Music & Concerts
Abracadabra
Aussie duo promises laughs, tricks and more
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.”
Music & Concerts
Busy season for live music in D.C.
Erivo, Kylie, Sivan, and more headed our way this spring
One sure sign of spring’s arrival is the fresh wave of live music coming to Washington. With more than 10 venues and a diverse lineup of artists, the city offers no shortage of live performances for the new season.
In addition to this impressive list, don’t forget the many artists coming to town for WorldPride, May 17-June 8. In addition to headliner Cynthia Erivo performing on Saturday, June 7 at the two-day street festival and concert, many other performers will be in town. Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, and RuPaul are among the featured performers at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds, June 6-7. Visit WorldPrideDC.org for a list of other performers.
MARCH
Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Mary J. Blige will take the stage at Capital One Arena on March 26 for her For My Fans tour. Two days later, on March 28, J Balvin will also perform at Capital One Arena for his Back to the Rayo tour.
The Lincoln Theatre will host the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for three performances—one on March 15 and two on March 16.
If dance parties are more your vibe, you’re in luck. DC9 is hosting a series of themed dance parties this month, starting with Poker Face: 2000s + Dance Party on March 14, the ever-popular Peach Pit ’90s dance party on March 15, H.O.T.S.: A Sapphic Dance Party on March 22, and RageRiot!—a burlesque and drag revue featuring a lineup of local drag kings, queens, and everything in between on March 29.
APRIL
Australian queen of pop Kylie Minogue will bring her Tension tour to Capital One Arena on April 8, with British dance artist Romy as her special guest.
Indie singer-songwriter mxmtoon will stop in D.C. for their Liminal Space tour on April 4 at the 9:30 club, followed by indie rock band Gossip on April 5. The 9:30 club will also host two dance parties in April: Gimme Gimme Disco – a dance party inspired by ABBA on April 11 and Broadway Rave on April 18.
The Atlantis will feature Brooklyn-based indie rock band Pom Pom Squad on April 2.
Comedy duo Two Dykes and a Mic will bring their Going Hog Wild tour to the Howard Theatre on April 19.
DC9 has two dance parties lined up this month: Bimbo Night on April 4, hosted by Baltimore’s “premier red-tattooed Filipina diva” Beth Amphetamine, and Aqua Girls: A QTBIPOC Dance Party on April 5, celebrating “queer transcendence through music, movement, and community.”
The Anthem will welcome a lineup of big names in April, starting with Alessia Cara on April 8. Lucy Dacus will take the stage on April 18 and 19 for her Forever Is a Feeling tour, while funky pop artist Remi Wolf will headline on April 27, joined by special guests Dana and Alden.
MAY
Indie-pop artist Miya Folick will bring her Erotica Veronica tour to The Atlantis on May 1, followed by multi-genre musician SASAMI on May 2. Pop artist Snow Wife will close out the month at The Atlantis on May 31 as part of an official WorldPride 2025 event.
Queer rock band Lambrini Girls will perform at the Howard Theatre on May 4, while rock trio L.A. Witch will take the stage at DC9 on May 12.
Union Stage will feature Rachel Platten on May 3 for her Set Me Free tour, followed by Femme Fatale: A Queer Dance Party later that night.
The popular DJ festival Project Glow will return to RFK Stadium grounds on May 31 and June 1.
JUNE
Pride month kicks off with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Trixie Mattel, who will perform at Echostage on June 3 as part of a series of official WorldPride 2025 events.
Queer icons Grace Jones & Janelle Monáe will take over The Anthem on June 5 for a WorldPride 2025 event performance.
Perfume Genius will bring his signature sound to the 9:30 club on June 7 as part of WorldPride 2025 festivities. Later in the month, Blondshell will hit the 9:30 club for her If You Asked for a Tour on June 24.
Music & Concerts
Pride concert to take place at Strathmore after Kennedy Center rescinds invitation
International Pride Orchestra ‘heartbroken’ event ‘would no longer be welcome’ at DC venue
The International Pride Orchestra has announced its Pride concert will take place at the Strathmore Music Center on June 5 after the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts disinvited the group.
