Music & Concerts
SPRING ARTS 2020: Symphonies, opera and more on spring slate
Out British pianist Stephen Hough to play, present essay book mid-April
[Events are subject to change. The following events are scheduled as of March 11. Check the respective sites for cancellations.]
“P r i s m,” composer Ellen Reid’s surreal and haunting opera exploring the trauma of sexual abuse and the problems of memory in its wake, will be performed today and Saturday at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). Tickets are $29 at kennedy-center.org.
Washington National Opera has two current productions. Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” continues through March 22 at the Kennedy Center Opera House (2700 F St., N.W.). Tickets range from $45-299.
And Saint-Saen’s “Samson and Delilah” runs through March 21.
“Blue,” a new opera by Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson about the death of a young black man by a white police officer, is slated for a March 15-28 production.
SHIFT: a Festival of American Orchestras runs March 24-28 with the Jacksonville Symphony (its music director Courtney Lewis is gay) performing March 24, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra March 25, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra March 27 and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra March 28.
The National Symphony Orchestra, as usual, has several upcoming concerts. Russian pianist Denis Kozhukhin will perform the Grieg Piano Concerto April 2-4, Louis Langree conducts Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto with gay pianist Stephen Hough April 16 and 18. The British-born Hough, who now lives in Australia, will also promote his new book of witty essays “Rough Ideas: Reflections on Music and More” (one essay is dubbed “Gay pianists: can you tell?”) at Politics & Prose (5015 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) on Sunday, April 19 at 1 p.m. It’s free to attend. Details at politics-prose.com.
Back to the NSO, Conductor Laureate Christoph Eschenbach returns to conduct an all-French program, including Ravel’s famous “Bolero,” April 23-25. Queer organist Cameron Carpenter will perform Poulenc’s “Organ Concerto” all three nights.
All performances are in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Details and tickets at kennedy-center.org.
Not classical but quick side note, since it is at the Kennedy Center — TV icon Lynda Carter (“Wonder Woman”) will give her annual concert on Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Terrace Theater. This year’s show is calld “The Human & Divine Tour” and features her daughter, Jessica Carter Altman. Tickets are $65-110.
On Saturday, March 28, the Choral Arts Society of Washington presents “Music by Women on a Mission” with performances at 4 and 8 p.m. at Live! at 10th & G (945 G St., N.W.). Artistic Director Scott Tucker will be joined by guest conductor Gisele Becker for a program by women composers. Tickets are $30 at choralarts.org.
Also in the only “loosely” classical vein, Congressional Chorus presents its cabaret show “Vogue: Return to the ‘90s” March 21-22 at Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St., N.W.). Tickets are $39-49 ($19 for students). Details at congressionalchorus.org.
Washington Concert Opera performs Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” on Sunday, April 5 at 6 p.m. at Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St., N.W.). Its 2020 Gala: an Evening with Offenbach is Wednesday, May 13 at 6 p.m. at the Embassy of France (401 Reservoir Rd., N.W.). A variety of ticket packages are available. Details at concertopera.org.
Way more pop leaning but still of note, The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will perform its new show “Genderosity” this weekend (see page 56 for details). It will debut a new choral work by Broadway vet Andrew Lippa “Unbreakable” in early June.
The Washington Bach Consort, under gay direction, has a bounty of spring performances in its Director’s Series, Chamber Series and Noontime Cantata Series. Full details at bachconsort.org.
D.C. Different Drummers, an LGBT ensemble, offers its “Precious Moments” concert (its annual symphonic band spring concert) on Saturday, April 4 at 7 p.m. at Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St., N.W.). Thea Kano of the Gay Men’s Chorus will join as guest conductor. La Voix Live 2020, an evening of music and laughter with the D.C. Different Drummers ensembles is Friday, April 17. Details at dcdd.org.
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.
Music & Concerts
Pride concert to take place at Strathmore after Kennedy Center rescinds invitation
International Pride Orchestra ‘heartbroken’ event ‘would no longer be welcome’ at DC venue
The International Pride Orchestra has announced its Pride concert will take place at the Strathmore Music Center on June 5 after the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts disinvited the group.
Since President Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center during his first month in office, LGBTQ events and performances have been banned with community allies withdrawing in solidarity.
The Kennedy Center has cancelled “A Peacock Among Pigeons: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride,” a May 21 concert that was to feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. The International Pride Orchestra on Monday said its concert will now take place at the Strathmore.
“We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,” said International Pride Orchestra Founding Artistic Director Michael Roest in a statement released by the orchestra’s media page. “The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression. However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us. Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation’s capital.”
The Pride concert is among the events that have faced uncertainty since the Trump-Vance administration took office on Jan. 20. Many, however, are fighting back and looking for ways to push back against the bans and cancellations.
“We aim to create a powerful and positive representation of the queer community through music,” said Roest. “We want to show the world who we are, celebrate our queer identities, and amplify the work of organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community.”
WorldPride is scheduled to take place in D.C. from May 17-June 8.
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