Arts & Entertainment
Katy, Gaga, Janet, Kesha, Bruno for starters
Be ready to cough up hundreds for good seats at A-lister shows


Gay broadway heartthrob Cheyenne Jackson plays the Barns at Wolf Trap on Sunday, Oct. 15. (Photo by Karl Simone; courtesy Wolf Trap)
This fall brings a massive wealth of talent to the Washington area. There are many shows to choose from with every imaginable genre represented. Here is but a small sampling.
The fall season begins with a bang as pop/R&B superstarĀ the WeekndĀ brings his āStarboy Legend of the Fall 2017 World Tourā to Capital One Arena, formerly the Verizon Center (601 F Street, N.W.), onĀ Friday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $39-276 and up. For more information, visitĀ capitalonearena.
MGM National Harbor (101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill, Md.) has an impressive lineup of talent slated including famed Bollywood vocalistĀ Shreya Ghoshal. She performs onĀ Friday, Sept. 15 at 8:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $80-281 and up, and details are availableĀ mgmnationalharbor.com.
Acclaimed Canadian alternative collectiveĀ Arcade FireĀ and their āInfinite Content 2017 Tourā will play Capital One Arena onĀ Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $26-230 and up.
Popular up and coming alternative popstersĀ Young the GiantĀ appears withĀ Cold War KidsĀ at Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Md.) onĀ Saturday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $35-100. Details atĀ merriweathermusic.com.
OnĀ Sept. 19-20, English pop heartthrobĀ Ed SheeranĀ stops by the Capital One Arena for two sold-out shows.
R&B singerĀ BrandyĀ will appear at the Fillmore Silver Spring (8656 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md.) onĀ Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.Ā The general admission tickets are priced at $45 with more information available atĀ fillmoresilverspring.com.
Celebrating their 25th anniversary with their āMiddle of Everywhere Tour,ā pop trioĀ HansonĀ will play at the Fillmore Silver Spring onĀ Sunday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m.Ā for a sold-out show.
Pop divaĀ Katy PerryĀ brings āWITNESS: the Tourā to Capital One Arena onĀ Monday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $50-427 and up.
Veteran British popsters Saint Etienne perform at U Street Music Hall (1115 U St., N.W.) onĀ Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.Ā Tickets are $30. Details atĀ ustreetmusichall.com.
As expected, theĀ 9:30Ā Club (815 V Street, N.W.) has an impressive array of talent lined up for its hallowed stage this fall. The versatile electronic hip-hop visionary Thundercat plays a highly anticipated show onĀ Friday, Sept. 29 at 9:30 p.m., with tickets at $25. More information is available atĀ 930.com.
R&B/pop superstarĀ Bruno MarsĀ brings his electrifying ā24K Magic World Tourā to Capital One Arena for two shows Sept. 29-30 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $188 to as much as $1,180 and higher to see one of the biggest names in music.
One of the most acclaimed electronic groups aroundĀ Crystal CastlesĀ return to theĀ 9:30Ā Club for aĀ Saturday, Sept. 30Ā show that begins atĀ 9:30 p.m.Tickets are $30.
DAR Constitution Hall (18th and C streets N.W.) welcomes former One Direction starĀ Harry StylesĀ for a show onĀ Sunday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $57.70-97.50. For more details, visitĀ dar.org/constitution-hall.
At the Kennedy Center (2700 F Street, N.W.) onĀ Sunday, Oct. 1Ā is an intriguing show called āOrionās Rise: A Special Performanceā withĀ SolangeĀ andĀ the Sun Ra Arkestra. The show begins atĀ 7 p.m.Ā and tickets range from $49-169. More information is available atĀ kennedy-center.org.
Mashrouā Leila, a gay-led rock band from Lebanon, plays the Flex Stage room at the Birchmere onĀ Sunday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $35. Details atĀ birchmere.com.
Latino starsĀ Enrique IglesiasĀ andĀ PitbullĀ team up for a show at Capital One Arena onĀ Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $39-309 and up.
Hot off a stellar new album,Ā KeshaĀ is back and better than ever with her āRainbow Tour 2017.ā She performs at the Fillmore Silver Spring onĀ Friday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m.Ā Itās sold out.
Half of the Indigo Girls, lesbian folk-pop iconĀ Emily SaliersĀ brings her solo āMurmuration Nation Tourā to The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) onĀ Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $29.50. Details atĀ birchmere.com.
