Arts & Entertainment
Katy, Gaga, Janet, Kesha, Bruno for starters
Be ready to cough up hundreds for good seats at A-lister shows
This fall brings a massive wealth of talent to the Washington area. There are many shows to choose from with every imaginable genre represented. Here is but a small sampling.
The fall season begins with a bang as pop/R&B superstarĀ the WeekndĀ brings his āStarboy Legend of the Fall 2017 World Tourā to Capital One Arena, formerly the Verizon Center (601 F Street, N.W.), onĀ Friday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $39-276 and up. For more information, visitĀ capitalonearena.
MGM National Harbor (101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill, Md.) has an impressive lineup of talent slated including famed Bollywood vocalistĀ Shreya Ghoshal. She performs onĀ Friday, Sept. 15 at 8:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $80-281 and up, and details are availableĀ mgmnationalharbor.com.
Acclaimed Canadian alternative collectiveĀ Arcade FireĀ and their āInfinite Content 2017 Tourā will play Capital One Arena onĀ Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $26-230 and up.
Popular up and coming alternative popstersĀ Young the GiantĀ appears withĀ Cold War KidsĀ at Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Md.) onĀ Saturday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $35-100. Details atĀ merriweathermusic.com.
OnĀ Sept. 19-20, English pop heartthrobĀ Ed SheeranĀ stops by the Capital One Arena for two sold-out shows.
R&B singerĀ BrandyĀ will appear at the Fillmore Silver Spring (8656 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md.) onĀ Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.Ā The general admission tickets are priced at $45 with more information available atĀ fillmoresilverspring.com.
Celebrating their 25th anniversary with their āMiddle of Everywhere Tour,ā pop trioĀ HansonĀ will play at the Fillmore Silver Spring onĀ Sunday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m.Ā for a sold-out show.
Pop divaĀ Katy PerryĀ brings āWITNESS: the Tourā to Capital One Arena onĀ Monday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $50-427 and up.
Veteran British popsters Saint Etienne perform at U Street Music Hall (1115 U St., N.W.) onĀ Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.Ā Tickets are $30. Details atĀ ustreetmusichall.com.
As expected, theĀ 9:30Ā Club (815 V Street, N.W.) has an impressive array of talent lined up for its hallowed stage this fall. The versatile electronic hip-hop visionary Thundercat plays a highly anticipated show onĀ Friday, Sept. 29 at 9:30 p.m., with tickets at $25. More information is available atĀ 930.com.
R&B/pop superstarĀ Bruno MarsĀ brings his electrifying ā24K Magic World Tourā to Capital One Arena for two shows Sept. 29-30 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $188 to as much as $1,180 and higher to see one of the biggest names in music.
One of the most acclaimed electronic groups aroundĀ Crystal CastlesĀ return to theĀ 9:30Ā Club for aĀ Saturday, Sept. 30Ā show that begins atĀ 9:30 p.m.Tickets are $30.
DAR Constitution Hall (18th and C streets N.W.) welcomes former One Direction starĀ Harry StylesĀ for a show onĀ Sunday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $57.70-97.50. For more details, visitĀ dar.org/constitution-hall.
At the Kennedy Center (2700 F Street, N.W.) onĀ Sunday, Oct. 1Ā is an intriguing show called āOrionās Rise: A Special Performanceā withĀ SolangeĀ andĀ the Sun Ra Arkestra. The show begins atĀ 7 p.m.Ā and tickets range from $49-169. More information is available atĀ kennedy-center.org.
Mashrouā Leila, a gay-led rock band from Lebanon, plays the Flex Stage room at the Birchmere onĀ Sunday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $35. Details atĀ birchmere.com.
Latino starsĀ Enrique IglesiasĀ andĀ PitbullĀ team up for a show at Capital One Arena onĀ Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $39-309 and up.
Hot off a stellar new album,Ā KeshaĀ is back and better than ever with her āRainbow Tour 2017.ā She performs at the Fillmore Silver Spring onĀ Friday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m.Ā Itās sold out.
Half of the Indigo Girls, lesbian folk-pop iconĀ Emily SaliersĀ brings her solo āMurmuration Nation Tourā to The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) onĀ Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $29.50. Details atĀ birchmere.com.
