Music & Concerts
FALL ARTS 2018 CLASSICAL: Bach, Brahms, Beethoven and beyond
Regional symphonies, opera companies have busy concert season planned
Jacqueline Echols (Violetta in the second cast) and Joshua_Guerreo (Alfredo in the main cast) in Washington National Opera’s ‘La traviata.’ (Photo by Cade Martin; courtesy WNO)
Washington National Opera presents Verdi’s “La traviata” Oct. 6-21 in the Kennedy Center Opera House (2700 F St., N.W.) in a new production directed by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, a lesbian. Tickets range from $25-300. Details at kennedy-center.org.
Other WNO fall highlights are “Opera in the Outfield” with “The Barber of Seville (Sept. 29), Ryan Speedo Green in recital (Oct. 4), “Silent Night” (Nov. 10-25) and holiday family opera “The Lion, the Unicorn and Me” (Dec. 14-16).
The NSO Pops performs the score to the movie “Get Out” on Sept. 20. Tickets are $29-99.
The National Symphony’s season-opening gala concert is Sept. 22. Tickets are $65-175.
Among other NSO fall highlights are “Pictures from an Exhibition” (Sept. 27-29), Tchaikovsky’s Fifth & Ax plays Mozart (Oct. 4-6), Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto (Oct. 11-13), The Kennedy Center Chamber Players: Works of Dvorak, Strauss and Brahms (Oct. 14), NSO Pops perform the score to “The Empire Strikes Back” (Oct. 23-25), NSO Pops with Andrew Bird and Gabriel Kahane (Oct. 26-27), Gaffigan conducts Russian Masterpieces (Nov. 1-3), “Declassified: Ben Folds Presents Regina Spektor and Caleb Teicher” (Nov. 2), Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (Nov. 15-17), NSO Pops perform Disney scores from the last decade (Nov. 23-25), Britten’s “War Requiem” (Nov. 29-Dec.1) and more. Full details at kennedy-center.org.
Christopher Jackson (“Hamilton,” “In the Heights”) performs as part of Renee Fleming’s Voices series in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater Sept. 29. The series continues with Robert Fairchild performing music from “An American in Paris” Oct. 12 and Youssou Ndour in the Concert Hall Oct. 30.
Vocal Arts presents Brian Mulligan (baritone) and Timothy Long in recital performing a new work by openly gay American composer Gregory Spears, who will conduct, on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theatre. Tickets are $80. Details at vocalartsdc.org.
Urban Arias presents “The Last American Hammer” by Peter Hilliard and Matt Boresi Sept. 22-29. The company is dedicated to contemporary opera. Tickets are $45. Details at urbanarias.org.
Washington Concert Opera opens its fall season with Gounod’s opera “Sapho” Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. at The G.W. Lisner Auditorium. Mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey will sing the lead. Tickets are $40-110. Details at concertopera.org.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 36th season Saturday night (Sept. 15) at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore). Gala tickets are $500; concert tickets start at $50. The program includes works by Gershwin, Strauss and Broadway favorites. British singer Cynthia Erivo (“The Color Purple”) will perform.
The BSO performs Beethoven’s “Eroica Symphony” (Sept. 21-23), “Star Wars: a New Hope” in concert (Sept. 28-30), Sibelius symphonies (Oct. 4-7), Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” (Oct. 18-20), a Grieg piano concerto performed by Freddy Kempf (Oct. 27-28), the score to “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (Nov. 2-3) and more. Details at bsomusic.org.
Baltimore Concert Opera, founded in 2009, opens its season with “Don Giovanni” (in Italian with English supertitles) Sept. 28 and 30 in the Engineers Club Grand Ballroom (11 W. Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore). Tickets are $21.50-71.50 at baltimoreconcertopera.com.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents “The Best Worst Thing,” an evening of cabaret stories and songs” Nov. 17 at Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., N.E.) and “The Holiday Show” Dec. 8-16 at Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.). Details at gmcw.org.
The Washington Bach Consort presents “Handel & Bach: Sing a New Song” Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. at National Presbyterian Church (4101 Nebraska Ave., N.W.). Tickets are $10-69. New Artistic Director Dana Marsh is gay. The Chamber Series will perform “Bach to Mozart” with The Franklin Quartet Nov. 2, the Noontime Cantata Series presents “Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben (BWV 8) Oct. 1-2 and “Christmas with the Consort” Dec. 16. Details at bachconsort.org.
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra performs Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 Sept. 29-30 at the George Washington Masonic Memorial (101 Callahan Dr., Alexandria). Tickets are $5-80. They’ll also perform Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony No. 3 Nov. 3-4. Details at alexsym.org.
The D.C. Different Drummers Capitol Pride Symphonic Band has its fall concert on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St., N.W.). Its jazz ensemble D.C. Swing! will perform Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. at Columbia Pike Library (816 S. Walter Reed Dr., Arlington). Its holiday concert will be Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Reformation (212 E. Capitol St., N.E.). Details at dcdd.org.
Virginia Opera performs Kurt Weill’s “Street Scene” Oct. 6-7 at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts (4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax). Tickets are $54-110. The company returns with “Don Giovanni” Nov. 10-11. Details at vaopera.org.
The National Symphony Orchestra at its home in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. (Photo by Scott Suchman; courtesy NSO)
Music & Concerts
Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program
‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned
The full Washington Master Chorale will return for its annual holiday concert tradition with “Thine Own Sweet Light” on Friday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church (D.C.) and Church of the Epiphany (D.C.).
The concert will feature the rich sounds of the 50-voice, a cappella chorus performing lush, seasonal choral music inspired by the theme of light. Highlights include Edvard Grieg’s “Ave Maris Stella,” Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque,” and Christopher Hoh’s “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts.” The program will also present a new work by Barcelona composer Josep Ollé i Sabaté, along with charming holiday folk songs and seasonal favorites.
