a&e features
Cyndi’s ‘Detour’
Lauper on going country, her tour, Donald Trump and more
Cyndi Lauper performs in Ann Arbor, Mich., on her current tour on May 14. She brings her show to Wolf Trap on June 1. (Photo by Colin McLeod)
Cyndi Lauper and Boy George
Wednesday, June 1
8 p.m.
Filene Center at Wolf Trap
1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, Va.
$40-95
Pop anthems “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and “True Colors” may have skyrocketed Cyndi Lauper to the heights of stardom, but the singer has been itching to try her hand at a country album since the days she spent playing music on the back porch of her friend’s home in Nashville.
“I never was an insider. I was an outsider to Nashville and I kind of was making outsider music compared to what is done inside Nashville,” Lauper says during a phone interview. “When I was singing this record I did think, ‘Wow, why didn’t I do this before?’ but I guess I was too busy chasing something else. You get on that hamster wheel and you think, ‘You gotta, you gotta, you gotta,’ and once you get off, you realize you just gotta do what you want.”
“Detour,” Lauper’s 11th studio album, is a collection of classic country songs dating back to the ‘40s from country greats like Patsy Cline, Wanda Jackson and George Jones. Recorded in Nashville, “Detour” features songs Lauper says she could relate to and believe. She brings her tour to Wolf Trap on Wednesday, June 1 where she’ll co-headline with Boy George.
“You don’t want to just do a song, you want to connect,” Lauper says.
The connection went beyond the 62-year-old singer and her music, to the many collaborators she worked with on the record including Jewel and Willie Nelson.
Jewel lent her yodeling vocals to the track “I Want To Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart” after Lauper’s attempts to quickly learn how to yodel came up short.
“We looked for people to yodel and then it seems like it’s not really that popular, so I finally realized that Jewel yodeled and she might be living in Nashville. I texted Jewel and said, ‘This is Cyndi Lauper, is this Jewel? And if this isn’t, then just ignore it as another crazy text.’ One thing led to another and we asked Jewel to yodel on the song.”
Lauper says she had to work to stay professional while recording “Night Life” with Nelson because the experience was so surreal for her.
“It almost made me feel like I was in Bikini Bottom like in SpongeBob Land just floating in the water because it just was so magical,” Lauper says.
She promises to sing both new and old music in her show, but notes that even though “Detour” is her latest album release, it’s still “old stuff” and closely tied to pop music. Lauper says she remembers Cline and Loretta Lynn being on the radio when she was a child the same way pop songs are today.
She also says the album is not as much of a stretch from her last project — 2010’s blues album “Memphis Blues” — as it might initially seem.
“I thought the country one was going to be really hard, but once I found myself in it, I was OK. I think that all of it is the roots of the music I play. It’s a singer’s record. Of course I want to sing and I want to sing the roots of what popular music is because I love music. I really love music,” Lauper says.
She’s working on another musical, but declined to go into detail for fear of “jinxing it.” She’s hot off a 2013 Tony win for the hit musical “Kinky Boots.”
The New York City pop star’s passion for music goes beyond her own bubble of creativity. Lauper admits she keeps up with popular music today, specifically hip-hop and pop, and even incorporates new genres like the “beach-psychedelic” sound coming out of northern California on her song “Funnel of Love” on the album. She also takes time to check out international music charts to stay up to date on what people are listening to.
“Because I don’t think you should sing at people, I think you should listen back,” Lauper says.
As a long-time supporter of the LGBT community, listening is a skill Lauper, who affectionately calls herself a “friend and family member” of the community, has taken to heart in her personal life and social activism endeavors. She cites her sister Ellen, a lesbian, as a big part of why she is involved in LGBT activism.
“I grew up watching my sister struggle in times when it wasn’t so popular, in dark times. It’s started to get dark again a little bit,” Lauper says. “But I think you gotta be who you gotta be, you know? And celebrate your life triumphantly kind of like ‘Kinky Boots.’ I think my fans from the community are like my friends and family. Sometimes I used to work the clubs late at night, especially in the ‘90s, because I just needed relief from the straight world. I don’t know where I fit. But I don’t care, because I think everyone should be treated the same and your preference is your preference.”
