Music & Concerts
Arts news in brief: March 11
Cowboys prep ‘Whorehouse,’ Galactica plays hostess and Goss unveils new record
The Gay Men’s Chorus Takes Audiences to Texas
As its 30th season continues, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington brings to stage an all-male production of the musical, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” at Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University (730 21st St., N.W.).
“Whorehouse” tells the true story of the closing of a 130-year-old brother outside LaGrange, Texas, in 1973 which became a scandal and was condemned when a newsman announced it on television.
The show stars Ryan Williams as Miss Mona, John O’Brien as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd, Eric Peterson as Melvin P. Thorpe, Kip Jacobs as Jewel, Christopher Harris as Doatsy Mae and Andrew Harmon as Governor.
Directed and choreographed by Craig Cipollini, he describes the musical as being about “people in glass houses throwing stones — about one group of people imposing their version of morality on others,” in a press release for the show.
“I think is something gay men and women can relate to very well,” Cipollini said. “The story is filled with good looking and clever characters, it’s a little bit rowdy, it’s a little bit raunchy, and at times very funny, but look closely and it also has a serious side.”
The show also features 73 performers from the Chorus, including an ensemble of 50 singers and dancers.
The musical opens March 18 at 8 p.m. There will be another evening performance on March 19 at 8 p.m. and an American Sign Language-interpreted performance will take place on March 20 at 3 p.m.
Tickets range from $20 to $50 and can be purchased at the door, by calling 202-293-1548 or online at gmcw.org.
Noi’s Nook sees its final performance
Special Agent Galactica will host a special closing concert at go mama go! (1809 14th St., N.W.) on Sunday at 7 p.m. in Noi’s Nook, the shop’s back-room performance space.
Those slated are returning performers including Tom Goss, John C. Bailey and the Art Improv Mashup, and D.C. King Ken Vegas.
The performances at go mama go! first started in September when Jeffrey Johnson, the man behind Galactica and an employee at go mama go!, and his theater group needed a place to perform. He went to the current owner and asked if they could set something up in the store.
It was already known that the store would be closing soon and the inventory had already been shrunk, so Noi’s Nook, named after the original owner who died in 2007 and was supportive of Johnson’s group, was built in the back.
The performances will be followed by an after party during which the stage will be turned into a dance floor and DJ Ten will provide music.
Tickets to the concert are $20 and the proceeds will go toward helping go mama go get out of debt from staying open until the end of its lease.
This will be the last performance, as the store is closing and must be empty by March 31. The staff will begin the process of taking down the stage soon after.
Gay singer/songwriter Tom Goss (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Tom Goss releases new album
Local singer Tom Goss is having two D.C. release parties for his new C.D., “Turn It Around,” at go mama go! (1809 14th St., N.W.) tonight and Saturday.
The band Echo Armada will open on Friday and Jeremiah Clark will open on Saturday.
The doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 on both nights. Tickets are $12 and are limited. They can be purchased in advanced online at tomgossmusic.com.
Goss says he’s excited about the release.
“It’s a whole new project,” he says. “Very big, bright and fun.
The C.D., which will be available April 12, includes the track, “It’s All Over.” This is Goss’s third full-length C.D.
On the vibrant, jangly album opener “It’s All Over,” Goss displays his versatile instrumentation and effortless vocals. The infectious rocker, “Shady Dell,” displays Goss’ impressive writing chops and references an eccentric vintage trailer park where Goss spent his honeymoon. “All I Ever Wanted” tells the tale of losing one’s faith, inspired by Goss’ own personal struggle and his experience leaving the Catholic seminary while the album’s gorgeous melodic closer, “You Know I Love You” exemplifies Goss’ belief that true love is possible.
There will also be a Baltimore release party at GLCCB (241 West Chase St.) on March 20 with The Pushovers. Doors open at 6:30 that night and the show begins at 7 p.m.
Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her acclaimed “Tension” world tour to D.C. next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.
The show features songs spanning her long career, from 1987 debut single, “The Loco-Motion,” to “Padam, Padam” from her album, “Tension.”
Music & Concerts
Busy season for live music in D.C.
Erivo, Kylie, Sivan, and more headed our way this spring
One sure sign of spring’s arrival is the fresh wave of live music coming to Washington. With more than 10 venues and a diverse lineup of artists, the city offers no shortage of live performances for the new season.