For more details, visit the Washington Master Chorale website.
Music & Concerts
Queer mega stars (and allies) ready to take D.C. stages this fall
Watch LGBTQ icons light up stages across the DMV as they sing, dance, and drag their way through spectacular shows.
One of the best ways to welcome fall is by catching LGBTQ performers (and their allies) lighting up some of the D.C. area’s biggest stages. From country and pop to drag and rock, the season is packed with shows you won’t want to miss.
Maren Morris – The country, rock, and pop diva—known for hits like “The Bones” and for standing up against Nashville’s anti-LGBTQ voices—takes the stage at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Rd, Vienna, Va.) on Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $64.
RuPaul – The mother of modern drag and host of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will spin a DJ set at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE) in Northeast D.C. on Sept. 20. Before RuPaul swaps wigs for headphones, Trade and Number 9 owner Ed Bailey will warm up the decks. For tickets and details visit echostage.com.
Conan Gray – The queer pop prince, celebrated for his Gen Z anthems like “Heather” and “Maniac,” brings his Wishbone Pajama Show to EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA, (4500 Patriot Cir) on Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $113. For more info visit shop.conangray.com/pages/tour.
All Things Go Music Festival – With a lineup that includes Noah Kahan, Lucy Dacus, Kesha, Clairo, Doechii, and more, the beloved LGBTQ-friendly festival takes over Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, Md.) Sept. 26–28. For tickets and details visit allthingsgofestival.com.
BERTHA: Grateful Drag – This unique tribute brings drag artistry and the sounds of the Grateful Dead to The Atlantis (2047 9th St NW) on Sept. 27. Tickets start at $47 at theatlantis.com.
Peach PRC – Rising Australian pop star and out lesbian, whose confessional tracks like “Perfect for You” and “Forever Drunk” have made her a queer TikTok darling, performs at The Atlantis on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. The show is general admission only. Additional details are on theatlantis.com.
Addison Rae – The TikTok star-turned-pop princess, who’s crossed over into music with glossy hits like “Diet Pepsi” brings her sold out show to The Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.) on Sept. 30. Tickets are sold out, but resale options start around $80. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary – Celebrate the cult classic that’s been a queer midnight-movie staple for decades, with Barry Bostwick (a.k.a. Brad Majors) at the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $41 via Ticketmaster.
Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight & Stephanie Mills – Four legends, one stage. Between Khan’s funk, LaBelle’s soul, Knight’s R&B, and Mills’ powerhouse vocals, this concert at Capital One Arena (601 F St NW) on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. promises pure diva magic. Tickets start at $103. For more details visit capitalonearena.com.
Lorde – Joined by The Japanese House and Chanel Beads, the Grammy-winning New Zealand singer-songwriter behind “Royals” and “Solar Power” returns to The Anthem on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Lorde has long been embraced by queer fans for her dreamy pop and subversive lyrics. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.
Andy Bell (of Erasure) – The British queer rock icon, best known for synth-pop classics like “A Little Respect” and “Chains of Love,” brings his Ten Crowns Tour to the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $90.45.
Doechii – The self-described queer “Swamp Princess”—and WorldPride 2025 headliner—continues her breakout year with the Live from the Swamp Tour at The Anthem on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. Known for blending rap, R&B, and avant-garde performance art, Doechii is one to watch. Tickets start at $153.
Neon Trees – The out-and-proud Utah rockers behind “Everybody Talks” and “Animal” perform at the Lincoln Theatre on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Lead singer Tyler Glenn, who came out publicly in 2014, has become a strong queer voice in alternative rock. For tickets and info visit impconcerts.com.
Sasha Colby – The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15 winner strips down on the Stripped II Tour at the Warner Theatre on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets available now on Ticketmaster.
Lola Young – The bisexual indie-pop sensation, whose raw songwriting has earned her millions of TikTok fans and multiple chart soaring hits visits The Anthem on Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available.
Opera Lafayette
Featuring Mary Elizabeth Williams as Dido
+ Elijah McCormack, Chelsea Helm
Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Sixth & I
PostClassical Ensemble
The Pale Blue Do: A Musical Voyage Inspired By Nature
Featuring National Geographic’s Enric Sala, Guest Curator
Wednesday, November 19, 7:30 p.m.
Terrace Theater
Washington Concert Opera
Starring Kate Lindsey, Theo Hoffman, John Moore, and Fran Daniel Laucerica
Nov. 23, 6 p.m.
Lisner Auditorium
Washington Master Chorale
An intimate a capella concert taking place in an architectural jewel, featuring cherished choral gems from Anglican and Catholic tradition and early American hymns. The concert will also present the world premiere of Christopher Hoh’s Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts, and hymn singing featuring Robert Church, organist and choirmaster at St David’s.
Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.
October 19, 5 p.m.
St. David’s Episcopal Church
Music & Concerts
Cyndi Lauper ready to have fun in Virginia
Superstar to bring final leg of farewell tour to Jiffy Lube Live
Superstar Cyndi Lauper will bring the final leg of her farewell tour “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” to Bristow, Va., on Thursday, July 24 at Jiffy Lube Live.
Lauper’s international Farewell Tour – her first major headlining run in a decade – kicked off in North America last October, and included her first time ever headlining (and selling out) Madison Square Garden. Lauper’s performances have earned raves from the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and many more, and surprise guests have included Chaka Khan, Sam Smith, and Hayley Williams. The tour just visited the U.K. and Europe, and will head to Australia and Japan in April.
Tickets are available on Live Nation’s website.
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