Arts & Entertainment
A new crop of music to freshen up your self-isolation
Even in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, our favorite musical artists are hard at work to provide us with new tracks for our safe-at-home listening pleasure.
Over the weekend, a number of pop favorites dropped new releases, but maybe the most surprising comes from none other than Lindsay Lohan – and no, that’s not a misprint, and yes, THAT Lindsay Lohan. The track is called “Back to Me,” and there’s no video for it, yet (perhaps a bit surprising for a single from a genuine movie actress) but you can listen to the “Mean Girls” star’s latest effort here.
Another LGBTQ+ fan favorite offering up something fresh was Lauv, who dropped an acoustic version of his recent hit single, “Modern Loneliness.” The power ballad was written as both a statement and a commentary on society and our relationships with social media, where we are increasingly “alone together” – a sentiment the artist says is “even more relevant” now. The new acoustic version is part of an exclusive merch bundle previously made available by the singer/songwriter in order to raise money for Partners in Health COVID relief efforts, and all future streams and revenue from the new acoustic track, unveiled on its own last Thursday, will go to the relief efforts as well.
You can download or stream that here, and watch the video for the original version of the song below.
Also bringing the acoustic sound into your mix is Scottish singer/writer/producer ONR (pronounced “honor”), who has shared the acoustic version of “Human Enough,” an alternate rendition of the second single from his forthcoming “Must Stop” EP, due May 15 from Warner Records.
The musician, whose real name is Robert Shields, is also doing his part for the COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts with the “Shed Sessions.” a series of intimate piano sets livestreamed on Instagram Live from his garden shed at his home in rural Scotland. Those are scheduled for Mondays and Fridays at 12pm PT / 3pm ET here, and the video for the new acoustic single is below.
Last but not least, there are three new remixes of Europop-winner Netta’s “Ricki Lake,” a single described by her publicity material as “a charming, tongue-in-cheek, absurdist love letter to American culture.” The new remixes come from very different corners of the world – the United States, Russia, and Netta’s home of Israel – and bring the new creative perspectives of three unique voices in the global electronic music scene: award-winning stateside DJ Joe Maz Moscow-based electronic duo Filatov & Karas, and finally a high-velocity reinvention by Israeli songwriter/producer BQ.
All three of those new treats are below.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
In some fowl fiction foreshadowing, a gay-owned chicken joint has come home to roost on U Street, taking a page from the chicken window subplot on the HBO show “Looking.”
Last Friday, Lucky Pollo – much more than just a takeout window – stretched its wings atop the busy nightlife corner of 14th and U Streets NW.
Behind the poultry production place is Zach Renovátes, a D.C.-based nightlife operator and managing partner of LGBTQ venues Bunker and District Eagle, as well as the LGBTQ event production company KINETIC Presents.
Renovátes opened Bunker in February 2023 and District Eagle in January of this year. Lucky Pollo is the third in his growing gay empire, though this time there are noshes.
“Lucky Pollo was meant to be fun and a little provocative,” Renovátes said.
Based around its Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, Lucky Pollo is a quick-service restaurant boasting a small menu of poultry and sides. Renovátes says that the dishes are deeply rooted in Peruvian culinary tradition, “a playful experience alongside seriously good food.”
Lucky Pollo’s signature chicken is steeped in a dozen-plus-spice marinade for 24 hours. The meat is then slow-roasted, rotisserie-style, over oak-wood charcoal. Chicken options include quarter, half, and whole.
Helming the kitchen at Lucky Pollo is Chef Luis Herrera, who brings Peruvian recipes passed down through three generations, including his grandmother Laura’s original creations.
Beyond the full bird, the menu features Peruvian-inspired sides like yuca fries (“I personally love these,” says Renovátes) and fried plantains, as well as comfort classics such as mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, and bowls, wraps, and salads. Herrera oversees development of the multiple sauces (including staff favorite, the “secret green sauce”), crafted in-house using traditional Peruvian ingredients.
Lucky Pollo, in its streetside perch, is an independent concept from District Eagle, open to the public and staying open late (3 a.m. on weekends) to serve both nightlife guests and the wider U Street crowd hungry for late-night bites. However, just beyond the kitchen, tucked in the back lies a vintage 1950s candy machine—labeled “Out of Order,” which serves as the door leading to subterranean District Eagle.
Renovátes notes that when District Eagle is open, security staff will maintain a strict two-line policy, ensuring that those seeking meat to eat will not get entwined with those looking to gain access to District Eagle.
Lucky Pollo unites the need for sustenance with the idea of a bit of fortune, given its motto, “Get Lucky” and the whimsical brand mascot: a leather-booted chicken perched on a horseshoe. Renovátes and his District Eagle business partner had always been interested in opening a restaurant, and the Lucky Pollo space was indeed lucky: It already came with a functional kitchen. Plus, he says, the nearby fast-casual places around 14th and U streets “don’t offer a lot of quality options,” so opening the chicken spot “was a no-brainer.”
The space, designed by NYC creative Jasin Cadic, blends theatrical street-art-style vibes with Keith Haring-inspired wall prints, neon signs, and ceiling-hung chicken figurines —”some edgy, some sweet,” says Renovátes —creating an immersive, playful atmosphere. Lucky Pollo and District Eagle maintain separate amenities for their respective customers.
Lucky Pollo opened last week with a competition to devour a whole rotisserie chicken in the fastest time, with the winner earning $1,000 and a framed spot on the restaurant’s “Wall of Fame.” The opening also featured other games and prizes, and a full crowd spilling out the door.
“We want it to be a great place to eat, but also serve as a playful front for something completely unexpected.” Renovátes says.
On weekends especially, he jokes, the motto will be, ‘Come for the chicken, stay for the cock.’”
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