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Gay dramedy ‘Front Cover’ screens locally

film will have limited engagement D.C. run

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Front Cover, gay news, Washington Blade

Jake Choi, left, and James Chen in ā€˜Front Cover.ā€™ (Photo courtesy Reel Affirmations)

“Front Cover,” a gay, Asian love story, screens at Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market (550 Penn St., N.E.) from Friday, Sept. 30 through Thursday, Oct. 6.

The film tells the story of Ryan, a gay Chinese-American stylist trying to disassociate himself from his Chinese heritage, and Ning, an actor from Beijing who Ryan is assigned to style. Ryan’s Western ways clash with Ning’s insistence on staying true to his Chinese identity. The pair struggles to connectĀ but forms an unlikely romance that leads them both to some self-realizations.

Written and directed by Ray Yeung, the film stars Jake Choi and James Chen.

For a complete list of showtimes and to purchase tickets, visit here.Ā 

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Music & Concerts

Lana Del Rey, Katy Perry plan fall releases

A Fleetwood Mac live album, more Joni archives among vintage options

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Dolly Partonā€™s ā€˜Smoky Mountain DNAā€™ is slated for a Nov. 15 release. (Image courtesy Owepar Entertainment)

Paris Hilton released her ā€œInfinite Iconā€ album on Sept. 6. Itā€™s just the second effort following a massive hiatus ā€” her debut album ā€œParisā€ was released way back in 2006. Sia produces. This summerā€™s ā€œIā€™m Freeā€ was the first single. A tour is planned. Hilton promised a ā€œheavily gay-leaning release.ā€

Miranda Lambertā€™s ā€œPostcards from Texasā€ is slated to drop today. Lambertā€™s 10th studio album was preceded by the May release of single ā€œWranglers,ā€ which stalled in the lower 30s on country radio. Lambert calls the album a musical ode to her home state. She co-produces with Jon Randall and either wrote or co-wrote 10 of the projectā€™s 14 cuts. 

Katy Perryā€™s ā€œ143ā€ is set for a Sept. 20 release. It will be her seventh studio album. Its title refers to what she says is her symbolic angel number. Perry is aiming for a dance party feel working with producers Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Stargate, Vaughn Oliver and Rocco Did It Again! The proceedings are not off to a strong start. First single ā€œWomanā€™s Worldā€ stalled at No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100. Follow-up ā€œLifetimesā€ failed to crack the Hot 100 at all. 

Fleetwood Mac releases ā€œMirage Tour ā€™82ā€ on Sept. 20. It includes six tracks previously unreleased including ā€œDonā€™t Stop,ā€ ā€œDreams,ā€ ā€œNever Going Back Again,ā€ ā€œSaraā€ and more. Available on double CD, triple vinyl and digitally.  

Volume four of Joni Mitchellā€™s ā€œArchivesā€ series dubbed ā€œThe Asylum Years: 1976-1980ā€ releases Oct. 4. Itā€™s being offered in six-CD or four-LP (highlights) configurations. It will feature unreleased studio sessions, alternate versions, live recordings, rarities and a 36-page book with new photos and an extensive conversation between Mitchell and filmmaker/uberfan Cameron Crowe. 

Sophie B. Hawkins releases her ā€œWhaler Re-Emergingā€ album (a re-recording of her landmark 1994 album) on Oct. 15. Order through her site and the first 250 copies will be signed. Hawkins (who identifies as omnisexual) says it surpasses the original. 

Joe Jonasā€™s ā€œMusic for People Who Believe in Loveā€ and Shawn Mendesā€™s ā€œShawnā€ are both set for Oct. 18 releases. Jonasā€™s album (his first solo effort since 2011ā€™s ā€œFastlifeā€) will feature songwriting he says is of a more personal nature. Billboard called it ā€œunvarnishedā€ but with a shimmery pop sound aglow with garage rock and alt-pop influences. First single ā€œWork It Outā€ was released over the summer and failed to chart. 

ā€œShawnā€ will be Mendesā€™s first album since 2020ā€™s ā€œWonder,ā€ the tour of which he cancelled citing mental health. Two singles ā€” ā€œWhy Why Whyā€ and ā€œIsnā€™t That Enoughā€ ā€” have been released. The former stalled at no. 84 on the Hot 100. He has called the album his ā€œmost musically intimate and lyrically honest work to date.ā€ 

Lana Del Reyā€™s ā€œLassoā€ is expected for a possible fall release, although some sources say itā€™s been bumped to early 2025. No date had been announced as of yet. Sheā€™s apparently going the Beyonce route and releasing a straight-up country album. 

Dolly Parton plans a Nov. 15 release for ā€œSmoky Mountain DNA ā€” Family, Faith & Fables.ā€ Parton recruited family to help her on the 37 (!)-track collection, which will also encompass a four-part docuseries tracing Partonā€™s familial roots. One song (ā€œA Rose Wonā€™t Fix Itā€) is an outtake from the feverish writing sessions that led to her solid (but underrated) 1998 album ā€œHungry Again.ā€ An extremely limited-edition triple vinyl release is also planned. 

Release dates shift and many more releases will be announced later. Pitchfork keeps a great running tab at pitchfork.com/news/new-album-releases. Also check your local record store for Black Friday special editions available on Friday, Nov. 29. Release info was scant as of this writing. Ā 

(Joey DiGuglielmo was variously the Bladeā€™s news and features editor from 2006-2020.)

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Out & About

Free house expo set for Oct. 26

Capitol Hill Restoration Society hosts event at Eastern Market

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The Capitol Hill Restoration Society will host a free House Expo on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 9 a.m. in the North Hall of Eastern Market. 

If you have questions about your home, you can get answers at the Expo. There will be more than 30 home contractors, service experts and city agencies with historic house experience. There will also be free guided tours of Eastern Market. 

For more information, visit chrs.org.

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Out & About

Come see a drag show with a purpose

Charity event to be held at Freddie’s on Sunday

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An Imperial Court event, 'Ode to the Glitter Ball,' held at Freddie's Beach Bar in 2023. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Go Gay DC will host ā€œDrag Show for Charityā€ on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. at Freddieā€™s Beach Bar and Restaurant. 

Tips to the drag performers will benefit worthy charities that have been vetted by the Imperial Court of Washington, D.C. The mission of the Imperial Court is to raise funds for organizations, including but not limited to those supporting LGBTQ community, HIV/AIDS services organizations, social service organizations and youth enrichment programs. It seeks to provide a safe, social environment for people with the same interests as those of the membership and to create and promote positive community awareness.

This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.Ā 

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