Metro Weekly - 09-10-15 - Years and Years

8/20/2019 Metro Weekly - 09-10-15 - Years and Years

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EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFRandy Shulman

ART DIRECTORTodd Franson

MANAGING EDITORRhuaridh Marr

SENIOR EDITORJohn Riley

CONTRIBUTING EDITORDoug Rule

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERSWard Morrison, Julian Vankim

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORScott G. Brooks

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSSean Bugg, Chris Heller, Connor J. Hogan,

Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield

WEBMASTERDavid Uy

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTJulian Vankim

SALES & MARKETING

PUBLISHERRandy Shulman

BRAND STRATEGY & MARKETINGChristopher Cunetto

Cunetto Creative

NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE

Rivendell Media Co.212-242-6863

DISTRIBUTION MANAGERDennis Havrilla

PATRON SAINTRobert Moog

COVER PHOTOGRAPHYFiona Garden

METRO WEEKLY1425 K St. NW, Suite 350Washington, DC 20005

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All material appearing in Metro Weekly is protected by federal copyright law and may not be

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SEPTEMBER 10, 2015Volume 22 / Issue 19

NEWS 6

THE SLOW, STEADY PUSH TO LEGALIZE SEX WORK

by John Riley

10 SCHOOL BATHROOM BATTLES

by John Riley

12 COMMUNITY CALENDAR tto

FEATURE

16 SHINING STARS

F RONTED BY OUT GAY SINGER

O LLY A LEXANDER , Y EARS & Y EARS HAVE GRIPPED THE ELECTRONICA MUSIC SCENE

WITH A SOUND THAT IS AT ONCE

FAMILIAR AND FRESH

Interview by Randy Shulman

OUT ON THE TOWN 22 DC SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL

by Doug Rule

STAGE 29 MICHAEL KAHN TALKS FREE FOR ALL

Interview

by

Randy Shulman

TRAVEL 31 ICELAND

by Kate Wingfield

TECH 33 NEW ANDRIOD DEVICES

by Rhuaridh Marr

NIGHTLIFE 37 BHT’S PRIDE DAY AT KINGS DOMINION

photography by Ward Morrison

46 LAST WORD


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The Slow, Steady Push toLegalize Sex Work The LGBT community is slowly finding its voice when it comes to

decriminalizing the world’s oldest profession

ADVERTISING ON RENTBOY.COM TURNED NICKKinkand’s life around.

The 33-year-old had broken up with his boy-friend, was homeless and couch-surfing at friends’

houses, and was massively in debt, with no car, burgeoningstudent loans and an income of barely $100 to $200 a week as a

masseur. Kinkand married a straight woman in what was purely

a financial arrangement, paying for her phone in exchange forbeing added to her health insurance. He eventually moved out

of his wife’s house in suburban Baltimore and in with friends in

the D.C. suburbs, which gave him access to a greater numberof potential clients. But last August, some of his clients began

propositioning him to provide more than just massages.“My clients kept asking for more, so I thought ‘Why not get

paid for it?’” he says.

Two months later, Kinkand joined Rentboy.com as a mas-seur, touting not only his technical skills but offering compan-

ionship and emotional support.“I was on the website for four hours when I got my first

phone call,” Kinkand recalls. “This guy lived in Ashburn [Va.],

L G B TNews Now online at MetroWeekly.comKentucky clerk Kim Davis released from jailA taste of France in Mount Vernon Triangle

by John Riley


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LGBTNews

8

and he said, ‘Hey, can you come out here? I want to see you for

four hours.’ I told him it would be $800, and he said okay. So Imade more with my first client in four hours than I had in the

last two months combined.”Although business could wax and wane depending on the

month, Kinkand benefitted from some beginner’s luck. Four

days after joining Rentboy, he was contacted by a client whopaid for a first-class flight to New York City for an overnight.

He was then propositioned by a second client while waiting inthe airport lounge for a flight back to D.C. This second client

offered him $1,000 and a prepaid plane ticket. Kinkand slowlymade other connections, staying in the city for each subsequent

encounter.

“It was supposed to be overnight, and I ended up stayingthree weeks. I was seeing six to eight people a night,” he says.

“I got to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I was like abig kid. It was amazing. I saw four clients on Thanksgiving Day,

too.”Kinkand charged an hourly rate of $200, with $1,000 for an

overnight or if he had to travel to another city. With the moneyhe made, he began paying down his massive debts.

“It was the first time in my life I felt happy, because I don’t

look at myself as a sex worker, I looked at myself as more of atherapist,” Kinkand says. “These are people who needed com-

panionship, whether it be just a hug, naked lying in bed, or sex.”He also advertised on RentMen.com, but failed to meet pro-

spective clients despite numerous messages. Kinkand insteadstuck with Rentboy, where the requests he received ran the

gamut, from the mundane to the kinky.

“In my less than one year career with Rentboy, I saw every-thing imaginable,” Kinkand says. “I had a straight guy hire me

because he wanted somebody to hang out with. I’ve had womenhire me to have sex with them. I’ve had women hire me to have

sex with their husbands. It’s a little bit of everything.”All of that came to an end when agents from the Department

of Homeland Security raided the headquarters of Rentboy onAug. 25, arresting the company’s CEO and six other high-level

staffers. As soon as he heard of the raid, Kinkand suspended

his profile, worried about repercussions for having advertisedon the site. Later that day, the site was shut down by federal

authorities. Although Kinkand had already obtained another jobbefore the raid, his finances took a hit from the loss of Rentboy

income.“I was starting to get ahead on rent, paying off debt,” he says.

“I wasn’t worried about housing. I was enjoying my life. Now,

I’m back to the place where I’m worried and working 60 hoursa week minimum just to pay the bills.”

The Rentboy raid sparked a conversation among LGBTorganizations who noted that similar, heterosexual-geared

sites advertising escort services did not meet similar fates, anddecried the use of taxpayer dollars to crack down on sex work-

ers ahead of other, more pressing priorities.But while the reaction of the sex worker community to the

raid drew comparisons to the Stonewall Riots, the larger issue

of sex work was already being raised by concerned national andinternational groups.

Amnesty International recently recommended decriminal-izing sex work and prostitution in order to protect the human

rights of sex workers. Meanwhile, a few days prior to the raid,four major LGBT rights organizations — Gay and Lesbian

Advocates and Defenders, the National Center for Lesbian

Rights, the Transgender Law Center, and the National Center

for Transgender Equality — issued statements pushing for the

decriminalization of sex work.“We very much agree with the Amnesty International state-

ment that [decriminalization] would lead to safer conditions forpeople doing sex work, that they would be able to do it in the

open and not be driven into more dangerous situations, par-ticularly in underground or more ‘hidden’ street work that does

make people more vulnerable,” says Cathy Sakimura, deputy

director at the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

The reason why so many LGBT and human rights organiza-tions support decriminalization is because LGBT people — andLGBT youth in particular — are heavily represented among the

sex worker population, says Sasanka Jinadasa, capacity buildingand community resource manager at HIPS, Inc., a harm reduc-

tion agency that works closely with sex workers.

“Targeting sex work is an indirect way of targeting the LGBTcommunity without calling it outright discrimination,” she says.

“That’s how a lot of discrimination happens in this country. Wewon’t say we’re directly homophobic or transphobic, but we’ll

target the work, we’ll target the living of people in these com-munities. And by attacking sex workers, we’re attacking a huge

segment of the LGBT community without having to say we’re

homophobic or transphobic.”Jinadasa adds that some social service agencies can exacer-

bate the problem by vilifying sex workers and essentially black-mailing them into behaving a certain way.

“Unfortunately, a lot of social services agencies will tell youthat the only way to access resources, the only way to ‘get better’

— this is their language — or to get more money, or be stable, orto be healthy is to leave the industry,” she says. “And that’s really

unfortunate. People take a ‘savior complex’ interest in the issue.

A lot of people want to help sex workers, but only if they wantto leave the trade. That’s not economically feasible for a lot of

people, and for some, it’s a choice that they stand by.”Becky, a 24-year-old transgender woman who occasionally

engages in sex work, says treating sex work like the way theDistrict currently enforces marijuana laws — with a fine, not

jail time — would have a big impact on the LGBT community,because many transgender women have no other job opportuni-

ties. Becky believes regulating the sex industry or having a place

where sex workers could congregate without disturbing theneighbors would provide more protection and remove some of

the stigma surrounding sex work.For Kinkand, the issue of legality regarding the world’s old-

est profession is one that needs to be addressed.“A lot of people’s biggest complaint about sex work is the

fact that there are these women or children that are being traf-

ficked into the country to do this,” says Kinkand. “But that’s allunderground stuff. If it were to become legal, it would reduce

that, because if I wanted to have sex with somebody and wantedto pay for it, instead of going to some underground brothel or to

the street corner where these people are sick and have diseasesor something, I can go to a reputable place and see a reputable

person.“It’s surprising how many people in this country are like,

‘Hey, you can do whatever you want behind closed doors,’”

he concludes. “Well, what’s the difference with sex work? If Iwant to take you on a date, and I want to go to a nice meal and

everything like that, and I drop $400 and then we have sex, whycan’t I just give you $400, have sex with you, and that could help

you with your life. If they’re willing and consenting, what’s thedifference?” l

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LGBTNews

10

SchoolBathroom

Battles A ruling against a Virginia transgenderstudent could bolster opponents of LGBT

nondiscrimination policies

Grimm’s request for a preliminary injunction, merely stating inhis order that an opinion further detailing his reasoning would

be forthcoming.Grimm’s lawyers said they were “deeply disappointed” with

Doumar’s decision, calling the school board’s restroom policy

“harmful and stigmatizing.”“As a result of the decision, Gavin will have to start the

school year under a demeaning and stigmatizing policy thatrelegates him to separate restrooms from his peers,” said Joshua

Block, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Lesbian, Gay,Bisexual and Transgender Project. “We expect today’s decision

to be reversed on appeal.”