While some musicians like Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr chose to protest North Carolina’s HB2 law, which prevents transgender individuals from using the bathroom corresponding to the gender with which they identify, by canceling their scheduled concerts in the state, Lauper opted for a different approach.
Lauper will continue with her June 4 performance in Raleigh, N.C., and will donate all proceeds from the concert to Equality North Carolina. She says there has always been a unisex bathroom in the studios where she has recorded and “nobody gave a hoot.”
“Fear is fear. And education is the way. Educate people on the facts and how to protect their civil rights; that there’s all kinds of people in the world and room for all of us. I lived through the civil rights period, I’m still living through the women’s rights period, because obviously all our rights are being stripped, one by one,” Lauper says. “So I felt that we could go down to North Carolina and teach people how to help themselves and each other and also at the venue where we were playing we insisted on a transgender bathroom. That’s going to be there forever.”
Lauper says she had to speak out.
“I can’t speak for anyone else. I’m a friend and family member so where I come from, you don’t allow somebody else to hurt your friend or family member. You don’t allow people to strip other people’s civil rights,” Lauper says. “In America, everyone is a freaking immigrant. Everyone, including Donald Trump. Unless he has some Native American action going on. They can try to change the facts and try to rewrite history and try to lie through their teeth, but they can’t shove that down my throat. Because I don’t have amnesia.”
Cyndi Lauper says her new country album is not as much of a departure as it might initially seem. (Photo by Chapman Baehler)
a&e features
Summer in the City: Free exhibits, movies, more fill D.C.’s calendar
America 250 celebrations continue
From late-night museum visits and outdoor jazz concerts to free movie screenings and America250 exhibitions, Washington’s summer calendar is packed with events that don’t charge admission. Here’s a look at some of the free activities happening across the District through September and beyond.
Museum exhibitions
The Renwick Gallery is presenting State Fairs: Growing American Craft, an exhibition that looks at unique and unconventional crafts from the 19th century to the present. It will run until Sept. 7, and admission is free.
The Arts and Industries Building, located next to the Smithsonian Castle, is presenting the exhibition Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America. The exhibition features the development of American independence and what that has meant over time, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Admission to the museum is free, and the exhibition runs until Sept. 7.
The National Gallery of Art presents Dear America, an exhibit featuring more than 100 pieces of work, including letters, photographs, and drawings that depict American landscapes and depictions of freedom. The exhibition will run until Sept. 20.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts is exhibiting Burnished: Pueblo Pottery until Sept. 27. The exhibit features pottery from the Southwest, and while most of the pottery belongs to women artists, a few also reflect those who have advocated for women.
Extending past this summer, the exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa will be at the National Museum of the American Latino until July 2028. The exhibition shows how Afro-Cuban music has become a staple in the U.S. Admission is free.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will feature the exhibition District Vibes / American Pride: How DC Changed American Culture, which will highlight all of the ways D.C. has impacted American life. The exhibit will run until Sept. 27.
At the Folger Shakespeare Library, the exhibit Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era will be on view through Aug. 2. All the portraits on display come from the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery in London.
The United States Botanic Garden will be open until 8 p.m. on Aug. 20 and Sept. 17, as part of America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration. The evenings will include live music, mocktails, ice cream, and snacks.
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden will have extended hours, staying open until 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday until Sept. 3.
Live performances
On Aug. 7, the postgame Nationals concert series will continue with Jordan Davis performing. To see the concert, guests just need to buy tickets to the Nationals game.
Jazz in the Garden will run each Friday until Aug. 14. The event has free admission, but those interested have to enter a lottery due to the high demand for the event.
From May to October, Capital Harvest Market occurs every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The market features fresh foods, crafts, and recipes for unique dishes. A full list of vendors is available on Capital Harvest’s website.
Live! Concert Series on the Plaza will feature live performances at Woodrow Wilson Plaza until Sept. 25. The performances run Monday to Friday from 12-1 p.m. Admission is free to the performances.
