CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 Volume 23 Issue 40

9 DIONNE WARWICK
It may come as a shock, but Dionne Warwick balks
at the idea of playing massive venues

By Randy Shulman

15 LGBTQ BLACK
FILMS EVERYONE
SHOULD SEE
22
34
By Andr Hereford, Chris Heller, Rhuaridh Marr,
Will OBryan, Doug Rule and Randy Shulman

UNHAPPY ENDINGS
Ryan Adams tumultuous breakup lays the ground
for stark personal reflections on Prisoner

By Sean Maunier

OVERTURE: BASKING IN MOONLIGHT p.7 SPOTLIGHT: DIONNE WARWICK p.9 OUT ON THE TOWN p.13
SORRY ABOUT THAT: SONIA p.14 INTERSECTIONAL: ATLAS INTERSECTIONS FESTIVAL p.16
QUIETLY RELEVANT: JACKIE MAXWELL p.18 COMMUNITY: WIZARDS NIGHT OUT p.19
COMMUNITY: DC SCANDALS p.20 COVER STORY: 15 LGBTQ BLACK FILMS EVERYONE SHOULD SEE p.22
GALLERY: ANDREW SNOW p.29 STAGE: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER p.30 STAGE: KING CHARLES III p.32
MUSIC: RYAN ADAMS p.34 NIGHTLIFE p.37 SCENE: TRADE p.37 LISTINGS p.39
SCENE: DIK BAR p.45 LAST WORD p.46
Real LGBT News and Entertainment since 1994
Editorial Editor-in-Chief Randy Shulman Art Director Todd Franson Managing Editor Rhuaridh Marr Senior Editor John Riley Contributing Editor Doug Rule
Senior Photographers Ward Morrison, Julian Vankim Contributing Illustrator Scott G. Brooks Contributing Writers Andr Hereford,
Sean Maunier, Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield Webmaster David Uy Production Assistant Julian Vankim
Sales & Marketing Publisher Randy Shulman National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media Co. 212-242-6863 Distribution Manager Dennis Havrilla
Patron Saint Marlon Riggs On The Cover Moonlight courtesy of Plan B Entertainment

Metro Weekly 1775 I St. NW, Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 202-638-6830
All material appearing in Metro Weekly is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Metro Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials submitted for publication. All such submissions are subject to
editing and will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Metro Weekly is supported by many fine advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for materials provided by advertisers or their
agents. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles or advertising in Metro Weekly is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person or organization.
2017 Jansi LLC.

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 5

 Overture
BASKING IN MOONLIGHT
A
LONG TIME AGO, IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY, I LABORED AS A FILM CRITIC. LABORED
is probably too strong a word I actually enjoyed my years writing about film. Its what got me
into journalism and, tangentially, led me to start Metro Weekly. And while I dont miss having to
attend roughly 300 films a year, Im no less passionate about the medium.
Over the years, the magazine has featured expansive coverage of movies in general, with specialized
focus in LGBTQ cinema. One of our proudest accomplishments has been our exhaustive coverage of mov-
ies at the Reel Affirmations film festival, which we started covering in 1994. As a result, we have assembled
well over 1,000 reviews of all types of LGBTQ films from features to documentaries to musicals to the
shortest of shorts. Much of the repository is still on our site, starting with the 2003 festival. And glancing
over those lists of films reminds you of how far LGBTQ cinema has come in 23 years.

In 2009, Sean Bugg, my co-editor at the time,
and I decided to celebrate the Oscars with a cover
story entitled 25 Gay Films Everyone Should See.
It took us a week of arguing to sort that first list (I
was adamant that The Birdcage was a redundant
addition, given we had La Cage aux Folles on it).
We followed in 2011 with 25 Gay Films
Everyone Should See: The Sequel (still adamant
about no Birdcage) and again in 2013 with 25 Gay
Films Everyone Should See 3D (no Birdcage!).
I actually had a master plan to do The Final
Chapter and A New Beginning, but we never
got around to it. Instead, we took side journeys. We
looked at 13 camp films in 2012, and in 2015, with
the help of the DC Shorts Film Festival, we focused
on what else? LGBTQ shorts.
For this year, particularly with the rise of
Moonlight, it became clear we celebrate African-
American essentials of the LGBTQ cinemagoing
experience. Working with contributor Andr
Hereford, himself a former film industry profes-
sional, a strong list of 15 movies was agreed on,
a list we all felt encompassed a perfect range of
everything from drama to comedy to camp. The
collection provides a phenomenal overview of cin-
ematic evolution and achievement within a black
LGBTQ framework.
Nowhere is this more evident than in this years
Oscar nominee Moonlight. Yes, its a gay film.
Yes, its an African-American film. But its also
a phenomenal film without those classifications.
Its a rare achievement in filmmaking; director
Barry Jenkins and his astonishing cast achieve an
emotional poetry that eludes even the most accom-
plished veteran filmmakers.
With a narrative that deals with gay coming of
age issues while living in a rough area of Miami in
the 80s. The movie defies both conventions and
expectations as it follows the circumstances and
quiet yet significant moments that define and shape
a young boys life, not necessarily in the best pos-
sible way, but always in the most meaningful one.
The young protagonists salvation is in both his ten-
tative and resolute acceptance of his sexuality. But
Moonlight really has less to do with being gay and
more to do with understanding ones heart. It is,
above and beyond all else, a story of finding, feeling
and learning love.
The Academy, so thoughtless in its perpetual
rewarding of white actors, directors, writers and
film craftspersons, felt a sting last year with the
#oscarssowhite campaign. Theyve been handed
a gift with Moonlight, a chance for redemption, a
chance to set themselves on a better path to future
diversity in the films they acknowledge with nomi-
nations and ultimately honor with Oscars.
If nothing else, the Academy should do the right
thing and bestow Moonlight with its top honor.
And the beautiful thing is that its not a gratuitous
vote (We can award something gay and black and
that buys us another 20 years of voting white!).
Moonlight actually deserves the Best Picture Oscar.
For its raw, beautiful, engrossing intensity, for its
ability to make you feel more deeply than a film has
made you feel in years, if not decades. For its proof
that you dont need to spend $150 million to cre-
ate something astonishing. All you need is a great
script, a director with a vision, and a gifted cast.
Finally, Moonlight deserves the benefits that
come with an Oscar a re-release in theatres and
the prospect of a larger audience. An audience who
may come away surprised at what an authentic
masterpiece looks like.
Randy Shulman
Editor-in-Chief

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 7

 Spotlight

Dionne Warwick
I
T MAY COME AS A SHOCK, BUT DIONNE WARWICK
balks at the idea of playing massive venues. Ive basical-
ly refused to perform in arenas and coliseums, says the
76-year-old legend. Those things are for basketball and hock-
ey and soccer. And I am a singer. She prefers intimate rooms
where she can connect with her audience, rooms like Bethesda
Blues & Jazz, where shell appear next week to help the venue
celebrate its 4th Anniversary.
Over the course of two nights, shell be performing from a
seemingly inexhaustible supply of hits, in particular those from
her extraordinary collaboration with composer Burt Bacharach
and lyricist Hal David, songs that have become so iconic, its
hard to imagine anyone else singing them, including Do You
Know the Way to San Jose? and Ill Never Fall in Love Again.
Warwicks success extended beyond her Bacharach collabo-
PHOTO COURTESY BETHESDA BLUES & JAZZ
on the R&B, Adult Contemporary and Billboard Hot 100 charts
and raised nearly $3 million for the American Foundation for
AIDS Research.
Warwick felt a deep obligation to be a part of the project. We
were losing so many people [to AIDS], in my industry particu-
larly, she says, adding, My grandfather, who was a minister,
taught me at a very tender age that were all put on this earth to
be of service to each other, and that we all need healthy people
around us. And if theres anything we can do to ensure that...its
part of what were supposed to do.
Inevitably, as with almost any conversation these days, talk
turns to Donald Trump. Warwick gets audibly riled up when
speaking of the new President with a penchant for childish
Tweets.
We cant sit around and twiddle our thumbs, you know?

rations and songs like the soaring, Barry Manilow-produced
Ill Never Love This Way Again and the Bee Gees-penned
Heartbreaker. Among her most cherished achievements was
performing alongside Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie
Wonder on Thats What Friends Are For. The song shot to #1
We need to take the initiative to be the actual citizens of these
United States of America and demand the things that we know
were entitled to and how they ought to be done, she insists. He
has no choice but to listen. Hes not our boss. Were his boss. Hes
got to listen to us. Randy Shulman

Dionne Warwick appears Tuesday, Feb. 28 and Wednesday, March 1 at Bethesda Blues & Jazz, 7719 Wisconsin Ave., in Bethesda.
Doors at 6 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $115 to $150. Call 240-330-4500 or visit bethesdabluesjazz.com.

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 9

 Spotlight
GET OUT
Jordan Peele of Comedy Centrals Key & Peele
makes a left-turn from comedy with his directo-
rial debut. Touted by Daily Beast as the years
best horror movie, its an updated take on Guess
Whos Coming to Dinner?, featuring Bradley
Whitford and Catherine Keener as liberal white
parents troubled by their daughter Allison
Williams relationship with Daniel Kaluuya.
Kaluuya plays Chris, the the lead character in
this meet-the-parents mystery exploring segre-
gated suburbia, spooky servants, uncomfortable
parties, and the use of hypnosis. Opens Friday,
Feb. 24. Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.

THE NAKED MAGICIANS

Australian illusionists Christopher Wayne and
Mike Tyler perform a show that is exactly what
it sounds like: an evening of tricks performed
in the buff. Following sold-out shows and rave
reviews in this country and around the globe,
the worlds cheekiest magic show returns to the
Lincoln Theatre. Billed as an R-rated specta-
cle, the nudity is not just a semantic sleight of
hand: While not full-frontal for the full show,
the conjuring duo do strip out of their clothes
on stage and occasionally position themselves so
that they cant hide, baring all for the audience.
All, that is, but the tricks of the trade and the
magic easily rivals the naked thrills. Two shows
on Friday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Lincoln
Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets are $20 to $75.
Call 202-328-6000 or visit thelincolndc.com.

THE KNOCKS
A sharp neo-disco/indie-dance DJ/production
duo from New York, the Knocks are a just-bub-
bling-under act who stirred up the All Things
Go Fall Classic at Union Market in the festivals
first two years. The duo of Ben B-Roc Ruttner
and James JPatt Patterson return to the 9:30
Club to play through its repertoire of vocal-driv-
en dance-pop featuring everyone from Carly
Rae Jepsen and Alex Newell, to Wyclef Jean,
Walk the Moon and X Ambassadors. They just
released Testify, an EP featuring new songs with
MNEK and Sam Nelson Harris, lead singer of
X Ambassadors. Bipolar Sunshine and Gilligan
Moss open. Thursday, March 2. Doors at 7 p.m.
TATIANA TURIN

9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. Tickets are $20. Call

202-265-0930 or visit 930.com.

10 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 Spotlight
THE BODYGUARD
After Broadway turns in Aida and Jekyll & Hyde,
Deborah Cox is touring the U.S. in a role she seems
born to play: Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard.
Alexander Dinelaris musical adaptation of the 1992
blockbuster starring Whitney Houston stops for a
short run in Baltimore the closest The Bodyguard
will come to D.C. The score goes beyond merely
the Houston hits from the films soundtrack to
include many of her greatest, from How Will I
Know to So Emotional to I Wanna Dance with
Somebody. Opens Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 8 p.m. Runs
to March 5. Hippodrome Theatre, 12 North Eutaw
St., Baltimore. Call 800-343-3103 or visit thebody-
guardmusical.com.
JOAN MARCUS

H2O
Jane Martins Los Angeles-set dramedy about self-destruction,
notoriety, and the dark journey to purity and salvation is brought
to life at Marylands Rep Stage in a production directed by Kasi
Campbell. H20 focuses on a new Hollywood star (Robbie Gay)
whom a young evangelical Christian woman (Krenee A. Tolson)
sets out to save. To March 5. The Horowitz Centers Studio
Theatre at Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent
Parkway, Columbia, Md. Tickets are $15 to $40. Call 443-518-1500
or visit repstage.org.

KATIE SIMMONS-BARTH

ARIANA GRANDE
The starlet is now officially a stadium act, on her
Dangerous Woman Tour. Though she sometimes
comes across like a shriekier, lightweight Mariah
Carey, especially at the beginning of her career, the
23-year-old has been slowly coming into her own,
displaying a burly, soulful vibrato and wide range
on this tour, according to a Las Vegas Weekly review.
Monday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. Verizon Center, 601 F St.
NW. Call 202-628-3200 or visit verizoncenter.com.

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 11

BITCHES WHO BRUNCH

Out On The Town

THE DEVIL WEARS COMMISSARY

Meryl Streep is the toast of Commissary on Oscar Night, in honor of the actresss 20th Academy Award nomination. The
casual Logan Circle cafe will pour special Streep-inspired cocktails all day, plus Streep games and trivia during brunch.
Streep movies will be projected on screens all day as well, though as dusk begins to fall Commissary will transition to
become the set of La La Land and the screens will start in on the 89th annual Oscars, with the red carpet watch starting
at 4 p.m. An exclusive La La Land-themed menu will be served at dinner in addition to the restaurants regular menu, with
the Oscar ceremony shown on a full wall projector beginning at 8:30 p.m. Commissary DC, 1443 P St. NW. Call 202-299-
0018 or visit commissarydc.com.