After coming out as transgender last year, Grimm and hismother notified school authorities, who agreed to allow Grimm

access to the boys’ restroom. Grimm used those facilities fornearly two months, without incident, before someone com-

plained to the school board.The school board was then inundated with complaints from

concerned parents and community members, backed by groupslike the Traditional Values Coalition and the Virginia Christian

Alliance, which have taken a firm stance on requiring students

in schools to use the bathroom that corresponds to their biologi-

cal sex. As a result, the board voted to adopt a policy requiringtransgender students to use a staff restroom or other facilityseparate from the general population.

“It is difficult to face another school year of being singledout and treated differently from other students,” Grimm said

in a statement. “I am determined to move forward because this

case is not just about me, but about all transgender students in Virginia.” l


by John Riley

A

TRANSGENDER MALE STUDENT IN VIRGINIAcan no longer use the public restroom at his high

school. Instead, he will be relegated to a staff bath-

room or other “alternative private” facility after a

federal judge ruled against him on Friday, Sept. 4.Gavin Grimm, a junior at Gloucester High School in Gloucester

County, Va., had sought a preliminary injunction to allow him to

use the boys’ restroom, in keeping with his gender identity. ButU.S. District Judge Robert Doumar issued an order rejecting that

motion, prohibiting Grimm from using the boys’ restroom andlocker room facilities when he begins school this week.

Doumar did not provide any reasons for why he denied


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Dupont Circle at 7:30 p.m. GAMMAalso offers additional meeting timesand places for men in Northern Virginia and Maryland. For moreinformation: GAMMAinDC.org.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,

9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. Appointmentneeded. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700.202-638-0750.

PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-affirming social group for ages 11-24.4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road NW.Contact Tamara, 202-319-0422,layc-dc.org.

SMYAL’S REC NIGHT provides asocial atmosphere for GLBT andquestioning youth, featuring danceparties, vogue nights, movies andgames. More info, [email protected].

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-6p.m., by appointment and walk-in,for youth 21 and younger. YouthCenter, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155,[email protected].

SATURDAY, SEPT. 12

CHRYSALIS arts & culture groupholds bi-monthly dinner meetingat a Metro-accessible restaurant insuburban Md. to discuss plans forfall museum visits and out-of-townexcursions. All welcome. Call formeeting place and time. Craig, 202-462-0535. [email protected].

Join HIV Equal for its HIV EQUALPHOTO SHOOT, part of a nationalmultimedia campaign aimed at end-ing HIV stigma and promoting test-ing. 4-9 p.m. The DC Center, 200014th St. NW, Suite 105. For moreinformation, visit thedccenter.org orhivequal.org.

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in,for youth 21 and younger. 202-567-3155 or [email protected].

US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.,3636 Georgia Ave. NW. The group isindependent of UHU. 202-446-1100.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIPINSTITUTE for young LBTQwomen, 13-21, interested in lead-ership development. 5-6:30 p.m.SMYAL Youth Center, 410 7th St.SE. 202-567-3163, [email protected].

FRIDAY, SEPT. 11LGB PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP for adults in Montgomery Countyoffers a safe space to explore comingout and issues of identity. 10-11:30

a.m. 16220 S. Frederick Rd., Suite512, Gaithersburg, Md. For moreinformation, visit thedccenter.org.

WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES, asocial activity and discussion groupfor LBT women, meets on the secondand fourth Fridays of every month atThe DC Center. Social outing to fol-low meeting. 8-9:30 p.m. 2000 14thSt. NW, Suite 105. For more informa-tion, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL

HEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda-transculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 927 OhioDr. SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visitswimdcac.org.

GAY MARRIED MEN’SASSOCIATION (GAMMA) is a con-fidential support group for men whoare gay, bisexual, questioning andwho are married or involved witha woman, that meets on the secondand fourth Fridays of the month in

THURSDAY, SEPT. 10

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-

ment). Call 202-291-4707, or visitandromedatransculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)practice session at Takoma AquaticCenter, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9 p.m. swimdcac.org.

DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay andlesbian square-dancing group fea-tures mainstream through advancedsquare dancing at the National CityChristian Church, 5 Thomas CircleNW, 7-9:30 p.m. Casual dress. 301-257-0517, dclambdasquares.org.

The DULLES TRIANGLES Northern

Virginia social group meets forhappy hour at Sheraton in Reston,11810 Sunrise Valley Drive, second-floor bar, 7-9 p.m. All welcome. dull-estriangles.com.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg,

414 East Diamond Ave., and inTakoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m.For appointments other hours, callGaithersburg, 301-300-9978, or

Takoma Park, 301-422-2398.


Metro Weekly’s Community Calendar highlights important events in the D.C.-area

LGBT community, from alternative social events to volunteer opportunities.

Event information should be sent by email to [email protected].

Deadline for inclusion is noon of the Friday before Thursday’s publication.

Questions about the calendar may be directed to the

Metro Weekly office at 202-638-6830 or

the calendar email address.

LGBTCommunityCalendarJoin the Mayor’s Office of Asian and

Pacific Islander Affairs for an AAPIACTION FORUM to discuss impor-tant issues and concerns affectingthe AAPI community in the District.9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 801 Mt. VernonPl. NW. For more information, visitapia.dc.gov.

WAYNE HOFFMAN visits The DCCenter to read from his newest book, An Older Man. Event is sponsored byDC Bear Crue. 2-3 p.m. 2000 14th St.NW, Suite 105. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707 or andromeda-transculturalhealth.org.

BET MISHPACHAH, founded bymembers of the LGBT community,

holds Saturday morning Shabbat services, 10 a .m., followed by Kiddushluncheon. Services in DCJCCCommunity Room, 1529 16th St. NW. betmish.org.

BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, includ-ing others interested in Brazilian cul-ture, meets. For location/time, email [email protected].

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 972 OhioDr., SW. 8:30-10 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/ walking/social club welcomes alllevels for exercise in a fun and sup-portive environment, socializingafterward. Meet 9:30 a.m., 23rd & PStreets NW, for a walk; or 10 a.m. forfun run. dcfrontrunners.org.

DC SENTINELS basketball teammeets at Turkey Thicket RecreationCenter, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE, 2-4p.m. For players of all levels, gay orstraight. teamdcbasketball.org.

DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass forLGBT community, family and friends.6:30 p.m., Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria. All welcome. For moreinfo, visit dignitynova.org.

GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discussescritical languages and foreign lan-guages. 7 p.m. Nellie’s, 900 U St. NW.RVSP preferred. [email protected].

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Takoma Park,7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411.Walk-ins 12-3 p.m. For appointmentsother hours, call 301-422-2398.


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SUNDAY, SEPT. 13ADVENTURING outdoors grouphikes strenuous 10.7 miles with 2000feet of elevation gain in northernShenandoah National Park, featur-ing unusually scenic stream valley.Experienced and fit hikers only.Bring plenty of beverages, lunch, bugspray, sturdy boots, towel and about

$15 for fees. Carpool at 8:30 fromEast Falls Church Metro Station.Craig, 202-462-0535.adventuring.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULSMEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH celebrates Low Mass at 8:30 a.m.,High Mass at 11 a.m. 2300 Cathedral Ave. NW. 202-232-4244,allsoulsdc.org.

BETHEL CHURCH-DC progressiveand radically inclusive church holds

services at 11:30 a.m. 2217 Minnesota Ave. SE. 202-248-1895, betheldc.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 972 OhioDr., SW. 9:30-11 a.m. Visitswimdcac.org.

DIGNITYUSA offers Roman CatholicMass for the LGBT community. 6p.m., St. Margaret’s Church, 1820Connecticut Ave. NW. All welcome.Sign interpreted. For more info, visitdignitynova.org.

FIRST CONGREGATIONALUNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST wel-

comes all to 10:30 a.m. service, 945 GSt. NW. firstuccdc.org or202-628-4317.

FRIENDS MEETING OFWASHINGTON meets for worship,10:30 a.m., 2111 Florida Ave. NW,Quaker House Living Room (next toMeeting House on Decatur Place),2nd floor. Special welcome to lesbi-ans and gays. Handicapped accessible from Phelps Place gate. Hearingassistance. quakersdc.org.

HOPE UNITED CHURCH OFCHRIST welcomes GLBT commu-

nity for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130Old Telegraph Road, Alexandria.hopeucc.org.

INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUALDEVELOPMENT, God-centerednew age church & learning center.Sunday Services and Workshopsevent. 5419 Sherier Place NW.isd-dc.org.

Join LINCOLN CONGREGATIONALTEMPLE – UNITED CHURCH OFCHRIST for an inclusive, loving andprogressive faith community everySunday. 11 a.m. 1701 11th Street NW,near R in Shaw/Logan neighbor-

hood. lincolntemple.org.

