Professional Documents
Culture Documents
16 KEEPING IT SEMI-PRIVATE
Grammy-winner Shelby Lynne has a lot to say on many topics.
Just don’t inquire too much about her personal life.
By Randy Shulman
MAGIC TO DO!
Monumental Theatre puts a decidedly Millennial spin
on the classic Stephen Schwartz musical, Pippin.
By Doug Rule
Photography by Todd Franson
24
33 MONEY PIT
Dark Money offers a small-scale but effective look at the way
outside spending is influencing America’s democracy.
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Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3D screens on Saturday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the AFI Silver,
8633 Colesville Road, a short walk from the Silver Spring Metro. Tickets are $15. Visit silver.afi.com.
H.M.S. PINAFORE
& THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
The Hypocrites and the House Theatre of Chicago, two
innovative theaters in the Windy City, have teamed up
to stage two of Gilbert & Sullivan’s best-loved comic
operettas in rotating rep at Olney Theatre. Celebrated
for being immersive and family friendly, the productions
are presented promenade style, with some seats on stage
with the actors. These silly tales of scurvy pirates, mod-
ern Major-Generals, and star-crossed lovers were both
directed by Sean Graney, who co-adapted The Pirates
of Penzance with Kevin O’Donnell, and H.M.S. Pinafore
with Andra Velis Simon and Matt Kahler. In previews.
To Aug. 21. Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab, 2001 Olney-
Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Md. Tickets are $30 to $64
each. Call 301-924-3400 or visit olneytheatre.org.
PAT BENATAR
& RICK SPRINGFIELD
With Benatar and Springfield
on the same bill, this concert
at MGM National Harbor is
something of a dream come true
for lovers of ’80s-era pop-rock.
Expect the whole venue to be
shouting along to well-trod pop
anthems, everything from “Hit
Me With Your Best Shot” to “We
Belong,” and “Jessie’s Girl” to
“Love Somebody.” Tuesday, July
24, at 8 p.m. The Theater, 7100
Harborview Ave., Oxon Hill,
Md., Oxon Hill, Md. Call 844-
346-4664 or visit mgmnational-
harbor.com.
METRO/SEXUAL
DRAG SHOW
Baltimore’s Metro Gallery hosts a fash-
ion and art drag extravaganza in honor of
this weekend’s Artscape, featuring some
of the more outrageous performers from
the region, including Baltimore’s Ariel
Von Quinn, Betty O’Hellno, Sextia N’eight,
Washington Heights, D.C.’s Desiree Dik,
Jasmine Tea, Philly’s Shea Chanel, and
host Baby. New York DJ William Francis
will provide the soundtrack. Saturday, July
21. Doors at 9 p.m. 1700 N. Charles St.
Baltimore. Tickets are $7 in advance, or
$10 day-of show. Call 410-244-0899 or visit
themetrogallery.net.
Compiled by Doug Rule DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET that introduced the world to Kevin area opens at 6:30 p.m., and the
FAR ON FOOT Bacon, who landed the role after screening starts at sunset, around
FILM Gus Van Sant has a mixed track Tom Cruise passed to film All The 8:30 p.m. Call 202-298-9222 or visit
record, but this comedy-drama Right Moves instead. John Lithgow georgetowndc.com/sunset-cinema.
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA based on John Callahan’s mem- portrays a minister in a small
Considered one of the best films oir is apparently worth watching. Midwestern town where dancing SAMSON & DELILAH
featuring slapstick kings the Marx Joaquin Phoenix plays Callahan, a and rock music has been banned The Phillips Collection presents a
Brothers, Sam Wood’s 1935 “pande- heavy drinker who became a quad- — until Bacon moves to town and screening of indigenous Australian
monium of hilarity” returns to the riplegic after a night of drinking cuts everybody loose. The screening director Warwick Thornton’s
big screen as part of Landmark’s led to a devastating car accident. takes place in a grassy knoll along 2009 “survival love story.” Samson
West End Cinema Capital Classics The film follows his recovery, from the banks of the Potomac River, & Delilah is set in an isolated
series. Wednesday, July 25, at 1:30, giving up drinking to discovering with the panoramic Key Bridge Aboriginal community near Alice
4:30, and 7:30 p.m., 2301 M St. NW. his gift for edgy, irreverent editorial as backdrop. Vendors include Springs in the Central Australian
Happy hour from 4 to 6:30 p.m. cartoons. Opens Friday, July 20. Muncheez and Stella’s PopKern desert. Presented in conjunction
Tickets are $10 to $12.50. Call 202- Area theaters. Visit fandango.com. and Maracas Ice Pops. Everyone with the special exhibition Marking
534-1907 or visit landmarktheatres. (Rhuaridh Marr) is encouraged to bring a blanket, The Infinite (see separate entry
com. food and water or soft drinks — under Galleries), the film screens
FOOTLOOSE just no chairs or alcohol. Tuesday, as part of a series also featuring
Georgetown Sunset Cinema pres- July 24, at the intersection of Water Rabbit-Proof Fence and Ten Canoes.
ents Herbert Ross’ 1984 drama Street and Cecil Place NW. The Thursday, July 26, at 6 p.m. The
SOLO BARING
“I have a real sense of play when I do it, so I’m not going
through some kind of a cathartic experience,” Zafir says. “I’m
just taking you along this journey.”
The D.C.-based performer, recently seen in Mosaic Theater’s
Capital Fringe’s soloists turn grown-up life-lessons
Paper Dolls and The Vagrant Trilogy, admits that flying solo
into confessional comedy. By André Hereford poses its own challenges.
“It’s terrifying,” he says. “Unlike being in an ensemble, where
O
NE-PERSON PLAYS ARE A TOUGH GIG, EVEN IF I feel like you get into a boat together and you’re like, ‘Well, here
the performer isn’t delving into their own polyamorous we are,’ when things start to go sideways in a solo show, there’s
past, alcoholism, or divorce. Yet several solo performers just no one to turn to. There’s no one there to feed you a line if
will dare to cross the lines of bold comedy and intimate confes- you get in trouble.”
sion at the 2018 Capital Fringe Festival. A performer has control over shaping a compelling narrative.
