Music & Concerts

Music in the air

Ferrick, Lauper, Pink and more among upcoming shows

Published

12 years ago

September 12, 2013

Erin Durkin

Part of an eclectic fall, Melissa Ferrick will be in Washington twice this fall. (Photo courtesy of Ferrick)

From the biggest names in pop to the best and brightest of D.C.’s local LGBT talent, the fall concert season is nothing if not eclectic.

For starters, in case you missed the show here last year at about this time, Madonna’s “MDNA World Tour” concert DVD released in multiple formats this week.

Sonia Rutstein and her band Disappear Fear release their album “Broken Film” with a world release concert on Sept. 17 at Creative Alliance at the Patterson (3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore). This will be Rutstein’s 17^th album in her 25-year career of writing and performing songs about important issues of the heart and of society. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, visit creativealliance.org.

Lesbian singer Melissa Ferrick makes two stops to the District this fall on her CD release tour of “the truth is.” She’s with with Catie Curtis (also a lesbian) at the Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St., N.W.) on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. Ferrick will return to the 9:30 Club (815 V St., NW) on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. where she will appear with Ani DiFranco. Tickets are $40. Visit melissaferrick.com for more information.

The Birchmere’s SpeakeasyDC show features gay comedian Chelsea Shorte on Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere Music Hall (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.). In her act, Shorte shares her story about evolving from a closeted comedian to finding her authentic voice. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit birchmere.com

Raven’s Night returns the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) on Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. to celebrate the sexy trick or treats of Halloween. The evening includes an All Hallows Eve Carnival, which is a flashback to World’s Fairs, a Salon Lunaire Concert and a Cabaret Macabre Belly Dance Show. Tickets are $25. For details, visit birchmere.com.

Gay duo and Capital Pride vets Jason & DeMarco come to Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. as a part of their tour “Celebrating Diversity” to commemorate their 10 years together as well as welcoming twin boys into their lives. The group will perform in several venues around Maryland throughout the month of October. This performance is free but a $20 donation is suggested. For more information, visit jasonanddemarco.com.

The Choral Arts Society of Washington kicks off a new season with its show “Legacy and Life,” featuring performances of Steven Stucky’s “Take Him, Earth” and Giuseppe Verdi “Requiem,” on Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. The society will also bring in the holiday season with “An Enchanted Christmas” on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. All performances will be at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). There are several ticket packages as well as individual tickets from $54-$141. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXopMPYpz0o

Cyndi Lauper (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Cyndi Lauper, LGBT rights activist, comes to the Warner Theatre (513 13^th St., N.W.) on her “She’s So Unusual Tour” on Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. She’s celebrating the 30^th anniversary of her landmark debut album this year and, as on the spring leg, will perform the album in its entirety with an encore devoted to newer hits. Tickets are $33-$73. For more information, visit warnertheatredc.com.

Pink returns to the Verizon Center (601 F St., N.W.) on Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. as part of her “Truth About Love Tour.” This tour takes the name from her sixth studio album, with “Just Give Me a Reason” adding to her Top 10 hits overall. Tickets are $50-$142. Visit verizoncenter.com for more details.

To bring in the holiday season, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will have its concert “Sparkle, Jingle, Joy” with special guest Grammy Award-winner Matt Alber on Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. at the Lisner Auditorium (730 21^st St., N.W.). Tickets are $25-$50. For details about the shows or for subscription information for the upcoming season, visit gmcw.org.

Gay-friendly church First Baptist (1328 16^th Street, N.W.) is celebrating the installation of its massive new five-manual pipe organ with a host of recitals. Resident organist Lon Schreiber gives the inaugural recital Sunday at 4 p.m. Ken Cowan plays on Oct. 20, Christopher Houlihan on Nov. 24 and a special event is planned for the evening of Halloween as well. Visit firstbaptistdc.org for details.

Speaking of organists, queer virtuoso Cameron Carpenter will make a special appearance on the new Rubenstein Family Organ at the Kennedy Center (2700 F Street, N.W.) for the season-opening ball of the National Symphony Orchestra on Sept. 29. He’s back for a solo recital Oct. 16 (kennedy-center.org).

Uber gay-friendly Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va.) has nine acts planned to appear through Sept. 21 for its new Autumn Cabaret Festival. Details at signature-theatre.org.

Special Agent Galactica has her rounds in D.C. with her happy hour show at the Black Fox Lounge (1732 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). The show includes live jazz, blues, cabaret, standards and comedy with Galactica backed by a three-piece jazz combo. There is no cover charge. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.

And in the straight-but-still-interesting category, check out the Michael Gallant Trio at Bethesda Blues & Jazz on Wednesday; the Beijing Symphony Orchestra makes its Washington-area debut Oct. 20 at the Strathmore. Details here.

Related Topics:Ani DiFranco Baltimore Catie Curtis District of Columbia Fall Arts 2013 Madonna Maryland Melissa Ferrick Sonia Rutstein Speakeasy DC

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Music & Concerts

Kylie brings ‘Tension’ tour to D.C.

Performance on Tuesday at Capital One Arena

Published

2 weeks ago

April 5, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Kylie Minogue visits D.C. on Tuesday.

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

Published

1 month ago

March 14, 2025

Joe Reberkenny

Cynthia Erivo plays WorldPride in D.C. on June 7. (Photo courtesy of World Pride)

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

Published

2 months ago

February 27, 2025

Jaylon Curry-Hagler

The Kennedy Center (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.