Sacred Jewel Box

An intimate a capella concert taking place in an architectural jewel, featuring cherished choral gems from Anglican and Catholic tradition and early American hymns. The concert will also present the world premiere of Christopher Hoh’s Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts, and hymn singing featuring Robert Church, organist and choirmaster at St David’s.

Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.

October 19, 5 p.m.

St. David’s Episcopal Church

Music & Concerts

Cyndi Lauper ready to have fun in Virginia

Superstar to bring final leg of farewell tour to Jiffy Lube Live

Published

5 months ago

July 18, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Pop icon Cyndi Lauper brings her farewell tour to Jiffy Lube Live on July 24. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Superstar Cyndi Lauper will bring the final leg of her farewell tour “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” to Bristow, Va., on Thursday, July 24 at Jiffy Lube Live.

Lauper’s international Farewell Tour – her first major headlining run in a decade – kicked off in North America last October, and included her first time ever headlining (and selling out) Madison Square Garden. Lauper’s performances have earned raves from the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and many more, and surprise guests have included Chaka Khan, Sam Smith, and Hayley Williams. The tour just visited the U.K. and Europe, and will head to Australia and Japan in April.

Tickets are available on Live Nation’s website.