Kate Robards, who premiered her first solo play, Mandarin What they can’t control is how their version of the truth, once
Orange, at Capital Fringe in 2014, returns with the semi-auto- it’s rippled beyond the stage, will impact any of the real-life
biographical PolySHAMory, about her misadventures in multi- loved ones they’re depicting.
ple loving. “I don’t think of it as [being] the only one up there “It’s mostly dealing with shame of other people,” says Kate
because I have audience members that I interact with,” she says. Robards. “As an artist you have to get over that, and to make art
“And people give you energy. It’s a really beautiful thing, where that reaches people [they] want the truth, they don’t want you to
people will make a face and you get to respond and make a face be fluffy and go at things with kid gloves. So you can be respect-
back. It’s a living, breathing, moment-to-moment experience. ful of people while being really honest.” l
Plus, I’m playing all of these characters, so they’re kind of with
me as well.” The Unaccompanied Minor runs July 21, 27, and 28 at Christ
Jamie Brickhouse, performing Dangerous When Wet: Booze, United Methodist Church, 900 4th St, SW. PolySHAMory runs
Sex & My Mother, based on his own comic memoir, similarly July 21, 25, 27, and 28 and Dangerous When Wet runs July 19,
brings multiple characters with him onstage, namely his larger- 21, and 24, both at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 555 Water
than-life mother. “She was like a small-town Texan Elizabeth St, SW.St. Tickets are $17. For more on these and the remaining
Taylor with a split personality of Auntie Mame and Mama Rose,” shows in Fringe’s final two weekends, call 866-811-4111, or visit
says Brickhouse. capitalfringe.org.
Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. nal show grew out of a ballet that
NW. Tickets are $15, or $5 for Jerome Robbins had worked on THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE
(AND OTHER SONGS)
COMMUNITY
Phillips members, including admis- with Bernstein, further developed
sion to the special exhibition. In by the writing and lyricist team of Virginia’s Hub Theatre presents
Marc Acito’s play with songs about
STAGE
addition, admission to exhibitions Betty Comden and Adolph Green.
is free for those 30 and under until Olney’s starry cast includes Evan the unlikely yet real-life rela-
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Sept. 2 as part of a special summer Casey, Rhett Guter, Sam Ludwig, tionship between singer Marian
Maryland’s Port Tobacco Players
promotion at the Phillips. Call 202- Donna Migliaccio, Tracy Lynn Anderson and Albert Einstein. The
presents a non-professional pro-
387-2151 x247 or visit phillipscol- Olivera, Bobby Smith, and Rachel two titanic figures on a quest to
duction of this musical based on
lection.org. Zampelli, with Robbins-inspired unlock life’s mysteries. To July 29.
the DreamWorks blockbuster star-
choreography by Tara Jeanne The John Swayze Theatre in the
ring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom
New School of Northern Virginia,
STAGE Vallee. The company’s artistic
director Jason Loewith helms the 9431 Silver King Court, Fairfax.
Hanks. Terrence McNally teamed
up with the musical minds behind
show. To July 29. Mainstage, 2001 Visit thehubtheatre.org.
Hairspray — Marc Shaiman and
ON THE TOWN Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Scott Wittman — for a tale, set in
Three sailors romp around New Md. Call 301-924-3400 or visit the jazzy, swinging ‘’60s, following
York in 1944. Olney Theatre olneytheatre.org. the real-life adventures of charm-
Company revives this early musical
ing con artist Frank Abagnale Jr.
that features an exuberant score
and the FBI agent, Carl Hanratty,
by Leonard Bernstein. The origi-
who pursues him in a cross-coun-
SYLVAN ESSO
Singer Amelia Meath and produc-
er Nick Sanborn make some of
the quirkiest, sharpest pop music
around, an electro-acoustic blend
of tribal chants and folk melodies
often unbridled, unhinged, some-
times even unadorned, held togeth-
CHERRY GROVE STORIES er by spare, naturalistic production
with accents from electronic/dance
Reel Affirmations presents Michael Fisher’s documentary about the history of a pristine music. The duo has never sounded
beachfront hamlet on Fire Island which became a safe haven for gays in the mid-20th more riveting or better than on last
century. Cherry Grove Stories offers an oral history of the enclave bolstered by inter- year’s What Now. Their sophomore
set focuses on the dualities of life,
views with Cherry Grove residents, as well as news and archival footage. Friday, July 20, love and progress — from the high-
at 7 p.m. Preceded by a Cocktails and Cinema Open Bar Happy Hour starting at 6 p.m. est highs to the down-and-outs, the
with music by DJ Honey. HRC Equality Center, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW. General fleeting joys and lingering anxieties
Admission is $12, or $25 including VIP seating, complimentary cocktail or drink, and that come with impermanence. To
hear them live — to hear just how
movie candy or popcorn; VIP Xtra Pass for all five monthly screenings from July through powerful Meath’s voice really, truly
December is $100. Call 800-777-4723 or visit thedccenter.org/reelaffirmations. is — is to fall in love. Thursday, July
26. Doors at 6:30 p.m. The Anthem,
901 Wharf St. SW. Tickets are $40
to $60. Call 202-888-0020 or visit
try chase. Weekends to Aug. 5. 508 regularly throughout the region and indie-pop act AJR, EDM/pop art- theanthemdc.com.
Charles St., La Plata, Md. Tickets returns to a preferred venue The ist Robert DeLong, indie act Mt.
are $15 to $18. Call 301-932-6819 or Hamilton next weekend. Saturday, Joy, and German rockers L.I.F.T.
visit ptplayers.com. July 28. Doors at 7 p.m. 600 14th Sunday, July 22. Doors at 12:30 p.m. COMEDY
St. NW. Tickets are $20 to $25. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475
JUDY AND THE GENERAL Call 202-787-1000 or visit theham- Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, DISTRICT OF COMEDY FESTIVAL
Baltimore’s Spotlighters Theatre iltondc.com. Md. Tickets are $55 to $95. Call The Kennedy Center presents
presents the world premiere of a 800-551-SEAT or visit merriweath- the third annual festival bringing
new musical comedy by Rosemary CHRIS URQUIAGA ermusic.com. acclaimed stars and rising acts
Frisino Toohey based on the Book A native of Silver Spring, this bud- together for a mix of stand-up
of Judith. One of only a handful ding Latin pop singer-songwrit- SIGNATURE THEATRE’S SIZZLIN’ and other comedic performances.
