Professional Documents
Culture Documents
14 DRAGON SLAYED
The tricks performed by Piff the Magic Dragon
are amazing, but he truly slays audiences
with his unique brand of comedy
By Randy Shulman
QUEER FACES
OF FRINGE
LGBTQ people are a vital part of what makes Fringe
a unique experience. We asked eleven of them to sit
for portraits and share what Fringe means to them.
27
Portraits by Julian P. Vankim
43 HOMECOMING KING
The exhilarating new Spider-Man swings
Peter Parker into a full-throttle growth spurt
financed by Tony Stark
By Andr Hereford
Metro Weekly 1775 I St. NW, Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 202-638-6830
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2017 Jansi LLC.
Margaret Cho
I
DID A COMEDY EVENT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER IN queer, being all of these identities that I am, somehow gives me
early June, says Margaret Cho. And they specifically asked a lot more freedom to speak, says the 48-year-old of Korean
us me, Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno not to talk about descent. Whether its on race, or on womens rights, or gay
Donald Trump at all. rights, or any of these things. Just by virtue of not being white,
The reason? Ivanka was present. it allows me more of a place to talk, because minorities are gen-
It was very weird, says Cho, who will appear next week in erally not listened to.
a special benefit performance for GWUs LGBT Health Policy Cho wont rule out a political career. Its a strong possibility
& Practice program. Very alarming and very strange. Stifling at some point in my life. Not right now, but someday.
comics is an idea that doesnt settle well with the bisexual comic. Meanwhile, watch for Chos cameo in Sharknado 5: Global
I think about Kathy Griffin and the incredible backlash she Swarming, debuting on SyFy on August 6.
was dealing with, and how its brought that whole thing back of I love Sharknado, she exclaims. Love, love, love! The
comedians going too far, she says. A comedians purpose is to sharks have now melded together and sort of created a blob.
push boundaries and to be offensive. I couldnt really understand it. But I have a cameo with Jai
No stranger to controversy, Cho respects her platform. Rodriguez from Queer Eye. Were a straight couple. Which I
Being a woman of color, being politically progressive, being think is shock enough. Randy Shulman
Margaret Cho appears Thursday, July 13, at Lisner Auditorium. Tickets are $55 to $75. VIP tickets include prime seating and a
meet-and-greet with Ms. Cho after the performance. Benefiting GWUs LGBT Health Policy & Practice. Tickets are available
at the Lisner box office and online at gwutickets.com.
BETH DITTO
With all due respect to the other members
of Gossip, Dittos voice, personality, and style
always had a way of commanding most of the
attention. And now that her band of 17 years
has officially split up, Ditto is free to set out
on her own and explore some other avenues.
On her powerful solo debut, Fake Sugar, the
familiar dance/punk is gone, replaced by a
sort of indie-rockabilly. Ditto, a self-described
fat, feminist lesbian, is as confident and defiant
as ever. The album should form the basis of
an incredible live show, presented by the 9:30
Club in the intimate, neighboring U Street
Music Hall, 1115A U St. NW. Wednesday, July
12, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. Call 202-588-1880
or visit 930.com. (Sean Maunier)
MARY MCCARTNEY
THE ORIGINALIST
Two years after its world premiere and
LAURA TSAGGARIS
A Pittsburgh-born, D.C.-based pop
singer-songwriter, Tsaggaris is a
strong live performer, as evidenced
by her 2014 set recorded at the
Atlas Performing Arts Center. Live
at the Atlas features acoustically
reworked tracks from her impres-
sive bluesy rock catalog and was
funded by fan contributions and
pre-order sales. Alex the Red Parez
and the El Rojos open. Thursday,
July 13, at 8:30 p.m. IOTA Club and
Caf, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington.
SHERVIN LAINEZ
ART GARFUNKEL
The legendary folk artists In Close-Up tour features standards from the Simon & Garfunkel repertoire, selections from
his own solo work, plus cuts from his favorite songwriters, an eclectic mix that includes Jimmy Webb, Randy Newman
and George Gershwin. Hes also expected to share stories from his forthcoming autobiography, What Is It All But
Luminous: Notes from an Underground Man, due in September. Saturday, July 8, at 8 p.m. Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
Tickets are $39 to $99. Call 202-457-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
Compiled by Doug Rule MAN OF THE YEAR reactions to the Holocaust. Aaron MY FAIR LADY
The NoMa BID offers an outdoor Posner directs a stellar cast Lise The Lerner and Loewe classic,
screening series with the quintes- Bruneau, Kimberly Gilbert, Gregory adapted from Georges Bernard Shaw
FILM sential Washington theme: Power, Linington, Paul Morella, Michele
Osherow and Stephen Patrick
and Gabriel Pascals film Pygmalion.
