Music & Concerts
SPRING ARTS 2016: classical music
Wide spate of genres represented in spring classical concerts
Out conductor Michael Tilson Thomas directing the San Francisco Symphony. They play the Kennedy Center on Saturday, April 16. (Photo courtesy Bucklesweet Media)
On Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m., the National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Christoph Eschenbach, performs Prokofiev’s “Symphony No. 1,” “Symphony No. 5” and Bruch’s “Scottish Fantasy” at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall (2700 F St., N.W.). Tickets are $15 and as with all Kennedy Center performances, tickets are available at kennedy-center.org.
Also on the 5th at 8 p.m., the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs works by Bach and Brahms with several soloists and concert choir at the Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Md.). They’ll also perform these works twice this weekend in Baltimore. Full details at bsomusic.org.
Every Friday at 12:15 p.m., free organ recitals are held at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle). The church has one of the finest organs in the city and often attracts world-class performers. Out minister of music Rev. Michael McMahon programs the series. Details at nationalcitycc.org.
On Monday, March 7 at 8 p.m., the Vienna Mozart Orchestra performs at Strathmore. Tickets are $39-97.50.
On Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m., the NSO performs works by Brahms and Liszt and the world premiere of “Opera Without Words.” The concert will feature Jean-Yves Thibaudet on piano. Tickets are $15. This program will also be performed at 11:30 a.m. on Friday and March 11, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 12.
On Friday, March 11 at 8 p.m., Baldwin Wallace University presents “Advance Always: a Celebration of Frank Battisti and Harwood Whaley” featuring the schools wind ensembles, the Arlington Diocese Congregational Choirs and more performing works by Strauss, Sousa and more. It’s in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $25.
On Saturday, March 12 at 8 p.m., the BSO performs an all-Beethoven recital at the Strathmore. Tickets are $35-99.
On Monday, March 14, the Montreal Symphony performs works by Debussy, Prokofiev and Stravinsky at 7 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $50-120.
On Wednesday, March 16 at 8 p.m., Paul Jacobs returns for another organ concert in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on the Rubenstein Family Organ. He’ll perform works by Bach, Brahms, Reger, Mozart and more. Tickets are $15.
On Thursday, March 17 at 7 p.m., the NSO performs works by Brahms and Beethoven in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $15. This program will be repeated at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 18 and at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 19.
On Sunday, March 20 at 7 p.m., Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway perform a flute recital at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $30.
On March 16-17 at 7:30 p.m., “Generations: Poland,” a dance performance by Company E that got postponed because of the blizzard, will be performed at the Kennedy Center Family Theater. Tickets are $25-35.
On March 22-23 at 7 p.m., cellist Sharon Robinson and pianist Anna Polonsky perform the five sonatas for cello and piano by Beethoven along with other works in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Tickets are $45.
On Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m., tenor Javier Camarena and pianist Angel Rodriguez perform a recital of operatic selections in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Tickets are $50.
On Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m., pianist Joseph Moog performs works by Beethoven, Liszt and Tchaikovsky at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Tickets are $48.
On Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m., the NSO under the direction of Conductor Christian Macular performs works by Faure, Brahms, Debussy and more at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Violinist Nikolaj Znaider will also perform. Tickets are $15. This program will also be performed at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 1 and at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 2.
On Thursday, April 7, the NSO performs works by Mozart and Mahler at 7 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. This program will be repeated at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 9. Zanier will conduct and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor will perform. Tickets are $15.
On Tuesday, April 12 at 8 p.m., the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra will perform in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $60.
On Wednesday, April 13 at 8 p.m., cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Emanuel Ax will perform several Beethoven cello sonatas at 8 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $60.
The NSO performs on Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m. a concert or works by Barber, Bates and Ives with Hugh Wolff conducting and an appearance by violinist Anne Akiko Meyers at 7 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. This program will be repeated at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 16. Tickets are $15.
On Saturday, April 16, the San Francisco Symphony performs works by Schubert and Mahler at 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Michael Tilson Thomas, who’s openly gay, conducts. Mezzo Sasha Cooke and tenor Simon O’Neill will perform. Tickets are $55.
On Tuesday, April 19 at 8 p.m., violinist Hilary Hahn performs at the Strathmore. Tickets are $45-90.
On Sunday, April 24, the NSO performs “Lights! Canvas! Music!,” a family concert at 2 and 4 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $15.
Also on the 24th, violist Antoine Tamest performs suites and partitas by Bach at 7 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Tickets are $40.
On Thursday, April 28 at 7 p.m., the NSO performs works by Dvorak, Ravel and more at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. James Gaffigan conducts. Storm Large and the Hudson Shad quartet will sing.This program will be repeated on Saturday, April 30.
Storm Large, known for her work with gay band Pink Martini, returns on April 29 at 9 p.m. for “Declassified: Cabaret of Sins,” a journey through the “crazy arc of love” and the seven deadly sins. Tickets are $39.
On Wednesday, May 4 at 8 p.m., out organist Christopher Houlihan will perform works by Bach, Franck, Vierne and more on the Rubenstein Family Organ at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $15.
On May 5-7, the NSO performs works by Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich under the direction of Andrew Litton at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. They perform again May 12-14 works by Elgar and Vaughan Williams under the direction of James MacMillian. Tickets are $15. Times and details at kennedy-center.org.
On Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m., violinist Itzhak Perlman and pianist Emanuel Ax perform works by Mozart, Faure, Strauss and more at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $55-135.
On Sunday, May 22 at 4 p.m., pianist Simone Dinnerstein performs works by Glass and Schubert at the Strathmore. Tickets are $35-90.
Washington National Opera performs the first complete performance of Richard Wagner’s epic “Ring” cycle, a four-opera saga of gods and men, giants and dwarves starting in late April. “The Rhinegold” will be performed April, 30, May 10 and 17; “The Valkyrie” will be performed May 2,11 and 18; “Siegfried” will be performed May 4, 13 and 30; “Twilight of the Gods” will be performed May 6, 15 and 22. Tickets are $75 for each performance and are available here.
Legendary organist Diane Bish performs a recital at First Baptist Church of Washington (1328 16th St., N.W.) on Sunday, June 12 at 4 p.m. The church’s new Austin Organ is one of the city’s finest.
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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