of strong female characters in the er was selected as an Artist-in- SUMMER NIGHTS SERIES Everything kicks off Thursday, July
Bible, Judith is the heroine in a clas- Residence at Strathmore two years Signature’s annual cabaret series 19, with a screening of Rob Reiner’s
sic tale of good vs. evil, ingeniously ago. At the top of 2017, Urquiaga features mostly musical actors 1984 groundbreaking mockumen-
using her feminine wiles to outwit released Complete, an album of orig- known from productions at the tary (that indirectly launched the
the powerful general Holofernes inal pop tunes in English, Spanish, Shirlington complex. Among those directing career of Christopher
to save her people from destruc- and Portuguese — many of which performing in the series’ opening Guest), This is Spinal Tap. Harry
tion. To July 29. 817 St. Paul St., he’s expected to perform in a con- weekend: Soloists from the Gay Shearer will be on hand following
Baltimore. Tickets are $18 to $22. cert next week titled “Pop & Latin Men’s Chorus of Washington in the the screening to tell behind-the-
Call 410-752-1225 or visit spotlight- Songs by Chris Urquiaga.” Friday, bawdy “It Takes Two” on Thursday, scenes stories and answer audience
ers.org. July 20. Doors at 7 p.m. Dupont July 19, at 8 p.m.; Rochelle Rice questions. Other highlights include
Underground, 1500 19th St. NW. with her jazzy/soul takes on songs Neil Hamburger, Patton Oswalt,
Amanda Seales, D.C.’s Underground
MUSIC Tickets are $15. Visit dupontunder- of the Great American Songbook
ground.org. with “American Remix” on Friday, Comedy Stand-Up Showcase, The
July 20, at 7 p.m.; musical the- Daily Show Correspondents Stand-
CHOPTEETH DC101 KERFUFFLE: ater students from George Mason Up Tour, the competitive stand-up
The Washington Post has referred FALL OUT BOY University in the James Gardiner- game “On Deck,” hosted by Mike
to this 12-piece band as “a storm- What’s not to love about a and Erin Driscoll-directed cabaret Mulloy, and The New Negroes with
ing powerhouse of big-band African multi-artist concert called a ker- “An Evening of Stephen Sondheim” Baron Vaughn and Open Mike
funk...smart, tight and relentless- fuffle? In addition to the suburban on Friday, July 20, at 9 p.m.; Eagle. There are several planned
ly driving.” Chopteeth has already Chicago-reared emo/punk headlin- Washington Capitals anthem singer Bentzen Ball Podcast sessions,
won a number of Washington Area ers, there’s more hard/heavy rock Bob McDonald in “Best of Bob” a “Boast Rattle” (the opposite of
Music Association Awards, includ- from acts including Rise Against, Saturday, July 21, at 7 and 9 p.m.; a comedic roast where the best
ing Artist of the Year in 2008. The Awolnation, and AJR. There’s also Millennial performers taking on complimenting comedian wins),
Afrobeat-driven group performs and performances featuring The
KEEPING IT SEMI-PRIVATE
ing groups such as Chicago’s Second
City and L.A.’s Groundlings. Over
the next month, the troupe offers
a hodgepodge of summer-themed
sketches, with each performance
Grammy-winner Shelby Lynne has a lot to say on many topics. Just don’t featuring different WIT ensem-
inquire too much about her personal life. bles, including three music-driv-
en exercises: iMusical, presenting
I
audiences with the opportuni-
T’S VERY DIFFICULT TO PLAY NEW MUSIC FOR PEOPLE,” SAYS SHELBY LYNNE. ty to choose-your-own-disaster,
“People aren’t conditioned to hearing new things. They know what they know about you, and resulting in the cast improvising
an instant world-ending musi-
that’s what they want to hear. Everybody in the world that’s ever made music will tell you that.” cal; Heavy Rotation, featuring a
So, should you happen to be in the audience when the Grammy-winning artist appears at The cast performing a School of Rock-
Birchmere on Wednesday, July 25, don’t be disappointed if she doesn’t play much off Here I Am, inspired “improvised rock come-
dy”; and Karaoke Storytellers with
the soundtrack to a film directed by queer filmmaker Cynthia Mort and starring Lynne, who has a show that is part-VH1 Storytellers,
done acting stints in True Blood and portrayed Johnny Cash’s mother, Carrie, in Walk the Line. part-Saturday Night Live audition,
Lynne calls the independently funded Here I Am “a fictional movie about very true things. It’s and part musical, all built around
about an older, successful singer that has come to a point in her life where she’s making decisions improvised characters delivering
monologues and interpreting a song
about who she is and what she is. It’s about faith and love and choices and art and dance and angels karaoke-style. To Aug. 5. Source,
and music.” 1835 14th St. NW. Tickets are $15
The older sister of country artist Allison Moorer, with whom she collaborated with on the intox- in advance, or $18 at the door. Call
202-204-7770 or visit witdc.org.
icating 2017 assortment of covers, Not Dark Yet, Lynne has long kept her private life under wraps.
In recent years, she’s opened up a bit more — if begrudgingly — in interviews with Rolling Stone
Country and, more revealingly, Huffington Post. READINGS
“I’ve always been really careful about talking about my private life,” she says, “because I don’t PRESIDENTS, VICE PRESIDENTS,
like reading somebody else’s interpretation about my life from a phone interview where we don’t AND THE PURSUIT OF POWER
know each other. I’m not hiding anything. I’m just not announcing anything.” In her latest book, journalist Kate
Anderson Brower examines the
Still, the lithe, earthy singer concedes, “I’m proud of who I am. There’s a song in my set called lives and roles of 13 modern Vice
‘Down Here.’ It’s about growing up a gay child in the South. It’s difficult to grow up a gay child in Presidents, revealing the some-
the South. For me it was.... I’ve always been really ruffled by people who try to get me to wave a times cold, sometimes close, always
banner for anything, because I’m waving it by living.” complicated relationships between
them and the men who chose them
Get Lynne on the subject of the Trump administration, however, and she’s downright forthright. as their running mates. Tuesday,
“I’m sick over it,” she says, forcefully. “I can’t believe that this is what we’ve become. It’s just like July 24, at noon. The William G.
a bad, bad, bad novel. As an American, red-blooded, flag-waving, bonafide Dixie dyke, I’m appalled. McGowan Theater in the National
Archives Museum, Constitution
As an American who votes and who cares about my community and my country’s community, it’s Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets
just hideous what’s happening. We all need to figure out ways to come together — and mean it. I get NW. NW. Call 202-357-5000 or
really fuckin’ passionate about it because I’ve always been a flag-waving patriot.” —Randy Shulman visit archivesfoundation.org.
Shelby Lynne appears at The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. in Alexandria, on Wednesday,
July 25, at 7:30 p.m. General admission. Tickets are $35. Call 703-549-7500 or visit birchmere.com.