DowntownDC Live! at Anthem Row is running until July 30, with free performances every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The final performance will feature HUE and a vintage flea market hosted by Get Flee Marketplace.
Located in Adams Morgan, AdMo Vibe will present live performances every Thursday at 6 p.m. in Kalorama Park. Guests are encouraged to check out Adams Morgan before and after shows, and it is an event for all ages.
Other events
Union Market is hosting drive-in movies on Aug. 8, featuring “Monsters, Inc.”, and Sept. 12, featuring “Wicked.” On Aug. 8, the parking lot will open at 7:30 p.m., with the movie starting at 8:25 p.m. On Sept. 12, the parking lot will open at 6:35 p.m., and the movie will start at 7:30 p.m.
Sunset Cinema at the Wharf will also be available one day a month. On Aug. 12, “10 Things I Hate About You” will premiere, and on Aug. 26, “Project Hail Mary.” No tickets are necessary.
The Library of Congress will also show movies. On Aug. 6, guests are invited to watch “Apollo 13.” The movie will be shown at 8 p.m., with additional live performances beginning at 7 p.m.
For fans of Asian media, the Okaton convention will be at Walter E. Washington Convention Center from July 31-Aug. 2. Festivities will include cosplay contests, skits, live music, and panel discussions.
Washington Spirit’s season also begins in August. The Spirit is Washington’s National Women’s League, with matchups occurring between the San Diego Wave, the North Carolina Courage, the Orlando Pride, and the Bay FC.
a&e features
Summer in D.C. brings sports, Restaurant Week, festivals, and more
Summer in D.C. just hits different. Congress is out, school is out, the sun is out, thighs are out. With the skies clearing from Canadian smoke, here are a few ways to stay entertained.
Dining
Summer restaurant week: The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is once again hosting Summer Restaurant Week, Aug. 18-24. This weeklong dining experience showcases the dynamic dining scene of the DMV, including 2026 RAMMY Award-winning favorites (the annual D.C. food awards show that took place June 29). Participating restaurants will offer three-course brunch and lunch selections for $25 or $35 per person, and three-course dinners for $40, $55 and $65 per person.
New Restaurants: A handful of new spots have opened, so the summer is a great time to check them out:
- Oribu: A new Mediterranean-Japanese restaurant in the Grand Hyatt hotel, which just underwent a remodeling effort. The sleek restaurant brings upscale charm, with dishes like Wagyu beef tartare with potato pavé and caviar.
- The Oak Room: A snazzy old-school American grill has just opened in Georgetown, alongside its sister upstairs supper club (Bernadette’s) restaurant, in the old El Centro space.
- Uchi: This showy Japanese sushi-forward chain has landed in Dupont with a chef’s tasting menu of favorites like fatty tuna.
- Kathmandu: Recalling the capital of Nepal, this warm, buzzy subterranean restaurant right in the heart of U Street brings spice, flair, and rare ingredients to its dishes (see: buffalo burgers) and drinks.
Sports
- Washington Spirit Pride Night OUT: On Sunday, Aug. 23, head to Audi Field for a massive, high-energy game following the exciting month of World Cup. The designated Pride Night OUT game promises boisterous crowds plus pre- and post-game community engagements.
- Washington Tennis Open – Now called the Mubadala DC Open, this annual tournament is only combined mens’ and womens’ 500-level tennis tournament in the world. The open is one of D.C.’s longest-standing sports traditions, and will take place at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center July 25-Aug. 2. Naomi Osaka, Venus Williams, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and others are expected to play.
Festivals
- Afro Plus Fest: This huge, three-day Afro-Caribbean Hip-Hop Festival brings together headliners Davido, Alkaline, and Wizkid, plus Tems and Ayra Starr. The event moves from RFK to the Northwest Stadium Complex for three days, Sept. 4-6.
- Capital Fringe Festival: Running from July 11-21, this massive celebration features dozens of live theater, comedy, dance, and boundary-pushing nighttime performances across multiple DC neighborhoods.
