Arts & Entertainment
SPRING ARTS PREVIEW CONCERTS: Sounds of spring (and beyond)
GMCW, Jane Lynch, Bette and more coming to region
Trans singer/songwriter Eli Conley plays Ebeneezer’s Coffeehouse next month. (Photo courtesy Conley)
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington has its “When You Wish” show, Disney songs with a gay twist, March 13-14 at Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.). For tickets and details, visit gmcw.org.
Out singer/songwriter and GLAAD Award-nominee Mary Gauthier plays Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave., E. Vienna, Va.) March 19. She’s touring behind “Trouble & Love,” her first studio album in four years. Visit jamminjava.com for tickets.
A capella group Pentatonix performs at the Patriot Center (4500 Patriot Cir., Fairfax, Va.) on March 19 at 8 p.m. Their Christmas album “That’s Christmas To Me” was a hit album over the holiday season reaching No. 2 on the Billboard chart. They have performed on “The Today Show” and “Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.” Tickets range from $29.50-49.50. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more details, visit patriotcenter.
Soul singer Ledisi comes to DAR Constitution Hall on March 21 at 8 p.m. Singers Raheem DeVaugn and Leela James will also be performing. Tickets range from $85-110. For more information, visit dar.org.
British songstress Jessie Ware performs at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) on March 31. Her album “Tough Love” includes her latest single release “Champagne Kisses.” Ware will be joined by alternative R&B singer Jesse Boykins III. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30. For more details, visit 930.com.
Broadway legend Audra McDonald will play the region twice in the coming months. She’s at the Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Md.) on March 27 then plays Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Va.) on June 22 with the National Symphony Orchestra. Details at strathmore.org and wolftrap.org respectively.
Audra McDonald (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Out concert pianist Stephen Hough returns to the Kennedy Center on April 1 to play a mostly Debussy recital in the Terrace Theater. Tickets are $49. Details at kennedy-center.org.
Trans folk artist Eli Conley and his band play Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse (201 F St., N.E.) on April 2. Tickets are $10. Details at ebenezerscoffeehouse.com.
The Philadelphia Orchestra under the baton of out music director Yannick Nezet-Setuin plays the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on April 7. On the program are the Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor and the Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2 in E minor. Tickets are $35-105. Details at kennedy-center.org.
Singer and actress Jane Lynch performs her musical comedy show “Sing Jane Sing” at the Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) March 24-25 at 7:30 p.m. Lynch, best known for her portrayal of Sue Sylvester on “Glee,” will perform both American standard songs and show tunes. Tickets are $89.50.
Jane Lynch will perform at the Birchmere two nights later this month. (Photo courtesy Birchmere)
Singer Neil Diamond performs at the Verizon Center (601 F St., N.W.) on April 4 at 8 p.m. Diamond’s latest album “Melody Road” was released last year. Diamond will perform songs from “Melody Road” as well as classic favorites. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $65-175. For more details, visit verizoncenter.
Drummer and percussionist Sheila E. comes to the Howard Theatre on April 30 at 8 p.m. Sheila E has worked with Prince, Lionel Ritchie, Beyonce and many more. She has released seven albums to date. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $37.50 in advance and $42 day of show. Seating is first come, first seated. There will be a full dinner menu available. For more details, visit thehowardtheatre.com.
Legendary actress and singer Julie Andrews joins Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Ln., North Bethesda, Md.) for “An Evening with Julie Andrews” on April 25 at 9 p.m. Andrews will be joined by moderator Peter Marks and Strathmore Children’s Chorus will perform. The show will be part conversation, stories and clips. The performance is part of Strathmore’s 10th anniversary Spring Gala. Andrews will not sing. Tickets range from $58.50-157. For more information, visit strathmore.org.
Though she won’t be singing, locals get a rare chance to see Julie Andrews live on April 25 at the Strathmore. (Photo courtesy Strathmore)
Alternative indie dance duo Matt and Kim perform at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) on May 11-12. Their well known singles include “Let’s Go” and “Daylight.” Doors open at 7 p.m. The May 11 show is sold out. Tickets for the May 12 are at 930.com.
Aretha Franklin plays the Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Ln., North Bethesda, Md.) on May 13. Details at strathmore.org.
Howard Theatre presents “Salute to the Divas: Girl Groups and Ladies of Hip Hop,” a concert drag show headlined by drag performer Shi-Queeta-Lee on May 24 at 8 p.m. Impersonations will include Nicki Minaj, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliot and many more. This show is a part of Black Pride. General admission tickets are $49.50. General admission tickets are $20 in advance and $25 day of show. There will be a full dinner menu available. For more information, visit howardtheatre.com.
‘Drag Salute to the Divas’ returns to the Howard. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Lesbian singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke performs at the Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) on May 29 at 7:30 p.m. Brooke has released 11 albums and has toured internationally. Tickets are $29.50. For more information, visit birchmere.com.
And to peek ahead slightly to summer, some huge names are on the calendar.
Pop-country hybrid singer Taylor Swift performs a two-night show at Nationals Park (1500 S Capitol St., S.E.) on July 13-14 at 7 p.m. The first night is sold out. Swift’s opening acts will be alternative rock group Vance Joy and pop singer Shawn Mendes.Tickets range from $54.50-134.50. VIP tour packages range from $199-399 and include a limited edition set of Taylor Swift “1989” tour lithographs among other perks. For more information, visit Washington.nationals.mlb.com.