LUTHERAN CHURCH OFREFORMATION invites all to Sundayworship at 8:30 or 11 a.m. Childcare isavailable at both services. WelcomingLGBT people for 25 years. 212 EastCapitol St. NE. reformationdc.org.

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITYCHURCH OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led by Rev. OnettaBrooks. Children’s Sunday School, 11

a.m. 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax.703-691-0930, mccnova.com.

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITYCHURCH OF WASHINGTON, D.C. services at 9 a.m. (ASL interpreted)and 11 a.m. Children’s Sunday Schoolat 11 a.m. 474 Ridge St. NW. 202-638-7373, mccdc.com.

NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIANCHURCH, inclusive church withGLBT fellowship, offers gospel wor-ship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional wor-ship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle NW.202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org.

NEW HSV-2 SOCIAL ANDSUPPORT GROUP for gay men liv-ing in the DC metro area. This groupwill be meeting once a month. Forinformation on location and time,email to [email protected].

RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH,a Christ-centered, interracial, wel-coming-and-affirming church, offersservice at 10 a.m. 680 I St. SW.202-554-4330, riversidedc.org.

ST. STEPHEN AND THEINCARNATION, an “interracial,multi-ethnic Christian Community”offers services in English, 8 a.m. and10:30 a.m., and in Spanish at 5:15 p.m.1525 Newton St. NW. 202-232-0900,saintstephensdc.org.

UNITARIAN CHURCH OFARLINGTON, an LGBTQ welcoming-and-affirming congregation, offersservices at 10 a.m. Virginia RainbowUU Ministry. 4444 Arlington Blvd.uucava.org.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTCHURCH OF SILVER SPRING invites LGBTQ families and individu-

als of all creeds and cultures to jointhe church. Services 9:15 and 11:15a.m. 10309 New Hampshire Ave.uucss.org.

UNIVERSALIST NATIONALMEMORIAL CHURCH, a welcom-ing and inclusive church. GLBTInterweave social/service groupmeets monthly. Services at 11 a.m.,Romanesque sanctuary. 1810 16th St.NW. 202-387-3411, universalist.org.


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MONDAY, SEPT. 14BOOK READING UPLIFTS HISSPIRITS (BRUHS), a book andmovie discussion group for GBT black men, meets to discuss Unity:Brother and Sister, focusing on SGLWomen of Color writers. Event isfree to the public. 6-9 p.m. MLKLibrary, 901 G. St. NW, Lower Level

A, Room A-5. For more information, visit facebook. com/bruhsdc.

The DC Center holds a monthly

meeting of its YOUTH WORKINGGROUP to discuss issues affectingand ways to positively influenceDistrict youth. 6-7:30 p.m. 2000 14thSt. NW, Suite 105. For more infor-mation, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at Hains Point, 927Ohio Dr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit

swimdcac.org.

DC SCANDALS RUGBY holdspractice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. GarrisonElementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscan-dals.wordpress.com.

GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. atQuaker House, 2111 Florida Ave.NW. [email protected].

HIV Testing at WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH. At the ElizabethTaylor Medical Center, 1701 14thSt. NW, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the MaxRobinson Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave.SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appoint-ment call 202-745-7000. Visit whit-man-walker.org.

KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY(K.I.) SERVICES, 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free “rapid” HIVtesting and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

703-823-4401.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. No appoint-ment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 101214th St. NW, Suite 700.202-638-0750.

NOVASALUD offers free HIV test-

ing. 5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite200, Arlington. Appointments:

703-789-4467.

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in,for youth 21 and younger. YouthCenter, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155

or [email protected].

THE DC CENTER hosts CoffeeDrop-In for the Senior LGBTCommunity. 10 a.m.-noon. 200014th St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedc-center.org.

US HELPING US hosts a black gaymen’s evening affinity group. 3636

Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.

WASHINGTON WETSKINS WATERPOLO TEAM practices 7-9 p.m.Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 VanBuren St. NW. Newcomers with atleast basic swimming ability alwayswelcome. Tom, 703-299-0504, [email protected], wetskins.org.

WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTHHIV/AIDS Support Group for newlydiagnosed individuals, meets 7 p.m.Registration required. 202-939-7671,[email protected].

TUESDAY, SEPT. 15CENTER BI, a group of The DCCenter, holds a monthly roundtablemeeting to explore issues of bisexual-ity and sexual identity. 7-8 p.m. 200014th St. NW, Suite 105. For moreinformation, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda-transculturalhealth.org.

ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly din-ner in Dupont/Logan Circle area,6:30 p.m. [email protected],afwashington.net.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)practice session at Takoma Aquatic

Center, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9 p.m. swimdcac.org.

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/ walking/social club serving greaterD.C.’s LGBT community and allieshosts an evening run/walk. dcfront-runners.org.

THE GAY MEN’S HEALTHCOLLABORATIVE offers free HIVtesting and STI screening and treat-ment every Tuesday. 5-6:30 p.m.Rainbow Tuesday LGBT Clinic, Alexandria Health Department, 4480King St. 703-746-4986 or text 571-214-9617. [email protected].

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

THE HIV WORKING GROUP of THEDC CENTER hosts “Packing Party,”where volunteers assemble safe-sexkits of condoms and lube. 7 p.m.,Green Lantern, 1335 Green CourtNW. thedccenter.org.


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IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg,414 East Diamond Ave., and inTakoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m.For appointments other hours, callGaithersburg at 301-300-9978 or

Takoma Park at 301-422-2398.

KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY(K.I.) SERVICES, at 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free “rapid” HIVtesting and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.703-823-4401.


OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS—LGBT focused meeting everyTuesday, 7 p.m. St. George’sEpiscopal Church, 915 Oakland Ave., Arlington, just steps from VirginiaSquare Metro. For more info. callDick, 703-521-1999. Handicappedaccessible. Newcomers [email protected].

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in,for youth 21 and younger. YouthCenter, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155,[email protected].

SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ YOUTH ages 13-21 meets at SMYAL,410 7th St. SE, 5-6:30 p.m. CathyChu, 202-567-3163, [email protected].

US HELPING US hosts a supportgroup for black gay men 40 and

older. 7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave.NW. 202-446-1100.

Whitman-Walker Health’s GAYMEN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS/STD CLINIC opens at 6 p.m., 170114th St. NW. Patients are seen onwalk-in basis. No-cost screening forHIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chla-mydia. Hepatitis and herpes testingavailable for fee. whitman-walker.org.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16

BOOKMEN DC, an informalmen’s gay-literature group, dis-cusses “Eminent Outlaws: The GayWriters Who Changed America,” by Christopher Bram. 7:30 p.m. TheDC Center. All are welcome. book-mendc.blogspot.com.

THE TOM DAVOREN SOCIALBRIDGE CLUB meets for SocialBridge. 7:30 p.m. Dignity Center, 7218th St. SE, across from the MarineBarracks. No reservation and part-ner needed. 301-345-1571 for moreinformation.

WOMAN TO WOMAN: A SUPPORTGROUP FOR HIV-POSITIVEWOMEN WHO LOVE WOMEN,meets at the Women’s Collective.Light refreshments served. 5:30-7p.m. 1331 Rhode Island Ave. NE.For more information, contact JunePollydore, 202-483-7003.

WEEKLY EVENTS

AD LIB, a group for freestyle conversation, meets about 6:30-6 p.m.,Steam, 17th and R Streets, NW. Allwelcome. For more information, callFausto Fernandez, 703-732-5174.

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda-transculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 927 OhioDr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visitswimdcac.org.

DC SCANDALS RUGBY holdspractice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. GarrisonElementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscan-dals.wordpress.com.

HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH offers Wednesday worship 7:15 a.m.and 12:05 p.m. All welcome. 118 N.Washington St., Alexandria. 703-549-1450, historicchristchurch.org.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9

a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414East Diamond Ave. Walk-ins 2-7 p.m.For appointments other hours, call

Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978.

JOB CLUB, a weekly support pro-gram for job entrants and seekers,meets at The DC Center. 2000 14thSt. NW, Suite 105. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.More info, www.centercareers.org.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. No appoint-ment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14thSt. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing.11 a.m.-2 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite200, Arlington. Appointments: 703-789-4467.

PRIME TIMERS OF DC, socialclub for mature gay men, hostsweekly happy hour/dinner. 6:30 p.m.,Windows Bar above Dupont ItalianKitchen, 1637 17th St. NW. Carl, 703-573-8316. l


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N THEIR VIDEO FOR “SHINE,”

Years & Years front man Olly Alexander

stands in a daze as a house violentlyexplodes around him, debris swirling in

every direction.The video appears to draw its inspira-

tion from E.T. and Close Encounters of theThird Kind . But it can also be viewed as

a metaphor for the career of this Britishelectronica trio, whose career in the past

year has exploded, first in the U.K. and

now in America.“It’s almost too overwhelming,” says

the impossibly soft-spoken Alexander.The 25-year-old college dropout had

never expected hear the songs he wroteplayed on the radio, let alone to be per-

forming them for packed houses aroundthe world. “I still haven’t put my headaround it.”

Comprised of singer Alexander, bass-ist Mikey Goldsworthy, and keyboard-

ist Emre Türkmen, Years & Years wererecently awarded the coveted BBC Sound

of 2015 honor, propelled in part by anumber one single, “King.” Their sump-

tuously lush synthpop sound is punctu-

ated by Alexander’s crisp, clear tenor andeffortless way with complex phrasing.