Compiled by Doug Rule
FILM
DC BLACK HISTORY FILM
FESTIVAL
A day-long screening of indepen-
dent features, shorts and documen-
tary films focused on the African
diaspora. The DC Mayors Office on
African American Affairs co-pres-
ents this festival with Urban Film
Review and Lamman Rucker.
Among presentations this year
include winners of a short film and
essay contest of Washington-area
high school students. Sunday, Feb.
25. Doors at 2 p.m. Runs to 10 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW.
Tickets are free, but first-come,
first-seated. Call 202-328-6000 or
visit thelincolndc.com.
MATT SHEPARD IS
A FRIEND OF MINE
Unity of Fairfax hosts an interfaith
event with a screening of Michael
Josues award-winning documen-
tary, exploring the life and tragic
death of Matthew Shepard in 1998
in Laramie, Wyoming. Similar to
The Laramie Project, Matt Shepard
Is A Friend of Mine relates the gay
students struggles through the
personal lens of his friends, fam-
ily and those who were close to
him. After the screening comes a
discussion with light refreshments
about LGBTQ equality and protec-
tions since Shepards murder and
how everyday people can work to
effect change. Saturday, March 4,
at 2 p.m. Unity of Fairfax, 2854
Hunter Mill Rd., Oakton, Va. Call
703-281-1767 or visit mattshepard.
eventbrite.com.
STAGE
BABY SCREAMS MIRACLE
A zealous family and their prodi-
gal daughter try to pray their way
to safety during an apocalyptic
storm threatening their home in
Clare Barrons new play, touted as
a Rorschach test for the faithful
and the faithless alike. Howard
Shalwitz directs Kate Eastwood
Norris, Sarah Marshall and Cody
Nickell in a harrowing tale of sur-
vival and forgiveness. To Feb. 26.
641 D St. NW. Call 202-393-3939 or
visit woollymammoth.net.
CHOIR BOY
Tarell McCraneys drama focuses
on the most talented as well as
most flamboyant chorister at a
hallowed African-American, all-boy
prep school. A touching tale of bul-
lying, homophobia, love and accep-
tance, the shows greatest source
of power is in McCraneys subtle,
graceful and evocative style of sto-
rytelling. To March 18. Richmond
Triangle Players, 1300 Altamont
Ave., Richmond. Tickets are $28
to $30. Call 804-346-8113 or visit
rtriangle.org.
INTELLIGENCE
Inspired by the frenzy that fol-
lowed when covert operative
Valerie Plames cover was blown in
post-9/11 America and the run-up
to war, Intelligence is a fictional-
ized political thriller by Jacqueline
E. Lawton. Daniella Topol directs
the world premiere at Arena Stage
starring Hannah Yelland as Plame.
In previews starting Friday, Feb.
24. Runs to April 9. Arlene and
Robert Kogod Cradle in the Mead
Center for American Theater, 1101
6th St. SW. Tickets are $51 to $66.
Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenas-
tage.org.
THE HOW AND THE WHY
Sarah Treem is a writer for House
of Cards, In Treatment and The
Affair. Shes also a Yale-educated
playwright, and Theater J offers
a chance to see her thought-pro-
voking play about science, family,
survival of the fittest and choic-
es faced by women of every gen-

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 13

 eration. Katie deBuys and Valerie
Leonard star as two women who
spar on the eve of a prestigious con-
ference, one an up-and-coming evo-
lutionary biologist and the other an
eminent professor and leader in the
field. To March 12. The Aaron and
Cecile Goldman Theater, Edlavitch
DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW. Call
202-777-3210 or visit theaterj.org.

THE SELECT
(THE SUN ALSO RISES)
John Collins directs New Yorks
Elevator Repair Service adapta-
tion of the classic novel by Ernest
Hemingway about a group of
American and British expatriates
who travel to Spain for the Running
of the Bulls. Shakespeare Theatre
Company hosts the acclaimed
theater ensemble a decade after
they came to fame with their spin
on F. Scott Fitzgerald with Gatz.
HELEN HAUSMANN

The Select is a streamlined edit of

Hemingway that stays true to the
writers distinct style. To April 2.
Lansburgh Theatre, 450 7th St. NW.
Call 202-547-1122 or visit shake-
spearetheatre.org.

SORRY ABOUT THAT

THE WHITE SNAKE
Another magical adapta-
tion by Mary Zimmerman
(Metamorphoses) is brought to
fantastical life in grand spectacle
Lesbian musician SONiA prepares to apologize to Germany in Baltimore Center Stages newly
for Americas recent election renovated Head Theater. Based on

S
an ancient Chinese fable, The White
ONIA WANTS TO MAKE AMENDS WITH HER GERMAN FANS. I WAS THERE LAST Snake tells the story of two animal
spirits who take on human form as
September and I promised everyone that Trump would not become our president, says a beautiful woman (Aime Donna
the singer-songwriter. So now I have to go back and apologize. She will do so chiefly by Kelly) and her sly servant. Natsu
singing from her repertoire of progressive-minded folk songs, including new single Abraham. Onoda Power directs the produc-
Ive gotten very positive responses on it. People have said, thats exactly what I needed to hear. tion starring Aime Donna Kelly,
Eileen Rivera and Joe Ngo and fea-
And despite feeling a bit sheepish, the Jewish, lesbian musician from Baltimore is mostly looking turing an ensemble of actors and
forward to her return to Germany, a two-month trek that will mark her seventh tour of the country. four actor-musicians led by music
Im doing very well in Europe, she says. They have a great respect for the arts and...just great director Jeff Song. Previews begin
Friday, Feb. 24, with opening night
connections with people. Friday, March 3, at 8 p.m. To March
Its very empowering to be with people who feel this way as well, she adds, because it for- 26. Baltimore Center Stage, 700
wards our motion and it forwards our ideals. Thats both inspiring and important because, as North Calvert St. Tickets are $20
she points out, in Europe, theyre fighting the same situation that we are.... The last election in to $69. Call 410-332-0033 or visit
centerstage.org.
Germany before [Angela] Merkel became leader again, 25 percent voted for a person that was like
Trump, who really wanted to destroy democracy the same kind of person [with] isolationist
ideas. MUSIC
Between bouts of feeling very angry and very sad in the months after the U.S. election, SONiA ALLE FARBEN
found moments of inspiration when she saw that so many people feel exactly and think exactly Frans Zimmer, whose artist alias
the way you do. And shes still on a high from the Womens March on Washington in January. It means all colors in German, is
another purveyor of the improb-
was amazing, she says. And every time I wear my pussy hat so many people smile and nod or give able but irresistible and increas-
me thumbs up on the street. Its the gift that keeps on giving. ingly popular blend of folk-dance
Before departing for overseas, SONiA will present a local Bon Voyage concert that also dou- music, merging tropical house with
breezy downtempo pop and mourn-
bles as a benefit for her very, very, very gay-friendly Reconstructionist synagogue, Beit Tikvah. ful electro-folk. The Berlin-based
The House of Hope shares space in Baltimore with several progressive Christian denominations DJ and producer kicks off a short
in what used to be known as First Christian Church, but last fall became known as the Corner U.S. tour with a stop in D.C. in
Community Center. support of his new album Music
Is My Best Friend, including the
Its nice to use the same facility and also share cultures with different groups. We all take care trumpet-sounding hit tune Bad
of the landscaping together, and its in a very beautiful building, she says. Its very open and very, Ideas and the Macy Gray-esque
very multicultural. Doug Rule ditty Please Tell Rosie. Friday,
March 3, at 10:30 p.m. U Street
Music Hall, 1115A U St. NW. Tickets
SONiA & Disappear Fear performs Saturday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at the Corner Community Center, are $10. Call 202-588-1880 or visit
5802 Roland Ave. in Baltimore. Tickets are $10 to $20. Call 410-913-2773 or ustreetmusichall.com.
visit soniadisappearfear.com.

14 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY

EDVINAS MINKSTIMAS
Washington Conservatory of
Music presents a Lithuanian pia-
nist and international prize win-
ner, who is chair of the community
music schools piano faculty, per-
forming a concert of themes and
variations on the music of Bach-
Busoni, Beethoven, Rosenblatt,
Liszt and Rachmaninoff. Saturday,
March 4, at 8 p.m. Westmoreland
Congregational Church, 1
Westmoreland Circle. Bethesda.
Tickets are free, donations wel-
come. Call 301-320-2770 or visit
washingtonconservatory.org.

JAIMEE PAUL
Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Lena
Horne, Judy Garland and Billie

Holiday are among the Great
Ladies of Jazz and Blues getting
a grand tribute by Illinois-reared,
Nashville-based Paul, accompanied
by a 40-member big band ensemble.
Soprano saxophone player Chris
Hemingway joins to perform solos
in Arturo Marquezs Danzon and
Duke Ellingtons Isfahan. Saturday,
Feb. 25. Doors at 7 p.m. Lincoln
Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets are
$25 to $35. Call 202-328-6000 or
visit thelincolndc.com.
MARCIA BALL WITH
THE BEAT HOTEL
East Texas blues meets south-
west Louisiana swamp rock in
the Grammy-nominated pianist
and singer-songwriter, who offers
tastes of roadhouse rock, jump
blues, R&B, soul and zydeco. Ball
returns to the Hamilton to lead a
Mardi Gras party, supported by an
11-piece band with a three-piece
horn section playing the kind of
Mardi Gras swamp funk that made
New Orleans famous. Tuesday, Feb.
28, at 7:30 p.m. The Hamilton, 600
14th St. NW. Tickets are $35. Call
202-787-1000 or visit thehamil-
tondc.com.
SPECIAL AGENT GALACTICA
After a production at last years
Capital Fringe Festival, Jeffrey
Johnson next performs his pink-
haired drag alter-egos latest cab-
aret A Romp Around Uranus in
Richmond. The campy musical
romp finds Galactica relating her
fantastical journey accompanied
by a guitarist known as Captain
Satellite, with further assist by the
recorded voice of the B-52s Fred
Schneider as Timeship Aurora. The
cabaret includes an eclectic mix of
DJ COREY PHOTOGRAPHY
THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS
Jennifer L. Nelson directs Lee Breuers modern adaptation of the Sophocles tale about the
last days of Oedipus, with a score by Bob Telson. William T. Newman Jr. plays Preacher
Oedipus in this soaring, poetic celebration of transcendence and the fragility of life, which
won the Obie for Best Musical in 1984 and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Best Drama in
1985. Performed with the Womens Ecumenical Choir of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in
Alexandria, Va. Pay-What-You-Can previews start Thursday, Feb. 23. Runs to March 26.
Gunston Arts Center, 2700 South Lang St. Arlington. Tickets are $30 to $35. Call 703-418-
4804 or visit wscavantbard.org.
biker-chic look and regularly per- Terrence McNally and based on to music by Terry Riley. Company
forms barefoot belies the raw Sister Helen Prejeans book that dancers will also perform more
and rousing power contained in this also inspired the hit 1995 film with established works in its canon,
Swedish songstresss music. Her Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. including Serenade, a solo piece
lyrics, about the pleasures and pain Kate Lindsey plays the role of the set to Lou Harrisons Serenade for
of life, love, sex and drugs, are edgy, kindhearted nun who takes on the Guitar and Percussion, and Dancing
unflinching and utterly honest. final appeal of a convicted murder- Honeymoon featuring music from
Chances are Los return to the 9:30 er (Michael Mayes) on death row, the 1920s and 1930s sung by Mark
Club will come with as much wild whose mother is played by Susan Morris himself. The MMDG Music
enthusiasm as greeted her in the fall Graham, the original Prejean when Ensemble will offer live musical
of 2015 when Habits (Stay High) the opera debuted in 2000. A sear- accompaniment for the dancers.
and Talking Body were ubiqui- ing emotional journey in its story, Saturday, Feb. 24, and Sunday,
tous jams on the radio. What last Dead Man Walking is further pow- Feb. 25, at 8 p.m. George Mason
years strong, sophomore set Lady ered by Heggies music. NPR has University Center for the Arts, 4373
Wood may lack in bona fide hits in called it Gershwin-esque spiced Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. Tickets
the U.S. it more than makes up for with Samuel Barber and Leonard are $29 to $48. Call 888-945-2468
in furthering her unique, appealing Bernstein, blues and even early or visit cfa.gmu.edu.
style of grunge-inspired dance-pop, rock. Opens Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7
more introspective, provocative and p.m. To March 11. Kennedy Center THE WASHINGTON BALLET:
inspiring than ever. Like-minded Opera House. Tickets are $35 to GISELLE
dark-pop purveyor Phoebe Ryan, $300. Call 202-467-4600 or visit Celebrating its first season under
most recently heard on All We kennedy-center.org. the aegis of Julie Kent, the 72-year-
Know by the Chainsmokers, opens. old organization brings the ballet

songs ranging from burlesque to
Beyonce, Groucho Marx to David
Bowie, as well as a few origi-
nals. Sunday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m.
Richmond Triangle Players, 1300
Altamont Ave. Richmond. Tickets
are $15 to $20. Call 804-346-8113 or
visit rtriangle.org.
TOVE LO
A charming, even understated stage
presence she sports a simple
Friday, Feb. 24. Doors at 8 p.m. 9:30
Club, 815 V St. NW. While officially
sold out, the site does have a Ticket
X-change section for face value (in
this case, $35) ticket resale. Call
202-265-0930 or visit 930.com.
WASHINGTON NATIONAL
OPERA: DEAD MAN WALKING
Francesco Zambello directs com-
poser Jake Heggies instant mod-
ern classic, featuring a libretto by
DANCE
MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP
The innovative modern dance
company, acclaimed for its grace,
power and confidence, takes to
the Concert Hall at George Mason
University to perform two brand
new works, including A Forest set
to Haydns Piano Trio No. 44 in
E major and Pure Dance Items set
classic to life in a re-staging by Kent
and husband Victor Barbee based on
choreography by Jean Coralli, Jules
Perrot and Marius Petipa. Charles
Barker leads the Washington Ballet
Orchestra performing the Adolphe
Adam. Opens Wednesday, March
1, at 8 p.m. Performances to March
5. Kennedy Center Eisenhower
Theater. Tickets are $33 to $130.
Call 202-467-4600 or visit kenne-
dy-center.org.

