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Clay Aiken thinks Donald Trump will ‘probably’ win

‘American Idol’ alum fears U.S. could have ‘clown president’

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(Screenshot via YouTube)

(Screenshot via YouTube)

Clay Aiken revealed on Chelsea Handler’s Netflix talk show “Chelsea,” he believes Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump could be the next U.S. president.

Aiken was joined on a panel by fellow former “Celebrity Apprentice” contestants NeNe Leakes, KhloĆ© Kardashian and Lisa Lampanelli to discuss their time on the show and Trump’s possible presidency. Aiken told the group he plans to vote for Hillary Clinton, but thinks a Trump win isn’t too far off from reality.

ā€œThis campaign for him I donā€™t think is about being president,ā€ Aiken says. ā€œI think itā€™s about having 100% name recognition, about being able to say he won, which I think he probably will do.ā€

The 2014 Democratic congressional nominee compared his experience running for North Carolinaā€™s 2nd congressional district election to Trump’s current election.

“One of the things I found interesting as I was running [was that] Republicans would come to me and say, ‘Iā€™m going to vote for you just because Iā€™m sick and tired of politicians.’ And that I think is the question this yearā€¦ I think that those folks who donā€™t like politicians are more motivated to vote. As much as it pains me to say it, I think that Hillary Clinton doesnā€™t inspire people enough to get folks off their asses on November 8 to go and vote,” Aiken says.

Aiken concluded that he fears sitting back and doing nothing could put the U.S. in a similar situation to England’s political strife.

ā€œWe say Hillary has no chance of losing, Trumpā€™s never going to be president and people continue to say that and they will stay home and itā€™ll end up being like Brexit in England where we end up having a clown president for four years.ā€

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Music & Concerts

J. Lo, Troye Sivan, RuPaul added to WorldPride Music Festival

Two-day event to feature array of musical genres

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Jennifer Lopez and Troye Sivan are set to perform for WorldPride. (Photo of Lopez courtesy LiveNation; Blade photo of Sivan by Michael Key)

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, Dreamlandā€™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, ā€œWorldPride Music Festival is a moment the world will remember. With legendary artists and our global community coming together, weā€™re creating an electrifying celebration that unites, uplifts, and amplifies LGBTQ+ voices like never before.ā€

Given the current political climate and anti-LGBTQ policies sweeping the country, ā€œHosting this festival in our nationā€™s capital makes it even more powerful ā€” itā€™s not just a party, itā€™s a global movement.ā€ 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.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Cupid’s Undie Run

Freezing rain doesn’t stop scantily-clad participants

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Cupid's Undie Run was held at The Wharf DC on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Cupidā€™s Undie Run, an annual fundraiser for neurofibromatosis (NF) research, was held at Union Stage and at The Wharf DC on Saturday, Feb. 15.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Theater

‘Fuenteovejuna’ comes to GALA Hispanic Theatre

Lope de Vega classic to run through March 2

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Iker Lastra surrounded by the cast of 'Fuenteovejuna' (Photo by Daniel MartĆ­nez)Ā 

“Fuenteovejuna”
Through March 2
GALA Hispanic Theatre
3333 14th St., N.W.
$27-$50
Galatheatre.org

Inventively staged and strongly acted, GALA Hispanic Theatreā€™s production of Lope de Vegaā€™s classic ā€œFuenteovejuna,ā€ vividly brings to life an old but timely tale of injustice and power. A lot of theatergoers will find this work (first published in Madrid in 1619) painfully relevant. 

Possibly Lope de Vegaā€™s most produced play, this version of ā€œFuenteovejuna,ā€ penned by renowned contemporary Spanish playwright Juan Mayorga, is markedly shorter than others you might have seen. While purists may not concur, itā€™s generally agreed that Mayorga has effectively condensed the plot and modernized the verse.

The action kicks off with cast members jovially sharing jokes that are mostly lost on those of us relying on the productionā€™s English surtitles, but no matter, it creates a happy mood of a contented townsfolk whose lives are soon to be horribly disrupted. (From there on, all translation is clear and presents no difficulties.)

Lope de Vega based the play on a true incident. In 1476 in Southern Spain, village residents, unwilling to accept ongoing abuse, banded together and overthrew a brutish commander.  

Here, the Commander/Comendador (played menacingly by Iker Lasker) sets upon the town and specifically the mayorā€™s daughter Laurencia (Julia Adun in her GALA debut). In short, the all-powerful bully makes the brave young womanā€™s life miserable, and as he grows increasingly insistent the situation becomes perilous.

Initially she relies on the protection of her male friends. But itā€™s not enough. 

As Laurentia is further harassed and ultimately assaulted, she somehow becomes stronger, and emboldened. Disappointed by the townā€™s men, she calls on the women to rebel: ā€œSisters, take your places, and letā€™s do something that will shake the whole world.ā€

Like all the classics, the workā€™s themes are enduring. Justice, decency, and collective identity are among the pressing topics explored. 

Also, integral to the playā€™s story is the love between Laurencia and her fiancĆ© who becomes a target of the Comendadorā€™s savagery. Additionally, there are fine examples of familial love and genuine friendship. 

Thereā€™s a lot to love about out director Juan Luis Arellanoā€™s glowing production. It moves swiftly and excitingly. Heā€™s assembled a large cast of talented, experienced actors (including Luz NicolĆ”s, who plays Flores, the Commanderā€™s right-hand man) and an outstanding design team.

Arellano has thoughtfully imbued the piece with exceptional modes of storytelling. 

For instance, off to the side but still clearly seen, DJ (Aldo Ortega) provides both mediaeval and rock music. Occasionally characters step away from the other players to narrate from a standing mic beneath a dramatic spotlight. 

Scenic designer Giorgos Tsappasā€™s set is both a thing of beauty and unexpected functionality. Comprised of different elements that include a huge silver pendulum, a sandy floor, a curved wooden bench backed by a concrete-esque curved backdrop. All of its parts are smartly and organically integrated into the staging. 

At the top of the second act, a door rather surprisingly opens, allowing the Commander surrounded by actors costumed in dark sheep masks, passage to the stage. Itā€™s a striking image. 

The set is compellingly lit by stalwart designer JesĆŗs DĆ­az CortĆ©s. Heā€™s also responsible for the captivating visuals shot from overhead and projected on the imposing back wall. All the visual design work looks subtly expensive. 

ā€œFuenteovejunaā€ is Lope de Vega at his best, and GALAā€™s production is the perfect means of introduction or a revisit. 

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