Alexander’s melody lines are slick and

catchy, and nowhere is this more evidentthan on “Shine,” perhaps one of the mostaddictive listens to emerge on the elec-

tronica front in years.

Even stranger is that the formation ofthis band, now poised for genuine super-

stardom, came about by happenstance.Goldsworthy, an Australian transplant

to England, was looking to start a group.Rumors abound that he asked Alexander

to be part of the group after hearing himsing in the shower at a friend’s house. But

Alexander tells of more mundane origins.

“I met Mikey at a party at my house,”recalls Alexander, who had a budding

career as an actor, and had appeared inthe hit British series Skins and opposite

Jim Broadbent and Jeff Goldblum in thehit film Le Week-end . “And he was like,

‘I’m starting a band.’ And I was like, ‘Let

me be in your band.’”The alchemy worked. Years & Years

may not be a household name but theirstar is rising, indicated by an upcoming

9:30 Club appearance on Saturday, Sept.19, which is already sold out.

Alexander, who is gay and makes a M I K E M A S S A R O


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point of writing male pronouns into his lyrics, marvels over thedirection his life has taken.

“It’s wild and definitely crazy,” he says. “I’m trying to make

the most of it while I can.

METRO WEEKLY: Let’s start with your childhood. What was it like?

ALEXANDER: I was born in Yorkshire, which is in the middle of

England. We lived in a city called Blackpool for a long time —it’s kind of the Las Vegas of the UK. It has a theme park and

fair grounds, it’s by the sea. My dad worked in the theme parks,so I was always in and out of them. And we didn’t have much

money, but we weren’t destitute or anything. We moved from

there to the countryside in Gloucestershire, and then my parentsdivorced when I was 13 and my mum raised us. I spent much of

my teenage life in the countryside.MW: Did you come out as a teenager or did you wait till later?

ALEXANDER: I didn’t really come out to my mum until I was about20. I had moved to London when I was 18, as soon as I had

enough money to do that. I talked to my mum over the phone

and I told her I was gay, and she was like, “Yeah, that makessense, that’s cool.” Didn’t really bat an eyelid. Afterwards I felt

like I should never have been afraid to tell her, because she’salways been a very supportive, liberal mum. There was no rea-

son for me to have been afraid. I guess that everyone struggleswith coming out, whoever you are, but it was a great experience.

MW: Did you come out to your dad as well?

ALEXANDER: No, I don’t really have a relationship with my dad. I

haven’t really seen him since my parents divorced. I have totally

lost communication with him — out of choice. And I think heknows now, yeah, I’m pretty sure he knows. But it didn’t seem

kind of relevant to bring up or to get in touch because of it.MW: Do you think that growing up in the countryside keeps people

in the closet? Is there more of a hostility there towards gays?

ALEXANDER: The countryside is a little bit less progressive than

the city, for sure. Ten years ago there was less visibility for gay

people in the media and gay people in culture generally. And the

people you heard of that were gay happened to have tragic ordoomed stories. There was nobody gay at my school that I knewof. And people — believe me — people always got bullied. Words

like fag or queer were just a catchall term for somebody youwanted to insult. So being gay was bad — it was not something

you wanted to be. I definitely was aware of that when I was atschool. I felt really afraid to admit that was who I was. I think

things have changed, but I still don’t think it’s easy, whoever you

are or wherever you live.MW: What sparked the realization that you were gay?

ALEXANDER: I had a crush on a friend at school, who was a boy,and I didn’t totally understand what it was at the time. This

was when I was 13. But I just knew I wanted spend all my timearound him and kiss him. And that was probably the first time.

I mean, when I watched Disney movies as a kid, I liked the girls

because they looked pretty and nice. But I wanted to see more ofAladdin than Jasmine.

I didn’t fit in at school ever. I felt very much like a misfit. I wentout of my way to be different as well; I’d wear eyeliner to school

and paint my nails. I wanted to be different as well as feeling verydifferent and I didn’t like a lot of the kids at school. They kind

of went for me.MW: You were bullied?

ALEXANDER: Yeah, yeah, oh, yeah. I was bullied quite a bit. But

it tapered off by the time I was 15. I could stand up for myselfby then.MW: What did they do?

ALEXANDER: It ranged from just being called names and peoplegenerally picking on me to the slightly more physical stuff, like

being pushed around, tripped. But I just hated school. Hated it. I

didn’t like the environment. Never felt comfortable. I was smalland had big, crazy hair and I was always wearing weird clothes

and weird jewelry.MW: If you’re being bullied, what was it in you that made you want

to continue to stand out by wearing jewelry and eyeliner?

ALEXANDER: I felt different inside and I wanted to be different on

the outside, too. Like anybody, you’re trying to figure out youridentity at that age, and for me, something that felt good was an

identity through the external — what I was wearing and how

I would present myself. And even though it would sometimesattract attention, it felt like I validated myself. I had a certain

retribution in that feeling, you know?MW: You started acting at 16. How did that come about? ALEXANDER: I did this program called the National Youth Theatre. You went and did this course with a theater group and you could

go to auditions. I went to an audition for a TV show called Skins

when I was 16. The casting director liked me and she said, “I’llhelp you get an agent if you want.” And I met up with this agent

in London — I took the train down by myself — and she just tookme on.

I ended up getting the first job that I went for. I was still atschool at this point — I just finished my first year at college. And

my college were like, “You can’t stay here,” so I dropped out and just started acting.

MW: How did that go for you initially?

ALEXANDER: Initially it was kind of amazing because I was des-perate to leave my small town and experience things in the

wider world. The first movie I got was filming in Tokyo andlike going to Japan at 17 was mind-blowing for me. I was just

so overwhelmed by the experience. It was overwhelming andconfusing because I hadn’t studied to be an actor or anything. I

didn’t know what I was doing. They had to explain to me about

what “action” meant and all that stuff. So it was kind of difficult.

But it also meant I could have a lifeline away from my countrytown, I could make my money, and pay my rent in a flat, makenew friends. And there were gay people — it was a totally freer

environment. It was exciting and I was overjoyed that I had beengiven the opportunity to be part of it.

MW: Did you enjoy the acting?

ALEXANDER: Some of it, yeah. Sometimes it’s frustrating because

it’s just not your own work. And that’s what I wanted to do. I

wanted to be able to write things — and often you’re just doingsomeone else’s work, you’re saying someone else’s lines in some-

one else’s movie. It doesn’t feel as creatively rewarding as music.MW: So no aspirations to be a romantic lead.

ALEXANDER: The thing about acting is that 99% of it is the way youlook. And if you don’t look like a romantic lead, then you aren’t

going to play a romantic lead. And I never looked like a romantic

lead. I don’t really care about being a great romantic lead.MW: As far as music goes, what kind of things did you listen to

growing up?

ALEXANDER: I liked a really big variety. Stuff that my mum would

play in the car was my earliest musical obsession — stuff likeJoni Mitchell and Alanis Morissette and Whitney Houston. I

really got into Stevie Wonder at that time as well. Then whenI was at school, I was into more grungier stuff — Nirvana, that

kind of punk pop. I just ended up listening to shit like that. I was

obsessed with Jeff Buckley. I listened to a lot of him and singer-songwriters. I was really into that for a long time. Male icons. I

didn’t get into electronic music until a bit later on.


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MW: Did you have any inkling that you would eventually be doingwhat you’re doing now?

ALEXANDER: [ Laughs.] Oh yeah. I’ve been kind of curating this

moment in my head for my entire life. I wrote a song when I wasten years old and performed it at my school assembly. I was like,

“I want to be a singer-songwriter. I want to sing my own songssomeday to thousands of people.” I was obsessed with becoming

that person.MW: How did Years and Years form?

ALEXANDER: Mikey, the bassist, was over from Australia six yearsago and wanted to start a band. He put an ad online and Emre

responded. They met up and talked about starting a band. I met

Mikey soon after at a party at my house, because he worked withmy housemate. And he was like, “I’m starting a band,” and I was

like, “I really want to sing again and I’ve just moved to London,let me be in your band.”MW: Did they know you were gay from the start?

ALEXANDER: Oh, yeah, definitely. Never was an issue. They just

saw that as something completely separate from what we were

doing as a band. It didn’t feel relevant at the time.MW: Do you write most of the songs?

ALEXANDER: Yeah, yeah. Someone else might write the bass lineor the drum rhythm, but I write every lyric and all the melodies.

MW: So how does it feel now knowing that hundreds of thousandsof people are enjoying your music?

ALEXANDER: It’s very hard to describe how it feels because essen-tially I feel exactly the same as I always did. [ Laughs.] Even like

a year ago when nobody really knew our music. And now that

people do know the songs and I can kind of objectively see howincredible it is, it’s almost too overwhelming. It feels very sur-

real. It’s a very strange, odd feeling. Because those songs [on the

album], I wrote them very naively — I didn’t expect any of themto be hits on the radio. So it’s a very young experience for me, the

whole thing. I still haven’t put my head around it.MW: You’re adamant about the use of male pronouns in your lyrics.

Why is that so important to you?

