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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 WRITERSGordon Ashenhurst, Sean Bugg, Connor J. Hogan,

Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingeld

WEBMASTERDavid Uy

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTJulian Vankim

SALES & MARKETING

PUBLISHERRandy Shulman

BRAND STRATEGY & MARKETINGChristopher Cunetto

Cunetto Creative

NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVERivendell Media Co.

212-242-6863

DISTRIBUTION MANAGERDennis Havrilla

PATRON SAINTJim Henson

COVER PHOTOGRAPHYTodd Franson

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

202-638-6830MetroWeekly.com

All material appearing in Metro Weekly is protected by federal copyright law and may not bereproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Metro Weekly assumes noresponsibility for unsolicited materials submitted for publication. All such submissions are subject to editing and will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.Metro Weekly is supported by many ne advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for claimsmade by advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for materials provided by advertisers or their agents. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles oradvertising in Metro Weekly is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation ofsuch person or organization.

© 2015 Jansi LLC.

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NOVEMBER 5, 2015Volume 22 / Issue 27

NEWS 6 R EACTING TO R YAN by John Riley

8 M AN D ATE ’S M ESSAGE by John Riley

9 D.C.’ S N EWEST G AY B AR TO O PEN IN S PRING

by John Riley

COMMENTARY 10 W HY GOP G AYS S HOULD C ONSIDER T RUMP

by Tim Rosenberger

11 C OMMUNITY C ALENDAR

FEATURES 16 P UPPET M ASTERS by Doug Rule

Photography by Todd Franson

20 C HAMPIONSHIP S PIRIT Interviews by John Riley

OUT ON THE TOWN 26 B RUCE V ILANCH by Connor J. Hogan

28 M ICHELE L EE by Doug Rule

30 M ARROW by Doug Rule

32 L.M. E LLIOTT by Connor J. Hogan

STAGE 33 GIRLSTAR & AVENUE Q by Doug Rule

MUSIC 34 D EMI L OVATO by Gordon Ashenhurst

FOOD 36 B RITISH M INCE by Doug Rule


NIGHTLIFE 39 D UPLEX D INER ’S M ISS A DAMS M ORGAN A FTER P ARTY


46 L AST W ORD


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Reacting to Ryan As Paul Ryan assumes role as Speaker of the House, LGBT organizations

assume a wait-and-see approach

AFTER MUCH POSTURING FROM THE FAR-RIGHTFreedom Caucus, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) waselected Speaker of the House by members of hisparty last Thursday, earning 236 votes to fellow

Republican Rep. Daniel Webster’s nine votes and DemocraticMinority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s 184 votes.

For weeks prior to accepting the position, Ryan had beentouted by some as the only Republican in the House who couldunite the fractious Republican caucus. The previous GOP speak-er, John Boehner, had encountered problems trying to keep hisparty members in line for major pieces of legislation, and wasfrequently criticized by hardline conservatives for being tooaccommodating to Democrats. But Ryan received similar criti-cism in the run-up to his election, particularly from conserva-

G A G E S K I D M O R E

tive media outlets who criticized past legislative deals he hadstruck with Democrats.

To win over members of the 40-member Freedom Caucus,the most conservative branch of House Republicans, Ryan hadto make several concessions. Among them, rules changes thatwill allow more input from more conservative elements withinthe caucus and a pledge not to pass immigration reform whilePresident Obama is in ofce.

A similar deal has not yet been cut with socially conservativemembers on the issue of LGBT rights and Gregory T. Angelo,president of the Log Cabin Republicans, says this is an “encour-aging” sign, noting that it may be an indication that Republicansare “realizing that they’re not going to win if they make a pointof using LGBT issues to divide.” Moreover, Angelo notes, Ryan

L G B TNews Now online at MetroWeekly.comSally Field objects to HERO liesNorthern Ireland vetoes marriage equality

by John Riley


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has shown a willingness to listen to concerns voiced by LGBTgroups like Log Cabin.