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 15

PHOTO COURTESY OF INTERSECTIONS

INTERSECTIONAL
The Atlas Intersections Festival fosters performing art designed to stimulate the mind
and make a difference in society

T
HE ATLAS, DOUG YEUELL SAYS, WAS CREATED TO
help spur the economic growth and development [as well
as] the enrichment of the overall community on H Street.
Twelve years later, the renovated Art Deco performing arts
complex has had a visible impact on the H Street Corridor, pre-
senting art that informs, educates, enlightens and inspires, says
Yeuell, who took the reigns in 2014. And that is precisely the goal
of the annual arts festival, Intersections to showcase art that
makes a difference in our society, culture and world.
Although most activities fall under the rubric of the per-
forming arts, attractions include a culinary arts series, Cafe
Takeovers, in which Airedale, Nandos Peri Peri, Mythology and
other restaurants take turns offering food beyond basic snacks
and drinks.
Here are a few performance highlights from Intersections:
ANDRE VELOZ AND HER CABARET BACHATA
The New York-based Veloz is the rare female singer in the
male-dominated world of bachata music, which derives just as she
does from the Dominican Republic. I want to sing bachata from
the point of an independent woman, sure of herself, who is not
always getting her heart broken, Veloz told the New York Daily
News. Saturday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m., in the Sprenger. Tickets are $25.
NOT WHAT YOU THINK
What was started as an a cappella ensemble of the former
Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Washington, Not What You Think
continues as its own entity, pursuing equality and social justice
through song and humor. The 13-member group is part of the
free Cafe Concerts series sponsored by the Washington Post.
Saturday, Feb. 25, from 7:15 to 9 p.m., in the Atlas Lobby.

SPITBALL THEATRE: NORMAL/MAGIC DISSONANCE DANCE: MAHOGANY STRINGS

A local theater troupe devoted to capturing the oddball spirit
of queer folks through upbeat yet thought-provoking plays,
Spitball revives a production from last years Fringe Festival. A
double-bill of Sam Mauceris Normal Sea and Natalie Piegaris
Magic for Beginners, the two 30-minute works about bizarre
transformations are collectively referred to as the queer-lady
sea-lion fruit-bat play. Friday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m., and Saturday,
Feb. 25, at 2:30 p.m., in the Lab Theater. Tickets are $15.
HELANIUS WILKINS: A BON COEUR
Celebrated gay African-American choreographer previews a
new evening-length, mixed-media solo piece named after a
Cajun term that means to do something wholeheartedly. Billed
as a celebration of heritage, heart and soul, A Bon Coeur draws on
Wilkinss Creole roots and experiences growing up in Lafayette,
Louisiana. Sunday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m., in the Sprenger Theater.
Tickets are $20.
The local contemporary ballet company presents a mixed-rep-
ertory concert featuring works by Dissonance founder Shawn
Short as well as a ballet mixing African and Brazilian movement
by Rafael Gomes, the companys New Voices of Dance pro-
gram selectee. The works are set to music by classical, jazz and
urban-infused classical composers and include performances
by the duo Black Violin and local rapper Tru Ghost. Saturday,
Feb. 25, at 6 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m., in the Lang
Theater. Tickets are $30.
THE INSERIES: DUKE ELLINGTONS NEIGHBORHOOD
A live jazz trio comprised of Krislynn Perry, Brian Thorne and
Wes Felton pays tribute to the homegrown jazz pioneer. The
cabaret is billed as a family friendly interactive journey through
Ellingtons Washington, from U Street and the Howard Theatre
to Anacostia. Saturday, March 4, at 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m., in the
Lab Theater. Tickets are $15. Doug Rule

Atlas Intersections begins Thursday, Feb. 23, with a party from 7 to 9 p.m., and runs weekends to March 5,
at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Ticket prices and passes vary. For a full schedule,
visit atlasarts.org/intersections or call 202-399-7993.

16 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY

READINGS
CLAUS MEYER
Georgetowns Halcyon House,
built in the 18th century by the
first Secretary of the Navy and
now the headquarters of the S&R
Foundation, is quickly becoming
the place to go for stimulating dis-
cussions with leading artists and
cultural innovators. Thats all the
doing of Septime Webre, former
head of the Washington Ballet, who
this year has launched the new per-
formance and presentation series

PHOTO COURTESY WASHINGTON CHORUS

Halcyon Stage. Up next is a New
Creatives Conversations with the
Danish culinary luminary who
launched the New Nordic Cuisine
Movement and co-created the two-
star Michelin restaurant Noma in
Copenhagen. The Danish Embassy
co-sponsors the conversation fol-
lowed by a Meet-the-Chef recep-
tion on Thursday, March 2, begin-
ning at 7 p.m. Halcyon House, 3400
Prospect St. NW. Tickets are $30. Wachner
Call 202-298-5956 or visit halcyon-
house.org.
THE WASHINGTON CHORUS
JANET MOCK A tribute to the organizations music director, the second to last concert in Julian
George Mason University pres-
Wachners 10th and final season is a showcase of his own compositions. On the bill are
ents the New York transgender
advocate, TV host and author of Wachners aria Blood Rubies, sung by soprano Colleen Daly, Hospital Camp, An
Redefining Realness for an annu- October Garden and Blue, Green, Red. Performances will be interspersed with con-
al lecture given by a black woman versations between Wachner and guest conductor Thomas Colohan in the style of the
who exemplifies a commitment to
the principles embodied by legend- New Music for a New Age series highlighting living composers that Wachner instituted.
ary activist and scholar Sojourner Sunday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m. National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Ave. NW. Tickets
Truth. Sunday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. are $25 to $35. Call 202-342-8208 or visit thewashingtonchorus.org.
Concert Hall, 4373 Mason Pond
Drive, Fairfax. Tickets are $5 to
$15. Call 888-945-2468 or visit gmu.
edu/cfa. series focused on over 200 LGBT corner. This year, Union Market are $65 per person for all you can
student athletes in the U.S. and hosts the biggest party around, a eat and drink. Call 800-680-9095 or

EXHIBITS Canada taken over the last decade

by American artist Jeff Sheng.
fundraiser for Louisiana-based
St. Bernard Project and the DC
visit mardigrasextravaganza.com.

Fearless Project is presented in Central Kitchen as organized OYAMELS TEQUILA AND

500 YEARS OF TREASURES
FROM OXFORD
A selection of 50 manuscripts
and early printed books some
dating back to the 10th century
will be brought to the U.S. for the
first time from their repository in
Oxford, England, at the library of
Corpus Christi College, founded in
1517. Treasures now on view at the
Folger Shakespeare Library include
an illuminated copy of Chaucers
Canterbury Tales in Middle English,
a wonderfully decorated French
paraphrase of the Old Testament,
and a series of ground-breaking
works in the history of science
and medicine, including works on
astrology and astronomy from
Hookes observations of insects
using a microscope, to Galileos
first observation of the moon using
a telescope, to Sir Isaac Newtons
observations of Halleys comet.
To April 30. Folger Shakespeare
Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Call
202-544-7077 or visit folger.edu.
JEFF SHENG:
FEARLESS PROJECT
An exhibition and photography
conjunction with the Washington
National Opera and its upcoming
production of Champion. Through
March 18 in the Kennedy Center
Hall of Nations. Call 202-467-4600
or visit kennedy-center.org.
REFRESH VII
Long View Gallery presents its sev-
enth annual exhibition featuring
new works by gallery favorites, this
year including Mike Weber, Ryan
McCoy, Cheryl Wassenaar, Lori
Katz, Colin Winterbottom and J.
Jordan Bruns. The gallery will also
premiere pieces by Baltimore artists
Jessie and Katey. Through March
19. Long View Gallery, 1234 9th
St. NW. Call 202-232-4788 or visit
longviewgallery.com.
FOOD
MARDI GRAS EXTRAVAGANZA
Southern-influenced street fare,
cocktails from the areas top chefs
and mixologists, DC Brau and Abita
beer on tap, King cakes, beads and a
carnival-like atmosphere? Clearly,
Fat Tuesday is just around the
by David Guas of Bayou Bakery,
Spike Mendelsohn and Micheline
Mendelsohn Luhn of Bearnaise
and Sunnyside Restaurant Group
and Gina Chersevani of Buffalo &
Bergen. Food will be served from
Acadiana, Bayou Bakery, Bearnaise,
Evening Star Cafe, Mason Dixie
Biscuit Co., Oohhs & Aahhs,
Puddin, Rappahannock Oyster
Bar, Republic Kolache, Rocklands
Barbeque, Tchoups Market,
the BBQ Joint, the Source and
Woodward Table. And drinks will
be on tap from Archipelago, Bar
PX, Buffalo & Bergen, Cafe Saint-
Ex, Columbia Room, Cotton &
Reed, Hanks Oyster Bar, Jack Rose
Dining Saloon, Quill, Radiator and
Southern Efficiency. Live music, a
Mardi Gras Costume Contest and
a Hurricane Cocktail Competition
judged by the areas top mixers,
including Derek Brown, Todd
Thrasher and Chersevani, complete
the festive atmosphere. And Lyft
makes it easy to get around, offering
25-percent off all rides to and fro
#MGEDC2017. Tuesday, Feb. 28,
from 5 to 10 p.m. Dock 5 at Union
Market, 1309 5th St. NE. Tickets
MEZCAL FESTIVAL
Jose Andress restaurant focused
on creative, authentic Mexican cui-
sine pays tribute to the countrys
native spirits through a kick-off
party and a series of complimentary
happy hour tastings starting at 4
p.m. followed by prix-fixe dinners
at 6:30 p.m. For the dinners, Head
Chef Omar Rodriguez will pair
five courses with agave-derived
spirits from guest distilleries. The
series lineup of guests offering tast-
ings is: La Nina del Mezcal with
founder Cecilia Rios Murrieta on
Wednesday, March 1, Fortaleza
Tequila and El Silencio Mezcal
on Monday, March 6, and Organic
Tequila with founder/maker David
Ravandi on Tuesday, March 7. The
Kickoff Party, featuring more than a
dozen tasting stations, passed bites,
specialty cocktails and live music,
is Monday, Feb. 27, from 6 to 9
p.m. Oyamel Cocina Mexicana, 401
7th St. NW. Tickets for the Kickoff
Party are $49, while the prix-fixe
dinners are $75 each including tax
and gratuity. Call 202-628-1005 or
visit oyamel.com.

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 17

 ABOVE & BEYOND
BRADLEY STEVENS AT CESCO
OSTERIA SUNDAY SALON SERIES
The Bethesda restaurant kicks off
a year-long 20th anniversary cele-
bration with the first in a Sunday
Salon series of monthly discussions,
highlighting the cuisine and cul-
ture of Italy. Stevens will discuss
The Fine Art of Commissions:
From Michelangelo to the Present,
focused on how patrons can inspire
artists to produce their greatest
works. Stevens is a former pro-
fessor of fine arts at the George
Washington and Georgetown
universities and now a painter on
commission for clients including
C. STANLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

the Smithsonian Institution, the

federal government and area law
firms and hospitals. Sunday, Feb. 26,
from 5 to 7 p.m. Cesco Osteria, 7401
Woodmont Ave. Bethesda. Call 301-
654-8333 or visit cesco-osteria.com.

CAPITAL
REMODEL + GARDEN SHOW

QUIETLY RELEVANT
Matt Blashaw, host of HGTVs
Yard Crashers, and Sara Bendrick
of DIYs I Hate My Yard are this
years main headliners at the
Jackie Maxwell is more than aware of the contemporary parallels evoked by Capital Remodel + Garden Show,
where they will share their favorite
Lillian Hellmans Watch on the Rhine projects and take questions from

I
the audience. There will be plen-
TS ALWAYS HARD TO SEPARATE LILLIAN HELLMAN FROM HER PLAYS, ty more chances for attendees to
solicit advice, gather information
says Jackie Maxwell. She was an overtly controversial figure. She was a Communist
and purchase services from experts
its what she was called, although Im not sure if its quite the same meaning today it had in the home and garden field, with
then and she went to Europe. A couple of different figures in this play are definitely based more than 375 companies set to
on people that she met in Europe leading up to World War II. attend. A centerpiece of the event
is a 4,000-plus square feet space
This play is Watch on the Rhine, one of Hellmans more controversial works. It first ran in which five landscapers have
on Broadway in 1941 to critical and popular acclaim, and was subsequently followed by a created dream gardens. Friday,
1943 film version starring Bette Davis, boasting a screenplay adaptation by the great Dashiell Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.,
Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 9
Hammett. The show is currently at Arena Stage, where its starring Marsha Mason (The
p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 10
Goodbye Girl). The Belfast-born Maxwell, who makes her home in Canada, where she ran a.m. to 6 p.m. Dulles Expo Center,
the esteemed Shaw Festival for 14 years, was hand-picked by Arenas Molly Smith to helm 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center in
the production, which blends parlor room comedy with espionage, intrigue, and anti-fascist Virginia. Tickets are $10 at the box
office or $7 online. Call 800-274-
elements as they related to Americas ambivalence in joining the war effort. 6948 or visit capitalremodeland-
What we have here is a play from a woman who had a very deep sense of politic, who garden.com.
really wanted to talk to America and go, Why are we being blind here? We have to open our
JASON MORAN,
eyes, says Maxwell. The play was a huge success. It hit a nerve in a very populist way.
THEASTER GATES
Maxwell finds it fascinating that Hellman was often castigated often for being shrill, abra- As part of the innovative, cross-dis-
sive, and aggressive. I think [its] a womans fate to be castigated in that way when showing cipline series Jason +, the pop-
strong views. I sort of feel to myself that had Hellman been a man, that may not have been ular pianist and Kennedy Center
jazz adviser collaborates with a
the case. That sexist attitude hasnt changed all that much. You need only look at the last Chicago-based installation art-
year, she says, making a not-so-subtle reference to the treatment of Hillary Clinton during ist and spoken word artist along
the election. with students of Chicagos
Kenwood Academy Jazz Band.
Watch on the Rhine has relevance to whats occurring in modern times, but Maxwell is
Looks of a Lot is a multimedia
quick to point out that the effect is subtle. performance featuring twists on
Instead of going, Im going to do a contemporary polemic against Trump, she says, everything from Schuberts clas-
what you can do with a play like Hellmans is contextualize it. It gives you a kind of distance sic Der Doppelganger to trumpeter
Roy Eldridges Wabash Stomp.
whereby you can rid yourself of the current emotional rhetoric and actually see things in Documenting the works premiere
action that start to put the contemporary times in perspective and clarify them. in 2014, the Chicago Tribune called
I think hopefully what Im here to do is rather than come down from Canada, push my it an opus on sustaining hope in
the face of violence. Saturday,
little stick in the hornets nest and then bugger off lay out a piece of theater that at least gives
Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. Kennedy Center
some clarification, provocation and context to whats happening [in America]. Randy Shulman Family Theater. Tickets are $26.
Call 467-4600 or visit kenne-
To March 5 at Arena Stage, 1101 6th St. SW. Tickets are $55 to $110. dy-center.org. l
Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenastage.org.