ALEXANDER: Well, just for myself, I wanted to be able to express

my sexuality in a way that felt empowering. I’ve grown up listen-ing to women sing about men and men sing about women in this

kind of direct, potent way. I wanted to be able to translate my

own sexuality — my own experiences — in a song, and be able tosay “boy” and “him.” It felt good to do that.

On a larger scale, we should be having different kinds of rela-tionships and different sexual dynamics represented in popular

music. There’s lots of different ones, not just male and female,and I think people are ready to consume that. We don’t need to

be force-fed just one dynamic. It’s boring and doesn’t represent

the way people are now. I’m not trying to tell anybody how theyshould write music, or how they need to phrase the lyrics at all. I

just think it would be cool if we could see it happen more often.MW: What about the theory that when you write a song, if you keep

it pronoun free, anybody can transpose themselves into that song?ALEXANDER: That’s true. Lots of songwriters think that way and

lots of songs are like that. But you know, lots of songs are alsogender-specific. A lot of hip-hop, a lot of urban music, a lot of

pop music is all gender-specific. It hasn’t stopped Katy Perry

MIKEMASSARO

“I wrote a song when I was ten years old and performed it at my school assembly.

I was like, ‘I want to sing my own songs someday to thousands of people.’

I WAS OBSESSED WITH BECOMING THAT PERSON.”


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singing about boys. It didn’t stop Michael Jackson singing aboutgirls. I think people don’t need to see an artist and find them only

singing about the opposite gender.MW: Do you think that being out at the start of your career makesit easier for you to be more open and expressive?

ALEXANDER: [ Laughs. ] That’s a good question. I suppose, what’salways been important to me is to never lie. If I’m going to be

somebody who’s creating something, I want to be as honest andauthentic as possible. But I’ve noticed that the press and the

world sometimes want to label you. They want to define you.That’s, I guess, a natural instinct for anybody. But you can feel

very limited to be defined by words.

I get labeled as gay singer, blah, blah, blah, and I’m okay withthat. But also, I’m allowed to change and want different things

and evolve. I’m only twenty-five. But I’m not really too worriedabout it because I feel like I’m just happy to be able to express

myself in an honest way. No one else can have control over that— it’s my decision. So I guess I’ll keep doing that.

MW: Are you having fun with it, enjoying this rush of success with

the band?

ALEXANDER: Yeah, it’s wild and definitely crazy. I’m in a different

country almost every other day. There’s no time to really reflecton what’s going on around you, but I love performing and I love

singing and I love music and I do get to do those things prettymuch every day. It’s way better than anything else. Of course, I

go through strange head spaces — I get scared and anxious andsuch. But I feel like it’s a good opportunity to really have some

incredible life experiences. I’m trying to make the most of it

while I can.MW: Is there a country in particular where the audience has really

resonated with you?

ALEXANDER: Every place is unique. You have different shows on

different nights with different crowds and it’s kind of difficult to just name one place as better than the other. But I’ve had a few

shows that I’ve really loved. All my life I’ve wanted to go to San

Fransisco, and it was just this tiny place called Rickshaw Stop.

And that was an amazing show — I was feeling really emotional.It was a really special show with the crowd.American audiences are always super-enthusiastic and

responsive and nice. We go to Poland sometimes because forsome reason we’re really big in Poland. Whenever we play a

show there, we’re like rock stars. They’re so grateful that you’vecome and I get people who come up to me all the time in Poland

saying “We’re so happy you’re here and your music’s amazing.”

One guy said to me, “There are no openly gay artists — we’re sofar behind and so happy you could come here and play.” That

was an amazing experience.MW: Poland still lags behind other European countries in fully

embracing LGBT rights, doesn’t it?

ALEXANDER: They’re not as bad as Russia, but yeah, they’re still a

little bit behind other places in Europe, definitely.MW: How does it feel to play in a country that may not support

gay rights?

ALEXANDER: Well, sometimes I really question the ethics of acountry, but it would feel totally wrong to, in any way, place

that upon the people who want to come to your show. In thosekinds of countries, the response you get is normally amazing.

But I wouldn’t want to possibly do a show for their government.[ Laughs.]

MW: When you do tour a country like that, and you are openly gay,

do you think that culturally you have helped to bridge a gap?

ALEXANDER: That’s a really tough question to answer. Is it really

our job in countries like the UK to say how other countries live?

There are marginalized and oppressed people in those countriesthat don’t have a voice and don’t have any representation. So

if can go to countries like that and do a show and that means

something to those people and they can come and see you, thenI think that is only a good thing. And I love to be able to do that.MW: Is there any place you’ve played that you really don’t want to

go back to?

ALEXANDER: [ Laughs. ] Let me see. The only thing is I’m a vegetar-ian, so often I can only ever eat bread and cheese in places like

Prague. That’s kind of annoying after like the fourth day.MW: So you really can’t partake in some of the cuisines in some of

the countries?

ALEXANDER: Yeah. We went to Japan and it was amazing but Istruggled to eat nearly anything.MW: Some of their food is vegetarian-based.

ALEXANDER: Right. But so much stuff has fish sauce or oil, or is

cooked in fish broth or something. It was difficult.MW: You’re in a relationship with Neil Amin-Smith, the violinist

from Clean Bandit.

ALEXANDER: That’s right. We met on tour. We supported CleanBandit on tour in the UK, almost a year ago. I don’t know what

the chances are that you meet someone that you like really fallin love with, on tour, and they also they just happen to be a hot

violinist.MW: How do you maintain a relationship when you’re both touring?

ALEXANDER: Well, it has some pluses because we both understandeach other’s schedules and each other’s ridiculous lifestyles. It

can be totally ludicrous, the things that you do. Equally, it’s really

tough because you have zero routine. You can’t just have Fridaynight, pizza night, or you know, like Netflix. You can’t ever really

do things like that. Which is maybe a totally fantasized idea of acouple. We just communicate a lot — as much as possible — and

travel to see each other a lot in ridiculous ways. Like take a planeto spend the night in Italy. We make it work.

MW: Ireland recently became the first country to legalize gay mar-

riage by popular vote. Two things: how does it make you feel as a

young gay man to be watching all this happen, and as a celebrity,how does it feel to be possibly thought of as a spokesperson to help further the cause?

ALEXANDER: I am of course overjoyed when a country can legalizesame sex marriage. I think that’s a great step in the right direc-

tion. Even for me, and I’m only 25, it has seemed like in the last10 years that I’ve been aware of gay culture, things have really

come a long way. But I’m also really aware of the history of gay

rights and the gay movement and how things can change reallyradically, and can go backwards. Also the fight legally may have

been won in some countries, but the attitudes take much longerto change.

I think there’s still a long way to go in terms of changingpeople’s hearts and minds towards homosexuality. I really care

about LGBT issues. I really care about social change. The com-

munity is so diverse and there are so many different challengesand issues within it that we just need more people speaking

about it. We need more people from the community speakingabout their experiences and the problems they face and the

experiences they’ve had so we can have a really layered conver-sation in the public eye. I will always speak out on it because I

care about it. And hopefully it will encourage other people to dothe same.

Years & Years perform Saturday, Sept. 19 at the 9:30 Club, 815V Street. The show is currently sold out. To download the band’s

debut album, Communion, visit yearsandyearsofficial.com. l


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SEPTEMBER 10 - 17, 2015

SPOTLIGHT

BE STEADWELL AND THENEXTNOW FEST AT THE CLARICE“Queerpop” artist Be Steadwell blendssoul, folk and spoken-word, offeringa live performance enhanced by looppedal vocal layering and beat boxing.But Steadwell, who performs Friday,Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., is just one of twodozen events taking place this week-end at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center as part of the secondannual NextNow Fest. “It’s a way todemonstrate the creative nature of the

University of Maryland and the stu-dents and the community who are apart of that,” Martin Wollesen, direc-tor of the Clarice, told Metro Weeklylast year. The fest culminates in the Arts Tailgate featuring Baltimore’sBosley and his nine-piece soul band,on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m. TheClarice Smith Performing Arts Center,University Boulevard and StadiumDrive in College Park. Most eventsare free. Call 301-405-ARTS or visitclaricesmithcenter.umd.edu.

DANCE METRO DC’S2015 CHOREOGRAPHERS’COMMISSION SHOWCASE

An independent panel of dance pro-fessionals helped select three localchoreographers deserving of widerrecognition — as well as directgrant support in developing newdance works — through the 2015Choreographers’ Commissioning pro-gram. The recipients, who will per-form their new works on the DancePlace stage, are: Adrienne Clancy andthe ClancyWorks Dance Company,with the uniquely architectural part-nering and socially charged chore-ography of Dream Catchers; HayleyCutler’s Cradle, a sarcastic yet person-al exorcism of the notion that womencan have it all, performed with the

darlingdance company; and SarahBeth Oppenheim and Heart StuckBernie’s quirky, luscious operettaWoodbind. It Courses. Saturday, Dec.12, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13, at7 p.m. Dance Place, 3225 8th St. NE.Tickets are $30. Call 202-269-1600 or visit danceplace.org.

DESTINY OF DESIREOver the next two months nearlyevery professional theater companyin the region will present a play by afemale writer as part of the unprec-edented Women’s Voices TheaterFestival. It’s an effort to tip the scalestoward female playwrights, who in

any other two-month span are woe-

22

Compiled by Doug Rule


Shorts ListNow in its 12th year, the DC Shorts Film Festival continues to expand

THE DC SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL, FOUNDED BY JON GANN IN 2003, IS STILL VERY MUCHa bricks and mortar event. Over 11 days, 125 short films — all less than 30 minutes long — screen in

30 distinct programs, including an LGBT-themed one featuring eight films and set for Thursday,

Sept. 17.