ABOVE
AND BEYOND
BATALA, THE GOONIES
The Library of Congress and
Washington Performing Arts team
up for this outdoor series with
events every Thursday over the next
month. The musical performance
series launches Thursday, July 19,
at 7 p.m., with Batalá Washington,
the all-female Afro-Brazilian per-
cussion band. After the perfor-
mance, starting at sunset (approx-
imately 8:30 p.m.) comes a screen-
ing of 1985’s The Goonies, in which
misfits search for a pirate’s bounty.
On Thursday, July 26, recording
artist and 2017-2018 WPA Artist-in-
Residence Chelsey Green will per-
form prior to a screening of E.T. The
Extra-Terrestrial. The series con-
tinues with Cheick Hamala Diabate
and Back to the Future on Aug. 2,
Trifilio Tango Trio and Superman
SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM: SAAM ARCADE on Aug. 9, Sarah Marie Hughes &
The Smithsonian American Art Museum was one of the first museums in the U.S. to Coy Fish and The Wizard of Oz on
Aug. 16, and ending with a concert
acquire video games as part of its permanent collection, recognizing the compelling perfor- by the DuPont Brass and VeVe &
mance space, activated by artists and players alike, whose interaction can create a unique tha Rebels on Aug. 23. North Lawn
artistic as well as educational experience. At its annual SAAM Arcade, participants get the of the Thomas Jefferson Building,
10 First St. SE. Tickets, although
chance to play games, from the analog (card games, pinball machines) to digital classics
not required, are available on a first-
(Donkey Kong and Pac-Man, available on their original devices). But the centerpiece is come, first-served basis. Visit loc.
the “Indie Showcase” in the museum’s Kogod Courtyard, a display of independent games gov/events.
created by both student and professional developers. Sunday, July 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 7
THE DC WEIRDO SHOW:
p.m. 8th and F Sts. NW. Free. Call 202-633-1000 or visit americanart.si.edu. FUCK PT BARNUM
Held the third Friday of every
month, the latest Weirdo Show is
winning film Manchester by the Sea Sunday, July 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. ROOPKOTHA PHOTO EXHIBIT a satire of The Greatest Showman,
and has been seen in collaborations The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St., Vibrant images captured by various which, while containing some
with American EDM duo Odesza Alexandria. Call 703-548-0035 photographers, along with historical incredibly stirring music and per-
among other musical artists, incor- or visit nvfaa.org. For additional artifacts and personal memorabil- formances and the overall mes-
porates both projection and virtual details, visit katiepumphrey.com/ ia, tell the story of Xulhaz Mannan sage of personal perseverance and
reality elements. Now to Sept. 3. fivemoreminutes. and Mahbbub Rabbi Tonoy, two social acceptance of difference,
1238 Maryland Ave. SW. Tickets Bangladeshi LGBTQ activists and was a whitewashed biography of
for timed-entry sessions are $8 to REYNERIO TAMAYO: artists who were savagely murdered P.T. Barnum ( portrayed by Hugh
$15, with evening admission for CUBAN SLUGGER in their home two years ago. The Jackman). The 2017 movie musi-
those over 21 years of age, including Even Arena Stage has caught base- Center Arts Gallery in the DC Center cal directed by Michael Gracey and
exhibit-related Augmented Reality ball fever this year: The Southwest for the LGBT Community has set co-written by Jenny Bicks and Bill
Cocktails available for purchase. D.C. arts complex currently has on up this powerful installation as part Condon omitted the white suprem-
Visit artechouse.com. display over 35 baseball-themed of an ongoing campaign to protest acy, limitless greed, cultural appro-
pieces of art from one of today’s the inaction of the Bangladeshi priation, and dishonesty wrought
KATIE PUMPHREY: FIVE MORE leading contemporary caricatur- government to investigate the by Barnum that the circus and
MINUTES, PART I AND II ists. The Cuban artist Tamayo is murders. Opening Reception, sideshow industries still harbor
Through large-scale paintings and particularly known for his mockery including catered food and a talk to this day. Fuck PT Barnum is a
installations, the Baltimore artist of the art establishment as well as with Roopkotha’s Rasel Ahmed, is reimagining of a sideshow where
explores the tension between calm politics and sports. In this series of Saturday, July 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. the performers — womxn, people
and chaos — specifically, the anx- paintings and sculpture focused on 2000 14th St. NW. Call 202-682- of color, queer — talk back to this
iety, excitement, panic, and even baseball — first displayed at Miami’s 2245 or visit thedccenter.org. legacy of exploitation, fraud, and
monotony that comes from just five Kendall Art Center in conjunction oppression, and speak their truths
more minutes of doing something. with last year’s All-Star Game and
Pumphrey’s works on the theme reprised by Arena as a toast to DRAG on their own terms. Hosted by
Dr Torcher, the roster includes
are on display in both Georgetown Nationals Park having just hosted Martika, Queen Nefertittie, Cherie
and Alexandria as part of a two- this year’s event — the artist pays GLASS HOUSE: Nuit, Iris Honeydew, Blaq Milk,
part exhibition at two galleries. tribute to the history, key figures, A DRAG VARIETY SHOW Philomena Shakesbare, and Ophelia
Part I ends in a Closing Reception and shared passion for the sport Haus of Stone presents a show
Zayna Hart. Friday, July 20, at 9
Saturday, July 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. in both the U.S. and Cuba. Now to featuring Citrine, Kittney Stone,
p.m. Bier Baron Tavern, 1523 22nd
Susan Calloway Fine Arts, 1643 July 29. Mead Center for American Logan Stone, Vagenesis, and Venus
St. NW. Tickets are $15 in advance,
Wisconsin Ave. NW. Call 202-965- Theater, 1101 6th St. SW. Call 202- Valhalla. There will also be special
or $20 at the door. Call 202-293-
4601 or visit callowayart.com. Part 488-3300 or visit arenastage.org. guest performances by Ana Latour
1887 or visit dcweirdoshow.com. l
II ends with a Closing Reception (Salvadora Dali) and Sigma Fraud.
RIGHTFUL TERMINATION
CVS fires an employee, who also happens to be a Log Cabin chapter president,
after he calls police on a black customer. By Bailey Vogt
A
LOG CABIN REPUB- any practices that discriminate
licans chapter pres- against any customer and we
ident has been fired are committed to maintaining
from CVS Pharmacy after a welcoming and diverse envi-
a video of him calling police ronment in our stores. We have
on a black woman for using firm non-discrimination poli-
a “fraudulent” coupon went cies in place to help ensure that
viral. all customers are treated with
Camilla Hudson said that respect and dignity. Profiling or
when she tried to use a coupon any other type of discriminatory
at a North Broadway CVS in behavior is strictly prohibited.”