“Log Cabin has had a good working relationship withSpeaker Ryan’s ofce,” says Angelo. “The door has always beenopen to the Log Cabin Republicans. We are looking forward tocontinuing that relationship.”

But other LGBT groups are less positive about a RyanSpeakership, instead choosing to adopt a “wait-and-see” stance.

“The American people are ready to turn away from thepolitics of discrimination, and we certainly hope that SpeakerRyan will lead the caucus in a new direction,” said David Stacy,government affairs director for the Human Rights Campaign, ina statement. “With a majority of Republican voters in supportof federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBT citizens,it’s past time that Congress advanced the Equality Act, whichwould nally protect LGBT Americans from discrimination nomatter which state they call home.”

According to the Human Rights Campaign’s CongressionalScorecard, Ryan received a zero for the last congressional ses-sion from 2013-2015. However, Ryan did vote for a sexual ori-entation-only version of the Employment Non-DiscriminationAct in 2007. This year, Ryan voted for an amendment to an

appropriations bill for the Housing and Urban Development(HUD) that no funds can be used in contravention of an execu-tive order, signed by President Obama, that prohibits federalcontractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orienta-tion or gender identity. But Ryan has largely been opposed toother LGBT issues, such as relationship recognition for same-sex couples, throughout his career.

Aaron Tax, the director of federal government relations forServices & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), expressed asimilar hope that Ryan would not block pieces of legislation thatcould help LGBT elders.

“We’re hopeful that Speaker Ryan will lead Congress incatching up to the American people in their support for LGBT

equality and their support for critical programs like SocialSecurity, Medicare, and the Older Americans Act, which takecare of older adults, including our LGBT elders,” Tax said in astatement to Metro Weekly .

Matt McTighe, campaign director for Freedom for AllAmericans, which advocates for pro-LGBT measures through-out the country, gave Ryan mixed reviews based on his previousvotes in Congress.

“It’s pretty early to say what kind of Speaker he’ll be,”McTighe says. “In the past, he’s shown at least a willingnessto listen, to be more moderate, to at least try to not just reex-ively go to appeasing the far right wing corner of his caucus.Obviously, we know that he’s not the biggest backer of dealingwith the LGBT community either, so we’re not expecting himto be a champion.”

McTighe hopes Ryan will be more amenable to allowing apiece of legislation like the Equality Act — which would prohibitanti-LGBT discrimination in a number of areas — to receive avote in Congress. McTighe says his organization is trying to cre-ate a “tipping point effect” and maintain a “constant drumbeat”of support for protections, with the eventual aim of passing afederal bill.

“The only way to get explicit, statutorily-guaranteed protectionsfor all LGBT Americans is through an Act of Congress,” he says.

The National LGBTQ Task Force blasted Ryan’s pledge notto bring up an immigration bill.

“We are extremely disappointed with Speaker Ryan’s closed-door negotiations on immigration legislation, which reportedlysecured him the votes to be Speaker but will have devastatingresults and life-threatening consequences for millions of immi-

grants in the U.S., including LGBT immigrants,” Stacey LongSimmons, director of public policy and government affairs forthe Task Force Action Fund, said in a statement.

“It’s only been a couple of days and Ryan’s speakershipis proving to be much the same as we have seen before withhis immediate predecessor,” Long Simmons continued. “Bothhave shown an absolute disregard to the calls from millions ofAmericans for comprehensive immigration reform and a lackof compassion for undocumented immigrant families that con-tinue to suffer as a result of our broken immigration system.”

Earl Fowlkes, president of the Gertrude Stein DemocraticClub, D.C.’s top LGBT political organization, offered the mostdamning assessment of the selection of Ryan.