But don’t fret if you can’t be among the 8,000 expected festivalgoers attending physical screenings.

“More than 100 films are available to watch online at the same time as the film festival,” Gann says. The

festival has created a Netflix-inspired ancillary — the DC Shorts Online Film Festival. For either $15 or $30,

festivalgoers can purchase unlimited access to watch most of the films online — access that’s only available

during the festival’s run. The online access compliments the festival, increasing the number of viewers and

overall exposure for the films. “While I would love people to come every night of the festival, I know that’s

not going to happen,” says Gann.

Another way DC Shorts has expanded its modus operandi beyond a traditional festival is through its

9th annual Screenwriting Competition. On Friday, Sept. 18, actors will offer readings from six scripts —

winnowed down by festival programmers from 145 entrees — after which festivalgoers will vote for their

favorite. The winner earns $2,000 to make the film plus a guarantee that it will screen next year. “It’s a great

way to get an inside look at how a movie is created from the very beginning,” Gann says. Canadian DavidFeehan won the 2014 competition for Breakin(g), about a cunning elderly mother who foils a home burglaryattempt. The film will screen multiple times this year.

In its 12-year history, DC Shorts has established itself as the largest festival of its kind on the East

Coast — but its impact is being felt even farther afield. Another program, set for Wednesday, Sept. 16, offers

the Best of Sunderland Shorts Film Festival. “Sunderland is one of D.C.’s sister cities, a former industrial

town in the north of England,” Gann explains. Through a grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and

Humanities, DC Shorts helped organizers launch the U.K. town’s first-ever film festival this summer.

Gann expects there’ll be more Sunderland programs in the future. “A film festival is kind of an attractive

and not overly complicated way for small towns to expand their culture mix.” — Doug Rule

The 2015 DC Shorts Film Festival runs Thursday, Sept. 10, through Sunday, Sept. 20, primarily at Landmark’s E Street Cinema and US Navy Memorial’s Burke Theatre. Individual tickets are $12 in advance

or $15 day-of, or $100 for an All-Access Festival Pass. Call 202-393-4266 or visitdcshorts.org for more information and a full schedule.

Strings - part of the LGBT Program Sept. 17


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SMITHSONIAN’SFOOD IN THE GARDENThe National Museum of AmericanHistory offers a Garden Party featur-ing gardening and photography dem-onstrations, tours of the World WarII-era Victory Garden, and a recep-tion with custom cocktails by GreenHat Gin Distillery plus snacks andgarden-fresh food. The event kicksoff with a panel discussion about American food and garden traditions

past, present and future. Thursday,Sept. 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Victory Garden outside the NationalMuseum of American History, 12th St.and Constitution Ave. NW. Tickets are$40, including food samples and twococktails. Call 202-633-1000 or visitamericanhistory.si.edu.

THE DC GURLY SHOWHaving grown out of local drag kingorganization the DC Kings, the DCGurly Show isn’t your grandfather’s burlesque. It’s focused more on play-ing with gender than teasing withsex. This Sunday, Sept. 13, the queer burlesque organization offers a Back

to School show at Freddie’s Beach Barhosted by Lexie Starre and featur-ing Sammy Smooth, Pearl Middleton,James Fondle, Dixie Castafiore, Velouria Moon, Sofia and PhoenixDel Rey. Sunday, Sept. 13, at 9 p.m.Freddie’s Beach Bar, 555 South 23rdSt., Arlington. No cover. Call 703-685-0555 or visit dcgurlyshow.com.

WAYNE HOFFMAN As a novelist , Wayne Hoffmanhas touched on his upbringing inMontgomery County ( Sweet Like Sugar ) as well as his life as a younggay man in the sexually volatile 1990sin New York ( Hard ). Now, in An Older

Man, he’s exploring life as a middle-aged bear on the East Coast, livingsexually free and open in a way thatno previous gay generation has beenable to do. Hoffman returns to D.C. toread from the book at the DC Center.Saturday, Sept. 12, at 2 p.m. The DCCenter for the LGBT Community,2000 14th St. NW. Call 202-682-2245or visit thedccenter.org.

WOMEN CHEFS: ARTISTS IN THEKITCHEN, THE ART OF TASTEIt’s not just in professional theater:Women are also being spotlightedover the next two months for workin professional cooking — at least

at Strathmore anyway. The organi-zation’s Women Chefs multi-eventseries includes a portraiture exhibi-tion, weekly cooking demonstrationsand a panel discussion, all for free. Theexhibit Artists in the Kitchen depicts 22chefs as captured by 21 visual artists.Opening reception is Thursday, Sept.10, from 7 to 9 p.m., and the exhibitruns through Nov. 8. Meanwhile,Susan Delbert of the Fourth Estate,Nora Poullion of Restaurant Nora andMichelle Houser of Rockville’s FullOn Craft Eats and Drinks are amongthose leading weekly “Art of Taste”demonstrations at Strathmore, but upfirst is Susan Callahan, chef instruc-

fully underrepresented on stages inD.C. and across the country. For itspart as one of the festival’s originatingtheaters, Arena Stage offers the lat-est from Helen Hayes Award-winningplaywright Karen Zacarias ( The BookClub Play ), a telenovela-styled fast-paced modern comedy set in Mexico.Jose Luis Valenzuela directs a cast fea-turing Esperanza America, GabrielaFernandez-Coffey, Carlos Gomez andNicholas Rodriguez. Opens in pre-

views Friday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. ToOct. 18. Mead Center for AmericanTheater, 1101 6th St. SW. Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenastage.org.

DIANA ROSS After two summers in a row at WolfTrap, the Supreme diva moves northfor Strathmore. And hearing all thoseMotown-era and disco classics in theMusic Center? Talk about the sweet-est hangover — you won’t want toget over. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m.Music Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Tickets are $69 to $249. Call 301-581-5100 or visit strathmore.org.

LATINA SUPREMESThe D.C.-based Elizabeth Pringlewrote and directed Latina Supremes,staged as an all-female cabaret con-ducted by pianist Mari Paz and featur-ing opera singer Patricia Portillo andguitarist Diana Saez. Pringle’s cabarethighlights popular female compos-ers from throughout Latin America,among them Mexican composerConsuelo Velasquez, Violeta Parra(whose Chilean folk anthem “Graciasa La Vida” has been famously covered by Mercedes Sosa and Joan Baez),Peruvian singer-songwriter ChabucaGranda, whose “La Flor de la Canela”

has become an unofficial anthem forLima, and Maria Elena Walsh, one of Argentina’s most popular writers in various genres, from children’s booksto politically charged songs. Saturday,Sept. 19, at 2:30 p.m., and Sunday,Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. Source, 1835 14th St.NW. Tickets are $18 to $38. Call 202-204-7763 or visit inseries.org.

RSC’S THE MERCHANT OF VENICEFolger Shakespeare Library hostsa screening this weekend of theRoyal Shakespeare Company’s The Merchant of Venice, which is directed by Polly Findlay and stars Palestinian-Israeli actor Makram J. Khoury, best

known for his role as the chair ofthe Palestinian National Authority inthe final season of The West Wing .The screening, recorded live fromShakespeare’s hometown Stratford-upon-Avon, is intended as somethingof a refresher of this controversialand thought-provoking classic explor-ing perennial societal problems fromprejudice to religious bigotry. Nextspring, the Folger Theatre will stagethe world premiere of Aaron Posner’sadaptation, set in post-Civil WarWashington and renamed District Merchants. Saturday, Sept. 12, at 7p.m. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201East Capitol St. SE. Tickets are $20.

Call 202-544-7077 or visit folger.edu.

tor at the University of Maryland, onWednesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. Alsoupcoming in this Women Chefs seriesis a discussion on the topic moder-ated by curator Harriet Lesser. BonnieBenwick of the Washington Post, PizzaParadiso’s Ruth Gresser, who is alsopresident of the organization WomenChefs and Restaurateurs, and artistJoyce Zipperer will be part of thispanel on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 2 p.m. Allevents at the Mansion at Strathmore,

10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda.Tickets are free, though reservationsrequired for the demonstrations anddiscussion. Call 301-581-5100 or visitstrathmore.org.

FILM

A WALK IN THE WOODS

HHHHH

A Walk in the Woods, the best-sellingtravel memoir written by Bill Bryson,is legendary. In it, Bryson recountshis attempts to hike the 2,220-mile Appalachian Trail with Stephen Katz,an old friend recovering from alcohol-ism. The book is funny in the wayBryson’s books are always funny — it’spleasant and curious and sprinkledwith just enough childish humor to bring the phrase “young at heart” tomind. This movie is none of thosethings. Director Ken Kwapis reducesthe movie to a collection of dull slap-stick gags and reprehensible woman-izing. If Kwapis wanted to stick tothe spirit of Bryson’s book, which cancertainly raise eyebrows with its own brand of womanizing, he could’vedone so without stooping to tired gagsabout female body size and sex. WithRobert Redford, Nick Nolte and NickOfferman. Now playing. Area theaters. Visit fandango.com. (Chris Heller)

THE ROCKY HORRORPICTURE SHOWEvery Friday and Saturday Landmark’sE Street Cinema shows films at mid-night that are more risqué or campythan the usual fare. And, no surprise,once a month brings screenings ofa certain cult classic. Each screen-ing is accompanied by the “shadowcast” Sonic Transducers, who act outthe film in front of the screen withprops and costumes. Friday, Sept. 11,and Saturday, Sept. 12, at midnight.Landmark’s E Street Cinema, 555 11th

St. NW. Call 202-452-7672 or visitlandmarktheatres.com.