Chicago on Friday, July 13, Morry Matson is president of the
Matson, a manager at the store, Illinois chapter of the Log Cabin
and a second manager claimed Republicans, which aims to
it was “fraudulent.” Hudson told advance LGBTQ rights from
CAMILLA HUDSON - FACEBOOK
FEAR FACTOR
Bill introduced in Congress to ban use of gay and trans panic defenses. By John Riley
T
WO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE INTRO- their safety or wellbeing. Such defenses have been utilized
duced legislation to exclude the use of “gay panic” or in many high-profile hate crimes or murders of members of
“trans panic” defenses for defendants charged with the LGBTQ community, including Matthew Shepard, Gwen
violent crimes. Defendants may try to use the “gay panic” or Araujo, and Angie Zapata.
“trans panic” defense by arguing that their violent actions The Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act, intro-
were justified because their knowledge of the victim’s sexual duced by U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and U.S. Rep. Joe
orientation or gender identity created reasonable fear for Kennedy III (D-Mass.), would prohibit defense lawyers
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.
KEVIN COMBES
SCRUM FUN
DC FRONT RUNNERS run-
ning/walking/social club
welcomes runners of all ability
levels for exercise in a fun and
Thinking about trying out a new sport? Rugby may be your supportive environment, with
socializing afterward. Route
golden ticket to fun and friendships. distance is 3-6 miles. Meet at
7 p.m. at 23rd & P Streets NW.
T
For more information, visit
HE WAY TO LEARN RUGBY IS TO JUST GO OUT AND DO IT,” SAYS dcfrontrunners.org.
Kevin Combes. “Learn from your mistakes.” The president of Washington DC LAMBDA SQUARES, D.C.’s
Scandals Rugby Football Club, Combes thinks “ideally, everyone should gay and lesbian square-dancing
want to come out and play rugby. We’ve been really focused on being super-in- group, features mainstream
through advanced square
clusive, not just in terms of sexuality, but body type, athletic ability, race, different
dancing at the National City
levels of masculinity.” Christian Church. Please dress
Michael Arnone, the Scandals recruiting chair, says that playing rugby might casually. 7-9:30 p.m. 5 Thomas
seem intimidating at first, but practices are arranged to walk newcomers through Circle NW. 202-930-1058,
dclambdasquares.org.
its finer points. The team also holds a “Rugby 101” session twice a year, a part-in-
teractive clinic, part-informational session next held on Sunday, Aug. 5. DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds
“We try to introduce people to the sport in a low-stress, very casual setting,” practice. The team is always
looking for new members.
says Arnone. Adds Combes, “You don’t have to worry about getting injured —
All welcome. 7-9 p.m. Harry
we’re not going to put you into a tackle until we’ve taught you how to do it safely.” Thomas Recreation Center,
Because the team doesn’t have a set season, newcomers can join at any time, 1743 Lincoln Rd. NE. For more
and are encouraged to show up at the team’s weekly practices on Tuesday or information, visit scandalsrfc.
org or dcscandals@gmail.com.
Thursday. A full membership is about $240 per year, but the team generally
doesn’t ask people to pay until they have played a few games and decided it’s right THE DULLES TRIANGLES
for them. Then there’s the social aspect to consider. Northern Virginia social
group meets for happy hour at
“If you’re thinking about joining rugby, you should be someone who’s looking
Sheraton in Reston. All wel-
to have fun and make really strong friendships,” says Combes. “The team is abso- come. 7-9 p.m. 11810 Sunrise
lutely like a family. My teammates are some of my best friends, they’re almost my Valley Drive, second-floor bar.
entire life in D.C. It’s not an activity you just go to three times a week. It’s gonna For more information, visit
dullestriangles.com.
be your core group of friends.” —John Riley
HIV TESTING at Whitman-
Walker Health. 9 a.m.-12:30
The Washington Scandals Rugby Football Club’s “Rugby 101” is Sunday, Aug. 5, p.m. and from 2-5 p.m. at 1525
from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Harry Thomas Recreation Center Fields, 1743 Lincoln Rd. 14th St. NW, and 9 a.m-12
NE. A “Third Half” social event will occur immediately afterward from 4 to 8 p.m. p.m. and 2-5 p.m. at the Max
at Uproar, 639 Florida Ave. NW. Weekly practices are Tuesdays and Robinson Center, 2301 MLK Jr.
Ave. SE. For an appointment
Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at Thomas Recreation Center. call 202-745-7000 or visit whit-
For more information, visit scandalsrfc.org. man-walker.org.
Magic to D
S
OLOMON PARKER IS PULLING OUT ALL Unlike the recent Tony-winning revival, Monumental’s
the stops as the Leading Player in Monumental Pippin is not set in the circus, and the Leading Player is not a
Theatre’s Pippin. ringmaster. “The challenge that I set for myself was figuring out
“There’s nothing that he’s not willing to to make the story feel as if it is genuinely from Pippin’s perspec-
try, and he works his butt off in this show,” tive,” Wahls says. “For that to work, what I realized is that the
director Rebecca Wahls says. “He’s running Leading Player himself must be of Pippin.”
around, and he’s singing all of these songs in That is, the Leading Player is effectively the id to Pippin’s
the key that the female Leading Player sang them in the reviv- ego. He pushes the prince to pursue his passions for personal
al — because he can and because it sounds incredible — while pleasure and power. “I’m giving life to that person we all have in
doing this insanely intense aerobic activity. It’s crazy. It’s our head, who is just telling us to go for it and go for it and go for
breathtaking.” it, whether it be bad, or it be good,” Parker says of his approach
But the 23-year-old Parker isn’t the only one giving his all to portraying the character.
in the production. The show’s other lead, Tiziano D’Affuso, is A Leading Player who is far more than just the show’s narra-
“equally breathtaking” as Pippin, says Wahls. “When I set out tor “adds a whole series of layers to our relationship that people
to cast this play, I didn’t have people in mind already. During are not used to seeing,” says D’Affuso. “I think it’s much more
auditions we saw tons of different types of people for the role, interesting.” It helps that D’Affuso and Parker, both openly gay,
but Tiziano just is Pippin. I can’t imagine someone else.” work so beautifully together in the roles. “They’re such different
There’s a palpable feeling of possibility and youthful ener- humans that create this one complete whole, which is what’s so
gy to the whole production — and that’s very much by design. fascinating about them,” Wahls says. “The energy between them
Monumental Theatre, after all, is a Millennial-run outfit — and is just electric.”