18 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY


THURSDAY, February 23
The DC ANTI-VIOLENCE
PROJECT (DC AVP), a group
dedicated to combating anti-
LGBT hate crimes, holds its
monthly meeting at The DC
Center. 7-8:30 p.m. 2000 14th St.
NW, Suite 105. For more infor-
mation, visit thedccenter.org.
Weekly Events
ANDROMEDA
TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH
offers free HIV testing and HIV
services (by appointment). 9
a.m.-5 p.m. Decatur Center,
1400 Decatur St. NW. To
arrange an appointment, call
202-291-4707, or visit androm-
edatransculturalhealth.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
practice session at Takoma
Aquatic Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 300
Van Buren St. NW. For more
information, visit swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS run-
ning/walking/social club
welcomes runners of all ability
levels for exercise in a fun and
supportive environment, with
socializing afterward. Route
distance is 3-6 miles. Meet at
7 p.m. at 23rd & P Streets NW.
For more information, visit
dcfrontrunners.org.
DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay
and lesbian square-dancing
group features mainstream
through advanced square
dancing at the National City
Christian Church, 5 Thomas
Circle NW, 7-9:30 p.m. Casual
dress. 301-257-0517, dclamb-
dasquares.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds
practice. The team is always
looking for new members. All
welcome. 7:30-9:30 p.m. King
Greenleaf Recreation Center,
201 N St. SW. For more infor-
mation, visit scandalsrfc.org or
dcscandals@gmail.com.
The DULLES TRIANGLES
Northern Virginia social
group meets for happy hour at
Sheraton in Reston. All wel-
come. 7-9 p.m. 11810 Sunrise
Valley Drive, second-floor bar.
For more information, visit
dullestriangles.com.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-
Walker Health. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at
1525 14th St. NW, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
at the Elizabeth Taylor Medical
Center, 1701 14th St. NW, and 8
a.m-5 p.m. at the Max Robinson
Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave.
SE. For an appointment call
202-745-7000 or visit whit-
man-walker.org.
Community
METROHEALTH CENTER
offers free, rapid HIV testing.
Appointment needed. 1012 14th
St. NW, Suite 700. To arrange
an appointment, call 202-638-
0750.
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing,
3-5 p.m., by appointment and
walk-in, for youth 21 and
younger. Youth Center, 410 7th
St. SE. 202-567-3155 or test-
ing@smyal.org.
Us Helping Us hosts a
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
MEETING. The group is inde-
pendent of UHU. 6:30-7:30
p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW.
For more information, call 202-
446-1100.
WOMENS LEADERSHIP
CROWNING
INSTITUTE for young LBTQ
women, 13-21, interested in
leadership development. 5-6:30
p.m. SMYAL Youth Center, 410
THE SCRUM QUEEN
7th St. SE. For more informa-
tion, call 202-567-3163, or email
catherine.chu@smyal.org.
The DC Scandals get into drag to raise funds FRIDAY, February 24
for gay rugbys Bingham Cup The DC Center holds its
S
CENTER AGING MONTHLY
INCE THEIR FOUNDING IN 2013, THE DC SCANDALS LUNCH social for members of
thought it might be fun to do a drag show.Other rugby D.C.s senior community. 12-2
teams around the country have done their own, says p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite
105. For more information, visit
the local gay rugby teams Aaron Enfield. So this year we thedccenter.org or call 202-
decided to give it a shot, and have some fun with it. 682-2245.
And so, this Friday, Feb. 24, at Towns weekly Bear Happy
WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES
Hour, a dozen or so players will don wigs, heels, and costumes (AND THIRTIES), a social
and compete for the title of Scrum Queen. Its a drag compe- discussion and activity group
tition the team hopes will become an annual fundraiser. for queer women, meets at The
Each participant will lip sync to a popular song and DC Center on the second and
fourth Friday of each month.
attempt to collect as much money in tips as he can. The top Group social activity to follow
three will then face off in a Lip Sync for Your Life contest, the meeting. 8-9:30 p.m. 2000
with the winner determined by a panel of four judges. 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For
more information, visit thedc-
Proceeds help cover the teams travel expenses for the center.org.
Bingham Cup, a bi-annual gay rugby championship tourna-
ment, to be held in Amsterdam in 2018. SATURDAY, February 25
None of us knows a drag queen, says Enfield. So were
SMART RECOVERY holds a
doing a drag show without any makeup consultation. For the meeting specifically designed
majority, it will be their first time doing drag. But with some of for LGBTQ people struggling
them, its going to be more of a man in a dress. They might even with addiction. 8-9:30 p.m.
Augustana Lutheran Church,
only put on a wig, eye makeup and a jockstrap. John Riley
2100 New Hampshire Ave.
NW. For more information,
The DC Scandals Sequins and Scrums is at 8 p.m. on Friday, visit smartrecovery.org.
Feb. 24 at Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St. NW. Admission
Weekly Events
is free. Visit scandalsrfc.org.
BET MISHPACHAH, founded
by members of the LGBT com-
munity, holds Saturday morn-
IDENTITY offers free and New Hampshire Ave., Suite
confidential HIV testing at 411, Takoma Park, Md. To set ing Shabbat services in the DC
Jewish Community Centers
two separate locations. Walk- up an appointment or for more
ins accepted from 2-6 p.m., information, call Gaithersburg, Community Room, followed by
Kiddush luncheon. 10 a.m. 1529
by appointment for all other 301-300-9978, or Takoma Park,
hours. 414 East Diamond Ave., 301-422-2398. 16th St. NW. For more informa-
tion, visit betmish.org.
Gaithersburg, Md. or 7676
FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 19
 OFF TO SEE THE WIZARDS
INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUAL
DEVELOPMENT, God-centered
new age church & learning center.
Sunday Services and Workshops
Night OUT at the Wizards gives LGBTQ basketball fans a chance event. 5419 Sherier Place NW.
isd-dc.org.
to rally around a sport they love

T
Join LINCOLN
HE MARCH 3RD GAME BETWEEN THE HIGHLY RANKED WASHINGTON CONGREGATIONAL TEMPLE
Wizards and the Toronto Raptors promises to be a barn-burner that will keep LGTBQ UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST for
an inclusive, loving and progressive
basketball fans riveted to the action on the court. I think the game will be an extreme- faith community every Sunday. 11
ly good game, very competitive, says Brent Minor, executive director of Team DC, which a.m. 1701 11th Street NW, near R in
plans the annual Night OUT at the Wizards. Shaw/Logan neighborhood. lincol-
The Night OUT events, during which local area professional sports teams celebrate their ntemple.org.
LGBTQ fans, have been successful in drawing crowds to Capitals and Nationals games. But LUTHERAN CHURCH OF
the Wizards havent been as successful in attracting the same number of casual fans as their REFORMATION invites all to
hockey and baseball counterparts. Its something Minor hopes to change this year. Sunday worship at 8:30 or 11 a.m.
Childcare is available at both ser-
Baseball is something where you can wander in, have a look, and then wander back out to vices. Welcoming LGBT people for
the scoreboard area, says Minor. Once youre in your seats [at the Verizon Center], theres 25 years. 212 East Capitol St. NE.
not as much socializing. reformationdc.org.
To ensure that LGBTQ attendees get enough time to socialize, Team DC is hosting a pre-
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY
game party starting at 4:30 p.m. at The Greene Turtle bar. Patrons can take advantage of $3 CHURCH OF NORTHERN
beers, $4 margaritas, and half-priced appetizers prior making their way to their seats in time VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led
for tip-off. by Rev. Emma Chattin. Childrens
Sunday School, 11 a.m. 10383
The Wizards also send their cheerleaders down to our pre-game party, says Minor. Democracy Lane, Fairfax. 703-691-
People always say, How come all of these pretty girls are with gay guys? And were like, 0930, mccnova.com.
Because were fabulous. John Riley
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY
CHURCH OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
Night OUT at the Wizards is Friday, March 3 at the Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. services at 9 a.m. (ASL interpret-
The pre-game reception starts at 4:30 p.m. at The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille in the ed) and 11 a.m. Childrens Sunday
Verizon Center, with tip-off at 7 p.m. Tickets are $36 per person. Visit teamdc.org. School at 11 a.m. 474 Ridge St. NW.
202-638-7373, mccdc.com.

NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN

BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, includ-
ing others interested in Brazilian
culture, meets. For location/time,
email braziliangaygroup@yahoo.
com.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
holds a practice session at
Montgomery College Aquatics
Club. 8:30-10 a.m. 7600 Takoma
Ave., Takoma, Md. For more infor-
mation, visit swimdcac.org.
DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass for
LGBT community, family and
friends. 6:30 p.m., Immanuel
Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary
Road, Alexandria. All welcome. For
more info, visit dignitynova.org.
GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses
critical languages and foreign lan-
guages. 7 p.m. Nellies, 900 U St.
NW. RSVP preferred. Email bren-
dandarcy@gmail.com.
SUNDAY, February 26
Weekly Events
LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULS
MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
celebrates Low Mass at 8:30
a.m., High Mass at 11 a.m. 2300
Cathedral Ave. NW. 202-232-4244,
allsoulsdc.org.
BETHEL CHURCH-DC progressive
and radically inclusive church
holds services at 11:30 a.m. 2217
Minnesota Ave. SE. 202-248-1895,
betheldc.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
holds a practice session at Wilson
Aquatic Center. 9:30-11 a.m. 4551
Fort Dr. NW. For more informa-
tion, visit swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/
walking/social club welcomes run-
ners of all ability levels for exercise
in a fun and supportive environ-
ment, with socializing afterward.
Route will be a distance run of 8, 10
or 12 miles. Meet at 9 a.m. at 23rd
& P Streets NW. For more informa-
tion, visit dcfrontrunners.org.
DIGNITYUSA offers Roman
Catholic Mass for the LGBT
community. All welcome. Sign
interpreted. 6 p.m. St. Margarets
Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave.
NW. For more info, visit dignity-
washington.org.
FAIRLINGTON UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH is an open,
inclusive church. All welcome,
including the LGBTQ commu-
nity. Member of the Reconciling
Ministries Network. Services at
9:30 and 11:00 a.m. 3900 King
Street, Alexandria, Va. 703-671-
8557. For more info, visit fairling-
tonumc.org.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
welcomes all to 10:30 a.m. service,
945 G St. NW. firstuccdc.org or
202-628-4317.
FRIENDS MEETING OF
WASHINGTON meets for worship,
10:30 a.m., 2111 Florida Ave. NW,
Quaker House Living Room (next
to Meeting House on Decatur
Place), 2nd floor. Special welcome
to lesbians and gays. Handicapped
accessible from Phelps Place gate.
Hearing assistance. quakersdc.org.
HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF
CHRIST welcomes GLBT commu-
nity for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130
Old Telegraph Road, Alexandria.
hopeucc.org.
HSV-2 SOCIAL AND SUPPORT
GROUP for gay men living in the
DC metro area. This group will be
meeting once a month. For infor-
mation on location and time, visit
H2gether.com.
CHURCH, inclusive church with
GLBT fellowship, offers gospel
worship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional
worship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle
NW. 202-232-0323, nationalci-
tycc.org.
RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH,
a Christ-centered, interracial,
welcoming-and-affirming church,
offers service at 10 a.m. 680 I St.
SW. 202-554-4330, riversidedc.org.
ST. STEPHEN AND THE
INCARNATION, an interra-
cial, multi-ethnic Christian
Community offers services in
English, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and
in Spanish at 5:15 p.m. 1525 Newton
St. NW. 202-232-0900, saintste-
phensdc.org.
UNITARIAN CHURCH OF
ARLINGTON, an LGBTQ welcom-
ing-and-affirming congregation,
offers services at 10 a.m. Virginia
Rainbow UU Ministry. 4444
Arlington Blvd. uucava.org.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
CHURCH OF SILVER SPRING
invites LGBTQ families and indi-
viduals of all creeds and cultures to
join the church. Services 9:15 and
11:15 a.m. 10309 New Hampshire
Ave. uucss.org.