Since President Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center during his first month in office, LGBTQ events and performances have been banned with community allies withdrawing in solidarity.
The Kennedy Center has cancelled “A Peacock Among Pigeons: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride,” a May 21 concert that was to feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. The International Pride Orchestra on Monday said its concert will now take place at the Strathmore.
“We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,” said International Pride Orchestra Founding Artistic Director Michael Roest in a statement released by the orchestra’s media page. “The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression. However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us. Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation’s capital.”
The Pride concert is among the events that have faced uncertainty since the Trump-Vance administration took office on Jan. 20. Many, however, are fighting back and looking for ways to push back against the bans and cancellations.
“We aim to create a powerful and positive representation of the queer community through music,” said Roest. “We want to show the world who we are, celebrate our queer identities, and amplify the work of organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community.”
WorldPride is scheduled to take place in D.C. from May 17-June 8.
Music & Concerts
J. Lo, Troye Sivan, RuPaul added to WorldPride Music Festival
Two-day event to feature array of musical genres
WorldPride organizers on Tuesday announced two new headliners for the WorldPride Music Festival at RFK Festival Grounds (2400 East Capitol St., N.E.) June 6-7 in Washington, D.C.
Superstar Jennifer Lopez and gay pop artist Troye Sivan are set to headline, while drag trailblazer and TV star RuPaul will also take the stage for a DJ set.
Taking place over two days and nights and across three stages, WorldPride Music Festival will showcase a diverse range of music. Beyond pop stars and drag performances, house, EDM, techno, country, R&B, and a host of other genres will be heard across the weekend.
Featured LGBTQ audience fan favorites include Kim Petras, Rita Ora, Betty Who, and Marina. House and electronic fans will enjoy Zedd, Grimes, Purple Disco Machine, and Sofi Tukker. Other top-billing pop stars include Tinashe, Raye, and Grimes; Paris Hilton is also set to make an appearance.
Other artists that will bring their sounds to one of the stages include Aluna, Anabel Englund, Anne Louise, Coco & Breezy, Crush Club, Dombresky presents Disco Dom, Galantis, Hayla, Kaleena Zanders, Karsten Sollors, Leland + Friends, LP Giobbi, Matt Suave, Patrick Mason, Sasha Colby, Slayyyter, Spencer Brown, Trisha Paytas, and Ty Sunderland.
The music festival came together as a partnership between Capital Pride, Dreamland’s producer Jake Resnicow (who ran WorldPride in New York), and event promoter Club Glow, which has produced several music festivals in the region. Club Glow is set to host a separate festival, Project Glow, also to take place on RFK grounds the weekend prior to WorldPride.
Resnicow, as executive producer, noted that, “WorldPride Music Festival is a moment the world will remember. With legendary artists and our global community coming together, we’re creating an electrifying celebration that unites, uplifts, and amplifies LGBTQ+ voices like never before.”
Given the current political climate and anti-LGBTQ policies sweeping the country, “Hosting this festival in our nation’s capital makes it even more powerful — it’s not just a party, it’s a global movement.” Resnicow added.
Beyond the music, the festival will feature art installations and immersive experiences that celebrate the spectrum of LGBTQ culture, along with food and drink, specialty cocktail lounges, giveaways, and a VIP section. Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit Capital Pride Alliance and other local LGBTQ community organizations, ensuring the festival’s impact extends beyond its two days of programming. WorldPride marks the 50th anniversary of Pride in the capital.
General admission, GA+, and VIP tickets start at $209.
PHOTOS: “Passports”
Former GOP Sen. Alan Simpson, longtime supporter of LGBTQ rights, dies at 93
Doechii to headline WorldPride closing concert
D.C. drag queens proudly join Trump resistance
Suspect pleads guilty to drug sale that led to deaths of two D.C. gay men
Survivors of sex crimes are unsung heroes
Elon Musk’s mistakes
InterPride issues advisory for transgender, nonbinary people traveling to US
Array of queer events on tap for D.C. this spring