Foster the People, Young Thug and Galantis headline theĀ 2017 All Things Go Fall ClassicĀ music and food festival at Union MarketĀ Oct. 6-8. Details atĀ allthingsgofallclassic.com.
Local favoriteĀ Dave GrohlĀ and his powerhouse rockersĀ Foo FightersĀ have the honor of opening the new venue on the Waterfront, The Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.), for a historic show onĀ Thursday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets begin at $100 although it may take some good fortune to find one for this sold-out show. More information is available atĀ theanthemdc.com.
The inspirational transgender vocalistĀ Laura Jane GraceĀ and her cohorts inĀ Against Me!Ā performĀ Friday, Oct. 13Ā at theĀ 9:30Ā Club for aĀ 9:30 p.m.show, with tickets at $25.
The always hilarious and thought-provokingĀ Margaret ChoĀ is back for a performance at Warner Theatre (513 13th Street, N.W.) onĀ Saturday, Oct. 14Ā for her āFresh Off The Bloat Tour.ā Tickets are $27-58. Details atĀ warnertheatredc.com.
Openly gay singer/actorĀ Cheyenne JacksonĀ will be at the Barns at Wolf Trap (1635 Trap Road, Vienna, Va.) onĀ Sunday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets are $45-55. Details atĀ wolftrap.org.
The return ofĀ LCD SoundsystemĀ is one of the big musical stories of 2017, and they perform two nights at the AnthemĀ Oct. 17-18 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $61.75-81.75.
Queens of the Stone AgeĀ and British rockersĀ Royal BloodĀ team up for an exciting show at the Anthem onĀ Friday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $49.50-75.
The popular DJ and electronic producerĀ ZeddĀ is slated for a show at the Anthem onĀ Saturday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $41-76.
One of the most important bands currently recording is undoubtedlyĀ the War on Drugs, and they return to D.C. for a show at the Anthem onĀ Monday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $75-125.
Out comedianĀ Suzanne WestenhoefferĀ plays the Birchmere onĀ Friday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $45.
Shawn ColvinĀ is celebrating her classic album āA Few Small Repairsā with a 20th Anniversary Tour that will stop at the Birchmere for two highly anticipated shows Oct. 30-31 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $62.50.
Maynard James KeenanĀ andĀ A Perfect CircleĀ bring their dark and heavy rock to EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Cir., Fairfax, Va.) onĀ Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $40-276 and up with more information available atĀ eaglebankarena.com.
The following nightĀ Fall Out BoyĀ will also rock out EagleBank Arena. The emo rockers bring their āMANIA Tourā forĀ Thursday, Nov. 2Ā show that begins atĀ 7 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $30-245 and up.
A cappella wondersĀ Straight No ChaserĀ bring their dynamic harmonies to DAR Constitution Hall for aĀ Thursday, Nov. 2Ā show that begins atĀ 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $62 and up.
Legendary singer/songwriter/pianistĀ Tori AmosĀ is always spectacular live and her latest tour in support of new album āNative Invaderā should be no different. Sheās playing at MGM National Harbor onĀ Friday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m., with tickets ranging from $54-216 and up.
Popular ā90s-era alternative rockersĀ the BreedersĀ are back, and will play Lincoln Theatre (1215 U Street, N.W.) onĀ Sunday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets are $35. Details atĀ thelincolndc.com.
One of the more intriguing shows of the season promises to be the eclectic and uber-talentedĀ Flying LotusĀ in 3D at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd., N.E.) onĀ Sunday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.Ā Tickets are $45 and more information is available atĀ echostage.com.
Seattle-based rapperĀ Macklemore, known for his smash āThrift Shopā and his touching āSame Loveā withĀ Ryan LewisĀ andĀ Mary LambertĀ is appearing solo on āThe Gemini Tourā at the Fillmore Silver Spring. TheĀ Saturday, Nov. 11Ā show begins atĀ 8 p.m.Ā and is sold out.
The always entertaining duo of openly gay sistersĀ Tegan and SaraĀ bring their ā10th Anniversary Acoustic Tourā celebrating their album āThe Conā to the Anthem onĀ Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets are in the $50.50-76 range.