“I am not very condent that Paul Ryan will be allowingany LGBT legislation to come before the House given theGOP’s move to embrace the Radical Right’s agenda over thepast eight years,” Fowlkes said in a statement to Metro Weekly .“My friends at the Log Cabin [Republicans] must surely under-stand that their party is under siege by the conservative HouseFreedom Caucus, who will never allow the GOP House leader-ship to support any type of LGBT rights legislation.” l

NOVEMBER 5, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM

ManDate’s Message Fourth annual health and wellness conference seeks to provide critical advice

and information to gay black men

by John Riley

F OR THE FOURTH YEAR, THE PROJECT HEALTHYLiving Advisory Board is hosting the annual ManDateconference, a health and wellness conference focusing onissues affecting black gay men.

“There’s really no other conference like it, anywhere inthe nation,” says Project Healthy Living’s Robert Barrett.“My husband used to work for the Department of Health,and he would go to a lot of these conferences, that are really

focused around providers. So they happen during the week,during the day, when people who actually need the informa-tion couldn’t go.”

The conference, which runs for three days from Nov. 6 to 8,will feature a variety of workshops and speakers, as well as liveperformances from musical artists and comedians, to both edu-cate and entertain the attendees during their stay.

Starting on Friday, conference attendees will be treated to


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various dance and musical performances, interspersed withsmaller performances by comedian Sampson, at The ARC inSoutheast Washington. Six awards will be presented to peoplewho have made outstanding contributions in the arts, commu-nity service and social activism.

On Saturday and Sunday, at the Human Rights CampaignEquality Center, attendees will be given a choice of three dif-ferent workshops for each of three separate workshop sessions.Topics covered will range from religion and spirituality towealth-building, to an “Ask the Docs” forum on health issuesaffecting black gay men to discussions around police brutalityand the #BlackLivesMatter movement. The conference will alsooffer free HIV/STI testing, as well as blood pressure, diabetesand other health screenings on Saturday.

“We didn’t want this to be a conference focused on just HIV/ AIDS,” says Barrett. “There are other factors in our lives that we

want to talk about. And we feel that by addressing those issues,it gets us more healthy in general.”

The keynote speaker for the weekend is Bishop YvetteFlunder, the reverend of the City of Refuge United Church ofChrist in San Francisco and a prominent lesbian leader withinthe black LGBT community.

Howard alum Frenchie Davis will perform on Sunday, andDarryl Stephens of Noah’s ARC fame will hold a Q&A sessionabout his book, How to Get Your Life for Good . Saturday nightwill feature a singles mixer event at the Beacon Hotel, which isthe host hotel for the conference, with a champagne brunch tofollow on Sunday morning.

“This is conference is social,” says Barrett, “but it’s also edu-cational.” l

For more information, visit themandate-dc.com.

D.C.’s Newest Gay Bar to Open in Spring The Dirty Goose hopes to ll attract an upscale, after-work LGBT crowd

by John Riley

T HE IDEA FOR THE DISTRICT’S NEWEST GAY BARstarted as an assignment for Daniel Honeycutt’s entre-preneurship class as he was getting his MBA. Fouryears later, Honeycutt and his ance, Justin Parker, arelaunching a revised version of that plan, hoping to reach what

they feel is an untapped market in gay nightlife.Slated to open in the spring of 2016, The Dirty Goose will be

situated steps away from Nellie’s and Town Danceboutique. ButHoneycutt and Parker insist their bar won’t compete with theexisting gay offerings in the U Street Corridor — instead, it will


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WHILE THE STANCES DONALD TRUMPholds today are far from progressive, he hasbeen consistent in his positions and has longsupported a number of measures that would

make America a more fair and just place for gay people. Evenas he currently runs for the Republican nomination for U.S.President, Trump has been willing to buck the conservativemainstream in support of LGBT persons, and has more thanearned a second look from gay conservatives.