Politics & Popcorn. Next up: Barry Alan Souza directs a massive cast
COMING TO AMERICA Levinsons critically panned drama Martin relating Millers tale of a including Danny Bernardy, Brittany
Eddie Murphy stars as an African starring the late Robin Williams as woman who suddenly, mysteriously Campbell, Ian Anthony Coleman,
prince who travels to the U.S. with a man with zero political experi- becomes paralyzed from the waist Warren Freeman, Chris Genebach,
his aide/sidekick Arsenio Hall in ence who decides to run for pres- down, and her husband, a self-de- Christina Kidd, Alex Kidder, Julia
search of romance. In the end, John ident and gets ushered into the nying Jew, struggling to understand Klavans, Ashleigh King, Valerie
Landis 1988 film was only moder- Oval Office through a grassroots why and confront his fears, assump- Leonard, Benjamin Lurye, Jimmy
ately funny. Yet it was a huge hit campaign. Back in 2006, it seemed tions and anguish. A historian-led Mavrikes, Christopher Mueller and
at the box office, and 30 years later preposterous. Of course, now discussion after the Sunday mat- Todd Scofield. To July 23. Olney
studio executives seem to think this crazy presidential movie gets inee on July 9. Extended to July Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy
it may still have legs: Paramount screened a mile or so from the crazy 16. The Aaron and Cecile Goldman Spring Road, Olney, Md. Call 301-
Pictures announced in April that it presidential reality. The screening Theater, Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 924-3400 or visit olneytheatre.org.
has greenlighted development of a starts at sunset on Wednesday, July 16th St. NW. Call 202-777-3210 or
sequel. The film screens at Union 12. Grounds open at 7 p.m. NoMa visit theaterj.org. THE SCHOOL FOR LIES
Markets monthly warm weather Junction at Storey Park, 1005 1st St. Michael Kahn helms David
Drive-In Series. You dont have to NE. Visit nomabid.org. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Ives adaptation of Molires Le
have a car to take it all in just grab Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Misanthrope, in an update of the
Rices rock opera about Jesus
a viewing spot in the free picnic
area. Food and beer are available,
STAGE gets a sleek, modern makeover
aristocratic, ruthless French satire.
Gregory Wooddell plays Frank,
delivered to you or your car window in a Signature Theatre produc- whose barbed truth-telling wreaks
BROKEN GLASS tion helmed by Joe Calarco and havoc in a world of pompous suit-
by the DC Rollergirls. Friday, July
Theater J teamed up with histo- starring Nicholas Edwards. The ors and extravagant ladies, until
7. Gates at 6 p.m., with the movie
rians from the U.S. Holocaust cast includes Signature standouts rumors ricochet and alternative
starting at sunset around 8:15
Museum for a rare staging of this Natascia Diaz as Mary, Sherri L. facts become reality. Closes Sunday,
p.m. In the parking lot at Union
gripping, psychological drama Edelen as King Herod, and Bobby July 9. Lansburgh Theatre, 450 7th
Market, 1305 5th St. NE. Free for
by Arthur Miller set in Brooklyn Smith as Pontius Pilate. Closes St. NW. Call 202-547-1122 or visit
walk-ups or $10 per car. Call 800-
during the Kristallnacht in 1938. Sunday, July 9. Signature Theatre, shakespearetheatre.org.
680-9095 or visit unionmarketdc.
Images from American newspapers 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Call
com.
of the era are projected directly 703-820-9771 or visit sigtheatre.org.
onto the set, showing Americans
DRAGON SLAYED
The tricks performed by Piff the Magic Dragon are amazing,
ever goes, Oh, my god! How did they do that?!
Then, on stage, you make something move with-
out touching it, and people freak out.
When the subject of President Trump comes
but he truly slays audiences with his unique brand of comedy up, as it invariably does these days, van der Put
gives his own spin. Hes far better than most magi-
P
cians at obscuring the truth. I think we could prob-
IFF THE MAGIC DRAGON CAME THISCLOSE TO WINNING ably learn a lesson from him. Randy Shulman
Americas Got Talent. And then he decided to lose. Piff should never
win anything, say the characters real-life alter-ego, John van der Put. Piff the Magic Dragon appears July 13 to 15 at the
He should always be the loser. He should always get within touching distance, Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia
and then something goes wrong. Pike. Tickets are $25 to $50. Call 703-486-2345 or
Besides, the London-born 37-year-old continues, theres nothing funny visit arlingtondrafthouse.com.
CONCERT MASTERS
Ave. NW. Visit sweetlifeblockparty-
dc.splashthat.com.
B
September 23 and features shows
by Iyona Blake, Sandy Bainum,
RAD CANFIELD WILL NEVER FORGET MADONNAS ONE AND ONLY CON-
Kathy Halenda, Dani Stoller, Jim
cert at Merriweather Post Pavilion. It was June 1, 1985, and the superstar opened Van Slyke, Clifton Walker III,
the venues season with The Virgin Tour. It was sold-out, so it was a huge deal Will Mark Stevenson, and Stephen
for us, says Canfield, then a 15-year-old stagehand at the massive outdoor amphitheater, Gregory Smith. The series kicks
off with Two for a Song, a revue
nestled on a woodsy 40-acre property in Columbia, Maryland. of classic and lost Tin Pan Alley
I was backstage cleaning and I overheard her telling people that she wanted and American Songbook classics
Gatorade Gum, he says. Theyd sent people out and nobody could find any. As it hap- from tenor Doug Bowles and pia-
nist Alex Hassan with special guest
pened, Canfield knew of a nearby drugstore that carried the 80s fad. So I rode my bike
crooner/trombonist David Sager,
over and bought a whole case. I rode back over and handed it to her. She was so happy. on Saturday, July 8, at 8 p.m. It
Canfield, now Merriweathers vice president, laughs. She made a point to call me by continues the next weekend with
my first name and point me out to the general manager. I quickly moved up to become a Katie McManus & Jamie Eacker
belting big and brassy songs from
supervisor. Because of Madonna. Broadway, on Friday, July 14, and
Even though the Material Girl hasnt performed at Merriweather since, plenty of Saturday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ArtSpace
other megastars have been repeat headliners at the amphitheater, designed by Frank Falls Church, 410 South Maple Ave.
