Music & Concerts
Dave Koz Christmas Tour — 19 years and counting
Saxophone virtuoso Dave Koz brings star-studded Christmas tour to Washington
Nine-time Grammy nominee Dave Koz says it would be great to win but he’s learned to enjoy Grammy night no matter what happens. His most recent nomination was for his ‘Summer Horns’ album in the best pop instrumental album category in 2014. (Photo by Brian Sheffield)
Dave Koz
Christmas Tour 2016
With Jonathan Butler
Valerie Simpson and Kenny Lattimore
Saturday, Dec. 3
National Theatre
1321 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
nationaltheatre.org
davekoz.com
$68-98; VIP $198
Dave Koz says one big reason his annual Christmas tour has lasted 19 years is because he makes it a point to change it up each year.
“It’s hard for me to even imagine this happening but 19 years later, we’re still here every year,” he says by phone from his home in Los Angeles.
His Christmas Tour 2016 plays Washington this weekend with a show on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the National Theatre. It kicked off in Florida on Black Friday and will continue with a whirlwind 24 shows in 28 days before wrapping Dec. 22 in San Jose, Calif.
Koz is especially psyched about having Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson fame. The legendary Motown songwriting-and-production team were known for hits like “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Nickolas Ashford died in 2011 and this is Simpson’s first major tour since then.
Koz was seated next to Simpson at Clive Davis’s birthday party in Palm Springs in April — he’d met her previously — and says he’s “super excited” to have her in this year’s lineup.
“We had about three-fourths of our lineup done but we were still looking for that female presence on stage,” Koz says. “As I sat down next to her, it hit me like a lightening bolt. I said to myself, ‘Keep it cool, don’t come on too strong, don’t mention this tonight, just have a nice time getting back in acquaintance with her.’ I actually remained pretty cool the whole night but at the end I said, ‘I’ve got this crazy idea,’ … and she said, ‘Bring it on.’”
Koz, who came out in 2004, says audiences will be in for a major thrill as his other guests, Jonathan Butler and Kenny Lattimore join her for several signature Ashford & Simpson hits.
“Nobody’s ever gonna take Nick Ashford’s place, but they will do a good job representing him on stage,” he says. “I really consider her like the R&B equivalent of Carole King — a masterful singer, songwriter and pianist. She and her late husband gave the world so many gems.”
Koz says being on tour this time of year is “really a joy” and it goes by “really quickly.”
He does meet-and-greets both pre- and post-show and says his pre-show ritual is pretty calm.
“There’s no time to get complacent or bored,” he says. “It’s always moving, always changing. I really look forward to right after the show. We’re all in our pajamas on the bus and can have a nice cocktail, watch a movie, talk about how the night went and head on to the next city.”
Koz had a big year. He closed and reopened his Los Angeles restaurant as Citizen Beverly Hills and did a 17-date summer tour with his idol, David Sanborn, a six-time Grammy-winning saxophonist who’s worked with everyone from David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones and many more. Koz, of course, is no slouch himself, but says this tour was a dream come true.
“He actually gave me really great advice the first time I met him when I was 16,” he says. “I’d snuck in back stage at a sold-out concert of his in Los Angeles and I was a blubbering fool, just all over the place. I could barely make a sentence. Somehow I blurted out that I wanted to be just like you, play just like you, sound like you and he just said, ‘Stop. There’s already one of me. So just let me be me and you be you. … I’ve kept that advice very close to my heart all these years.”
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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