In 2000, Trump told The Advocate that he supported civilunions for gay couples that would extend to them virtually thesame rights and protections as those enjoyed by their opposite-sex peers. While this doesn’t look astoundingly progressivefrom a modern viewpoint, it’s important to note that we are asfar removed now from 2000 as the U.S. was from the height ofthe AIDS crisis then. When compared to the positions stakedout by his competitors in 2000, Trump appears almost a pioneerof equality.

In that same interview, Trump also stated that amending theCivil Rights Act to include gay people would be “only fair.” Thisposition would not only seem to indicate support for ENDA,currently stalled in Congress, but would go even further in itsambitions to provide civil equality for LGBT Americans. Trumpused the same interview to say, more than a decade before itsrepeal, that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell had “clearly failed.”

Not only has Trump offered warm words concerning gaypeople and policies helpful to them, but he has made a point todisplay equality in the running of his own enterprises. Whilethe Trump organization has not been particularly forthcomingin answering surveys issued by the Human Rights Campaign,

application materials for employment with the company have,for some time, included language afrming non-discriminationbased on sexual orientation.

Even during this campaign, Trump has been loath to try toplump his stratospheric poll numbers by attacking the gay com-munity. Speaking on MSNBC’s Morning Joe , Trump expressedhis displeasure with Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis’ decision notto issue marriage licenses and said that, concerning marriageequality, “the decision’s been made.” He was displeased thatDavis was jailed, but he made no effort to afrm her actions orto give further airtime to the narrative that Davis was some kindof martyr for religious freedom.

Despite prior positive statements, there exist concerns aboutTrump’s record on LGBT issues. He appears oblivious to oruninterested in the T part of the acronym and remains publiclyopposed to full marriage equality.

That said, he has been a consistent — and generally sup-

portive — voice for our community. And, far beyond passingthe low bar of being amongst the most gay-friendly Republicancandidates in the eld, he has generally lived out a commitmentto equality. Donald Trump may not be anyone’s perfect candi-date, but he seems disinclined to change his views for politicalexpediency — a denite rarity among today’s politicians — andhe has a rather impressive record of at least lukewarm allyship.LGBT voters interested in a conservative candidate would dowell to give Trump another look. l

Timothy Rosenberger is the former Vice-Chair of the DC Federation of College Republicans and a former member ofGeorgetown University’s Pride Board.


Why GOP GaysShould Consider Trump

Trump’s not perfect, but he’s better on gay issues than most of the potential GOP candidates

by Tim Rosenberger

COMMENTARY

complement them.“You have a gay sports bar, you have a gay dance club,” says

Parker, who previously worked in the service industry in OceanCity, Md. “We t the niche of an upscale gay bar. Somewhereyou could walk in if you’re still in a suit and tie after work. Aplace where you wouldn’t feel like you had to change.” Hence,The Dirty Goose — named for Parker’s favorite martini — willcater to a more business-centric clientele, particularly duringweekdays, with “unique takes on classic cocktails.” The bar’ssecond oor will be a multipurpose space, which can be rentedout for private events during the week, and will feature a moretraditional nightlife scene, with guest DJs on the weekends. Thebar will also feature a rooftop terrace.

The Dirty Goose has already launched a marketing campaign,

with a Facebook page, Twitter account and website — thedirty-goosedc.com — where people can sign up for email updates.According to Honeycutt and Parker, the space has a liquorlicense and will require few renovations.

“Both of our parents are thrilled about it,” Honeycutt says.“And our friends, obviously, are part of the market as well.They’re thrilled about having a new option and think it’s goingto be a great thing for the city as well as the LGBT community. Idon’t think we’ve had a single negative response to it.”

“It was always constructive ideas, like what to add to it,” addsParker. “It was never like, ‘You’re ghting a dying industry,’ oranything like that. It was always ‘Oh my god, that’s a great idea.Here’s what I can add to it.’ Which is a good thing, because itmeans they’re excited about it.” l


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GAY DISTRICT, a group promotingunderstanding of gay culture and per-sonal identity for gay, bisexual, trans,intersex or questioning men, holds ameeting on the rst and third Fridaysof each month at The DC Center.8:30-9:30 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,Suite 105. For more information, visitgaydistrict.org.