Legendary dance/pop/R&B iconĀ Janet JacksonĀ is back after delaying her previously scheduled show to have her baby. The new mother brings her āState of the World Tourā to Capital One Arena onĀ Thursday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m., with tickets ranging from $37-337 and higher. She plays Baltimore onĀ Saturday, Nov. 18.
The musically giftedĀ St. VincentĀ is a must-see when she appears at the Anthem onĀ Monday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $44-60.
R&B songstressĀ Erykah BaduĀ brings her chill groove to the Anthem onĀ Saturday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets are $76-126.
One of the most anticipated shows of the fall is undoubtedly the one and onlyĀ Lady Gaga, who brings her āJoanne World Tourā to Capital One Arena onĀ Sunday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $74-587 or more.
Diva extraordinaireĀ Chaka KhanĀ graces the stage of Warner Theatre onĀ Friday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $69-130.
Electro-wizardĀ DiploĀ is at Echostage for aĀ Saturday, Nov. 25Ā for aĀ 9 p.m.Ā show. Tickets are in the $40-50 range for what is certain to be an electrifying performance.
St. Vincent, who eschews labels but believes in gender and sexual āfluidity,ā plays Anthem onĀ Monday, Nov. 27. Tickets are $44-149.
Rap mogulĀ JAY-ZĀ is set to rock the Capital One Arena onĀ Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m.Ā on his ā4:44Ā Tour.ā Tickets range from $50-356 and higher.
The influential duo ofĀ Amanda PalmerĀ andĀ Brian Viglione,Ā the Dresden Dolls, are back for a show at theĀ 9:30Ā Club on Tuesday, Nov. 31 atĀ 9:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $35.
Longtime favorite pop-folk troubadourĀ Dar WilliamsĀ is back at the BirchmereĀ Dec. 8-9Ā atĀ 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $25 for a concert that will also include readings and discussions from her new book, āWhat I Found in a Thousand Towns.ā
As fall winds to an end, there are worse ways to get into the holiday mood than by seeing the AĀ PentatonixĀ Christmas Tour at the Anthem onĀ Sunday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $59.50-149.50 for a chance to see the a cappella supergroup.
And as has become an annual event, gay shock- and schlockmeisterĀ John WatersĀ returns to the Birchmere for his Christmas show onĀ Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $55.
Theater
Talented pair of local queer actors tackles āLittle Shop of Horrorsā
Fordās production features terrific score
āLittle Shop of HorrorsāĀ
Through May 18
Fordās Theatre
511 10th St., N.W.
$33-$95
Fords.orgĀ
Ever since premiering off-Broadway in 1982, āLittle Shop of Horrorsā has drawn a devoted following of avid audiences as well as performers eager to act in the show. Now playing at Fordās Theatre, the doo-wop, dark comedy features a terrific cast including a wildly talented pair of local queer actors whoāve longed to appear in the show since they were kids.
Set in the urban 1960s, Alan Menken and Howard Ashmanās hit show with a terrific score follows the wacky rise of Seymour, a nebbishy florist in a Skid Row shop who changes his fortunes by unintentionally marketing an exotic, human eating plant.
Chani Wereley, 28, who plays Seymourās love interest Audrey, a hyper femme downtowner with an edge, has had her on eye the role for years. Wereley says, āAudreyās been around the block more than once, but I approach her as a person who moves through the world with love and hope.ā
The queer D.C. native adds, āOn long trips to visit family in Canada or Florida, the first thing weād do is pop a āLittle Shop of Horrorsā video [film version] into the carās VHS player. Iāve watched is so many times, I could quote the whole movie to you.ā
After auditioning to play Audrey in director Kevin S. McAllisterās production at Fordās, Wereley never thought sheād book the part, and when they said she got it, she cried.
Similarly, Tobias A. Young, 34, the pansexual actor who voices the part of the bloodthirsty plant affectionately dubbed Audrey II, explains his intense interest in the work: āI started watching the film in ā86. Growing up as a little gay boy in Calvert County, Md., I wanted to be blonde Audrey [played by Ellen Green in the movie]. I didnāt know much about musicals at the time, but I was absorbed.ā
When asked by Fordās to play the voracious plant Audrey II without auditioning, his reply was an unhesitant āyes.ā
Voicing a role requires Young to sing from backstage in a black box rigged with monitors and a mixing board. He says, āpeople ask if Iām singing from inside of the ever-growing, scary plant. No, Iām not, and thatās fine. But letās face it, actors love to be seen on stage, but I donāt feel entirely unseen as Audrey II.ā
Heās worked hard and successfully with formidable puppeteers Ryan Sellers and Jay Frisby to bring parts of himself to the carnivorous plant ā his sassiness, own movements, and even a tilt of his head; their efforts have drawn the actual Young into the show.