in Falls Church. Tickets are $18 to
Gehry and originally built as the summer home of the National Symphony. By 1968, pop
$20 per show, or $55 for a table for
and rock acts, from Jimi Hendrix to the Doors, began to infiltrate the lineup, and its fate two with wine, $110 for four with
as a haven for some of the biggest rock and pop acts was sealed. wine. Call 703-436-9948 or visit
Jackson Browne, who recorded his 1977 live album Running on Empty at Merriweather, creativecauldron.org.
returns as part of a 50th Birthday bash that includes Father John Misty, Grace Potter and KASEY CHAMBERS
country legend Willie Nelson, who performed a duet with then-President Jimmy Carter. The daughter of steel guitar play-
Merriweather is halfway through a five-year, $55 million overhaul, renovating every- er Bill and brother of musician
Nash, the country-rock artist tours
thing from the stage to the seating bowl. Its improved significantly since IMP has been
in support of her 11th studio set,
managing it [in 2004], says Canfield, adding that the improvements will include the the captivating and wide-ranging
best lawn system that money can buy, and all these new high-tech, green buildings and double-album Dragonfly, which
super-efficient ways of doing things. Its a rare combination of a place that still has charm includes duets with Ed Sheeran and
Keith Urban and several dramatic,
and beauty and history, but now will be very state-of-the-art. Doug Rule rattling rockers, including Aint No
Little Girl and You Aint Worth
Fighting For. Garrett Kato opens.
Thursday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m. The
The 50th Anniversary Concert is Saturday, July 15, with gates opening at 4:30 p.m., at
Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon
Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, Md. Tickets are Ave., Alexandria. Tickets are $35.
$55 to $125. Call 800-551-SEAT or visit merriweathermusic.com. Call 703-549-7500 or visit birch-
mere.com.
NMWA
wolftrap.org. Alison Saar - En Pointe
UNEXPECTED DELAYS
Pentagon extends transgender military enlistment deadline by 6 months By John Riley
T
HE PENTAGON WILL DELAY ALLOWING OPEN- standards, and if military bases would have to make special
ly transgender individuals to enlist in the military accommodations for those recruits with respect to show-
until at least Jan. 1, 2018. In a memo, U.S. Secretary ers, bathrooms and other facilities.
of Defense Jim Mattis cited the importance of military The chiefs also wish to prolong the time that new
readiness and the need for more time as previously request- recruits have been stable in their gender from 18 months
ed by the secretaries of the various military branches. to 2 years.
According to an Associated Press report, the Navy The six-month delay will only impact new recruits, not
had previously said it was ready to begin accepting new the estimated 15,500 transgender service members current-
transgender recruits, but asked for more time in order to ly serving, reports Politico.
accommodate a request from military leadership in the Last week, U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), an LGBTQ
Marine Corps, which the Secretary of the Navy oversees. rights opponent whose congressional district includes
The Marine Corps had requested a year-long delay, and the Army installation Ft. Leonard Wood, attempted to intro-
Army and Air Force had wanted two years before they must duce an amendment to the National Defense Authorization
accept new transgender recruits. Act that would have reversed the policy allowing any trans-
Under existing DoD policy, such accessions were antic- gender troops to serve openly.
ipated to begin on July 1, 2017, Mattis said in the memo. Although she later withdrew the amendment, Hartzler
The Deputy Secretary directed the services to begin said in a statement that she was pleased that Mattis had
assessing their readiness to begin accessions. Building upon decided to delay the implementation of the policy, which
that work and after consulting with the Service Chiefs and she called ill-conceived and rushed, saying it was
Secretaries, I have determined that it is necessary to defer never clearly thought out.
the start of accessions for six months. We will use this addi- LGBTQ groups lamented the delay, with OutServe-
tional time to evaluate more carefully the impact of such Service Members Legal Defense Network saying it expects
accessions on readiness and lethality. the military to begin accepting new transgender recruits as
Mattis also directed the Under Secretary of Defense for soon as the six-month wait period is over.