- The National Book Festival returns, with headliners like Cynthia Erivo, and Martin Scorsese. The one-day festival, Saturday, Aug. 22, brings together bookworms and word nerds under the theme “America 250: It’s Your Story.” There are talks, workshops, musical sessions and more.
- All Things Go: A three-day festival Sept. 25-27 at Merriweather Post Pavilion featuring Mitski, Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, MUNA, Zara Larsson, Ethel Cain, and many, many more artists. There are single-day and three-day tickets. Featuring and highlighting female artists, the festival has turned into a must-see for many LGBTQ audience members.
- Fuchsia Fest: The inaugural Fuchsia Fest is a new multi-day celebration created to celebrate LGBTQ community and expression, bringing together a mix of community gatherings, entertainment, and nightlife. The event takes place Sept. 18-20 and is hosted by Capital Pride.
Art and Music
- United We Dance: A high-energy rave with house, techno, bass, and festival music, on Aug. 1 at the 9:30 Club.
- The Fray. On Aug. 14, this American rock band famous for How To Save A Life is at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
- Kesha: Kesha’s high-energy The Freedom Tour comes to the D.C. area on Aug. 14 at Jiffy Lube Live.
- ALOK: On Sept. 3 at Lincoln Theater, ALOK (they/them) performs. The poet, comedian, and actor is putting on a new comedy show.
- 2charm, the emerging Australian electronic club-pop duo popular with the queer community, which blends hyperpop and dance music, comes to the Atlantis.
- Sapphic Dance Party: a vibrant, inclusive nightlife and social event designed specifically for queer women, lesbians, bisexuals, trans individuals, and nonbinary folks, at Atlantis on Aug. 21.
- Jazz in the Garden: The most quintessential of D.C. activities returns Friday evenings through Aug. 14. This season’s theme, “American Sounds,” is a nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Tunes themes range from Appalachian and Americana to Creole jazz, Hill Country blues, contemporary jazz, and more. Tickets are available through a lottery system a week before each event.
a&e features
Tickets on sale for chef Patrick O’Connell’s book launch event
Sept. 18 kickoff to feature José Andrés, Tom Sietsema
Acclaimed chef Patrick O’Connell is preparing to publish his new memoir, “Main, Middle & Gay” in September and he’s launching the book with an event on Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. at Lisner Auditorium featuring Chef José Andrés and former Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema.
Tickets for the event go on sale Tuesday, July 21 at Ticketmaster; prices start at $55.
O’Connell, who’s gay, is the pioneering Michelin-starred chef and longtime proprietor of the Inn at Little Washington. He spoke with the Blade about the September event and the launch of his first memoir.
“I’ve known [Andrés and Sietsema] for more than 25 years and I have great respect for them,” O’Connell said. “I felt that it would allow us to add a different dimension rather than just have an interviewer. The chemistry will be fun and lively and unpredictable and exciting. I think we’re all different personalities and we’ll compliment each other.”
O’Connell has published cookbooks but this is his first memoir. The event will feature a short film that will highlight his work and the Inn.
“What I hope to do with the event is bring the book to life visually,” he said. “So we’re producing a short film that will be part of it. Most of the audience will not have read the book so it’ll give them a visual flavor of the book. It parallels the evolution of American cuisine over 50 years. It’s a rare perspective to be in the trenches for that long.”
The book’s title refers to the location of the garage on the corner of Main, Middle, and Gay streets in Washington, Va., where he launched his restaurant that became an international culinary destination.
The Blade will publish the rest of its wide-ranging interview with O’Connell in September in conjunction with the book’s release.
White House threatens Anne Arundel schools over gender identity policy
PHOTOS: Front Royal Pride
Dutch queen opens World Pride in Amsterdam
Gary Sutton, known for ‘warmth and laughter,’ dies at 62
With gas prices soaring again, a staycation is a good plan
Summer in D.C. brings sports, Restaurant Week, festivals, and more
No Pride without Disability Pride
Trump tries to scare Americans into not voting
2026 International AIDS Conference to take place in Rio