STAGE

CAPS FOR SALE, THE MUSICAL Ann Marie Mulhearn Sayer andMichael J. Bobbitt have adapted thechildren’s book by Esphyr Slobodkinafor a 75th Anniversary world premiereproduction at Adventure Theatre-MTC that also serves as its contribu-tion to D.C.’s Women’s Voices TheaterFestival. Patrick Pearson directs thisone-hour show for all ages, featuringmusic and lyrics by William Yanesh,


about a peddler whose caps are stolenwhile he naps. Opens Friday, Sept.11, at 7 p.m. To Sept. 27. AdventureTheatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd.,Glen Echo. Tickets are $19.50. Call301-634-2270 or visit adventurethe-atre-mtc.org.

DOGFIGHT

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul adapted thisshow, with book writer Peter Duchan,

from the 1991 movie. Dogfight’s musicis sweet and tuneful, subtle and time-less — but with songs strong enoughto stand on their own and get radioplay today. Keyboardist Jake Nullleads a six-piece ensemble in Keegan’sproduction, directed by Christian A.Coakley and Michael Innocenti, that brings to life the many songs thatcould become show tune anthems fora newer generation of musical theaterlovers, from “Some Kinda Time” to“Nothing Short of Wonderful” to the beautiful, moving ballad “Give Way.” And as the musical’s boy and girl whofind love despite the odds, TizianoD’Affuso and Isabelle Smelkinson win

us over through their honest and natu-ralistic portrayals. To Sept. 19. KeeganTheatre, 1742 Church St. NW. Ticketsare $35 to $45. Call 703-892-0202 or visit keegantheatre.com. (Doug Rule)

FRIENDSHIP BETRAYEDWSC Avant Bard presents a rarely pro-duced comedy by Spanish playwrightMaria de Zayas y Sotomayor, a four-centuries-old play with a proto-femi-nist story that doesn’t feel dated. KariGinsburg directs a “comedy about liber-ated ladies in love and lust,” re-stagingit in the roaring twenties. Opens inpreviews starting Thursday, Sept. 10,at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Tuesday,

Sept. 15, at 7:30 p.m. To Oct. 11. GunstonTheater II, 2700 South Lang St. Arlington. Tickets are $30 to $35. Call703-418-4808 or visit avantbard.org.

IRONBOUNDFor its contribution to the Women’s Voices Theater Festival, Round HouseTheatre Company — which, it should be noted, has been ahead of the gen-der curve, regularly staging works bywomen in recent years — presents awork by Polish-born Martyna Majok,who recently won a major theaterprize designating her an Emerging American Playwright. Daniella Topoldirects Majok’s Ironbound , a humorous

and heartfelt look at a hard-workingimmigrant struggling as a single moth-er in modern-day America. AlexandraHenrikson, Jefferson A. Russell, JosiahBania and William Vaughan make upthe cast. Now in previews. To Oct. 4.Round House Theatre, 4545 East-WestHighway, Bethesda. Tickets are $36 to$51. Call 240-644-1100 or visit round-housetheatre.org.

NIGHT FALLSON THE BLUE PLANETTheater Alliance presents a new play by Kathleen Akerley, presented aspart of the Women’s Voices TheaterFestival. Night Falls on the Blue Planet


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project based on the web series A Softer World by Emily Horne and JoeyCorneau. As conceived of and direct-ed by Jenny McConnell Frederick,Truth & Beauty Bombs focuses on aphotographer who sets out to cap-ture as much of the world as he can before he goes blind. Randy Baker,Norman Allen, Heather McDonald,Shawn Northip and Alexandra Petriassisted with the writing. To Oct. 4. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H

St. NE. Tickets are $20 to $30. Call202-399-7993 or visit rorschachthe-atre.com.

WITCHES VANISH As part of the Women’s VoicesTheater Festival, Venus TheatreCompany presents Claudia Barnett’sWitches Vanish, which explores theweird sisters from Macbeth in a seriesof stylized, highly visual vignettesemploying puppetry, poetry and sur-realism. Deborah Randall directs. The Venus Theatre Play Shack, 21 C St.Laurel, Md. Tickets are $20. Call 202-236-4078 or visit venustheatre.org.

WOMEN LAUGHINGALONE WITH SALADKimberly Gilbert, a Helen Hayes Award winner as Marie Antoinette last season, is once again the rightfulstar in the eccentric and very adultseason opener at Woolly MammothTheatre Company. Women Laughing Alone with Salad by Sheila Callaghan(2009’s Fever/Dream ), also the com-

THE IMPORTANCE OFBEING EARNESTScena Theater remounts its hilarious,gender-bending 2011 production ofthe Oscar Wilde classic satire. Scena’sRobert McNamara directs a castincluding Nanna Ingvarsson, BrianHemmingsen — as Lady Bracknell —Danielle Davy, Bob Sheire, GrahamPilato, David Bryan Jackson, EllieNicoll, Amie Cazel and Mary Suib.Closes this Sunday, Sept. 13. Atlas

Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St.NE. Tickets are $10 to $45. Call 202-399-7993 or visit atlasarts.org.

THE OREGON TRAILFlying V presents Bekah Brunstetter’splay The Oregon Trail, a tale of two young women named Jane, both ona painful path towards self-recogni-tion, examining the impact of mem-ory and the legacy of sadness acrossgenerations. Amber Jackson directsMadeline Key, Kelsey Meiklejohn,Julia Klavans, Ryan Tumulty andWilliam Hayes in this produc-tion, Flying V’s contribution to theWomen’s Voices Theater Festival.

Now to Sept. 20. The Writer’s Center,4508 Walsh St. Bethesda. Tickets are$15 to $25. Call 301-654-8664 or visitflyingvtheatre.com.

TRUTH & BEAUTY BOMBS:A SOFTER WORLDKnown for ambitious stagings ofeccentric, or just plain out-there,tales, Rorschach Theatre offers a new

focuses on one woman’s complex andunexpected journey in discoveringherself and healing from a lifetime oftrauma. Rex Daugherty directs a castincluding Jeanne Dillon-Williams,Natalie Cutcher, Kerri Rambow, Amanda Haddock-Duchemin andPeter Finnegan. Now to Sept. 27. Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 ShannonPlace SE. Tickets are $35. Call 202-241-2539 or visit theateralliance.com.

THE FIXHHHHH

Taken at face value, The Fix is a natu-ral fit for the nation’s capital, with theregion’s built-in audience of political junkies, who will no doubt see flick-ers of real people they know in the various portrayals on stage. But The Fix is too cold and calculating, a melo-drama without a beating heart, full ofcharacters we don’t much care for.Dana P. Rowe’s music — a rock-ori-ented musical blend of Andrew LloydWebber and Kander and Ebb — is asuninspiring as John Dempsey’s book.Think of the show as Evita meetsChicago — with all the cynical maneu-

verings and political pomp and pizazzthat implies, yet without the wink andsmile, or signs of showbiz honesty.To Sept. 20. Signature Theatre, 4200Campbell Ave., Arlington. Call 703-820-9771 or visit signature-theatre.org. (Doug Rule)


pany’s contribution to the Women’s Voices Theatre Festival, is a bawdy, gender-bending comedy about sex,desire and shame and a biting cri-tique of our image-obsessed culture.Kip Fagan directs a cast also featuringMeghan Reardon, Janet Ulrich Brooksand Thomas Keegan. Now in previews.Opens Friday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. ToOct. 4. Woolly Mammoth, 641 D St.NW. Tickets range from $45 to $73.Call 202-393-3939 or visit woollymam-moth.net.

MUSIC

BALTIMORE SYMPHONYORCHESTRAMarin Alsop kicks off the new BSOseason with a concerto favor-ite and an orchestral masterpiece:Rachmaninoff’s Rhap sody on aTheme of Paganini, featuring CliburnCompetition winner Olga Kern,and Richard Strauss’s love note tonature, An Alpine Symphony . Theprogram kicks off with Anna Clyne’s Masquerade, whose world premiere

was in 2013 with a performance bythe BBC Symphony Orchestra as led by Alsop. Thursday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m.Music Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Also Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday,Sept. 19, at 8 p.m. Joseph MeyerhoffSymphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St.,Baltimore. Tickets are $20 to $99. Call410-783-8000 or visit bsomusic.org.


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Center at Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. Tickets are $45 to $125. Call877-WOLFTRAP or visit wolftrap.org.

LIZZ WRIGHT A blues-fired R&B singer with a coun-trified bent and a gospel and jazz back-ground, this New Yorker by way ofGeorgia sometimes powers her smokycontralto to its full-throttle peak or itshighest height, but the point is neverto showboat. Wright will knock youout with lyrical power, stun you with beautiful, elegantly crafted melodiesand shock you with vocal subtlety.She returns to the Howard Theatrewith support from a four-piece bandas part of a CD Release Show for herfirst set in five years, the just-released Freedom & Surrender. Friday, Sept. 11,at 8 p.m. The Howard Theatre, 620 T

St. NW. Tickets are $39.50 to $75. Call202-588-5595 or visit thehowardthe-atre.com.