Bette Midler brings her tour to the Verizon Center (601 F St., N.W.) on June 22 at 8 p.m. Midler’s latest album release ‘It’s the Girls!” is a musical tribute to famous girl groups in history from the Andrews Sisters to TLC. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $55-290. For more details, visit verizoncenter.
Sam Smith performs at Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, Md.) on July 24 at 8 p.m. Smith, who is gay, has won four Grammy awards from his first album “In the Lonely Hour.” Tickets range from $45-97.50. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. This is an all-ages show. For more information, visit merriweathermusic.com.
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett perform at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) on July 31 and Aug.1 in promotion for their new collaborative jazz album “Cheek to Cheek.” Songs from the album include both solo and duet performances. Songs from the album include classic jazz songs such as the title track “Cheek to Cheek,” “But Beautiful” and “I Won’t Dance.” Tickets range from 4125-275. Tickets go on sale March 11. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Blog #1: I was excited about my trip even though Gate 1 Travel notified me there was a change in the itinerary. France decided to close the Burgundy canal for long overdue repairs, so we would be traveling on the C. du Rhone au Rhin. I boarded my Air France flight arriving in Paris on time. Contrary to what I was told to expect, customs went really smoothly.
Day 1: Because customs went quickly, I waited 45 minutes for my pre-arranged driver, to take me to the Gare de Lyon, where I boarded my fast-train to Lyon. A two-hour trip. In Lyon it was a long walk to the hotel, The Radisson Blu, but only because I exited the station on the wrong side. Finally got there, checked into a room on the 36th floor with a spectacular view of Lyon. Then took a stroll around the area, a short nap, and finally it was time for dinner and to meet the rest of the traveling party. There would only be 13 of us in the group. Five of us from D.C./Rehoboth, and eight others. I met our guide Patricia, who is from Portugal, and spoke fluent French and English. She is charming, and clearly very knowledgeable. She worked with Gate 1 for many years. We stayed at the hotel for our welcome dinner. It was a great meal, and over drinks, each of us was asked to introduce ourselves to the group. Aside from the five of us, there were three women traveling alone, one gentleman alone, and two couples. They were from New Jersey, New York, Florida, Houston, and Nebraska. I was sitting across from the woman from Nebraska. Conversation at dinner was pleasant but I quickly realized one person was apparently a MAGA. Wonder if you can guess where she was from, lol. But we also found if we didn’t talk politics, which we agreed not to do, things were fine. After dinner we all headed to our rooms for a good night’s sleep.
DAY 2: We woke to beautiful weather. I headed to the included breakfast at the hotel, which was really very good. After breakfast we boarded a bus for a tour of Lyon. We had a full-size bus for just the 13 of us. Our guide for the half day tour, was Vincent, and he is charming and young, and told us his fiancé lives in Lyon. He was incredibly knowledgeable. We began at the Basilica, which is being repaired on the outside, but the inside is, wow! Incredible stained glass, and there was a service going on in one of the smaller side chapels which I l listened to for a bit. The Basilica is high on the hill and the views of Lyon are spectacular from there. Then we headed to the old city and walked around for an hour, ending up at the smaller cathedral. Directly in front of it they had set up a great market, mostly food, which would be there for a week. Lyon is a foodie paradise, with, we were told, a restaurant, or at least coffee shop, for every 250 people. We then had a choice of staying in town, or going back to the hotel on the bus, which I did. The afternoon and evening were free time to do as we pleased. I headed to the Les Halles du Lyon Paul Bocuse, named after the famous chef, to take a look around. It is a large market with small restaurants connected to most of the stalls. It was charming. I then headed to the huge three-story mall across from our hotel and walked around for an hour. Then caught up on some emails, and writing, and met my friends, Paul and Martin, John and Dan, for dinner at 6. We went to a really nice Bistro, which John had found, two tram stops away from the hotel, and enjoyed some drinks and a relaxed dinner. The owner of the place found us a waitress who spoke great English, which made ordering really easy. After a two-hour great meal, we headed back to the hotel. Riding a tram in Lyon is easy, you just need to use your credit card. It is an honor system. Back at the hotel I headed to my room and packed, our luggage had to be outside the door by 8:00 am the next morning. I set my alarm for 6:30 so I had time to eat at the buffet breakfast. Then it was on the bus to head to our barge.
Baltimore
This John Waters interview has been edited for readability — but perhaps not human decency
Pope of Trash dishes on Trump, plane etiquette, last meal, and more
By WESLEY CASE | At 80 years old, John Waters is still the ideal dinner guest — incisively sharp, quick-witted and funny as hell.
The chic Baltimore native proved it again and again in a recent Zoom interview, calling from his summer home in Provincetown, Mass.
The occasion was the Blu-ray releases of two of his movies — the 1977 dark comedy “Desperate Living” and his enduring 1988 musical “Hairspray” — on June 23 by the Criterion Collection, which publishes restorations of films it deems culturally important. The Criterion stamp of approval has become the gold standard among cinephiles.
“It’s like getting an award,” said Waters, who wrote and directed both films.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
The Washington Blade held the seventh annual Pride on the Pier at The Wharf DC on Saturday, June 13.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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