Personnel and Readiness to lead the review of concerns Transgender service members have been serving, open-
around and the logistics involved with accepting transgen- ly and authentically, since October 2016 with no impact
der recruits, and report the results of said review to him by on readiness, OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Matt
Dec. 1, 2017. Thorn said in a statement. It is time to fully lift the ban on
Chief among the military chiefs concerns were ques- transgender service by enacting this final piece and imple-
tions over the assimilation of transgender recruits into menting the accessions policy. This delay is a disservice to
units, whether transgender recruits medical issues could the transgender community and to our military as a whole.
affect their ability to deploy or meet current enlistment We reiterate that the services are prepared for trans-
UNDERGROUND ASSAULT
Brooklyn man indicted in subway attack on lesbian couple By John Riley
A
MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY ATTACKING A authorities say. He then tried to escape by walking between
lesbian couple on the New York subway has been indict- train cars, but was apprehended by a transit police officer.
ed on hate crime charges. Antoine Thomas, of Brooklyn, The victim was later taken to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
is accused of punching one of the women in the face and knock- and treated for a concussion, broken nose, and a contusion.
ing her unconscious while shouting anti-gay slurs at her. She also suffered cuts to her eye, requiring eight stitches.
Thomas was arraigned on a slew of charges relating to the Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez issued a
attack, including assault, menacing and harassment, accord- statement acknowledging Thomas indictment.
ing to records from Kings County Supreme Court. He has Brooklyn is a model of inclusion and diversity where
pleaded not guilty, reports NBC New York. bias and bigotry will not be tolerated, Gonzalez said. This
Prosecutors allege that Thomas got on a Brooklyn-bound defendants alleged actions were an attack on everyones
Q train at Union Square around 7:30 p.m. on May 21 and sat right to be who they are, and to love whom they choose. He
next to the victim and her girlfriend. They claim he purposely will now be held accountable for this alleged attack that left
bumped into the women and began yelling: Faggot! Dyke! a woman unconscious.
When the victims asked him to calm down, he repeatedly If found guilty of the charges, including the hate crime
punched one of the women until she lost consciousness, enhancements, he could face up to 15 years in prison. l
DENIS LARGERON
edatransculturalhealth.org.
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing,
DC AQUATICS CLUB practice 3-5 p.m., by appointment and
session at Takoma Aquatic walk-in, for youth 21 and
Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 300 Van younger. Youth Center, 410 7th
Buren St. NW. For more infor- St. SE. 202-567-3155 or test-
ing@smyal.org.
SOCIABLE SPORTS
mation, visit swimdcac.org.
B
7 p.m. at 23rd & P Streets NW.
For more information, visit EING PART OF A GAY SPORTS TEAM HAS ALWAYS WOMENS LEADERSHIP
dcfrontrunners.org. INSTITUTE for young LBTQ
given me that outlet to approach my team and fellow women, 13-21, interested in
players for advice, or to decompress and just hang out, leadership development. 5-6:30
DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay
and lesbian square-dancing go to the movies, or do social events, says Martin Espinoza, p.m. SMYAL Youth Center, 410
group features mainstream president of the executive committee for Stonewall Sports. It 7th St. SE. For more informa-
tion, call 202-567-3163, or email
through advanced square gives me a network thats available at the drop of a hat, especial-
dancing at the National City catherine.chu@smyal.org.
ly if youre having a bad day or bad week. Its good to just hang
Christian Church, 5 Thomas
Circle NW, 7-9:30 p.m. Casual
out with my team. FRIDAY, July 7
dress. 301-257-0517, dclamb- Espinoza hopes to provide that opportunity to others in the
dasquares.org. upcoming 4th Annual Stonewall Sports National Tournament, GAY DISTRICT, a group for
featuring more than one thousand kickball, dodgeball, and vol- GBTQQI men between the ages
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds leyball players from various LGBTQ sports leagues, from July of 18-35, meets on the first and
practice. The team is always third Fridays of each month.
looking for new members. All 14 to 16. The best part is, you dont have to play a sport to enjoy. 8:30-9:30 p.m. 2000 14th St.
welcome. 7:30-9:30 p.m. King People can sign up as Friends of Stonewall, and be a specta- NW, Suite 105. For more infor-
Greenleaf Recreation Center, tor and cheer on their teams, says Espinoza. Its more about mation, visit gaydistrict.org.
201 N St. SW. For more infor- having time to network and meet the participants in Stonewall,
mation, visit scandalsrfc.org or Join people from all over
especially for people in D.C. who havent had the opportunity, the DMV area for an LGBTQ
dcscandals@gmail.com.
or the time, to join a league. SOCIAL. All welcome. Free
The DULLES TRIANGLES For $25, spectators get access to games and are eligible for to attend. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Northern Virginia social various food and drink specials at sponsor bars and restaurants. Pinzimini Lounge inside the
group meets for happy hour at Some people who live in D.C. treat the weekend like theyre Westin Arlington Gateway,
Sheraton in Reston. All wel- 801 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington,
come. 7-9 p.m. 11810 Sunrise
out of town, and go with the flow of events, says Espinoza. Va. Ballston Metro is 2 blocks
Valley Drive, second-floor bar. [They] disconnect from their personal lives for a weekend, and away. For more information,
For more information, visit embrace meeting new people from other cities, or people from visit gogaydc.org.
dullestriangles.com. D.C. that they havent had a chance to meet. John Riley
The DC Center hosts a meet-
HIV TESTING at Whitman- ing of its TRANS SUPPORT
Walker Health. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at Volleyball is Saturday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and GROUP, focusing on issues
1525 14th St. NW, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, July 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lincoln Memorial important to transgender
at the Elizabeth Taylor Medical Sand Volleyball Courts, 2298 Constitution Ave. NW. people and those who identify
Center, 1701 14th St. NW, and 8 outside of the gender binary.
a.m-5 p.m. at the Max Robinson 7-8:30 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,
Kickball is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday from Suite 105. For more informa-
Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave.