20 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY

UNIVERSALIST NATIONAL
MEMORIAL CHURCH, a welcom-
ing and inclusive church. GLBT
Interweave social/service group
meets monthly. Services at 11
a.m., Romanesque sanctuary. 1810
16th St. NW. 202-387-3411, uni-
versalist.org.
MONDAY, February 27
Weekly Events
ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL
HEALTH offers free HIV testing
and HIV services (by appointment).
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Decatur Center, 1400
Decatur St. NW. To arrange an
appointment, call 202-291-4707,
or visit andromedatranscultural-
health.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
holds a practice session at Dunbar
Aquatic Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 101 N
St. NW. For more information, visit
swimdcac.org.
GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. at
Quaker House, 2111 Florida Ave.
NW. For more information, email
getequal.wdc@gmail.com.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker
Health. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at 1525
14th St. NW, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at the
Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center,
1701 14th St. NW, and 8 a.m-5 p.m.
at the Max Robinson Center, 2301
MLK Jr. Ave. SE. For an appoint-
ment call 202-745-7000 or visit
whitman-walker.org.
KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY
(K.I.) SERVICES, 3333 Duke St.,
Alexandria, offers free rapid HIV
testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4
p.m. 703-823-4401.
METROHEALTH CENTER offers
free, rapid HIV testing. No appoint-
ment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012
14th St. NW, Suite 700. For more
information, call 202-638-0750.
NOVASALUD offers free HIV test-
ing. 5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite
200, Arlington. Appointments: 703-
789-4467.
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5
p.m., by appointment and walk-in,
for youth 21 and younger. Youth
Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-
3155 or testing@smyal.org.
The DC Center hosts COFFEE
DROP-IN FOR THE SENIOR LGBT
COMMUNITY. 10 a.m.-noon. 2000
14th St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedc-
center.org.
US HELPING US hosts a black gay
mens evening affinity group for
GBT black men. Light refreshments
provided. 7-9 p.m. 3636 Georgia
Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.
WASHINGTON WETSKINS
WATER POLO TEAM practices 7-9
p.m. Newcomers with at least basic
swimming ability always welcome.
Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van
Buren St. NW. For more informa-
tion, contact Tom, 703-299-0504
or secretary@wetskins.org, or visit
wetskins.org.
WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH
HIV/AIDS Support Group for
newly diagnosed individuals,
meets 7 p.m. Registration required.
202-939-7671, hivsupport@whit-
man-walker.org.
TUESDAY, February 28
The DC Centers GENDERQUEER
DC support and discussion group
for people who identify outside the
gender binary, meets on the fourth
Tuesday of every month. 7-8:30
p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105.
For more information, visit thedc-
center.org.
The DC Center hosts a meeting
of HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
GROUP FOR GAY AND BI MEN.
6-7 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite
105. For more information, visit
thedccenter.org.
WEDNESDAY, March 1
THE ASK RAYCEEN SHOW begins
its sixth year with live music by
singer Nia Simmons and burlesque
by Glam Gamz. Host Rayceen
Pendarvis will be joined by local
couples to play The Newlywed
Game. Arrive early for free food
and music by DJ Honey. Attendees
are encouraged to bring money
for the cash bar and for tipping
performers. Free admission. Doors
open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m.
HRC Equality Center, 1640 Rhode
Island Ave. NW. For more informa-
tion, visit askrayceen.com.
BOOKMEN DC, an informal mens
gay-literature group, discusses
Not Gay: Sex Between Straight
White Men by Jane Ward. 7:30
p.m. Tenleytown Library, 4450
Wisconsin Ave. NW. All welcome.
bookmendc.blogspot.com.
THE TOM DAVOREN SOCIAL
BRIDGE CLUB will meet for
Social Bridge. 7:30 p.m. Dignity
Center, 721 8th St., S.E. (across
from Marine Barracks). No partner
needed. Call 301-345-1571 for more
info. l
Submit your community event for
consideration at least 10 days prior
to the Thursday publication you
would like it to appear. Email to
calendar@metroweekly.com.
FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 21
15
LGBTQ
FILMS
E
VERY CULTURE IS COMPRISED OF SUBCULTURES.
They are essential veins to a greater artery. And there is,
arguably, no more profoundly resonant subculture with-
in the LGBTQ movement than the African-American
community. Its been such a fertile territory for filmmakers that
when deciding on a sixth installment for our LGBTQ Films
Everyone Should See series, it stood out as a no brainer.
Of course, it helps that the low-budget Moonlight has become
a launching pad of sorts, renewing a rapture for honest black
cinema in a way that alluded such recent high profile entries like
Nate Parkers Birth of a Nation. Moonlight came in, stealth-like,
and stole every bit of the thunder. Deservedly so.
The Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe-winning masterpiece
sets a new bar for black gay cinema, if not all independent film.
Poetic and resonant, it deploys a magnificently complex, ethereal
narrative structure, offering the world a moviegoing experience
that eschews Hollywoods typical cookie cutter aesthetic for
one daring, brave, and emotionally, intellectually powerful. Its
the standard from which all LGBTQ cinema will be compared
moving forward. And like the the finest LGBTQ films Beautiful
Thing, Boys Dont Cry, Brokeback Mountain it remains true to
itself, true to its heart. And that truth is what sticks with you long
after the movie has ended.
Each of the 15 films selected for our list are just as true,
making every single one of them no matter who you are, no
matter what your cultural assignation, no matter your sexual ori-
entation essential viewing. They inform, they entertain, they
enlighten, they stir our collective souls. Most importantly, they
leave us with a far better understanding of our LGBTQ culture,
as well as the subcultures within, subcultures that provide real
muscle to our mass.
22 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY
BLAC
HBO
IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:
BESSIE (2015)
Queen Latifah plays bisexual blues legend Bessie Smith in a film
that took more than two decades to come to fruition. Directed
and co-written by Dee Rees (Pariah), the Emmy-winning
Bessie is buoyed by vivid performances, including MoNique as
Smiths bisexual blues progenitor Ma Rainey, and zesty, stylish
approaches to cinematography, music and sound. The movie
never flinches from showing Smith and Rainey flirting and
canoodling with other women, and is frank in depicting the long-
term relationship Smith had with her female lover on the side at
the same time she was married to her male manager. Doug Rule
Available for streaming on Amazon Video and HBO Go, for rent
on Vudu, and for purchase on Google Play, iTunes, and YouTube.
BROTHER OUTSIDER: THE LIFE OF BAYARD RUSTIN (2003)
Among the many unheralded LGBTQ heroes of the Civil Rights
Movement of the 50s and 60s, out gay Bayard Rustin distin-
guished himself as a singularly visionary activist, organizer and
leader. A chief lieutenant and counsel to Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., Rustin helped steer Kings movement towards nonviolent
resistance, while working to organize the crucially important
Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and later, the 1963
March on Washington. As depicted in the electrifying biographi-
cal documentary, Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin, the
 CKEVERYONE
MSSHOULD SEE
activists many accomplishments and sacrifices made during his
lifetime often were overshadowed by his peers and his detrac-
tors discomfort with his sexuality, which Rustin refused to hide.
Brilliantly employing archival footage of Rustin, King and their
contemporaries, along with freshly filmed interviews, directors
Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer offer abundant evidence of
Rustins invaluable influence on the struggle for equal rights in
this country regardless of ones race, color, creed or sexual ori-
PBS
entation. In the words of one of the many notables interviewed
(including D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton), the
film addresses the complicated mystery shrouding Rustins
legacy: Why did he remain in the background; why was he an
advisor to this, that or the other great person, but never himself
coming forward in the full measure of his great talent? While
examining the causes and the cost of virtually erasing from
the history books one gay activists contributions to progress,
the film serves up a finely drawn portrait of a multi-faceted
man of the people whose politics evolved with the times, and
who should be more well-known. To that end, the soundtrack
includes several songs Rustin recorded in his pre-activist life as
a Harlem jazz singer. Reedy but impassioned, his voice will not
be denied. Andr Hereford
Available for DVD purchase and streaming at PBS.org, Newsreel.
org, and SundanceNow.com, and for DVD rental from Netflix.
BROTHER TO BROTHER (2004)
For all the turmoil and strife of city life, the so-called ghetto, or
inner city, still can produce great movements of art, literature,
poetry and music characterized by stunning beauty and transcen-
dent passion. In his debut feature, writer-director Rodney Evans
captures just such a charged moment in a romantic, gay-themed
take on the 1920s
Harlem Renaissance, a
period of art, literature
and culture as vibrant
and influential as any
in American history
if far less depicted
on screen than, say,
the Beat Generation.
Boasting a sharp script
and strong perfor-
mances, the film depicts in handsomely-shot black-and-white
those daring, talented African-American artists like author
Zora Neale Hurston (Aunjanue Ellie), painter Richard Bruce
Nugent (Duane Boutte), and poet Langston Hughes (Daniel
Sunjata) who befriended each other, supported each other and
helped galvanize what would become a revolution in America,
the New Negro Movement, all while producing classic works
that inspired generations of artists that followed. That legacy
is explored via a contemporary parallel story, filmed in color,
that features current onscreen Avenger Anthony Mackie in his
first starring role. A fresh-faced Mackie plays Perry, a gay art
student, who, while volunteering at a homeless shelter, meets
an elderly Bruce Nugent, in whom he recognizes a version of
his struggle to make art and accept his budding attraction to a
white classmate. The film offers as witty and sprightly a look at
the Harlem Renaissance as those buzzing figures of artistic and
cultural sophistication might have concocted themselves. AH
Available to rent on DVD from Netflix, and streaming on Amazon,
iTunes and Youtube.
HOLIDAY HEART (2000)
On the heels of the global box office success of the Oscar-winning
1994 Australian hit comedy The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of
the Desert, Hollywood film and TV studios, for a brief, if not
FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 23

always shining moment, greenlit a cornucopia of films starring
bankable male leads and action stars in the roles of drag queens.
From Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo in
the other three-queens-on-the-road comedy To Wong Foo,
to Philip Seymour Hoffmans raw dramatic turn as struggling
performer Rusty opposite Robert DeNiros straight-not-curious
cop in Flawless, movie stars and filmmakers dipped their toes in
the drag pond with varying degrees of financial and artistic suc-
cess. In the case of Golden Globe-nominated TV drama Holiday
Heart, directed by Robert Townsend (Hollywood Shuffle), the
films success derives from its effective, matter-of-fact approach
to some difficult subject matter, like substance abuse and reli-
gious persecution, and to a winning cast portraying complex,
relatable characters. Starring Ving Rhames as gay Christian drag
performer Holiday Heart, who takes in a drug-addicted single
mom (Alfre Woodard), and helps raise her young daughter,
the movie is as sentimental, though not as saccharine, as the
Hallmark-style title implies. Through the struggles and tears, it
delivers plenty of laughs and two outstanding lead performances
in service to a moving story that could warm the hearts of grand-
mothers and drag mothers alike. AH
Available for purchase on DVD from Amazon, and streaming on
iTunes.
LEAVE IT ON THE FLOOR (2013)
In the 25-plus years since the stars of Jennie Livingstons
landmark documentary Paris Is Burning taught the world the
A-B-C-s of drag, voguing and house culture, LGBTQ influence
on mainstream music, dance, fashion and language has pro-
gressed monumentally. Still, somehow the mostly black and
Latino house ball scene in which individuals and teams of
every gender compete fiercely for prizes, status and family
honor in a variety of arcane-to-obvious pageant categories has
remained steadfastly underground, with or without the worlds
(and Madonnas) attention. Shining a fabulous light on the
camaraderie and creativity percolating underground, the vogu-
ing musical Leave It On the Floor follows handsome, gay black
24 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY
22-year old Brad (Ephraim Sykes), shunned by his unaccepting
mother but embraced by the House of Eminence, a makeshift
family of fellow queer youth who also were bullied or excluded
at school, and/or thrown out of the house by homophobic par-
ents. An entertaining modern musical set in La-La Land, this
high-spirited extravaganza dances not across L.A.s towering
freeways but through the real city these kids call home, with
lively musical numbers, choreographed by frequent Beyonc
collaborator Frank Gatson, staged everywhere from a ballroom
runway to a bowling alley. Written by Glenn Gaylord, directed
by Sheldon Larry, and produced on a slim budget, especially for
a musical, Leave It on the Floor is not the only feature film set
within the ball scene. However, it is undeniably one of the most
well-crafted and designed, with some breathtaking dancing and
memorable, hip-shaking songs by lyricist Gaylord and composer
Kimberly Burse. AH
Available for streaming on Amazon, Vudu, Google Play and
Youtube.
MOONLIGHT (2016)
One of those rare and extraordinary cinematic experiences that
pulls you deeply into its narrative, Moonlight wraps you in a
time, place, and mood, artfully guiding you into an emotional
payoff without ever feeling manipulative or artificial. Its an
extraordinary achievement in a cut-and-paste era of cinema, a
time when movies fail to ignite so much as a spark of genuine,
earned emotion. Moonlight exists in a class all its own. Its not
epic or big, but it is profound and profoundly moving. Its one
of those movies that you can feel changing you, boring into your
heart, infiltrating your soul. The 80s-set story of a young boy
who comes to terms with his identity and sexuality in a harsh
South Florida neighborhood refuses to lazily cleave to its genre.
There are points in Moonlight where you expect certain things
to happen, but the story constantly veers slightly off track, taking
you on an unexpected journey elsewhere. Credit first the source
material Tarell Alvin McCraneys lyrical play, In Moonlight
Black Boys Look Blue. McCraney has found the perfect partner
in Barry Jenkins, a director of extraordinary depth, insight and
talent, who opens up McCraneys work, elevating it to a new
level. The lead character of Chiron is depicted with effortless,
poetic perfection by three magnificent actors: Alex R. Hibbert,
Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes. The trio is supported
by an astonishing ensemble, including Andre Holland, Oscar-
nominated Naomie Harris, ebullient Janelle Mone, and the
Oscar-nominated Mahershala Ali, who gives the finest perfor-
mance of a career comprised of nothing but finest performances.
Moonlight is the best gay film since 1996s Beautiful Thing, and
the best African-American film since 1991s Boyz in the Hood.
Randy Shulman
Releasing on Blu-Ray and DVD on Feb. 28. Now streaming on
Amazon Video, Google Play, and iTunes.