MADONNAShe’s gonna carry on: The queen ofqueens — to many of a certain gen-eration, at the very least — once againtakes over the Verizon Center as partof her latest world tour, focused onher Rebel Heart — though the high-lights are once again sure to be her various reinterpretations of clas-sics and older hits in her repertoire.Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept.13, at 8 p.m. Verizon Center, 601 F St.NW. Tickets are $93 to $358. Call 202-

628-3200 or visit verizoncenter.com.

MIXTAPE’S 7-YEAR ANNIVERSARYShea Van Horn and Matt Bailer havethrown their insanely popular pop-music party Mixtape all over D.C.,from Town to the Black Cat. But VanHorn and Bailer return the party tothe 9:30 Club for yet another anniversary, this one lucky No. 7, a toastto good fortune. Saturday, Sept. 12.Doors at 11 p.m. Nightclub 9:30, 815 VSt. NW. Tickets are $15. Call 202-265-0930 or visit 930.com.

Parkway, Columbia, Md. Tickets are$40 to $55. Call 800-551-SEAT or visit merriweathermusic.com.

JACKSON BROWNEWith hit songs from 30 and 40 yearsago, including “Rock Me on theWater,” “The Pretender,” “Late forthe Sky” and “Somebody’s Baby,”Jackson Browne helped pioneer astyle of passionate, heartfelt rock thatartfully expresses political and per-sonal views. He stops by Wolf Trap insupport of his 14th studio set, Standing In the Breach, released last year.Friday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. The FileneCenter at Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. Tickets are $35 to $60. Call877-WOLFTRAP or visit wolftrap.org.

KAY LYRA AND RICHARD MILLER

Adams Morgan’s The Grill fromIpanema celebrates its 23rd anniversary of being D.C.’s main arbiterof Brazilian food with a special con-cert featuring two noted Brazilian- American musicians, part of a new fallThursday night music series. Bossanova composer and singer Kay Lyra isliterally “the daughter of bossa” — herfather is the genre’s founder, CarlosLyra. Meanwhile, guitarist RichardMiller, born and raised in Rio deJaneiro, is on the faculty of ColumbiaUniversity but is a regular in D.C.,whether performing at the KennedyCenter, the State Department or theDC Jazz Festival. Thursday, Sept. 17,

at 7:30 p.m. The Grill from Ipanema,1858 Columbia Road NW. No covercharge, first come, first served. Call202-986-0757 or visit thegrillfromip-anema.com.

KELLY CLARKSON, PENTATONIXThe original and best American Idol,Kelly Clarkson remains one of thehottest properties in the business— and she’s still as strong as ever.Clarkson is joined on her latest tour by Pentatonix, the five-piece a cap- pella sensation who won NBC’s The Sing-Off competition in 2011. EricHutchinson and Abi Ann are openingacts. Saturday, Saturday, Sept. 12, and

Sunday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. The Filene

BILL KIRCHIN & TOO MUCH FUNBill Kirchin, the Grammy-nominatedguitarist of country-rock bandCommander Cody, also performs in

the even wider-ranging band TooMuch Fun, which blends traditional American music, rock, country, bluesand swing. Jumpin’ Jupiter opens.Friday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m. TheBirchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Tickets are $25. Call 703-549-7500 or visit birchmere.com.

COMMUNION: CONRAD SEWELL,FREEDOM FRY, CLARA-NOVA A decade ago, a group of musiciansled by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sonsstarted a regular bar night in Londonshowcasing some of the city’s bestnew artists. Communion has since become a record label and concert

promoter, and teams up with the9:30 Club for a concert at Virginia’sJammin Java featuring up-and-coming Australian powerhouse popsinger Conrad Sewell, who has sup-ported Maroon 5 this year on tour;the Echosmith-esque hazy surf-rockof the half-French/half-Americanhusband-and-wife duo Freedom Fry;and jangly indie-pop American art-ist Clara-Nova. Friday, Sept. 11, at 8p.m. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E. Vienna. Tickets are $10 in advance, or$15 day-of. Call 703-255-3747 or visit jamminjava.com.

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

Four years after its last stop, thispopular Seattle-based indie-pop/alt-rock band returns to MerriweatherPost Pavilion to delight those whoappreciate how the band’s silly nameactually captures its sound: cute butcreepy, funereal yet festive, withpristine melodies pre-washed inslightly ragged production. The band,fronted by tenor Ben Gibbard, is nowa trio after the departure of ChrisWalla and tours in support of itssubtly dramatic eighth set, Kintsugi.Explosions in the Sky joins the bandas a very special guest. Sunday, Sept.13. Doors at 6 p.m. MerriweatherPost Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent


NATIONAL PHILHARMONICPiotr Gajewski kicks off the NationalPhilharmonic’s new season witha toast to two of America’s great-est composers: Leonard Bernsteinand George Gerswhin. Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances is drawn from West Side Story, his classic re-imaginingof Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet asa quintessential American story andin a quintessential American form,the Broadway musical. Meanwhile,

Gershwin’s An American in Paris is theindelible jazz-influenced symphonicpoem, a very idealistic and romantic —that is, American — take on the City ofLights. Thomas Pandolfi, considered aleading interpreter of Gershwin, joinsto perform another popular piece, theConcerto in F , which blurs classicallines by incorporating jazz, blues andragtime elements. Saturday, Sept. 19,at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 20, at 3p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Tickets are $29 to $89. Call 301-581-5100 or visit strathmore.org.

STROMAE

Chances are you’ve heard his 2009pan-European chart-topping hit “Alorson Danse” — with or without KanyeWest’s added rap. Two years ago, thissinging/rapping artist, born Paul VanHaver in Belgium to a Rwandan father,scored another massive continentalhit “Papaoutai,” which followed verymuch in the same mold: a mix of hyperEurodance, moody French pop andintriguingly festive Afrobeat. In short,Stromae’s music is a global dance-popamalgam that is catchy and hard-to-deny. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m.Echostage, 2135 Queens Chapel Rd.NE. Tickets are $45. Call 202-503-2330or visit echostage.com.

SUSAN GRAHAM & JAKE HEGGIE Vocal Arts DC presents a concertfeaturing one of today’s most popu-lar American mezzo-soprano, SusanGraham, performing a new song cyclewritten for her by Jake Heggie, whowill accompany her on piano. Heggie’s Iconic Legacies is inspired by theartifacts donated by First Ladies tothe Smithsonian. The program alsoincludes works by Schumann, Roremand Berlioz. Saturday, Sept. 12, at 7p.m. Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.Tickets are $50. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.

THE SHIRELLESOriginal member and co-founderBeverly Lee still tours under the namethe Shirelles, the Rock & Roll Hallof Fame act credited with establish-ing the girl group genre almost 70 years ago. Lee performs with two otherwomen the sweet-sounding doo-wop/ R&B hits popularized by the group ona stop in the D.C. area also includingcomedian Billy Finch as a featuredguest. Saturday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m.Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club,7719 Wisconsin Ave. Tickets are $45.Call 240-330-4500 or visit bethesdab-luesjazz.com.

J E F F R E Y W A T T S

Dana Tai Soon Burgess Company


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WHITE FORD BRONCO“D.C.’s all ‘90s party band,” cheek-ily named after O.J. Simpson’s notori-ous failed getaway car, sing throughthat decade’s songbook in all styles ofpopular music. The 9:30 Club presentsa more intimate concert at U StreetMusic Hall featuring the five-memberensemble, made up of singer/guitar-ist Diego Valencia, singer GretchenGustafson, guitarists Ken Sigmund andMcNasty and drummer Max Shapiro.

Saturday, Sept. 12. Doors at 7 p.m. UStreet Music Hall, 1115A U St. NW.Tickets are $20. Call 202-588-1880 or visit ustreetmusichall.com.

WICKED JEZABELPauline Anson-Dross’s popular lesbianall-covers party-rock band WickedJezabel has been rocking — as well asraising money for various good causes— all over the region for a decade now.Friday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. Freddie’sBeach Bar, 555 South 23rd St., Arlington. Cover is $5. Call 703-685-0555 or visit freddiesbeachbar.com.

DANCEDANA TAI SOON BURGESSCOMPANYTouted as “the poet laureate ofWashington dance” by the Washington Post’s Sarah Kaufman, Dana Tai SoonBurgess serves as an official U.S.cultural ambassador in addition toregularly touring the world with hiseponymous company. For this year’sKennedy Center engagement, thetroupe performs three company reper-tory works — Picasso Dances, Mandalaand Confluence — and offers the pre-miere of his newest work, We chooseto go to the moon, a depiction of humanspace travel created in collaborationwith NASA. Saturday, Sept. 19, andSunday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. KennedyCenter Terrace Theater. Tickets are$28 to $45. Call 202-467-4600 or visitkennedy-center.org.

S.J. EWING & DANCERS,CITYDANCE Along with dancers in her epony-mous company, this Australian-bornCityDance OnStage Ignite artist leadsa free “Afternoon of Dance” that serves

as a kickoff to the new season as wellas a celebration of the local dancecommunity, at least that affiliated withCityDance. CityDance Conserva

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Metro Weekly - 09-10-15 - Years and Years