Music & Concerts
Alan Cumming offers a cabaret twist with ‘Legal Immigrant’
New show features Broadway staples, diva hits, a Disney medley and more
Alan Cumming says his cabaret show is, ‘mostly me chatting on and singing and at the end I’m joined by lots of other homosexuals and we sing some more. It’s a fun time.’ (Photo by Christopher Boudewyns; courtesy Kennedy Center)
‘Alan Cumming: Legal Immigrant’
Saturday, July 28
$29-99
202-467-4600
Scottish-born, out actor Alan Cumming describes his immigration experience as privileged. He came to the U.S. for an acting gig and his first home was the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverley Hills. In his new cabaret “Legal Immigrant,” playing at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall for one night only on Saturday, he talks and sings about the immigration experience, becoming an American citizen, aging and various other tidbits including his scrotum.
The cabaret’s setlist includes terrific show tunes from Kander & Ebb’s “The Singer,” Stephen Sondheim’s “Old Friends” and “Not A Day Goes By” from “Merrily We Roll Along,” then “Losing My Mind” from “Follies.” He’s also covering songs associated with female greats like Pink, Edith Piaf, Adele, Marlene Dietrich and Peggy Lee, and sings a Disney Princess medley without irony. Also, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will join him for a few songs.
Cumming calls it “a true old-fashioned cabaret, a smorgasbord of genres, styles and tales; laughter, tears and, of course, provocation.”
A timely piece indeed, Cumming, 53, says the recent vilification of immigrants is disturbing.
“The idea that you’re not going to get health care, education or justice unless you have money is wrong. The idea that immigrants are cast as criminals is upsetting. There’s a lot of racism surrounding it. As a privileged male, I can’t imagine how it is for a trans person or person of color entering the country. America is so big we can’t expect everyone to feel the same. Racism has always been here and some of us foolishly thought it might go away when Obama was elected. But it was in fact just bubbling beneath surface. And Trump gave it license to explode. I believe things will get better again. I think we’re experiencing the last hurrah of old bigoted white people running the country.”
Cumming, who won a Tony Award for playing the master of ceremonies in the Broadway revival of “Cabaret,” loves selecting the music for his own performances.
“I sing whatever I want. Mash up songs together and sing songs you might know but sing them in a different way. I like that a lot.”
He describes performing at the Kennedy Center as an honor. And adds that it’s the perfect time and D.C. is the perfect place to perform his show. Cumming invites gay choruses from the various city where he plays.
“Most of the show it’s just me and four musicians. All of sudden a hundered people walk on the stage and sing the last couple of songs. There’s big impact. Change of sound. I love it. I’m bringing LGBT people on stage. That’s a potent message.”
Based in New York City, Cumming also has a home in Scotland near where he grew up. He feels very connected to his homeland and wishes he could spend more time there, but he’s usually working, he says.
Aside from his cabaret performances, Cumming is busy filming the second season of TV’s “Instinct.” Cumming stars as openly gay former CIA operative Dr. Dylan Reinhart who is lured back to his old life when the NYPD needs his help to stop a serial killer. It’s the first network drama with a gay leading character.
“You wonder why it took so long? My friends from England are surprised to hear that it’s a first. To find a gay character on a BBC drama wouldn’t be a big deal. I like the way the show’s written. My character’s sexuality isn’t the main focus of the storylines.”
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her acclaimed “Tension” world tour to D.C. next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.
The show features songs spanning her long career, from 1987 debut single, “The Loco-Motion,” to “Padam, Padam” from her album, “Tension.”
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.
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