In addition to this impressive list, don’t forget the many artists coming to town for WorldPride, May 17-June 8. In addition to headliner Cynthia Erivo performing on Saturday, June 7 at the two-day street festival and concert, many other performers will be in town. Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, and RuPaul are among the featured performers at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds, June 6-7. Visit WorldPrideDC.org for a list of other performers.
MARCH
Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Mary J. Blige will take the stage at Capital One Arena on March 26 for her For My Fans tour. Two days later, on March 28, J Balvin will also perform at Capital One Arena for his Back to the Rayo tour.
The Lincoln Theatre will host the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for three performances—one on March 15 and two on March 16.
If dance parties are more your vibe, you’re in luck. DC9 is hosting a series of themed dance parties this month, starting with Poker Face: 2000s + Dance Party on March 14, the ever-popular Peach Pit ’90s dance party on March 15, H.O.T.S.: A Sapphic Dance Party on March 22, and RageRiot!—a burlesque and drag revue featuring a lineup of local drag kings, queens, and everything in between on March 29.
APRIL
Australian queen of pop Kylie Minogue will bring her Tension tour to Capital One Arena on April 8, with British dance artist Romy as her special guest.
Indie singer-songwriter mxmtoon will stop in D.C. for their Liminal Space tour on April 4 at the 9:30 club, followed by indie rock band Gossip on April 5. The 9:30 club will also host two dance parties in April: Gimme Gimme Disco – a dance party inspired by ABBA on April 11 and Broadway Rave on April 18.
The Atlantis will feature Brooklyn-based indie rock band Pom Pom Squad on April 2.
Comedy duo Two Dykes and a Mic will bring their Going Hog Wild tour to the Howard Theatre on April 19.
DC9 has two dance parties lined up this month: Bimbo Night on April 4, hosted by Baltimore’s “premier red-tattooed Filipina diva” Beth Amphetamine, and Aqua Girls: A QTBIPOC Dance Party on April 5, celebrating “queer transcendence through music, movement, and community.”
The Anthem will welcome a lineup of big names in April, starting with Alessia Cara on April 8. Lucy Dacus will take the stage on April 18 and 19 for her Forever Is a Feeling tour, while funky pop artist Remi Wolf will headline on April 27, joined by special guests Dana and Alden.
MAY
Indie-pop artist Miya Folick will bring her Erotica Veronica tour to The Atlantis on May 1, followed by multi-genre musician SASAMI on May 2. Pop artist Snow Wife will close out the month at The Atlantis on May 31 as part of an official WorldPride 2025 event.
Queer rock band Lambrini Girls will perform at the Howard Theatre on May 4, while rock trio L.A. Witch will take the stage at DC9 on May 12.
Union Stage will feature Rachel Platten on May 3 for her Set Me Free tour, followed by Femme Fatale: A Queer Dance Party later that night.
The popular DJ festival Project Glow will return to RFK Stadium grounds on May 31 and June 1.
JUNE
Pride month kicks off with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Trixie Mattel, who will perform at Echostage on June 3 as part of a series of official WorldPride 2025 events.
Queer icons Grace Jones & Janelle Monáe will take over The Anthem on June 5 for a WorldPride 2025 event performance.
Perfume Genius will bring his signature sound to the 9:30 club on June 7 as part of WorldPride 2025 festivities. Later in the month, Blondshell will hit the 9:30 club for her If You Asked for a Tour on June 24.
Music & Concerts
Pride concert to take place at Strathmore after Kennedy Center rescinds invitation
International Pride Orchestra ‘heartbroken’ event ‘would no longer be welcome’ at DC venue
The International Pride Orchestra has announced its Pride concert will take place at the Strathmore Music Center on June 5 after the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts disinvited the group.
Since President Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center during his first month in office, LGBTQ events and performances have been banned with community allies withdrawing in solidarity.
The Kennedy Center has cancelled “A Peacock Among Pigeons: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride,” a May 21 concert that was to feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. The International Pride Orchestra on Monday said its concert will now take place at the Strathmore.
“We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,” said International Pride Orchestra Founding Artistic Director Michael Roest in a statement released by the orchestra’s media page. “The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression. However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us. Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation’s capital.”
The Pride concert is among the events that have faced uncertainty since the Trump-Vance administration took office on Jan. 20. Many, however, are fighting back and looking for ways to push back against the bans and cancellations.
“We aim to create a powerful and positive representation of the queer community through music,” said Roest. “We want to show the world who we are, celebrate our queer identities, and amplify the work of organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community.”
WorldPride is scheduled to take place in D.C. from May 17-June 8.
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