the recipient of the 2018 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Stephen Schwartz’s score, composed in an early-1970s pop
Emerging Theatre Company. In many ways, Monumental’s style, features several standout numbers — “Magic To Do,”
Pippin was conceived as a showcase of outstanding emerging “Corner of the Sky,” “No Time At All” — but also “songs that
theater artists. No one in the cast, for instance, is over the age are challenging to the contemporary ear,” says Wahls. In the
of 27. Monumental production, numbers that sound somewhat dated,
“It’s the first chance for a lot of people,” Wahls says, herself such as “War is a Science,” have been freshened up visually by
included: Pippin marks the first musical the 25-year-old has had adding hip-hop and “contemporary dance” moves, all overseen
the chance to direct outside of Capital Fringe and her small, by choreographer Ahmad Maaty — with Bob Fosse’s stunning
fledgling theater collective Who What Where. original choreography as the foundation. “One of [Maaty’s] big
It helps that Pippin is an exuberant story at its heart, about a inspirations is Britney Spears,” D’Affuso says, “and the way he
young man on a search of self-discovery. “It’s so, so relatable,” blends Fosse with Spears is remarkable. I’ve never seen anything
the 25-year-old D’Affuso says. “I think all of us at some point like it. That’s why the choreography to me is one of the coolest
in our lives have felt like we don’t belong or we were searching parts of the show, because it’s so refreshing, it’s so different.”
for our purpose, and...what we’re meant to do in this world.” A “The things Ahmad has gotten the cast to do are just beau-
supporting player in recent productions at Keegan Theatre and tiful, out of this world,” Wahls says, citing Maaty’s work in her
1st Stage, D’Affuso is thrilled with the chance to play “someone favorite number from the show, “Glory,” “an epic three-part
who pretty much never leaves the stage.” Continues on page 31
Money Pit
states, including the battle to retain cam-
paign financing laws in the midst of attacks
by dark money groups and the politicians
they support. It can be frequently over-
whelming — information comes thick and
Dark Money offers a small-scale but effective look at the way outside fast, and the timeline, though occasionally
spending is influencing America’s democracy. By Rhuaridh Marr noted by year, jumps around through var-
D
ious court decisions, political races, poli-
ARK MONEY (HHHHH) IS AN INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE HORROR FILM. ticians, state actors, and the various sham
It uses one of the genre’s simplest tools to tell its tale: a creeping, ever-present organizations established to influence elec-
insidiousness, that gradually infects the entire narrative. Its story comes not tions. Keeping track of everything requires
in massive blows, but in small drips throughout its 98-minute runtime, as we meet an constant attention, and the film lacks — and
ever-expanding cast of characters fighting against a growing and malicious evil. And needs — a core narrator.
what makes this all the more effective is that Dark Money isn’t a horror film at all — it’s We’re offered a pseudo guide in John
a documentary about corporate influence on American democracy. S. Adams, an investigative reporter for-
If that sounds needlessly overblown, it shouldn’t. Anyone who has been awake merly of the Great Falls Tribune, who
and coherent for the past ten years will have witnessed the gradual undermining of revels in uncovering the murkier aspects
America’s electoral systems. Outside influence, secret spending, paid-for politicians, of Montana politics. In the absence of
lobbying, gerrymandering, and the political stranglehold by a Republican party that graphics or animations to describe the
has long since abandoned its own principles in favor of seeking ever more power has technical information being fed to us, we
turned America, once a beacon of freedom and hope, into constant daily fodder for have Adams drawing on a whiteboard,
editorial cartoonists and late night hosts. In its own intriguing, albeit limited, way, visually connecting the dots between dark
director Kimberly Reed is trying to shine a light — however small — into but one aspect money and the politicians who utilize it.
of the various ways American society is crumbling: untraceable and undisclosed money Reed instead tries to balance her
influencing both America’s elections and its elected officials. film by showing all sides to the story, an
Rather than set her documentary in the obvious epicenter of so-called dark money’s attempt to prove that campaign finance
influence, Washington, D.C., Reed (Prodigal Sons) instead takes viewers to Montana, the is an issue that affects us all — and it’s
sparsely populated northwestern state that has become a surprising leader in the battle effective, with a mix of Democrats and
against undisclosed campaign spending. It’s a small-scale way to give some context to Republicans detailing the various ways
the story, starting with Montana’s efforts to combat corporations that ravaged its natural outside spending can turn the tides of a
resources during the Industrial Revolution, which led to strict limits on its elected offi- campaign. Take Debra Bonogofsky, a GOP
cials and their campaign finances. Those limits were then undermined by the Supreme candidate for the Montana Legislature.
Court’s Citizens United decision in 2010, which removed government restrictions on Dark money poured into her primary
corporations and organizations funding communications during elections. opponent’s campaign, leading to fliers that
Filmed over the course of three election cycles, Reed’s film tries to give a compre- attacked Bonogofsky’s views on abortion
hensive overview of the various ways dark money has influenced Montana and other and other issues just weeks before the
Dark Money opens Friday, July 21 at Landmark’s E Street Cinema, 555 11th Street NW. Kimberly Reed will appear for Q&As following
the showings on Friday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 23, at 1:30 p.m.
For tickets and more information visit landmarktheatres.com.
S.O.S.
Sam, allowing all three to participate in
a new carnival game called “Hit the egg!
Win a baby girl!” I can’t fault Mamma
Mia on its sex-positive message. I just
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is the kind of dreadful excursion that wish someone had had the sense to use a
gives all movie musicals a bad name. By Randy Shulman condom.
