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Music & Concerts

Abracadabra

Aussie duo promises laughs, tricks and more

Published

10 years ago

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Naked Magicians, gay news, Washington Blade
Naked Magicians, gay news, Washington Blade

Christopher Wayne, left, and Mike Tyler says performing nude gave their show a novel twist that’s worked. (Photo courtesy the Works Entertainment)

When dazzling audiences with their collection of illusions and tricks, magicians Mike Tyler and Christopher Wayne clearly have nothing up their sleeves — or anywhere else on their body for that matter — as the dynamic duo perform their magic in the nude.

The two best friends were already successful comedy magicians in Australia when the movie “Magic Mike” came out, and people started making sexualized magic jokes because of Tyler’s name.

“We were talking about it and realized that in the entire history of magic, nobody had ever made a naughty magic show—a comedy magic show that grabs on to that inner demon that every single person has inside of them,” Wayne says. “We didn’t know for sure that it would work, but we knew it was a different and clever idea.”

In no time at all, the two — both straight — were the talk of the magic world and packing in audiences all over Down Under.

“We realized that magic had a cheesy stigma attached to it that we wanted to break down. What better way to break the magic mold than to offer something that had never been done before and literally strip away the magic stereotypes — the top hats, capes, magic wands and the cheesy magic poses,” Tyler says. “Part of the reason it works is because it’s two best mates on stage who’ve worked so hard creating the show to appeal to an audience that wouldn’t normally go to see a regular magic show.”

The Naked Magicians will perform at the Model Performing Arts Center at the Lyric in Baltimore on Thursday, April 21 and at the Lincoln Theatre in D.C., on Sunday, April 24.

“Expect to laugh more than you have in any other comedy show. Expect to see some of the most amazing magic ever.  Expect to be shocked in the best way possible,” Wayne says. “When we were in Hong Kong a journalist asked me, ‘What would you say to more conservative theater goers?’ My answer, ‘Stay at home.’”

Be aware, this isn’t just a clever name for a show; by the end the two are 100 percent naked. However, it’s important to know that the show isn’t just two guys standing there in the nude from start to finish.

“We promise the show will be one of the most incredible magic shows you’ll ever see, we promise to deliver non-stop laughs and we do promise we’ll get naked by the end of the show,” Tyler says. “The audience can think of the show like a first Tinder date … you’ll have a drink, have a laugh, enjoy some magic and we promise you’ll get a glimpse of our magic wands by the end of the show. Let’s hope it’s a not a cold night in Washington.”

The two met at one of Tyler’s magic performances and though both were fully clothed, they connected through the common interest of magic and a bromance developed.

“We have become closer and closer since then, to the point where we now feel 100 percent comfortable getting naked with one other,” Tyler says. “Still just friends though. Christopher is an incredibly talented magician, very funny, and a top bloke so designing the show together came naturally. Now I have my dream job where I get to entertain thousands of people each night with my best mate by my side.”

Rather than a show of classic grand illusions or cheesy magic, the Naked Magic Show is a high-energy party atmosphere where two buff Aussie men get naked while performing incredible trickery and delivering non-stop laughs.

“As we were both magicians before ever deciding to get naked on stage, the actual magic in the show is top-notch,” Tyler says. “It’s all themed around those naughty topics that we normally only discuss with close friends behind closed doors after a few wines. We even have a trick that literally happening in the hands of every audience member. The show is very interactive, but be assured we’re the only ones who need to get naked.”

As you’d expect from a show with two best mates delivering incredible magic and non-stop laughs in the buff, the show is a celebration of sexuality that not only accommodates the LBGT community, but fully embraces and welcomes it.

“Prior to the birth of the Naked Magic Show, Mike and I were, and still are, active LGBT rights supporters, so we love that we have a wide audience, and we love that this show is embraced by the gay community,” Wayne says.

“We love it when we have gay couples, both male and female, who come to the show and leave with a sore mouth — from laughing,” Tyler says. “The Naked Magic Show is an orgy of magic, comedy, and nudity … and it’s for everyone.”

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Music & Concerts

Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program

‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned

Published

2 weeks ago

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December 5, 2025

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(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.

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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

on

September 9, 2025

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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

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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

on

July 18, 2025

By

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. 

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