Music & Concerts
‘Let your love shine’
‘Idol’ finalist prizes authenticity, tenacity
Singer/songwriter Crystal Bowersox says the national exposure of a hit reality show can be a double-edged sword. (Photo courtesy Orrigami Entertainment)
Crystal Bowersox
124 Market Place
Baltimore
Tuesday 8 p.m. (Doors 7)
All ages
$20 advance; $25 day of
Crystal Bowersox was introduced to millions of people on television when she competed in “American Idol’s” ninth season. But viewers may remember more of the experience than she does.
When Bowersox auditioned for the show performing “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin, it was clear she would be a top contender. The judges were baffled that she brought her guitar in for her audition. Unlike now, contestants were not allowed to perform with a guitar. Bowersox replied that it was like a comfort blanket for her. She went on to be a runner-up to Lee DeWyze for the season.
“Honestly the whole ‘Idol’ thing was a blur,” Bowersox, who plays Baltimore Sound Stage on Tuesday, says. “When I try to recall a moment of my own experience its hard for me to do that because it was such a high stress environment.”
Her strategy in the competition was to achieve an intimate feeling to her performances.
“I had a game plan in my mind to perform for the people who were there in the live viewing audience rather than concern myself with 30 million people watching through the cameras,” she says. “I think that’s really what kept me sane.”
It’s a strategy that worked. While Bowersox, originally from Elliston, Ohio, was stressing out during the season, America was loving her soulful voice. She was the third “Idol” runner-up never in the bottom three or two, behind fellow “Idol” alums Clay Aiken and David Archuleta.
After the success on the show, Bowersox went on to release two albums “Farmer’s Daughter” in 2010 and “All That for This” in 2013. This summer, she self-released an EP called “Promises” with her song “How Long” that explores the fame and success that comes along with being on a show like “American Idol.”
“There is a downside. ‘How Long’ is about exactly that. How long will the love be here? They love you when you’re up and kick you when you’re down.”
Some “Idol” contestants have noticeably dropped from the public eye after the ending of the show like fifth season winner, Taylor Hicks. It’s something Bowersox, 29, believes has less to do with the artist and more with the listener.
“Folks just assume that people who grace that stage disappear but they don’t disappear. Its just a matter of people having very short attention spans and people don’t seek out what they’re interested in,” Bowersox says.
Her success also allowed her to bring light to issues she felt were important. In 2013, Bowersox came out as bisexual through her Christmas song, “Coming Out for Christmas.” She had previously been married to a man and had one child. Yet coming out was worth doing for her after she started questioning her sexuality in high school.
“Hearing from people who I was close to that it was not OK to love someone of the same gender was a struggle,” she says. “You start this cycle of self-loathing and thinking there is something wrong with me.”
She thinks those feelings are ones that many other people can relate to and that’s why she wanted to share her own experience.
“I think that the more people in the public eye who come out and are honest about themselves gives kids in the middle of nowhere who are struggling the confidence to really love themselves no matter what. You are not flawed. You are human and it’s important to let your love light shine.”
She says her song “Coming Out for Christmas” is about not being afraid to bring your partner home for the holidays and having your family accept them. It’s a message she hopes is heard.
“Some parents don’t love their children unconditionally and that’s a shame,” Bowersox says.
Since “Idol,” Bowersox has collaborated with Jakob Dylan on the song “Stitches.” The two met through a mutual friend and bonded over the amount of bruises their children received resulting in the two singing the song she wrote. She also is in the works to play Patsy Cline in the Broadway play “Always, Patsy Cline.” All of these opportunities are ones Bowersox recognizes comes from the exposure she got on “Idol.”
“Anyone who has been on a reality TV show who doesn’t come out on the other side with something positive, I feel like that’s a choice rather than just fate or something beyond your power.”
Music & Concerts
Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program
‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned
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.
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
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
Starring Kate Lindsey, Theo Hoffman, John Moore, and Fran Daniel Laucerica
Nov. 23, 6 p.m.
Lisner Auditorium
Washington Master Chorale
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
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.
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