SE. For an appointment call 10 a.m. to noon at the JFK Hockey Fields, 1964 Independence tion, visit thedccenter.org.
202-745-7000 or visit whit- Ave. SW. The final four games are Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at
man-walker.org. Stead Park, 1625 P St. NW. Weekly Events
F
RINGE IS LIKE CHRISTMAS TO THE
theater world in D.C., says Eric Cline.
Its a place where really bizarre, obscure,
and experimental ideas can really get
a shot to say, Hey, this might work. It
doesnt always work, but often its just a
really fun opportunity to connect with
things you wouldnt be able to see at
mainstream theater events.
Cline is part of The Coil Project, a creative collective that uti-
lizes Fringe as a means of presenting new theatrical works. His
show, The Changeling Child, is one of more than 85 productions
some big, some small slated for this years annual festival,
which opens tonight and runs through July 30. He is also one of
the dozens of LGBTQ participants who write, direct, produce,
act, and generally are vital contributors to the Fringe experience.
As a woman of size, I am automatically excluded from a
tremendous amount of traditional theater, says Rebecca Rose
Vassy, who goes by the stage name Diva Darling and is the star
of the burlesque entry Tiresias Tits. Doing shows here, I can
define my art and...present myself in the way that I want to be
seen and the kind of work that I want to be known for. To be
able to do that across race, across gender, or across orientation,
size, age, all these restrictions that you would have in anything
outside of Fringe. Its a very open atmosphere and...its great to
have a place where all of that can be represented.
Rachel Messbauer, a queer actress who stars in the lesbi-
an-infused Abortion Road Trip, agrees.
Fringe allows people to really experiment and push bound-
aries, she says during a break in a Saturday afternoon photo
shoot at Fringes Trinidad Theater on Florida Avenue NE. A
sense of community is created by all these different theater
companies and groups of people, maybe who arent even theater
companies, but just get together and make theater. I think that
sense of community is really valuable. Its a great way for every-
one to support each other and say, Ill go to see your show. And
your show and your show. And theyre all just in this one little
area and you just gotta hit them up as fast as you can.
For this years feature, we asked eleven LGBTQ Fringe par-
ticipants to sit for portraits, providing a look at just a few of The
Queer Faces of Fringe.
I enjoy acting because its a way for me to shake off my day to day conservative persona
and put on anything. I have been a prostitute, I have been a dominatrix, Ive been in the band,
Ive been on tech. Ive done all kinds of things with the sets and design. Being a person in the
LGBTQ community, and sometimes having to act straight, I love being able to be out and proud
when I can, and this is certainly a show I can do that in.
Adam Davidson
Matthew Shepard
The Laramie Project
Identifies as Gay
5 EPIPHANIES CONTRACTIONS HEXAGON 2017: LET FREEDOM ZING! LANCER & LACE
Sardonic stories of how good stuff gets in How much would you sacrifice to keep An original political satirical musical come- 100 years ago JFK was born, and he never
your head. your job? dy revue benefiting local charities. dies.
Pursuit Wine Bar Trinidad Theatre Lang Pursuit Wine Bar
July 13, 15, 16, 22 23 July 8, 13, 16, 21, 22, 23 July 7, 8, 12, 16, 20, 23 July 16, 18, 19, 20, 22
8 BIT CIRCUS S*IT DAGGERS MACKENZIE HOWL: IN THE TIME OF TRUMP LAST DITCH PLAYLIST
Bringing video games to life through fire Your new favorite one-woman, lesbian, I HOWL, You HOWL, We All HOWL for Als How do you put back together a broken
and circus arts. knife-juggling rock opera. HOWL. heart?
Old City Farm & Guild Sprenger Theatre Shopkeepers Lab II
July 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 July 12, 14, 15, 16, 22 July 7, 8, 21, 22, 23 July 6, 7, 9, 11, 12
ABORTION ROAD TRIP DANCING THROUGH LIFE...BY THE IM MARGARET THATCHER, I IS! LAZARUS
Three Texas women drive to New Mexico WAY The (completely made-up) totally true life In the future, you can live forever. For a
for an abortion. A tour de force of dance, or nerd life? You story of Margaret Thatcher. price.
Trinidad Theatre decide. Lab II Trinidad Theatre
July 7, 8, 15, 18, 20, 23 Sprenger Theatre July 6, 8, 9, 16, 18, 21 July 7, 9, 11, 12
July 12, 13, 14, 16, 23
AFLIGHT IN THE COMPANY OF DE SADE LIFE, DEATH, & EVERYTHING
Experience stories of migration and nature DISHWASHER 2: I PAY YOU De Sade, DC, Kings Players, and Fringe. IN-BETWEEN
through movement & sound. Are you a better actor or dishwasher? Brian Perfect Together. Movement theater exploring lifes comedies
Elstad Auditorium Feldman decides. Trinidad Theatre and tragedies. With dancing.