S
Once again, ABBA’s songs are forcibly
EQUELS ARE RARELY BETTER THAN THE ORIGINALS. SINCE THE BAR wedged into the story, creating moments
was already at ground level for the 2008 jukebox musical Mamma Mia!, the only that are patently absurd. Obviously, musi-
place left to go was subterranean. Within minutes, Mamma Mia! Here We Go cals don’t have to adhere to reality, but
Again (HHHHH) aims for the sewage system, where it gleefully cavorts for nearly two Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again goes way
stupefying hours. too far. The biggest doozie is “Waterloo,”
Astonishingly, there’s even less of a storyline in this Mamma Mia than in the first. which is so embarrassing to watch, you’re
In that outing, you’ll recall, winsome Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) was on a quest to ferret better off staring at your popcorn. By the
out the true identity of her father — was it Harry (Colin Firth), Sam (Pierce Brosnan), time Cher erupts into “Fernando,” any
or Bill (Stellan Skarsgård) who impregnated the free-spirited Donna (Meryl Streep) hope for redemption is lost. It’s topped by
all those years ago? (So much time could have been saved had Sophie dropped a few a climax where a spectral Streep finally
bucks on 23andMe.) Ultimately, it was determined that all three would serve as dearest re-enters the picture for three inglori-
daddy, setting the stage for an eventual sitcom comeback for Paul Reiser. ous minutes, in what amounts to a very
The new movie picks up a year later. Donna is dead, presumably the victim of having expensive walk-on. At one point, Streep
had to watch the first film. Sophie has renovated the hotel in her honor, and is planning smiles knowingly at the camera, as if to
a big grand opening. A storm threatens to derail the festivities, and all the guests cancel. say “Joke’s on you. Where’s my million
But what’s this? Boatloads of Greek fishermen, who all happen to know the words to dollars?” l
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is rated PG-13 and opens Friday, July 20, at far too many area theaters. Visit Fandango.com.
Fantasy Lands
in pushing Pippin into his big finale.
D’Affuso, more convincing singing
Schwartz’s soulful score than dancing to
it, gives a compelling performance that
captures the scope of emotion present-
Monumental’s Pippin serves up selfies and sass, while Synetic’s Oz ed in Pippin’s rocky coming-of-age. From
struggles to make it over the rainbow. By André Hereford brash, naïve scion of power comically
F
marching into “War Is a Science,” to the
OR MONUMENTAL THEATRE’S UPDATED TAKE ON THE TONY-WINNING wiser man who emerges, following a brief
musical Pippin (HHHHH), director Rebecca Wahls mingles merriment with segue into wanton sexuality, as a poten-
elements of millennial culture. Toying with Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. tial lover to the humble widow Catherine
Hirson’s fictional history of the son of Charlemagne, the production leans heavily (Chani Wereley), D’Affuso’s Pippin charts
on keeping things current. In fact, it leans to the point of nearly tipping over the an extraordinary journey.
brink, with copious selfie snapping and references to social media and “fake news.” And D’Affuso’s subtle performance
Thankfully, both director and cast eventually bring home the title character’s odyssey proves the key to making Wahl’s con-
across an empire and towards his version of living a fulfilling life. And the marriage of temporary take click. Well-supported by
medieval with up-to-the-minute makes more sense. comic turns from Barlaam as Pip’s evil
Muddying the waters at first are visuals which don’t render the most decisive vision stepmom Catherine and Justin Sumblin as
of fanciful anachronism. Scenic designer James Raymond’s set periodically appears her bumbling son Lewis, D’Affuso leads an
to get in the way of itself and the actors, and the lighting often diminishes more than intriguing quest that connects the histori-
it adds. Kateri Kuhn’s costumes, so fresh and crisp on Tiziano D’Affuso and Solomon cal epic to a current age of young people
Parker, as Pippin and the Leading Player respectively, don’t nail right now, or way back eager to march into wars they didn’t create
when, to much cohesive effect on the supporting cast. and might not know how to fight.
Yet, D’Affuso and Parker do generate a cohesive partnership guiding the troupe of In search of something completely ful-
players that’s telling this woeful tale of the prince of the Holy Roman Empire. Though filling, this Pippin ultimately must decide
the tale may be woeful, laced with brutality and betrayal plotted by King Charles between chasing the glory of likes and
(DeCarlo Raspberry) and his wife Fastrada (Rachel Barlaam), the musical numbers are clicks, or merely relishing the adoration of
as vibrant and sensual as a Bob Fosse daydream. his family, in their little corner of the sky.
Wahl’s ensemble and Ahmad Maaty’s choreography ooze the teasing spirit and
crotch-thrusting chorus lines of the indelible 1972 Broadway original. Although, as SYNETIC THEATER’S MOSTLY word-
fun as the vigorous dance breaks are for the audience, and for as much fun as the per- less adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of
formers seem to be having, occasionally the groovy interludes don’t just shake up, but Oz ( ) conjures an otherworldly
actually derail the narrative flow. atmosphere for L. Frank Baum’s fantasy
Good that Parker provides such a strong presence to keep things on track. And, of an innocent girl’s odyssey through a
among the ensemble, none captures that Fosse spirit and those recognizably slinky strange, unfamiliar land. Director Ryan
moves as sharply as his Leading Player, who still might stray too close to the dark side Sellers and choreographer Tori Bertocci,
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz runs until August 12 at Davis Performing Arts Center, Georgetown University.
Tickets are $20 to $45. Call 866.811.4111, or visit synetictheater.org.
Pippin runs until July 30 at Ainslie Arts Center, Episcopal High School campus, 3900 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria.
Tickets are $40. Visit monumentaltheatre.org.