NAZ & MAALIK (2015)
Jay Dockendorfs comedy-drama offers an unusual spin on the
classic coming out tale. Naz (Kerwin Johnson Jr.) and Maalik
(Curtiss Cook Jr.) are two first-generation Muslim teens strug-
gling with their sexuality who come to be spied upon by the
FBIs Brooklyn chapter. Their secrecy stemming from a desire
to keep their relationship hidden from their families leads
the Bureau to suspect them as active participants in the War on
Terror. Its an interesting take on life in post-9/11 New York,
inspired by Dockendorfs interviews with real Muslims who
experienced the same treatment from the FBI. Rhuaridh Marr
Available on DVD at Amazon and streaming on Amazon Video
and Netflix.
PARIAH
In the wrong hands, Pariah could have easily settled as the sum
of its parts a poignant look at a black teenagers life as a lesbian
in New York City. But under the careful eye of writer and direc-
tor Dee Rees, whose own life inspired the movie, its a charac-
ter-driven drama that beautifully explores social standards and
barriers within black culture. Alike (Adepero Oduye), a 17-year-
old high-school student, is stuck in a sexually difficult place.
Shes not comfortable as a traditional butch or femme, frets
about losing her virginity, and cant see fitting in with straight
crowds. At home, she hides her sexuality from her homophobic
mother (Kim Wayans) and stern father (Charles Parnell), though
they harbor suspicions. Shes only comfortable with her best
friend, Laura (Pernell Walker), whose feelings for her may be
more than platonic. And when she finally finds a relationship
with a like-minded girl, its nowhere near what she expected.
Rees balances Alikes life with gorgeous camerawork, shooting
behind corners and framing characters between everyday props
to ground each scene in an urban reality. In a sly cinematic move,
shots open wider and brighter as Alike grows into her sexuality
and identity. Its a difficult transition and relationships are
destroyed along the way but its necessary to the message
of the movie. And coupled with a stellar bit of acting from the
entire cast, Pariah delivers that message with such unrelenting
clarity that its hard not to be impressed. Chris Heller
Available on DVD, Blu-Ray at Amazon and streaming at Amazon
Video.
PARIS IS BURNING (1990)
You can be and do anything, says one of the competitors when
asked about the lure of the drag balls. With Paris Is Burning,
director Jennie Livingston captures that sense of liberation,
scratched from lives lived on the street in many cases. With
the creativity that marks gay culture, the stars of this film are
those at-risk youths and some older veterans who annexed
a corner of harsh reality and collectively transformed it into
something so fabulous that even Madonna had to copy it. Paris Is
Burning is a documentary mlange of Rent meets Les Misrables
meets Dynasty. And its beautiful. Will OBryan
Available on DVD at Amazon and streaming at Netflix and on
Amazon Video.
PUNKS (2000)
A courageous blend of heart, humor and attitude, Patrik-Ian
Polks fabulous romantic comedy not only put a certain brand
of buppie gay indie cinema on the map, it effectively introduced
the fine (and foine) actor Rockmund Dunbar to legions of instant
fans. Premiering at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival, the film
also provided an early starring role for The Walking Deads future
Father Gabriel, Seth Gilliam, as Marcus, a hopeless romantic
gay photographer living and loving in Los Angeles. Actually,
the unhappily single Marcus isnt getting nearly enough love.
But luckily, just as Sex and the Citys Carrie Bradshaw and her
girls leaned on each other through misadventures with arro-
gant hunks, Marcus has his crew of ride-or-die road-dogs (the
delightful Dwight Ewell, Renoly Sanitago, and L.A. drag per-
former Jazzmun) to see him through his confounding flirtation
with the straight music producer next door (Dunbar). Four years
before his hit comedy series Noahs Arc launched on LOGO TV,
FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 25
 Polk and crew
conjured in this
film all the glam
and guy-candy
(with slightly
less polish) that
distinguished
that TV show
as such a lush-
ly visual treat.
More importantly, Punks pioneered a portrayal of black, gay
professionals outside New York City living out and proud lives
profoundly enriched by friendship. AH
Available for purchase on DVD at Amazon.
STARRBOOTY (2007)
A few years before the supreme Supermodel of the World,
RuPaul, brought her wit and wisdom to the massively popular
reality TV competition thats rewriting drag herstory, she donned
decidedly less glam duds to play secret agent Starrbooty in this
entertainingly cheesy campfest. As any fan of RuPauls Drag Race
knows, Mama Ru loves her pop culture references, and Starrbooty
comes chock-full of
knowing takes on
everything from the
garbage-movie aes-
thetic (and scatolog-
ical humor) of John
Waters, to the sexed-
up, guns-and-boobs-
baring action of 70s
blaxploitation cinema.
Drag fans can get their
gay education watch-
ing Ru go undercover as a streetwalker to rescue her niece from
the worlds shadiest trafficking ring. Featuring an all-star cast
of famous queens and porn stars (Lady Bunny, Michael Lucas,
Candis Cayne), the raunchy comedy produced by Ru, natu-
rally offers viewers a chance to see the usually upstanding
glamazon get down and dirty in a parody of gritty L.A. detective
stories thats both too funny and totally wrong. Director Mike
Ruiz, a frequent guest judge on Drag Race, keeps the action bub-
bling along with plenty of naked male eye candy and a bouncy
soundtrack thatll have viewers happily singing along to S-T-A-
Double R-Boo-tay. AH
Available for purchase on DVD from Amazon, and DVD rental
from Netflix.
TANGERINE (2015)
Tangerine is an important film for several reasons, but only
one of them is perhaps its most oft-discussed feature: the
90-minute movie was shot almost entirely on an iPhone. The
intimacy, the immediacy, the mobility of using a smartphone
lends the film a near-documentary quality. Rather than keep
viewer at arms length, Tangerine puts everything limitations
included on-screen for audiences to absorb. Tangerine is also
important for its casting: two African-American, transgender
sex workers as protagonists. Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez)
is fresh from a month-long stay in prison. After convening with
her best friend Alexandra (Mya Taylor), she learns that Chester
(James Ransone), her boyfriend-cum-pimp-cum-dealer, has
26 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY
cheated on her with a white fish. Sin-Dee proceeds to stomp
her way through West Hollywood intent on finding Chester. Its
utterly engrossing, aided immeasurably by the films strong, sat-
urated colors and the
slightly surreal nature
of the iPhones digital
video. The script was
developed with the
cast, lending dialogue
a natural feel. The act-
ing is only occasion-
ally overdramatic, and
theres moments of quiet pathos mixed with genuine laugh-
out-loud exchanges. Everything bursts with life and depth, and
its a world that feels simultaneously repulsive and inviting.
Whats more, its filled with stories and moments we rarely see
on-screen. RM
Available for purchase on DVD, Blu-Ray and download at Amazon
and streaming on Netflix.
TONGUES UNTIED
(1989)
Directed by Marlon
Riggs, Tongues Untied
moves as an epic
poem, with help from
poet Essex Hemphill.
With both men having
died of AIDS-related
complications in the
1990s, this beautiful,
unconventional film
would be considered a time capsule, were it not so timeless. Not
plot-driven, not a documentary, Tongues Untied conveys feel-
ings and images of black and gay experience. As the movie itself
defies easy categorization, so too does it strive to show how com-
partmentalizing identity black or gay or any other is futile,
that we are organic combinations of identities that grow and
change and wont be ignored. And it makes the point with a sig-
nature snap, thanks to the films guide to snapthology. WOB
Available for DVD rental at Netflix.
THE WATERMELON WOMAN (1996)
Cheryl Dunyes groundbreaking 1996 mockumentary-cum-in-
terracial lesbian romance is a disarmingly clever and funny take
on Hollywoods seriously checkered past of black female misrep-
resentation both on and off screen. A sensation on the interna-
tional festival circuit (it won major awards at the Sundance and
Berlin Film Festivals), and a word-of-mouth indie hit in its initial
run at the box office, the comedy stars writer-director Dunye as
a confident butch video store clerk, named Cheryl, who becomes
fascinated by the life and career of (fictional) Hollywood film
actress Fae The Watermelon Woman Richards. Inspired to
make a documentary about this forgotten figure from the 30s
and 40s, Cheryl hunts down the truth about Richards and
her same-sex romances, pursuing a mystery that leads back to
Cheryls hometown of Philly. The movie thoughtfully examines
film history, and genuinely celebrates those black actresses
from Gone with the Wind Oscar-winner Hattie McDaniel, to
the unsung, often uncredited women like Richards who
eked out some career on the Golden Age silver screen playing
mammies, maids, slaves and tribeswomen. Its a triumph of dar-
ing themes and subject matter handled with a light touch. For
added excitement, theres the slightly meta parallel story of a
modern-day romance between helpful clerk Cheryl and a white
customer who frequents the store (Guinevere Turner, a tri-
ple-threat LGBTQ cinema icon in her own right). The onscreen
girl-on-girl action between
Dunye and Turner was
deemed so risqu at the
time that one elected offi-
cial, incensed that public
NEA funding had contrib-
uted to the films budget,
sought to have that token
monetary amount returned
to the people. Twenty years
later, the film, newly restored for a 20th anniversary special
DVD re-release, stands as a remarkable tribute to black female
talent within the film industry. AH
Available for purchase on DVD/Blu-ray from First Run, and
streaming on Vudu, Youtube and Google Play. On March 24, D.C.s
Reel Affirmations LGBT Film Festival will present it on the big
screen at the Equality Center at H.R.C.
YOUNG SOUL REBELS (1991)
Released during a veritable renaissance for indie gay cinema
and considered an example of the so-called New Queer Cinema
movement that also produced Poison, Swoon and The Living End
Isaac Juliens music-driven drama captures a tense moment in
Londons past while looking ahead to a more open and accepting
future. Set in 1977, as punk rock and disco battled it out figura-
tively on the airwaves, while their respective scenesters came to
actual blows in the streets, the film follows the adventures of two
young black friends, gay Caz and straight Chris, who host a soul
music spotlight on a pirate radio station. Sparked by the mystery
surrounding the murder of one of the pairs friends in a gay cruis-
ing area, Juliens film pulses with energy as it confronts racism,
homophobia, and that time-honored conflict of rock vs. disco.
While the two inexperienced leads acquit themselves well, future
film and TV stars Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) and Eamonn
Walker (Oz, Chicago Fire) make truly noteworthy debuts among a
strong ensemble of young British talent. Appropriately, for a film
set at the height of the Me Decade, Young Soul Rebels features a
stellar soundtrack of classic 70s funk and soul grooves by, among
others, Parliament, Sylvester, Roy Ayers, and the Blackbyrds,
whose proto-disco jam Rock Creek Park perfectly underscores
the films dark-lit, dangerous, cruise-y atmosphere. AH
Available for purchase on DVD from Amazon, and streaming at
BFI Player. l
FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 27
 Gallery

Andrew Snow
Appropriation - Acrylic on Canvas, 24 x 30

andewsnowart.com

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 29

 Stage
DANIEL SCHWARTZ

Origins
Constellation Theatres Peter and the Starcatcher is a fantastically
entertaining trip to Neverland By Doug Rule
responsible for keeping Peter young.
Director Kathryn Chase Bryer max-
imizes the companys use of the small,
100-seat black-box Source stage, putting
the audience on three sides of A.J. Gubans
expansive set that extends over the main
walkway into the theater. (Note: theres

I
no late seating for this production, so dont
T SEEMS SOME PEOPLE NEVER GROW WEARY OF THE BOY WHO NEVER be.) The cast of 13 actors regularly come
Grew Up. J.M. Barries century-old character of Peter Pan has inspired numerous and go in all directions, heightening the
books, plays and films and every few years seems to usher in yet another adapta- fast-paced and high-flying action.
tion. In 2012, the now-defunct No Rules Theatre Company offered Michael Lluberes Thats not to say its a jolly good time
imaginative, dark and very adult adaptation Peter Pan: The Boy Who Hated Mothers. from start to finish. Its pretty slow-going
Among the cast, Megan Graves made for a charming Wendy, the girl who Peter lures at the start, when the ensemble greets
to Neverland to fulfill the imaginary role of mother to the fantasy islands Lost Boys. the audience by calling on us to use our
Flash forward five years and we now find Graves, who looks as young and acts imaginations to transport ourselves to the
as precocious as ever, playing almost the same role in Constellation Theatres fan- world of the British Empire and a nascent
tastically entertaining production of Peter and the Starcatcher ( ). Nearly Neverland. But before you can respond, I
the same, because Rick Elices play is a prequel to Barries Peter and Wendy, set a didnt pay $45 to use my imagination, the
generation prior in the late-19th century. Here, Graves plays Molly Aster, introduced actors start doing the job for us, and soon
as Wendys mother-to-be. As with her daughter, Molly serves as a mother figure enough weve set sail. Its mostly smooth
for Peter and two other Lost Boys she meets aboard the Neverland ship while on a sailing maybe a little too smooth until
fateful voyage with her father, Lord Aster, covertly transporting a trunk for Queen we finally meet the villain who becomes
Victoria full of starstuff, the precursor to Barries pixie dust. Its the same substance Captain Hook. Black Stache is the source

30 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY

for many of the shows hilarious also plays a mermaid, Teacher, the
hijinks and belly laughs and most one who gives Peter his last name.
of those as a result of the characters Campbell also plays Mrs. Bumbrake,
rather risque malapropisms (dyke Mollys nanny who is prim and prop-
for dock, butch for beach) and er and prone to alliteration.
scintillating punning. And the source Last but not least, theres Dallas
for all that wordplay? Pulitzer Prize- Tolentino, who offers a Peter Pan
winning humorist Dave Barry, who is tentative and tender-heart-
who co-wrote, with novelist Ridley ed, dizzyingly agile yet klutsy.
Pearson, the book upon which Peter Tolentino, who also moved mem-
and the Starcatcher is based. orably as the Monkey King in last
Michael John Casey plays it years Journey to the West, doesnt
up and over the top as the swash- outshine his cohorts in impres-
buckling Stache, who at one point sive feats of movement and phys-
is teasingly called Nancy hes as ical storytelling. Choreographers
flamboyant as he is fearsome. Casey Kelly Maxner and Mollye Maxner
is a scene-stealing, scenery-chewing get the entire ensemble to move
fop, and a scream in the climactic swiftly and in lockstep in effortless
scene when his character begins to fashion, whether evoking turbu-
transition into Hook. Other standout lence on the high seas or acting as
performances in the show include inanimate objects.
the endearing Graves, perfectly Peter and the Starcatcher stands
cast as Molly, Christopher Michael as further proof that the company,
Richardson as food-obsessed lost boy now celebrating its 10th year, does
Ted, Matt Dewberry, Staches bum- some of the best, most adventurous,
bling, sycophantic first mate who most reliable work in town, all pre-
makes for a hideously unforgettable sented on an epic scale with a level
mermaid, and Jordan Campbell, who of intimacy that cant be beat. l

Peter and the Starcatcher runs to March 12, at Source, 1835 14th St. NW. Tickets are $20 to $45.
Call 202-204-7741 or visit constellationtheatre.org.