LGB PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP foradults in Montgomery County offersa safe space to explore coming outand issues of identity. 10-11:30 a.m.16220 S. Frederick Rd., Suite 512,Gaithersburg, Md. For more informa-tion, visit thedccenter.org.

The DC Center’s TRANS SUPPORTGROUP offers a space for discussionfor those who are transgender, gendernon-conforming, or identify outside ofthe gender binary. 7-9 p.m. 2000 14thSt. NW, Suite 105. For more informa-tion, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

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

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practicesession at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr.SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

HIV TESTINGat 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-afrming social group for ages 11-24. 4-6p.m. 1419 Columbia Road NW. ContactTamara, 202-319-0422, layc-dc.org.

The DULLES TRIANGLESNorthern Virginia social group meets for happyhour at Sheraton in Reston, 11810Sunrise Valley Drive, second-oor bar, 7-9 p.m. All welcome. dullestri-angles.com.


IDENTITYoffers free and conden-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, orTakoma Park, 301-422-2398.

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

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. 202-567-3155or [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 LBTQ women,13-21, interested in leadership devel-opment. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL YouthCenter, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3163,[email protected].

FRIDAY, NOV. 6CHRYSALIS arts & culture groupattends free showing of the 1920silent movie classic of GermanExpressionism, The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari . Meet at 6:45 p.m. in lobby of American Film Institute Silver Theater,8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring,Md., near Silver Spring Metro Station.Refreshments follow. Craig, 202-462-0535. [email protected].

THURSDAY, NOV. 5Bet Mishpachah hostsCROWDSOURCING: COMMUNALETHICS IN JUDAISM AND REALLIFE, the second of four classesoffered by Rabbi Laurie Green, focus-ing on discussions about the interplay between Jewish tradition and com-munal ethics, and how they applyto real-life situations. 7-9 p.m. DCJewish Community Center, 1529 16thSt. NW. For more information, visit betmish.org.

Center Global hosts the BECKNERFUND CAMPAIGN MEETING,designed to discuss potential planssurrounding an advocacy campaignin support of LGBT asylum seekers.6:30-7:30 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,Suite 105. For more information, visitthedccenter.org.

The DC HATE/BIAS CRIMES TASKFORCE holds a meeting where com-munity members will be able to askquestions of representatives from theU.S. Attorney’s Ofce for the Districtof Columbia and discuss concernssurrounding anti-LGBT crimes.6-7 p.m. 555 4th St. NW. For moreinformation, visit thedccenter.org or justice.gov.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTHoffers 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. 7:30-9p.m. swimdcac.org.

DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay and lesbian square-dancing group featuresmainstream through advanced squaredancing at the National City ChristianChurch, 5 Thomas Circle NW, 7-9:30p.m. Casual dress. 301-257-0517,dclambdasquares.org.

Metro Weekly’s Community Calendar highlights important events in the D.C.-areaLGBT community, from alternative social events to volunteer opportunities.Event information should be sent by email to [email protected] for inclusion is noon of the Friday before Thursday’s publication.Questions about the calendar may be directed to theMetro Weekly ofce at 202-638-6830 orthe calendar email address.

LGBTCommunityCalendarSMYAL’S REC NIGHTprovides asocial atmosphere for GLBT and ques-tioning youth, featuring dance parties, vogue nights, movies and games. Moreinfo, [email protected].

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

SATURDAY, NOV. 7ADVENTURING outdoors grouphikes 6 strenuous miles with 1800feet of elevation gain in MassanuttenMountains near New Market, Va.Suitable for experienced, t hikersonly. Bring beverages, lunch, sturdy boots and about $18 for fees. Carpoolat 9 a.m. from East Falls ChurchMetro Station. Craig, 202-462-0535.adventuring.org.

BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay volunteer organization, volunteerstoday for Food & Friends and LostDog & Cat Rescue Foundation at FallsChurch PetSmart. To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.

CENTER GLOBAL, a group of TheDC Center focusing on internationalLGBT issues and working with LGBT-identied asylum seekers, holds ameeting to discuss upcoming initia-tives. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,2nd Floor Conference Room. Formore information, visit thedccenter.org or call 202-682-2245 and ask tospeak to Brant.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTHoffers 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, includingothers interested in Brazilian culture,meets. For location/time, email [email protected]. DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practicesession at Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr.,SW. 8:30-10 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org. DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walk-ing/social club welcomes all levels forexercise in a fun and supportive envi-ronment, socializing afterward. Meet9:30 a.m., 23rd & P Streets NW, for awalk; or 10 a.m. for fun run. dcfront-runners.org.


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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 andfriends. 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].

IDENTITYoffers free and conden-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.

SUNDAY, NOV. 8BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay vol-unteer organization, volunteers todayfor DC Central Kitchen. To partici-pate, visit burgundycrescent.org.

CHRYSALIS arts & culture group visits Udvar-Hazy Center of theNational Air & Space Museum nearDulles Airport, Va. Exhibits includeSpace Shuttle Discovery , ConcordeSST, and SR-71 Blackbird spy plane.Carpool at 10 a.m. from East FallsChurch Metro Station. Bring picniclunch and a few dollars for parkingfee. Craig, 202-462-0535. [email protected].

WEEKLY EVENTS

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

BETHEL CHURCH-DCprogressiveand radically inclusive church holdsservices at 11:30 a.m. 2217 Minnesota Ave. SE. 202-248-1895, betheldc.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practicesession at Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr.,

SW. 9:30-11 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

DIGNITYUSAoffers 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 CONGREGATIONAL UNITEDCHURCH OF CHRIST welcomes allto 10:30 a.m. service, 945 G St. NW.rstuccdc.org or 202-628-4317.

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 oor. Special welcome to lesbiansand gays. Handicapped accessiblefrom Phelps Place gate. Hearing assis-tance. quakersdc.org.

HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRISTwelcomes GLBT community for wor-ship. 10:30 a.m., 6130 Old TelegraphRoad, Alexandria. hopeucc.org.

HSV-2 SOCIAL AND SUPPORTGROUP for gay men living in the DCmetro area. This group will be meet-ing once a month. For information onlocation and time, email to [email protected].

INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUALDEVELOPMENT, God-centered newage church & learning center. SundayServices and Workshops event. 5419Sherier Place NW. isd-dc.org.

Join LINCOLN CONGREGATIONALTEMPLE – UNITED CHURCH OFCHRISTfor an inclusive, loving andprogressive faith community everySunday. 11 a.m. 1701 11th Street NW,near R in Shaw/Logan neighborhood.lincolntemple.org.

LUTHERAN CHURCH OFREFORMATIONinvites 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, 11a.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.

RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH,a Christ-centered, interracial, wel-coming-and-afrming 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.


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UNITARIAN CHURCH OFARLINGTON, an LGBTQ welcoming-and-afrming 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.

MONDAY, NOV. 9The DC Center holds a meeting of

its YOUTH WORKING GROUP todiscuss upcoming initiatives aimedat helping and mentoring LGBT youth. 6-7:30 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,Suite 105. For more information, visitthedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 927 OhioDr. 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.

GETEQUALmeets 6:30-8 p.m. atQuaker House, 2111 Florida Ave. [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.

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

NOVASALUDoffers free HIV testing.5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite 200, Arlington. Appointments: 703-789-4467.

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

THE DC CENTERhosts Coffee Drop-In for the Senior LGBT Community.10 a.m.-noon. 2000 14th St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedccenter.org.

US HELPING UShosts a black gaymen’s evening afnity group. 3636Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.