July 11, 14, 20 The Kitchen (Brian Feldmans Studio July 11, 12, 15, 19, 21, 23 Elstad Auditorium
Apartment) July 7, 9, 16, 18, 21, 22
ARDEN NOW July 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 23 ITS WHAT WE DO
Shakespeares As You Like It revamped to Israeli soldiers share memories of enforcing LIFE: A COMIC OPERA
celebrate modern love. ECHOES the occupation of Palestine. IN THREE SHORT ACTS
Eastman Studio Theatre Reality shatters the relationship of young Lab II Take a musical journey from beginning
July 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 22 lovers in an asylum. July 13, 15, 19, 21, 23 to end.
Eastman Studio Theatre Eastman Studio Theatre
BLUE OVER YOU July 11, 15, 16, 19, 21, 22 J-SWIZZLES (AND D-MANS) EPIC July 9, 15, 16, 18, 23
When your wife is missing, life turns upside AWESOME SWAGGY BROVENTURE
down. EXIT CAROLYN FOR SWEET RHYMES LOST TEETH
Pursuit Wine Bar Best friends forever. Or are they? Best friends dream of becoming the great- Tori just wants to be happy. Is that so hard?
July 6, 11, 15, 19, 20, 23 CAOS on F est rap stars ever. Eastman Studio Theatre
July 7, 8, 11, 15, 16, 19, 21 Lab II July 8, 9, 11, 14, 15
CAVEAT July 6, 8, 12, 15, 19, 23
One open bedroom. Four applicants. No EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR LOVE AND OTHER LURES
holds barred. You shouldnt need bears to be nice. But JOE CHARNITSKIS FUNERAL Playfully macabre cabaret about love, dan-
Eastman Studio Theatre it helps. Joe Charnitski gave the eulogy at Joe ger and things with teeth.
July 7, 9, 12, 16, 23 Lab II Charnitskis funeral twice. Shopkeepers
July 9, 11, 13, 18, 19, 22 Pursuit Wine Bar July 8, 9, 16, 22
CLARA BOW: BECOMING IT July 9, 19, 20, 22
Before Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Taylor FOUR BROKE GUYS: LIVE! MACBHEATHA
and Marilyn Monroe, there was Clara. Four characters divided by one actor equals JUST LIKE A WOMAN Experience the infamous Macbethian saga
Trinidad Theatre one helluva good time. Will trans trump fear in these troubled as never before!
July 8, 9, 11, 14, 18, 22 Shopkeepers times? Lang
July 7, 12, 16, 20, 22, 23 Elstad Auditorium July 7, 8, 9, 15, 22
CLICKB@IT July 6, 8, 14, 15, 18, 22
NTC goes viral. What happens next will GARBAGE PERSON KARAOKE MIXED BLESSINGS
blow your mind. A comedy about healing, for people who KARA SEVDA Sex. Art. God. Genocide. You know, first
Sprenger Theatre are trash. At the end of the world, date stuff.
July 11, 12, 15, 19, 22 Shopkeepers the past catches up. Shopkeepers
July 11, 12, 16, 20, 22, 23 Shopkeepers July 6, 9, 13, 15, 22
COMEDIAN ELECTED TO TOWN July 12, 16, 19, 21, 22
COUNCIL IN NEW JERSEY GHOULS MORNINGSTAR
Brilliantly funny, - NJ State League of A coming of age love story. LADIES IN WAITING: THE JUDGEMENT On the eve of nuclear war, a brilliant
Municipalities. Even for Jersey. Lab II OF HENRY VIII engineer...
Pursuit Wine Bar July 8, 9, 15, 16 The Edinburgh Fringe Sell-Out Tudor drama. Shopkeeper
July 8, 9, 12, 13 Eastman Studio Theatre July 6, 8, 11, 15, 16
HELP ME, WANDA! July 8, 9, 12, 13, 15
CONSTRUCTIVE FICTIONS A rock cabaret inspired by the music of MR. TAKEN
Peeping Tom Rabbi is forced to face his Wanda Jackson. LAKEBOAT All the women want him, but he is Mr.
victims nightly . Sollys U Street Tavern A summer of influences creating memories Taken.
Eastman Studio Theatre July 14, 15, 21, 22 never to be forgotten. Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist
July 6, 7, 8, 20, 23 Sprenger July 7, 8, 14, 15
July 11, 16, 19, 21 23
Matt Hollis
I
N FLORILEGIA, HUNDREDS OF ARTIFICIAL reminding the viewer of the allure of nature. The show
flower petals are layered to create bold floral is a farewell local exhibit for Hollis, who is moving
hieroglyphic symbols and abstract-organic shapes. to Los Angeles. On display through Aug. 5 at the Otis
Otis Street Arts Project presents a retrospective collec- Street Arts Project, 3706 Otis St., Mount Rainier, Md.
tion of the local artists past and present works, includ- Opening reception is Saturday, July 8, from 5 to 8 p.m.
ing these fantastical, botanically inspired sculptures, Call 202-550-4634 or visit otisstreetarts.org.