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 31

 Stage
KEVIN BERNE

Royal Pain finely-honed lily. He just shines a light on

its beauty.
Like a Shakespearean tale of kings, at
the core is Charles journey to, in, and from
Mike Bartletts King Charles III is one regal encounter you power. There is the ascent, the test that
wont want to miss By Kate Wingfield brings on a crisis of purpose and identity,

T
and finally resolution happy for some,
HERE REALLY IS NO BETTER TERM TO DESCRIBE MIKE BARTLETTS not so for others. Its a gratifying structure
King Charles III than ballsy. A neo-Shakespearean, not-altogether-impossible (schadenfreude by any other name), but it
riff on what could happen when Prince Charles takes Britains throne, this gets is also our way in a methodical sequence
the Royals where they live, literally and metaphorically. we can dissect and chew over as it hap-
The guts and glory are in the intelligent license Bartlett, the author of the brilliantly pens and then again later upon reflection.
provocative Cock, takes in building the personalities of his key Royals: Charles, sons The key, of course, is the king, and
William and Harry, and Williams wife, Kate. We know so little of these supremely-pro- Robert Joy cuts an interesting course.
tected people, cosseted as they are in press releases. There is the occasional splatter in a Quite simply, his Charles is not particular-
tabloid headline, the suddenly visible text between official lines, but we cant ever know ly likable. He may have a lifetimes worth
what they really say behind closed doors. Bartlett isnt about pale attempts at imitation; of manners, but Joy shows us a deep and
he simply imbues these people with his own speculative brand of their life and then he abiding impatience and frustration in this
uses them to get at the bigger fish he wants to fry. highly strung man. Perhaps Charles has
At the heart of the play lie fascinating ideas: What really is the relationship between simply waited too long for his turn, or per-
the monarchy and Parliament in modern Britain? What does it mean to be a king in the haps he is really something of a spoiled, if
twenty-first century? What happens to the psyche of a person who has known only the intellectual, brat. It works well to see these
physical, social and psychological construct of a royal household? Using Prince Charles glimpses of imperiousness they suggest
as his driver, Bartlett grapples with these questions vividly and realistically. much of what might happen to someone
Even bolder, he delivers it all through an unapologetically Shakespearean lens. King deprived of a normal life. Joy also gives
Charles III (HHHHH) is written in prose and blank verse. Charles speaks his inner strong charge to Charles inner thoughts
thoughts via monologue. Time and events are spun not to a clock, but to Bartletts in his monologues, suggesting the mans
own dramatic arc. In other hands it would be a toe-curling contrivance, but here it optimism, his idealism and sometimes his
completely and utterly works, because Bartlett is without doubt a ruthless self-editor capacity for utter self-delusion. The only
and no moment is overdone. With a deft touch, director David Muse never gilds this caveat is Joys teeny tiny tendency to over-

32 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY

play at essential moments. The exaggerat-
ed twirl of an arm, the posture held a sec-
ond too long they just distract. Still, its
hard not to forgive a bit of Shakespearean
swagger.
Digging into a very sophisticated place
is a remarkable Ian Merrill Peakes as
Prime Minister Evans, the political leader
stumped by a Royal wrench thrown into
in the Parliamentary works. Quite simply,
Peakes is leading man material, not just
because he owns the stage with understat-
ed integrity and elegance, but because he
lives so convincingly in his character. He
engages from that deep, quiet place that
allows every expression, every nuance to
give vantage-point on this mans essence.
And it certainly doesnt hurt that hes
as the Brits like to say a bit of thinking
womans crumpet.
KEVIN BERNE
Another standout is Christopher
McLinden as Charles eldest son, William.
Sensibly staying far from an impersonation
(and perhaps not quite able to catch the Toffs accent), McLinden
gives his young man a pleasing intensity, touched with a skein of
first-child anxiety. William may or may not herald a new breed
of Royal, but he shows us that either way he is teetering on
a brink. Bringing some of the humor and edging slightly closer
King Charles III has been extended to March 18 at the Shakespeare Theatres Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW.
Call 202-547-1122 or visit shakespearetheatre.org.
to parody is Jeanne Paulsens Camilla. But
she doesnt just look the part, she gets that
a woman of this breeding and endurance
is going to have a special kind of grit.
Also played for some amusement,
and somewhat quirkily, is Harry Smiths
Prince Harry, Williams younger brother.
A drive-by reference to Prince Hal and
his foray into Falstaffs world, this Harry
also meets a commoner who shows him
the joys of a regular life. Delivering his
Bartlett in a kind of loud, ironic deadpan,
youll either love it or hate it, but theres no
denying its memorable. As Kate, Allison
Jean White delivers cut-crystal precision
and just the right amount of edge. As
Harrys girlfriend Jessica, Michelle Beck
hasnt got the accent, but she keeps her
woman believably working class without
turning her into a Big Brother contestant.
In smaller roles, Dan Hiatt is superbly
understated as Royal aide James Reiss,
while Rafael Jordan gets it pitch-perfect
with his Kebab-seller, and Tim Getmans Speaker of the House
is right on the money.
Bartletts voice may harken to the Bard, but the way he thinks
is rare and original. This is one audience with a king you wont
want to miss. l
FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 33
 Music
PHOTO COURTESY OF NASTY LITTLE MAN PR

Unhappy Endings
In both tone and substance, Shiver
and Shake reads almost as a reprisal to
his minor key interpretation of Shake It
Off. The ease with which Adams ported
Ryan Adamss tumultuous breakup lays the ground for stark personal Swifts energetic pop into his distinct
reflections on Prisoner By Sean Maunier brand of subdued alt-country says more
about the versatility of the originals than

S
about his ability, but its proof that for all
ENSITIVE, INTROSPECTIVE ALT-COUNTRY HAS ALWAYS SEEMED LIKE his genre-hopping side projects, he is very
a strange niche to find an artist as prolific, eccentric, and easily bored as Ryan much rooted in his unmistakable personal
Adams. But when not recording metal one-offs or covering Taylor Swift albums style.
in their entirety, he is only too happy to remind us why his career has lasted so long. Faithfulness to style and the albums
Prisoner ( ) eschews the stadium-filling intensity of his 2014 self-titled overall thematic wholeness seem to be
album, instead marking a return to the muted steadiness and thematic unity of 2011s Adamss paramount concerns on Prisoner.
Ashes and Fire, with one important difference. Ashes was made during an unusually As a result, the album succeeds admirably
calm period in his life, and his domestic and personal stability accordingly saw him in capturing the introversion and the sense
looking back on the emotional turmoil of his 30s with a detached, almost nostalgic eye. of listlessnes that come in the aftermath
The years since then have been turbulent. Many of the songs on Prisoner were written of heartbreak, though it is hard to point
during the breakdown of his marriage with Mandy Moore, and this time, Adamss to one track or moment that stands out
introspective musings feel distinctly more urgent than they did on Ashes. as particularly memorable. The drums,
While Adams tends to earn far more media attention for his eclectic covers and church organ, and crashing guitars of the
homages than his more standard offerings, the line between the two is more porous opener, Do You Still Love Me, are as
than the common comparison lets on. As surprising (or gimmicky) as they were, these close as he gets to the elation of his last
one-offs remained rooted in the poignant, atmospheric, folk-inflected sound that he two albums.
has cultivated with only slight variations since his earliest solo work. Even when cov- After that brief catharsis, he confines
ering Taylor Swifts 1989, he made the songs his own, and in some cases rendered them himself to decidedly low-key songs carried
nearly indistinguishable from the originals, and thematic parallels are easily drawn by layers of warm steel guitar and echoing
between the two. synths. The carefully arranged instrumen-

34 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY

tation provides an intimate founda-
tion for Adams to lay out his emotions
with a stunning immediacy, wavering
between isolation, turmoil, emptiness,
and even nostalgia. According to both
Adams and Moore, the separation was
amicable, and Prisoner gives us no rea-
son to think it was otherwise. Amid all
the emotions he explores on the album,
spite and bitterness are notably absent.
More importantly, Adams wastes no
time asking why the two of them drift-
ed apart, or pleading to go back to the
way things were. He already knows
what drove them apart, and that the
separation is permanent. Though he
may lament what he might have done
differently or what his relationship
could have been, there is a clear-eyed
sense of acceptance as well. As if to make the point definitively,
the album closes out to We Disappear, a pained yet graceful
acknowledgement that certain things are just not meant to last.
Adams would likely be the first to admit that such an approach
carries with it some risk. Anyone who has experienced one will
attest, breakups may be intense, they are also highly personal cri-
ses. While the world might indeed feel like it is ending for those
involved, the outside world continues to go about its business.
Months or years after such a breakup, even we might eventually
Available on most platforms in both streaming and purchasable forms, including Spotify, iTunes and Amazon.
look back on our own melodrama and
cringe. The challenge Adams sets for
himself in reflecting on his divorce is
to deal with an event that is personally
devastating, yet in the grand scheme
of things, unremarkably common. As
a breakup album, Prisoner retreads a
lot of familiar emotional ground, but
thoughtful, self-aware maturity is ulti-
mately what saves the album from
coming off as schmaltzy, though at
times it veers dangerously close.
Adams is far from the first artist
to build an album around the intense
emotions that accompany heart-
break, but few could state them with
such directness and get away with
it. Prisoner is a solid (if not exactly
remarkable) example of Ryan Adams
playing to the strengths that have worked for him in the past.
Already-converted fans will find themselves in familiar territory,
but will find little to object to. Meanwhile, latecomers who only
climbed the wagon after the 1989 cover should still find plenty
to like about Prisoner, and will be able to latch onto the sincerity
and the quiet emotional intensity of his songwriting. At his best,
that songwriting offers a sincere and brutal honesty, and where
this album works, it works precisely because he has so many
complicated and messy emotions to be brutally sincere about. l
FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 35
NightLife Photography by
Ward Morrison

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 37

 Scene
Gay/Bash at Trade - Saturday, February 19
Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

DrinksDragDJsEtc... NELLIES SPORTS BAR ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS upstairs DJ Keenan Orr NUMBER NINE
Beat the Clock Happy Hour All male, nude dancers downstairs $10 cover Open 5pm Happy Hour:
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), DJ 9pm Cover 21+ 10pm-close 21+ 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of No Cover Friday Night
Thursday, Kristina Kelly $200 Cash
Prize Doors open 10pm,
Beer $15 Drag Bingo DC EAGLE Piano with Chris, 7:30pm
February 23 21+ $5 Cover or free
NUMBER NINE
Friday, Doors open at 8pm
Happy Hour, 8-10pm SHAWS TAVERN
with college ID
9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any February 24 $2 off everything DJ Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3
drink, 5-9pm No Cover Theo Storm spinning in Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any DC EAGLE
9 1/2 the Exile, 10pm-3am No $5 Rails and House Wines
drink, 5-9pm Multiple Doors open at 8pm
SHAWS TAVERN Open at 5pm Happy Cover 21+ & Half-Priced Pizzas
TVs showing movies, Strip Down Thursdays
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3 Hour: 2 for 1 on any Tableside Magic, 8pm
shows, sports Expanded Happy Hour Shirtless
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, drink, 5-9pm Friday FREDDIES BEACH BAR
craft beer selection guys drink $2 off all
$5 Rails and House Wines Night Videos with DJ Crazy Hour, 4-7pm TOWN
Music videos featuring drinks, 8-10pm Jock or
& Half-Priced Pizzas $4 Chord Bezerra, 9:30pm Karaoke, 8pm Patio open 6pm DC Bear
DJ Wess underwear gets $2 off all
Heineken and Coronas, Expanded craft beer selec- Crue Happy Hour, 6-11pm
drinks, 10pm-2am No
5pm-close tion No Cover GREEN LANTERN $3 Rail, $3 Draft, $3
COBALT/30 DEGREES Cover 21+
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5 Bud Bottles Free Pizza,
Happy Hour: Tops Down $6
TRADE COBALT/30 DEGREES Smirnoff, all flavors, all 7pm No cover before
Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3 FREDDIES BEACH BAR
1410 14th St. NW All You Can Drink Happy night long 9:30pm 21+ Sequins
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Doors open 5pm Huge Hour $15 Rail and and Scrums: DC Scandals
Stonewall Darts After- Karaoke, 8pm
Happy Hour: Any drink Domestic, $21 Call & NELLIES SPORTS BAR Rugby Drag Competition,
Party, 6-10pm Locker
normally served in a cock- Imports, 6-9pm Freaky DJ Matt Bailer Videos, 8-10pm Drag Show
Room Thursday Nights, GREEN LANTERN
tail glass served in a huge Fridays, 10pm $6 Grey Dancing Beat the Clock starts at 10:30pm Hosted
10pm-close $3 Rail Happy Hour, 4-9pm
glass for the same price, Goose all night Two Happy Hour $2 (5-6pm), by Lena Lett and featuring
Drinks, 10pm-midnight, $5 Ladies Drink Free Power
5-10pm Beer and wine 30-minute open bars $3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm) Miss Tatianna, Shi-
Red Bull and Frozen Virgin Hour, 4-5pm Shirtless
only $4 featuring Grey Goose, Buckets of Beer $15 Queeta-Lee, Riley Knoxx
Drinks DJs Sean Morris Thursday, 10-11pm DJs
11-11:30pm and 1-1:30am and BaNaka DJ Wess
and MadScience Best BacK2bACk
DJ MadScience upstairs, DJs BacK2bACk
Package Contest at mid-
downstairs following the
night, hosted by BaNaka &

