Music & Concerts

More Barbra duets

Tacky novelty album relies more on stunt casting than musical magic

Published

9 years ago

August 25, 2016

While it’s great Streisand has stayed (relatively) active in the studio, there’s little on new album ‘Encore’ to interest any but her most ardent disciples. (Photo courtesy the Karpel Group)

It’s fair to say that Barbra Streisand, the ultimate pop diva of the last three generations, has nothing to prove.

The 74-year old icon could easily while away her time in genteel luxury counting her millions, but Babs has never stayed away from the recording studio too long. Her latest album, a duets collection of theatrical material, is “Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway.” It will never be considered one of her great works, but Streisand die-hards will enjoy it.

It should be made clear from the outset that there are several things one much enjoy at least to some extent to have any reason to purchase this album. The first bar is the easiest to cross: Streisand herself. She’s never been less than magical. Just hearing her voice again is a privilege that we should not take lightly. Instead of retreating into a life of detached luxury, she continues providing her fans with what they love. One must also love theater to have any prayer of enjoying this album, and that’s a slightly higher line to cross. It’s a form of music that speaks its own language and has its own rules. Some will find it enthralling, some maddening in its sing-song preciousness. Streisand layers on humorous touches, a career trademark that sometimes has worked, sometimes has not.

Thirdly, to enjoy this album one much appreciate strange duet partners. Some of these odd couplings work better than others. I mean, you’re Barbra Streisand, right? “Legend” doesn’t cut it. A word has yet to be invented to describe what you are. You could sing with anyone at any time. And who do you partner with on “Encore”? Alec Baldwin, Melissa McCarthy, Seth MacFarlane, and Chris Pine. Why not just wander into any fairly decent karaoke bar and take your pick? Sure, they ham it up and do well enough for this pointless novelty album, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with doing something fun. But you’ll never be getting the saccharine out your ears after listening to the album’s relentlessly chipper and altogether overdone Broadway exuberance.

“At the Ballet” from “A Chorus Line” opens the album with forced charm and awkwardness, guests Anne Hathaway and Daisy Ridely adding nothing but name cachet. The gargantuan Stephen Sondheim ballad “Loving You,” featuring Broadway powerhouse Patrick Wilson is as tackily overwrought as you’d expect. The tragi-comic (although I suspect it’s only supposed to be comic) “The Best Thing That Has Ever Happened” finds Streisand once again forcing the wit alongside a voice that will never cease being Jack Donaghy

Just when you think there are moments of real heart hiding amongst the glitzy artifice, as in Streisand’s gorgeous introduction to “Any Moment Now,” it devolves into a mess of puerile dialogue and a ludicrously overdone arrangement. “Pure Imagination” begs the question: Did the world really need a duet between Barbra Streisand and Seth MacFarlane? The answer is self-evident in the graceless embarrassment they inflict upon poor unsuspecting listeners. Streisand’s allegedly comical turn with Melissa McCarthy on “Anything You Can Do” is a trite, third-rate take on an Irving Berlin’s classic that does not do justice to either of these talented ladies.

“Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway” is far from Streisand’s most compelling work. In fact, it sounds like little more than rushed together product to get something on the shelves. But hell, it’s Barbra Streisand. Like she cares the hell what I think. She’s long ago earned the right to do exactly what she wants, when she wants to do it, and more likely than not her die-hard fans (and there are many) will adore it. And more power to ‘em.

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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.