Music & Concerts

FALL ARTS 2016: Orchestra, organ, opera and then some

Mozart’s ‘Figaro,’ China Philharmonic and more pepper fall classical season

Published

9 years ago

September 15, 2016

classical music, gay news, Washington Blade

Soprano Lisette Oropesa will perform in Donizetti’s ‘The Daughter of the Regiment’ in November with the Washington National Opera. (Photo courtesy WNO)

Washington National Opera presents Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” Sept. 22-Oct. 2 in the Kennedy Center Opera House.

The WNO joins with the Washington Nationals for “Opera in the Outfield” on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at Nationals Park. It’s free — no tickets required.

Donizetti’s “The Daughter of the Regiment” runs Nov. 12-20 with Lisette Oropesa and Lawrence Brownlee in the starring roles.

The National Symphony Orchestra has its season-opening ball/concert on Sunday, Sept. 25 with Musical Director Christoph Eschenbach and Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke with pianist Lang Lang, singers Brian McKnight, Nnenna Freelon and Mervyn Warren and Take 6.

In his NSO debut, Edward Gardner conducts three works inspired by Shakespeare in “From Tchaikovsky to Elgar” Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

Other NSO performances slated for fall include violinist Nicola Benedetti (Oct. 27 and 29), pianist Emanuel Ax (Oct. 6-8), the NSO Pops with a “Halloween Extravaganza” (Oct. 13-16) and more.

The NSO also has performances planned for Nov. 3-5, Nov. 10-12, Nov. 17 and 19 and Dec. 15-18 with various programs.

The Harlem String Quartet plays the Family Theater at the Kennedy Center on Oct. 17. Joyce DiDonato and the Brentano String Quartet performs Oct. 5.

Washington Performing Arts is celebrating its 50th anniversary season. Classical highlights include cellist Alisa Weilerstein at the UDC Theater of the Arts with an all-Bach program on Oct. 16, violinist Hilary Hahn in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on Oct. 28, pianist Llyr Williams at UDC Theater of the Arts on Oct. 29, pianist Lucas Debargue at UDC Theater of the Arts on Nov. 12, baritone Eric Owens and soprano Susanna Phillips in a program of works by Schubert on Nov. 13 at the UDC Theater of the Arts and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on Nov. 29.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will present “Let’s Misbehave: True Confessions of GMCW” on Nov. 12 as soloists share “funny, outrageous” and “ribald” stories in this season—opening cabaret event at Atlas Performing Arts Center.

The Chorus’s holiday show “Naughty and Nice” will run Dec. 10 and 17-18 at the Lincoln Theatre.

UrbanArias, a contemporary opera company, presents “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” Oct. 15-22 at Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., N.E.) with music by Micahel Nyman and libretto by Oliver Sacks, Christopher Rawlence and Michael Morris.

Virginia Opera brings its production of “The Seven Deadly Sins and Pagliacci” to Fairfax on Oct. 8-9 at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts Concert Hall (4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Va.).

Virginia Opera will return to the region Dec. 3-4 with Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.”

Every Friday at 12:15 p.m., free organ recitals are held at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle). The church has one of the finest organs in the city and often attracts world-class performers. Out minister of music Rev. Michael McMahon programs the series.

Washington Concert Opera has its 30th anniversary concert on Sunday, Sept. 18 with performances by Vivica Genaux, Angela Meade, Michele Angelini and Javier Arrey at 6 p.m. at the Lisner Auditorium (720 21sst St., N.W.). The company will also perform Massenet’s “Herodiade” on Sunday, Nov. 20.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs several times at the Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Md.) this fall. They’ll perform Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony on Sept. 24, “Carmina Burana” on Sept. 29, BSO SuperPops on Oct. 6, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 on Oct. 15, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 on Oct. 22, “The Nutcracker” on Nov. 6, Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 on Nov. 10 and a full Beehoven weekend on Nov. 19. The BSO also performs regularly at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (1212 Cathedral St.) in Baltimore.

The Strathmore also has a few other classical concerts planned as usual.

Mike Mills from the band R.E.M. presents his “Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and String Orchestra” at the Music Center at Strathmore on Nov. 3 and the China Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Long Yu performs at the Strathmore on Dec. 9.

The National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) has organ recitals on Sunday afternoons throughout the fall. On the slate are Erik William Suter (Sept. 18), Paul Thomas (Sept. 25), Jung-A Lee (Oct. 2), the Lafayette Square Duo (organ and harp) (Oct. 9), Chuyoung Suter (Oct. 30), Leon Couch (Nov. 6) and George Fergus (Nov. 20).

Other classical recitals planned at the Cathedral for fall include the Schumann Piano Quintet (Sept. 14), Cathedral Choral Society: Berlioz Te Deum (Oct. 16), a Veteran’s Day concert (Nov. 11), and Handel’s “Messiah” (Dec. 2-4).

Baritone Eric Owens will perform a program of works by Schubert on Nov. 13 at the UDC Theater of the Arts. (Photo by Dario Acosta; courtesy Bucklesweet Media)

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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.