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 39

 show GoGo Boys after COBALT/30 DEGREES
11pm Doors open at Drag Yourself to Brunch
10pm For those 21 and at Level One, 11am-2pm
over, $12 For those and 2-4pm Featuring
18-20, $15 Club: 18+ Kristina Kelly and the
Patio: 21+ Ladies of Illusion
Bottomless Mimosas and
TRADE Bloody Marys Happy
Doors open 5pm Huge Hour: Tops Down $6 Top
Happy Hour: Any drink Shelf, Bottoms Up $3 Rail,
normally served in a cock- $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm
tail glass served in a huge AFTERGLOW Dance Party,
glass for the same price, featuring DJ Tom from
5-10pm Beer and wine Prague and DJ Tezrah,
only $4 10pm-close Doors open
10pm $5 Cover 21+
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Men of Secrets, 9pm DC EAGLE
Guest dancers Ladies Doors open 8pm Happy
of Illusion Drag Show Hour, $2 off all drinks,
Doors at 9pm, Shows at 8-10pm Centaur MC
11:30pm and 1:30am hosts Club Bar, 9pm-2am
DJ Don T. in Secrets Rave in the Annex,
Cover 21+ 10pm-5am 21+

FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Saturday, Drag Queen Broadway
Brunch, 10am-3pm
February 25 Starring Freddies
Broadway Babes Crazy
9 1/2 Hour, 4-7pm Freddies
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Follies Drag Show, hosted
drink, 2-9pm $5 Absolut by Miss Destiny B. Childs,
& Titos, $3 Miller Lite 8-10pm Karaoke,
after 9pm Expanded craft 10pm-close
beer selection No Cover
Music videos featuring
various DJs

40 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY

GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
TOWN
Doors open 7pm for
Bacardi, all flavors, all Fashion Show Team DC
night long JOX: The Fashion Show and Model
GL Underwear Party, Search, 8pm $15 Cover
featuring DJ David Merrill, CTRL DC Dance Party:
9pm-close $5 Cover Mardi Gras!, 11pm-close,
(includes clothes check) upstairs Featuring DJs
Adam Koussari-Amin,
NELLIES SPORTS BAR Devon Trotter and Jeff
Guest DJs Zing Zang Prior Music and video No Cover
Bloody Marys, Nellie Beer, by DJ Wess downstairs
House Rail Drinks and Regular club admission
Mimosas, $4, 11am-5pm starts 10pm Drag Show Happy Hour: Tops Down $6
Buckets of Beer, $15 starts at 10:30pm Hosted
by Lena Lett and featuring
NUMBER NINE
Doors open 2pm Happy
Tatianna, Shi-Queeta-Lee,
Riley Knoxx and BaNaka
Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, Cover $12 21+
2-9pm $5 Absolut and
$5 Bulleit Bourbon TRADE
Jawbreaker: Music of the Doors open 2pm Huge
90s with DJs BacK2bACk, Happy Hour: Any drink
9:30pm-close normally served in a cock-
tail glass served in a huge
SHAWS TAVERN glass for the same price,
Brunch with Bottomless 2-10pm Beer and wine
Mimosas, 10am-3pm only $4
Happy Hour, 5-7pm $3
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
$5 Rails and House Wines Men of Secrets, 9pm-4am
& Half-Priced Pizzas Guest dancers Ladies
of Illusion Drag Show
with host Ella Fitzgerald
Doors at 9pm, Shows
at 11:30pm and 1:30am
DJ Don T. in Ziegfelds 8pm-1am
DJ Steve Henderson in
Secrets Cover 21+
Sunday, GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
TRADE
Doors open 2pm Huge
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 8pm
February 26 Mamas Trailer Park Happy Hour: Any drink Happy Hour, 8-10pm $2
Karaoke downstairs, normally served in a cock- off everything Endless
9 1/2 9:30pm-close tail glass served in a huge Happy Hour prices to any-
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any glass for the same price, one in a DC Eagle T-Shirt
drink, 2-9pm Multiple NELLIES SPORTS BAR 2-10pm Beer and wine Monday Madness: Free
TVs showing movies, Drag Brunch, hosted by only $4 Pool All Night and Day
shows, sports Expanded Shi-Queeta-Lee, 11am-3pm $1 Bud and Bud Light
craft beer selection $20 Brunch Buffet ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS Draughts all night No
House Rail Drinks, Zing All male, nude dancers Cover 21+
Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie Decades of Dance DJ
COBALT/30 DEGREES Beer and Mimosas, $4, Tim-e in Secrets Doors FREDDIES BEACH BAR
11am-close Buckets of 9pm Cover 21+ Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3 Beer, $15 Singles Night Karaoke,
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm 8pm
Homowood Karaoke,
hosted by Robert Bise,
NUMBER NINE
Pop Goes the World with
Monday, GREEN LANTERN
10pm-close 21+ Wes Della Volla at 9:30pm February 27 Happy Hour all night long
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on Open Mic Night Karaoke
DC EAGLE any drink, 2-9pm No 9 1/2 with Kevin, 9:30pm-close
Doors open at 12pm Cover Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
Happy Hour, 12-6 pm drink, 5-9pm Multiple JR.S
$2 off everything $2 Bud SHAWS TAVERN TVs showing movies, Showtunes Songs &
and Bud Light Draughts Brunch with Bottomless shows, sports Expanded Singalongs, 9pm-close
all day and night The Mimosas, 10am-3pm craft beer selection DJ James $3 Draft Pints,
DC Eagle Pizza Party (no Happy Hour, 5-7pm $3 No Cover 8pm-midnight
possum) Free slice of Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
pizza with each drink while $5 Rails and House Wines COBALT/30 DEGREES NELLIES SPORTS BAR
supplies last No Cover & Half-Priced Pizzas Happy Hour: Tops Down $6 Beat the Clock Happy Hour
21+ Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3 $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm $4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
FREDDIES BEACH BAR Monday Nights A Drag, Beer $15 Texas Holdem
Champagne Brunch featuring Kristina Kelly Poker, 8pm Dart Boards
Buffet, 10am-3pm Crazy Doors open at 10pm
Hour, 4-7pm Karaoke, Showtime at 11:30pm
$3 Skyy Cocktails, $8 Skyy
and Red Bull $8 Long
Islands No Cover, 18+
FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 41
 NUMBER NINE
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
COBALT/30 DEGREES
DJ Honey Happy Hour:
SHAWS TAVERN
The Shaws Tavern Mardi
Wednesday, GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long,
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
drink, 5-9pm No Cover Tops Down $6 Top Shelf, Gras Party with Luke March 1 4pm-close Happy Hour: Any drink
Bottoms Up $3 Rail, $3 Bud James Shaffer singing normally served in a cock-
SHAWS TAVERN Light, 4-9pm SIN Service live and Hurricane Drink 9 1/2 NELLIES SPORTS BAR tail glass served in a huge
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3 Industry Night, 10pm-close Specials Half-Priced Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any SmartAss Trivia Night, 8pm glass for the same price,
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, $1 Rail Drinks all night Burgers and Pizzas $5 drink, 5-9pm Multiple and 9pm Prizes include 5-10pm Beer and wine
$5 Rails and House Wines House Wines and $5 Sam TVs showing movies, bar tabs and tickets to only $4
and Half-Priced Pizzas FREDDIES BEACH BAR Adams shows, sports Expanded shows at the 9:30 Club
Trivia with Jeremy, 7:30pm Crazy Hour, 4-7pm craft beer selection $15 Buckets of Beer for

TRADE
Karaoke, 8pm TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
No Cover SmartAss Teams only
Bring a new team member
Thursday,
Doors open 5pm Huge GREEN LANTERN Happy Hour: Any drink COBALT/30 DEGREES and each get a free $10 March 2
Happy Hour: Any drink Happy Hour all night long, normally served in a cock- Happy Hour: Tops Down $6 Dinner
normally served in a cock- 4pm-close tail glass served in a huge Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3 9 1/2
tail glass served in a huge glass for the same price, Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm NUMBER NINE Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
glass for the same price, NELLIES SPORTS BAR 5-10pm Beer and wine $4 Stoli and Stoli Flavors Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm Multiple
5-10pm Beer and wine Beat the Clock Happy Hour only $4 and Miller Lite all night drink, 5-9pm No Cover TVs showing movies,
only $4 $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), Wednesday Night Karaoke, shows, sports Expanded
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of hosted by India Larelle SHAWS TAVERN craft beer selection
Beer $15 Karaoke and Houston, 10pm No Cover Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3 Music videos featuring
Tuesday, Drag Bingo 21+ Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 Rails and House Wines
DJ Wess

February 28 NUMBER NINE FREDDIES BEACH BAR and Half-Priced Pizzas

Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Crazy Hour, 4-7pm $6 Piano Bar with Jill, down-
9 1/2 drink, 5-9pm No Cover Burgers Drag Bingo stairs, 8pm
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any After 9pm, $3 Absolut, Night, hosted by Ms.
drink, 5-9pm Multiple Bulleit & Stella Regina Jozet Adams, 8pm
TVs showing movies, Bingo prizes Karaoke,
shows, sports Expanded 10pm-1am
craft beer selection
No Cover

42 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 43
 COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: Tops Down $6
Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm
Stonewall Darts After-
Party, 6-10pm Locker
Room Thursday Nights,
10pm-close $3 Rail
Drinks, 10pm-midnight, $5
Red Bull and Frozen Virgin
Drinks DJs Sean Morris
and MadScience Best
Package Contest at mid-
night, hosted by BaNaka &
Kristina Kelly $200 Cash
Prize Doors open 10pm,
21+ $5 Cover or free
with college ID
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 8pm Strip
Down Thursdays Happy
Hour Shirtless guys
drink $2 off all drinks,
8-10pm Jock or under-
wear gets $2 off all drinks,
10pm-2am Free Shot of
Captain Morgan Cannon
Blast while supplies last
No Cover 21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
44 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Ladies Drink Free Power
Hour, 4-5pm Shirtless
Thursday, 10-11pm DJs
BacK2bACk
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Beat the Clock Happy Hour
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Beer $15 Drag Bingo
NUMBER NINE
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
SHAWS TAVERN
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 Rails and House Wines
& Half-Priced Pizzas $4
Heineken and Coronas,
5pm-close
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
Happy Hour: Any drink
normally served in a cock-
tail glass served in a huge
glass for the same price,
5-10pm Beer and wine
only $4
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
DJ 9pm Cover 21+ l
Scene
DIK Bar - Saturday, January 28
Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY 45

 LastWord.
People say the queerest things

I do not support pedophilia. Period.

It is a vile and disgusting crime, perhaps the very worst.

MILO YIANNOPOULOS, former senior editor for Breitbart News and alt-right darling, responding to outrage over a selectively edit-
ed video that appeared to show him condoning pedophilia. Yiannopoulos was subsequently disinvited from speaking at CPAC,
resigned from his position at Breitbart News, and has had a recent book deal canceled.

This is not something the federal government should be involved in,

this is a states rights issue.
White House Press Secretary SEAN SPICER, announcing that the Trump administration is working on new directives with regards
the use of bathrooms in schools by trans students. President Obama previously issued an executive order affirming the right of
trans students to use facilities that match their gender identity.

Theyre writing an authentic teenager who is still learning and evolving and has
never met a bisexual person in his life.
NOAH GALVIN, star of ABCs The Real ONeals, speaking to Gay Star News about criticism over a joke that some perceived
as biphobic in a recent episode. Actress Sara Ramirez wrote on Twitter that she was
truly disheartened and disappointed with the joke.

I fear that leaflets like this may

entice homophobic behaviour that may
lead to me being bullied
or others in the future being bullied.

A student at a high school in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in an online post regarding a leaflet left on a school bus by TFP Student
Action titled 10 reasons why homosexual marriage is harmful and must be opposed. The group purports to be a nationwide
network of young Americans dedicated to defending and promoting moral values on college campuses and beyond.

Im not in the bathroom to do anything bad, to vandalise or to peek in the stalls.

Im there to pee and wash my hands.
SAMANTHA DEMICHIELI, a 13-year-old transgender girl, speaking to legislators in Missouri about a bill that would enact restrictions
on trans students using restroom facilities that match their gender identity, the Associated Press reports.

46 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 METROWEEKLY