Foster the People, Young Thug and Galantis headline theĀ 2017 All Things Go Fall ClassicĀ music and food festival at Union MarketĀ Oct. 6-8. Details atĀ allthingsgofallclassic.com.
Local favoriteĀ Dave GrohlĀ and his powerhouse rockersĀ Foo FightersĀ have the honor of opening the new venue on the Waterfront, The Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.), for a historic show onĀ Thursday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets begin at $100 although it may take some good fortune to find one for this sold-out show. More information is available atĀ theanthemdc.com.
The inspirational transgender vocalistĀ Laura Jane GraceĀ and her cohorts inĀ Against Me!Ā performĀ Friday, Oct. 13Ā at theĀ 9:30Ā Club for aĀ 9:30 p.m.show, with tickets at $25.
The always hilarious and thought-provokingĀ Margaret ChoĀ is back for a performance at Warner Theatre (513 13th Street, N.W.) onĀ Saturday, Oct. 14Ā for her āFresh Off The Bloat Tour.ā Tickets are $27-58. Details atĀ warnertheatredc.com.
Openly gay singer/actorĀ Cheyenne JacksonĀ will be at the Barns at Wolf Trap (1635 Trap Road, Vienna, Va.) onĀ Sunday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets are $45-55. Details atĀ wolftrap.org.
The return ofĀ LCD SoundsystemĀ is one of the big musical stories of 2017, and they perform two nights at the AnthemĀ Oct. 17-18 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $61.75-81.75.
Queens of the Stone AgeĀ and British rockersĀ Royal BloodĀ team up for an exciting show at the Anthem onĀ Friday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $49.50-75.
The popular DJ and electronic producerĀ ZeddĀ is slated for a show at the Anthem onĀ Saturday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $41-76.
One of the most important bands currently recording is undoubtedlyĀ the War on Drugs, and they return to D.C. for a show at the Anthem onĀ Monday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $75-125.
Out comedianĀ Suzanne WestenhoefferĀ plays the Birchmere onĀ Friday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $45.
Shawn ColvinĀ is celebrating her classic album āA Few Small Repairsā with a 20th Anniversary Tour that will stop at the Birchmere for two highly anticipated shows Oct. 30-31 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $62.50.
Maynard James KeenanĀ andĀ A Perfect CircleĀ bring their dark and heavy rock to EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Cir., Fairfax, Va.) onĀ Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $40-276 and up with more information available atĀ eaglebankarena.com.
The following nightĀ Fall Out BoyĀ will also rock out EagleBank Arena. The emo rockers bring their āMANIA Tourā forĀ Thursday, Nov. 2Ā show that begins atĀ 7 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $30-245 and up.
A cappella wondersĀ Straight No ChaserĀ bring their dynamic harmonies to DAR Constitution Hall for aĀ Thursday, Nov. 2Ā show that begins atĀ 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $62 and up.
Legendary singer/songwriter/pianistĀ Tori AmosĀ is always spectacular live and her latest tour in support of new album āNative Invaderā should be no different. Sheās playing at MGM National Harbor onĀ Friday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m., with tickets ranging from $54-216 and up.
Popular ā90s-era alternative rockersĀ the BreedersĀ are back, and will play Lincoln Theatre (1215 U Street, N.W.) onĀ Sunday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets are $35. Details atĀ thelincolndc.com.
One of the more intriguing shows of the season promises to be the eclectic and uber-talentedĀ Flying LotusĀ in 3D at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd., N.E.) onĀ Sunday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.Ā Tickets are $45 and more information is available atĀ echostage.com.
Seattle-based rapperĀ Macklemore, known for his smash āThrift Shopā and his touching āSame Loveā withĀ Ryan LewisĀ andĀ Mary LambertĀ is appearing solo on āThe Gemini Tourā at the Fillmore Silver Spring. TheĀ Saturday, Nov. 11Ā show begins atĀ 8 p.m.Ā and is sold out.
The always entertaining duo of openly gay sistersĀ Tegan and SaraĀ bring their ā10th Anniversary Acoustic Tourā celebrating their album āThe Conā to the Anthem onĀ Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets are in the $50.50-76 range.
Legendary dance/pop/R&B iconĀ Janet JacksonĀ is back after delaying her previously scheduled show to have her baby. The new mother brings her āState of the World Tourā to Capital One Arena onĀ Thursday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m., with tickets ranging from $37-337 and higher. She plays Baltimore onĀ Saturday, Nov. 18.