Both Wereley and Young possess gorgeous, emotive voices as evidenced by Wereleyās striking rendition of Audreyās āSuddenly Seymour,ā and Youngās soulful āFeed Me (Git It).ā Additionally, both actors are also big on queer representation in theater.
When her young pals were listening to Britney Spears, Wereley was dancing to retro tunes like āMashed Potato Time,ā and her favorite song to this day, the Shirelleās girl group anthem āWill You Still Love Me Tomorrow.ā As Audrey, Wereley eschews the characterās usual platinum hair for a bouncy brunette, cherry-streaked wig, tight pencil skirts, swing coats, and her very own half-sleeve tattoo.
āItās important for people to see themselves on stage,ā she says. āSeeing me or someone like me is inherently interesting. Being that person on Instagram or with the institution, cast, or audiences is meaningful. Itās important.ā
In 2011, a couple years after finishing high school, Young landed a part in āDream Girlsā at Tobyās Dinner Theatre, and heās been working professionally ever since. Growing up, he didnāt see a lot of himself ā Black and queer ā on social media. He now wants to be open and honest for those out there who might not feel seen, he says
An introvert who lets everything loose on the stage, Young says, ātheater is a safe space for queer people. Thatās the first place we feel safe, particularly in school. And this is why we need theaters in schools, now more than ever.ā
He adds, āWhatās great about Fordās is its surprises, especially when they switch up casting. Itās meaningful to see the shows you love, but why not see them with a twist? Using unexpected actors and incorporating queer people just makes it that much better.ā
Finger lasers, confetti cannons, drag shows, photo booths, throwback tunes, and a touch nerdy: after a long break, D.C.ās gay DJ collective CTRL is throwing its first party in six years.
Born in an Eritrean restaurant more than a decade ago, this longstanding gay nightlife electropop group is resurfacing with a comeback event at Trade on March 30.
Gay DJs Adam Koussari-Amin, Jeff Prior, Devon Trotter, and Brett Andreisen hosted the first CTRL party at now-closed restaurant Dahlak, on the corner of 18th and U Streets. After a year of hosting pop-ups in that restaurantās dining room, they upgraded down 18th Street to now-closed gay club Cobalt. There, the parties grew: drag shows, a pop-up photo booth from David Claypool, and quirky activations like throwing hot dogs into print-outs of Putinās mouth. Their productions grew as well, like producing the now-defunct Brightest Young Gays (BYG) Pride events at Wonderbread Factory and Union Market and the āGet Wetā pool party with David Brownās Otter Crossing at the Capitol Skyline Hotel.
CTRL wasnāt done. The group received its biggest stage yet after a call from Ed Bailey, the owner of now-closed gay club Town, as well as current gay bars Number 9 and Trade. At Town, the opportunity āallowed our creativity to flourish with even bigger performances, bigger photo experiences, crazier hand-outs, and the same electropop dance vibes our fans had come to know us for,ā says Koussari-Amin.
CTRL pressed pause when Town shut down, which āwas a huge loss to the LGBTQIA+ community and D.C. nightlife in general,ā says Koussari-Amin. After that, it hosted an occasional spinoff called QWERTY. Post-pandemic, Koussari-Amin has spent a few nights solo as DJ at Trade and other venues.
After connecting with Jesse Jackson, the Trade general manager, as well as with Bailey, who agreed to host the inaugural event, Koussari-Amin was determined to shift CTRL back to life.
However, getting the old band back together proved to be a challenge. While the rest of the group have either left Washington, D.C., or are pursuing other projects, Koussari-Amin received their blessing to stay on and find new members.
āWhen it came to finding new partners, both DJ Dez [Desmond Jordan] and DJ Lemz [Steve Lemmerman] were obvious choices,ā he says, noting that āthey also have distinct styles and interests.ā Dez has a residency at Pitchers and Kiki as well as pop-ups, and Lemz throws events like Sleaze and BENT.