DrinksDragDJsEtc... Underwear Drink Free, TRADE BALTIMORE EAGLE NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR
12-12:30am • DJs Doors open 5pm • Huge Doors open at 2pm • Open 3pm • Beat the
BacK2bACk Happy Hour: Any drink Bears & Bellies Friday Clock Happy Hour — $2
normally served in a cock- Bear Night • $10 Cover • (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), $4
Thursday, in the Code Bar, 9pm-2am
• For men in underwear in
NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR tail glass served in a huge Pay an extra $5, and get 5 (7-8pm) • Buckets of Beer,
July 19 Code Bar, all well drinks
Beat the Clock Happy Hour
— $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
glass for the same price,
5-10pm • Beer and wine
free well drinks • Tommy
Gunn’s Fully Loaded: Male
$15 • Weekend Kickoff
Dance Party, with Nellie’s
$2, 9pm-12am • Best
$4 (7-8pm) • $15 Buckets only $4 Burlesque Revue in the DJs spinning bubbly pop
9 1/2 Underwear Contest at
of Beer all night • Sports Nest, 10pm • $10 at door music all night
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Midnight • Code enforced
Leagues Night ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS • Elyx Vodka and Any Red
drink, 5-9pm • Multiple in Code Bar after 9pm •
All male, nude dancers • Bull Flavor for $7 all day NUMBER NINE
TVs showing movies, Release Dance Party in
NUMBER NINE Open Dancers Audition • long • thebaltimoreeagle. Open 5pm • Happy Hour:
shows, sports • Expanded the Nest, featuring DJs
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Urban House Music by DJ com 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
craft beer selection • Thommy Davis and Jerry
drink, 5-9pm • No Cover Tim-e • 9pm • Cover 21+ • No Cover • Friday Night
Music videos featuring Haley, 10pm-2am • Free
FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR Piano with Chris, 7:30pm
DJ Wess admission to the Tavern •
PITCHERS Crazy Hour, 4-8pm •
Admission to the Nest is
2317 18th St. NW Karaoke, 9pm PITCHERS
BALTIMORE EAGLE free until 10:30pm • After
Doors open at 3pm • 10:30pm, $5 Cover for
Doors open, 5pm-2am •
facebook.com/PitchersDC
Friday, GREEN LANTERN
2317 18th St. NW
Doors open, 5pm-3am •
Happy Hour, 3-9pm, all 21 and up, $10 Cover for
liquors, beers and wines up 18-20 • thebaltimoreea-
July 20 Happy Hour, 4-9pm • $3 facebook.com/PitchersDC
SHAW’S TAVERN Rail and Domestic • Free
to 50% off • $5 Pitchers gle.com
Happy Hour, 4-7pm • $3 9 1/2 Pizza, 7-9pm • $5 Svedka, SHAW’S TAVERN
of Miller Lite all night long
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, Open at 5pm • Happy all flavors, all night long Happy Hour, 4-7pm • $3
• $3 Well Drinks in Nest FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR
$5 House Wines, $5 Rail Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, • Rough House, featuring Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
until 11pm, $3 in Tavern all Crazy Hour, 4-8pm •
Drinks • Half-Priced Pizzas 5-9pm • Friday Night DJ Lemz and The Barber $5 House Wines, $5 Rail
day, $5 Miller Lite Pitchers Karaoke, 9pm
and Select Appetizers Videos, 9:30pm • Rotating Streisand, 9pm-3am • Drinks • Half-Priced Pizzas
• Thrifty Minett Drag
• All-You-Can-Eat Ribs, DJs • Expanded craft beer Hosted by Jane Saw and and Select Appetizers •
Show, hosted by Whimsy GREEN LANTERN
$24.95, 5-10pm • $4 selection • No Cover Salvadora Dali • $5 Cover Comedy Show, Second
Thrift and Anita Minett, Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Heineken and Corona (includes clothes check) Floor, 7pm
8-9:30pm, in the Nest • $5 • Shirtless Thursday,
all night
Cover • Underwear Night 10-11pm • Men in
W
Charitable Fund • Show HEN THEY PURCHASED THE 18TH & U DUPLEX DINER FOUR
ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS starts at 7pm • Tickets
Men of Secrets, 9pm • are $10 on the website, years ago, Mark Hunker and Jeff McCracken could have turned the
Guest dancers • Rotating $15 at the door • Leather popular restaurant/bar into an offshoot of Jam Bistro, the trendy
DJs • Kristina Kelly’s Diva and Fetish Saturdays,
Fev-ah Drag Show • Doors Code Bar, 8pm-2am •
restaurant they run in Rehoboth Beach. But Duplex, which has has thrived
at 9pm, Shows at 11:30pm Code enforced after 9pm for 20 years at 2004 18th Street NW, held too much of an emotional sway.
and 1:45am • DJ Don T. in in the Code Bar • Bear “We would never screw with Duplex,” Hunker says. “I learned how to
Ziegfeld’s • Cover 21+ Bait: The Bear Bash of the
Summer, 9pm • Featuring drink vodka in that place. I met and married my husband there — I literally
DJ Amadeo Barcelona • got married on those two steps down to the dining room. That place is
Wet Underwear Contest
absolutely where I grew up. I’d sooner burn it down than change it.” (He’s
Saturday, and More • Divas of the
quick to douse any pyro concerns, adding dryly, “I have a 12-year-old in
’80s, ’90s and 2000s Retro
July 21 Dance Party in the Nest, private school. So, no.”)
10pm-2am • Featuring
9 1/2 DJ Vince Christopher and The fact that Duplex Diner remains virtually unchanged from the way
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Kuhmeleon • $5 Cover • Eric Hirshfield conceived of it two decades ago is cause for celebration any
drink, 2-9pm • $5 Absolut Drink Specials in the Nest
and $5 Bulleit Bourbon, day, but especially on Friday, July 20. “Not only is it the 20th anniversary
• Long Island Leather
9pm-close • Expanded Saturdays — $5 Long party,” Hunker says, “but it’s the actual date of creation of Duplex Diner.”
craft beer selection •
No Cover
Islands all day • thebalti- DJ Chord will be on hand to provide music for an evening set to include
moreeagle.com
“surprise guests, drink specials, maybe a drag queen or two dropping from
the ceiling.”
Over the past few years, Duplex has subtly enhanced its menu with
healthier fare. “[General manager] Kelly Laczko has been really good at
keeping her finger on the pulse with some of the dietary trends,” says
McCracken. The menu includes expanded fish and vegetarian fare. Still, the
classic standby Chicken Sandwich remains a favorite of McCracken’s — so
much so it’s now on the menu at Jam. As for Hunker, the Zoodles and the
Watermelon Radish Summer Salad are his current favorites. “But I’m not
gonna lie,” he says. “I still eat my share of tater tots and chicken fingers.
A lot.” —Doug Rule
“This ‘B’ is going to bombard us with real vileness in our society if they get what they want because
it’s not about bisexuality, it’s about bestiality.”
— Fox News pundit and conservative author STAR PARKER, arguing that the B in LGBTQ stands for bestiality. Speaking on evangel-
ical radio show Vocal Point, Parker argued that the LGBTQ community has ignored dealing with the “B” in LGBTQ because of its
true meaning, and that “there is an agenda and we do know that there have been discussions about bestiality in their closed doors.
I’m just saying don’t be surprised if we find out that that ‘B’ is not what they said publicly.”
— Pennsylvania State Rep. BRIAN SIMS, in an interview with The Advocate. He added that when he joined the legislature, may of
the closeted members “were co-sponsors of anti-LGBT bills.” Discussing misogyny in the gay community, Sims also said, “Some of
the most intense misogyny I see towards women comes from gay men…. I would think that living a life where others marginalize
you would teach you how to combat marginalization and how to recognize it. Oftentimes,
it teaches people how to be good at it themselves.”