The musically giftedĀ St. VincentĀ is a must-see when she appears at the Anthem onĀ Monday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $44-60.
R&B songstressĀ Erykah BaduĀ brings her chill groove to the Anthem onĀ Saturday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets are $76-126.
One of the most anticipated shows of the fall is undoubtedly the one and onlyĀ Lady Gaga, who brings her āJoanne World Tourā to Capital One Arena onĀ Sunday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $74-587 or more.
Diva extraordinaireĀ Chaka KhanĀ graces the stage of Warner Theatre onĀ Friday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $69-130.
Electro-wizardĀ DiploĀ is at Echostage for aĀ Saturday, Nov. 25Ā for aĀ 9 p.m.Ā show. Tickets are in the $40-50 range for what is certain to be an electrifying performance.
St. Vincent, who eschews labels but believes in gender and sexual āfluidity,ā plays Anthem onĀ Monday, Nov. 27. Tickets are $44-149.
Rap mogulĀ JAY-ZĀ is set to rock the Capital One Arena onĀ Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m.Ā on his ā4:44Ā Tour.ā Tickets range from $50-356 and higher.
The influential duo ofĀ Amanda PalmerĀ andĀ Brian Viglione,Ā the Dresden Dolls, are back for a show at theĀ 9:30Ā Club on Tuesday, Nov. 31 atĀ 9:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $35.
Longtime favorite pop-folk troubadourĀ Dar WilliamsĀ is back at the BirchmereĀ Dec. 8-9Ā atĀ 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $25 for a concert that will also include readings and discussions from her new book, āWhat I Found in a Thousand Towns.ā
As fall winds to an end, there are worse ways to get into the holiday mood than by seeing the AĀ PentatonixĀ Christmas Tour at the Anthem onĀ Sunday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.Ā Tickets range from $59.50-149.50 for a chance to see the a cappella supergroup.
And as has become an annual event, gay shock- and schlockmeisterĀ John WatersĀ returns to the Birchmere for his Christmas show onĀ Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m.Ā Tickets are $55.
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Bladeās Pride on the Pier returns bigger than everĀ with two-day WorldPride celebration

The Washington Bladeās Pride on the Pier will be extended to a two-day celebration in honor of WorldPride coming to D.C. this year. Taking place on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at The Wharf, this yearās event promises more entertainment, more community, and more pride than ever before ā all set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of our nationās capital.
With the addition of Friday, the party kicks off at 3 p.m., with the inaugural WorldPride Boat Parade at 7 p.m. As an Official WorldPride Partner event, the boat parade will feature 30 decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel. For information on signing up for the boat parade contact Stephen Rutgers at [email protected].
Saturdayās signature Pier Party kicks off at 12 p.m., featuring a drag show, DJ’s, streaming of the WorldPride Parade, and the iconic Fireworks Show Presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation ā one of D.C. Prideās most anticipated spectacles.
āWeāre expanding Washington Blade Pride on the Pier to reflect the excitement and momentum building for WorldPride in D.C.,ā said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. āItās a celebration of our communityās progress and a powerful reminder of the joy and visibility Pride brings to the heart of our city.ā
Now in its seventh year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the cityās annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.
Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access, hosted bars, and private viewing areas for the boat parade and the fireworks show. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.
Friday VIP: 5-9 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, cash bar and complimentary drink.
Saturday VIP Session #1: 2-5 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered food, and an open bar.
Saturday VIP Session #2: 6-9 p.m., enjoy the air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered snacks and dinner, and open bar with a front-row view of the fireworks.
Event Details:
š Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq., S.W., Washington, D.C.)
š
Dates: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7, 2025
š„ļøBoat Parade: 7 p.m. (June 6). š Fireworks Show: 9 p.m. (June 7)
šļø VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP
Event sponsors include Absolut, Capital Pride, DC Fray, Infinate Legacy, Heineken, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayorās Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Relish Catering,Ā Washingtonian, and The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePierDC.com
Arts & Entertainment
Win a pair of tickets to Grace Jones & Janelle MonƔe @ The Anthem on June 5, 2025!


The Cherry Weekend main event party was “Fire” at Betty (1235 W Street, N.E.) on Saturday, April 12. Detox of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” met with fans.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)














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