Homecoming King
erawork lay out a cool, inviting Queens, so
darkness doesnt get in the way of the fun.
Lighthearted, but not low-stakes, Watts
direction lends substance to Peters devel-
The exhilarating new Spider-Man swings Peter Parker into a opment from insecure novice to more
full-throttle growth spurt financed by Tony Stark By Andr Hereford reliable hero. His unexpected choice of
Marisa Tomei to play Peters doting Aunt
O
May was announced to much twittering
NE CLEVER STEP BACK, AND SEVERAL ADROIT STEPS FORWARD, dismay, but the Oscar-winners warmly
Sony and Marvels Spider-Man: Homecoming (HHHHH) is a thrillingly alive natural presence works wonderfully to
origin story, rather than a rehashed one. Directed and co-written by Jon Watts help frame the films fresh view of the
(Cop Car), the $175 million reboot charts a new course for the transformation of preco- familiar web-slinger.
cious Peter Parker into a better Spider-Man. Watts and team have delivered the most Casting Tony Revolori as Peters high
exhilarating superhero flick since last years Captain America: Civil War. school tormentor, Flash Thompson, simi-
A corporate marriage of convenience between Disney-Marvel and Sony facilitated larly shifts expectations, and for the best.
Tom Hollands winning onscreen introduction as Peter Parker/Spider-Man midway The amusing edge of envy underscoring
through Civil War. The English actor, shrewd beyond his years opposite Naomi Watts Revoloris performance makes his Flash
in The Impossible, bounced in and out of the onscreen melee with agile charm. memorable among the countless bully-
For this seamless follow-up to the Avengers showdown, Spidey gets to team up with ing school rivals who have locked horns
new pal Iron Man. Like many a fifteen-year-old, Peter wishes he truly were friends with Peter across seven major Spider-
with Iron Mans alter-ego, the genius industrialist Tony Stark. Robert Downey, Jr. is, Man films.
as ever, the star in this universe, exerting the strongest gravitational pull, and his Stark More unexpected until the mov-
takes Peter on as an intern of sorts in the hero business. The billionaire places his best ies assured comic rhythms are firmly
man and chauffeur, Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), on Parker duty. established is how Peters daily life
Never too far from Peters side, but always too close to one of the youngsters nag- tends to be not just perilous, but hilarious.
ging calls or texts, Happy shadows Peter. Favreau underplays nicely, as Happy keeps From the films sly first second to the last
a wary eye on the high schoolers exploits and on the spanking new tech and costume post-credit sequence, the jokes consistent-
that Stark is happy to lend not give outright to the greenhorn crime fighter. ly land. Many of the gags are delivered by
Spidey first garnered Starks attention by nabbing neighborhood bike snatchers and experienced scene-stealers like Hannibal
car thieves. Now, the eager young chemistry and physics wiz has to step up his game Buress, Donald Glover, and Baskets dead-
quickly to take on black market weapons dealers trafficking lethal arms powered by pan artist Martha Kelly, in brief turns as
pilfered alien elements. And, as usual, high school gets in the way. the folks who populate Peters school,
Spider-Man: Homecoming is rated PG-13, and opens in theaters everywhere on Friday, July 7. Visit Fandango.com.
Memory Lane
also a beautiful, engrossing, value-packed
effort that reminds why so many fell in
love with Crash in the first place.
For starters, it is never anything less
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a flawed yet faithful remastering than utterly gorgeous. Vicarious mapped
of a gaming icon By Rhuaridh Marr out every level from Crash Bandicoot,
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, and
N
Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped, and rebuilt
OSTALGIA CAN BE A POWERFUL THING. MEMORIES CAN ALTER them from the ground up to work on the
with time, particularly when viewed through the rose-tinted spectacles of PlayStation 4, and in stunning 4K on the
childhood. Gamers are especially susceptible to nostalgia: We all remember PS4 Pro. The texture work is outstanding,
our first games console, our first wow moment, our favorite characters. with a beautiful sense of depth, impressive
But, often, our memories are wrong. With years of hindsight, experience, and vast lighting, and smooth animations. Visually,
improvements in the technical quality of games, revisiting those same beloved games the N. Sane Trilogy never fails to wow.
can prove an immensely frustrating, disappointing, or simply uninteresting experience. Once you get over the technical won-
Graphics that seemed crystal clear are now hideously muddy. Gameplay that gripped der, and hit some of the more challenging
and enthralled is now slow and clunky. Sublime moments now seem contrived, given areas in Crash Bandicoot, youll encounter
the tendency today towards cinematic direction and accomplished voice acting. the N. Sane Trilogys inescapable flaw.