āIt seemed important to come back to the nightlife table with an experience that could complement all the amazing experiences that have even built up since CTRL threw its last event at Town. Bringing back both the DJ collective and the CTRL event with Dez and Lemz means new voices, perspectives, sounds, and excitement.ā
āCTRL is an opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy music, drinks, and good vibes,ā adds Jordan, noting that for him, itās an event that celebrates queer identity.
And after months of planning, CTRL will kick off its monthly party series at Trade on March 30 for the first gig after its glow-up.
The trio says that its core inspiration āis driven by the indie and electropop favorites of new and old, like Goldfrapp, Ava Max, Charli XCX, ā¦ We’re also all huge fans of slut and trash pop music like Kim Petras, Slayyyter, Cupcakke,ā as well as pop diva remixes, new bops, and songs that reside inside and far beyond the expanse of Top 40.
CTRL is also bringing back its activations that complement the tunes. Summer Camp is set for drag performances, David Claypool is back with his photo booth, and Koussari-Amin promises āto have all sorts of weird and wacky handouts like we used to.ā
After the March premiere, Aprilās party is āCTRLellaā, a Coachella send-up. Future events will feature various different themes, and they plan to throw a party during Capital Pride; theyāre also looking to be a central part of Tradeās expansion into the adjacent space.
Koussari-Amin says that āthe eventās signature experience [is] a lynchpin in connecting D.C.ās expanding generations of queer folks, giving everyone a safe space to let loose and feel a rush no matter who they are.ā
For his part, Bailey continues to support CTRL and its collective intention, expressing its essential nature as a party for partiers by partiers. āCTRL is the kind of party that represents what people want. Itās just a real party by real people that just want to hear good music and dance with their friends.ā
Celebrity News
HRC releases āQueer Renaissance Syllabusā
BeyoncĆ©ās hit album inspired curriculum
In a move aimed at celebrating the beauty, brilliance and resilience of the LGBTQ community, the Human Rights Campaign unveiled the “Queer Renaissance Syllabus” that BeyoncĆ©ās āRenaissanceā album inspired.
Curated by Justin Calhoun, Leslie Hall and Chauna Lawson of the HRC’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program, the syllabus includes a variety of academic articles, essays, films and other media rooted in Black queer and feminist studies. Each piece is directly inspired by the tracks on BeyoncĆ©’s Billboard 200-topping dance album, “Renaissance.”
BeyoncĆ©’s album “Renaissance” stands as a cultural milestone, celebrating the Black queer roots of dance music while shedding light on overlooked Black queer artists. Inspired by her late-Uncle Johnny, the album not only garnered critical acclaim but also shed light on the often marginalized contributions of Black queer artists. Winning four Grammys and yielding chart-topping hits like āBreak My Soulā and āCuff It,ā the album sparked discussions about economic impact and cultural representation.
Amid its success, legislative challenges arose, with Florida and Texas enacting bans on DEI initiatives in public colleges. Recognizing the album’s transformative potential, HRC developed the “Queer Renaissance Syllabus” to leverage its impact for education and activism.
Tailored for educators, youth-serving professionals, DEI practitioners, higher education leaders and admirers of BeyoncĆ©’s artistry, the syllabus aims to encourage meaningful discussions, enrich lesson plans, and explore innovative ways to honor the vibrancy and significance of LGBTQ individuals and their culture.
With six themes anchoring the syllabus, ranging from “intersectionality and inclusivity” to “social justice and activism,” it provides a comprehensive exploration of various facets of LGBTQ experiences and expressions. Fan-favorite tracks from the album are paired with scholarly readings, offering insights into empowerment, self-acceptance and the transformative power of artistic expression. The syllabus also reinforces HRCās efforts to highlight, amplify and re-center Black and queer voices.
By providing links to articles, books, podcasts and interviews, each associated with a song from the album, it celebrates the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Black queer community.
The concluding section of the syllabus includes BeyoncĆ©’s tribute to OāShea Sibley, a young Black queer person who was murdered in Brooklyn, N.Y., last July while voguing to āRenaissanceā songs at a gas station. HRC also includes a statement that condemns hate crimes.
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