Arts & Entertainment
Madonna lashes out after London Palladium cuts off concert for going past curfew
Madonna is making news again for a disruption of her current “Madame X” tour, but it’s not because she cancelled another show.
Variety reports that the 61-year-old “Queen of Pop” has been venting her anger at the London Palladium after the venue cut short her concert for running over an 11 p.m. curfew on Wednesday night.
The singer was still performing when Palladium staff closed the stage curtain and switched off the sound when she went past the deadline, prompting an expletive-laced outburst from the “Vogue” hitmaker, who emerged from behind the curtain and continued the show despite the house lights being on and her microphone being off.
The pop icon later took to Instagram to further express her fury at the Palladium, accusing the venue of attempting to “censor” her “Madame X” performance in a post which included a video showing her coming through the curtains with her backup dancers and launching into the concert’s final song, “I Rise,” as the audience applauded and sang along.
The singer wrote, “…it was 5 minutes past our 11:00 curfew—-we had one more song to do and The Palladium decided to censor us by pulling.down the metal fire curtain that weighs 9 tons. Fortunately they stopped it half way and no one was hurt………….. Many Thanks to the entire Audience who did not move and never left us. ?????? Power to The People!! #Irise #ongod #madamextheatre #thelondonpalladium”
The video as posted on Madonna’s Instagram begins with a caption that says, “Everybody’s hurt. What is important, what drives you, torments you, is that you must find some way of using this to connect with everyone else alive. Artists are here to disturb the peace.”
On Thursday, a Palladium spokeswoman issued a statement disputing the controversial star’s claim that the metal fire curtain had been lowered, saying, “Contrary to a number of reports, at no point during last night’s performance did staff at The London Palladium pull down, or attempt to pull down, the Iron Fire Curtain.”
At a previous Palladium show last week, Madonna told the audience that she had been warned by the local Westminster council that an “iron curtain” would fall over the production if she went beyond the designated cutoff time.
According to The Daily Mail, the star trolled the venue again at her Palladium show on Thursday, the following night, by saying on stage, “You know there’s an iron curtain waiting for me. Some handcuffs? I hope someone will arrest me.”
Not all of Madonna’s fans agreed with her take on the incident. At least one fan at the Wednesday show blamed the singer, telling The Mail, “Classic Madge. All her own fault.” Her original Instagram post also included several comments from concert-goers scolding her for her tardiness, such as @jpstunnas, who wrote, “Bravo to the theater. This should of been done in the states. You need to learn to not be super tardy.”
The Wednesday concert had been scheduled to begin at 8:30pm, but the singer did not take the stage until approximately 30 minutes later, causing the performance to run past its scheduled ending time. Madonna has a long history of being late for performances, and is currently being sued by fans over the devaluation of show tickets due to her tardiness.
She has previously cancelled 10 of the 93 scheduled dates for her current tour due to injury.
The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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.
Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
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