I say all this, because anyone who owned the original PlayStation will likely have Naughty Dog, the original developers,
encountered Crash Bandicoot. Naughty Dogs orange icon spun and jumped his way tweaked the way Crash handled between
through three multi-million-selling platform games and a Mario Kart-style racer titles. Vicarious was faced with a dilemma:
on Sonys landmark console. Those memories of Crashs adventures to thwart the keep the three different control schemes,
maniacal Dr. Neo Cortex and his plans for world domination are shared by thousands or pick one and apply it to every title. For
of gamers the world over. The difficulty of the original, the expanded worlds of the the sake of consistency, they chose the lat-
second game, the gameplay variety of the third title. The colorful graphics, the zany ter. The problem with applying the same
soundtrack, the altered perspectives, and multitude of characters. Crash Bandicoot controls to all three Crash games is that
became an icon of the era for all the right reasons. Naughty Dog altered a number of things
Its why revisiting those memories might be, for some, painful. Slide a disc into between games, including level design and
an older PlayStation and that disconnect between memory and reality will be readily gameplay style, with less focus on making
apparent. Crashs world is a low-resolution, less colorful, and oddly compact place. But precise jumps.
the fondness remains, and thats why Activision tasked Vicarious Visions with dragging Its Crash Bandicoot, the original game,
Crash Bandicoot and his original three games into the modern era. that presents the biggest issue. Notoriously
And what a job theyve done. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (HHHHH) is a glow- difficult when it launched in 1996, levels
ing testament to the value that remastering older games can offer. Sure, its an easy such as High Road and Slippery Climb
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is $39.99 and available for download on PlayStation 4 or via disk at Amazon.com and other retailers
DrinksDragDJsEtc... GREEN LANTERN TRADE off Bad Bears After Dark FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Happy Hour, 4-9pm Doors open 5pm Huge in the Code Bar $5 Cover Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Ladies Drink Free Power Happy Hour: Any drink after 9pm The Baltimore Karaoke, 8pm
Hour, 4-5pm Shirtless normally served in a cock- Eagle and Betty OHellno
Thursday, Beige Hip-Hop Dance Party
in the Nest, featuring DJ
Thursday, 10-11pm tail glass served in a huge present Grindhouse: A GREEN LANTERN
July 6 Waterzz, 10pm-close
Men in Underwear Drink
Free, 12-12:30am DJs
glass for the same price,
5-10pm Beer and wine
Burlesque Spectacular,
10:30pm $10 tickets in
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
Smirnoff, all flavors, all
thebaltimoreeagle.com
BacK2bACk only $4 advance, $12.50 at the night long Otter Den DC
9 1/2
door Elyx Vodka and Any presents Otter Crossing,
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any COBALT/30 DEGREES
NELLIES SPORTS BAR ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS Red Bull Flavor for $7 all 9pm-close $5 Cover
drink, 5-9pm Multiple Happy Hour: $6 Top
Beat the Clock Happy Hour All male, nude dancers day long thebaltimoreea- after 10pm
TVs showing movies, Shelf, $3 Rail, $3 Bud
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), DJ 9pm Cover 21+ gle.com
shows, sports Expanded Light, 4-9pm Locker
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of NELLIES SPORTS BAR
craft beer selection Room Thursday Nights,
Beer $15 Drag Bingo COBALT/30 DEGREES DJ Matt Bailer Videos,
Music videos featuring 10pm-close $3 Rail
DJ Wess Drinks, 10pm-midnight, $5
NUMBER NINE
Friday, All You Can Drink Happy
Hour $15 Rail and
Dancing Beat the Clock
Happy Hour $2 (5-6pm),
Red Bull and Frozen Virgin
BALTIMORE EAGLE Drinks DJs Sean Morris
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any July 7 Domestic, $21 Call & $3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
drink, 5-9pm No Cover Imports, 6-9pm Fancy Buckets of Beer $15
Happy Hour, 5-9pm, and MadScience Best
9 1/2 Ass Fridays, 10pm $6
all liquors, beers and Package Contest at mid-
SHAWS TAVERN Open at 5pm Happy Grey Goose all night NUMBER NINE
wines up to 50% off night, hosted by BaNaka &
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3 Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, Two 30-minute open bars Open 5pm Happy Hour:
$3 Well Drinks All Night Kristina Kelly $200 Cash
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, 5-9pm Friday Night featuring Grey Goose, 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
Underwear Night, Prize Doors open 10pm,
$5 Rails and House Wines Videos, 9:30pm Rotating 11-11:30pm and 1-1:30am No Cover Friday Night
9pm-2am For men in 21+ $5 Cover or free
& Half-Priced Pizzas $4 DJs Expanded craft beer DJ MadScience Piano with Chris, 7:30pm
underwear, all well drinks with college ID
Heinekens and Coronas, selection No Cover upstairs DJ Keenan Orr
$2, 9pm-12am Best
5pm-close Paint Nite, downstairs $10 cover SHAWS TAVERN
Underwear Contest at FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Second Floor, 7pm BALTIMORE EAGLE 10pm-close 21+ Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3
Midnight Code enforced Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Baltimore Bear Happy Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
in Code Bar after 9pm Karaoke, 8pm
Hour, 5-9pm, all liquors, $5 Rails and House Wines
House and Top 40 DJ in
beers and wines up to 50% & Half-Priced Pizzas
the Tavern, 9pm-close
As far as I know,
I am not a gay man.
Maybe Ill have an awakening later in my life.
ANDREW GARFIELD, speaking to an audience member after a performance of Angels in America in London, Gay Times reports.
Garfield is starring in the production as the AIDS-stricken Prior Walter and said his performance was as much devoted to my
friends in the gay community as it is those that passed during the epidemic.