WASHINGTON WETSKINS WATERPOLO TEAMpractices 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, NOV. 10The DC Center holds a meeting of itsCOMING OUT DISCUSSION GROUPfor those navigating issues associatedwith coming out and personal identity.7-8:30 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite105. For more information, visit thedc-center.org.

GAY & LESBIAN ACTIVISTSALLIANCE (GLAA) meets at 7 p.m.in private home in Dupont Circle toreview current political developmentsin the District. All welcome. Foraddress and other information, call202-667-5139. glaa.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS


ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly dinnerin Dupont/Logan Circle area, 6:30 [email protected], afwashington.net.

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

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walk-ing/social club serving greater D.C.’sLGBT community and allies hosts anevening run/walk. dcfrontrunners.org.

THE GAY MEN’S HEALTHCOLLABORATIVEoffers free HIVtesting and STI screening and treat-ment every Tuesday. 5-6:30 p.m.Rainbow Tuesday LGBT Clinic, Alexandria Health Department, 4480

King St. 703-746-4986 or text 571-214-9617. [email protected].


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

IDENTITYoffers free and conden-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 orTakoma 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.

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

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 welcome.

[email protected].

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,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 UShosts a supportgroup for black gay men 40 andolder. 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, NOV. 11ADVENTURING outdoors group hikes10 moderate miles on C&O Canal nearWilliamsport, Md. Bring beverages,lunch, about $14 for fees. Carpool at9 a.m. from Grosvenor-StrathmoreMetro Station, where parking is free because of the federal holiday. Craig,202-462-0535. adventuring.org.

THE LAMBDA BRIDGE CLUB meetsfor Duplicate Bridge. 7:30 p.m. DignityCenter, 721 8th St SE (across fromMarine Barracks). No reservationsneeded. All welcome. 202-841-0279 if you need a partner.

WEEKLY EVENTS

AD LIB, a group for freestyle conversation, meets about 6:30-6 p.m.,Steam, 17th and R NW. All welcome.For more information, call FaustoFernandez, 703-732-5174.


DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 927 OhioDr. 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.

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.

IDENTITYoffers free and conden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414East Diamond Ave. Walk-ins 2-7 p.m.For appointments other hours, callGaithersburg at 301-300-9978.

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

METROHEALTH CENTERoffersfree, 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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MATTHEW MCGEE GREW UP THE SON OF Aventriloquist. He travelled with his family, puttingon shadow puppet shows at schools throughoutCalifornia and attending puppet festivals in the

summer. In recent years, McGee has become known aroundD.C. as an actor, one who particularly excels in physical comedy.So, when Constellation Theatre Company decided to mount aproduction of the Tony-winning musical Avenue Q , they knewwho to turn to.

“He’s been our puppet specialist on this show,” saysConstellation’s Allison Arkell Stockman.

“I think what a lot of people don’t realize is how difcult pup-


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petry is,” says McGee. “You have to bring that character to life.”Making things even more challenging, in Avenue Q actors are

in plain sight on stage, talking, singing, moving along with theirpuppets. “I’ve just been so impressed by how the actors haveembraced the challenge of puppetry work,” Stockman says. “Butthey’ve all said, ‘This is the hardest thing we’ve ever done.’”

Avenue Q is about life on a gritty street where both adultsand adult puppets struggle to get by. The show, which debutedOff-Broadway in 2003, is affectionately known as “ Sesame Streetfor Adults.” Indeed, in addition to a Trekkie Monster (a nod toCookie Monster), there’s Nicky and Rod, who reside togetherin the “Bert and Ernie” mold. Early on, the casual, freewheeling

Nicky sings to the button-down Rod, “If you were gay, that’d beokay. I mean ’cause, hey, I’d like you anyway.”

Avenue Q is a huge departure for Constellation, which isknown for fanciful yet straight plays. Apart from the increasedcosts involved with mounting a full-scale musical, Constellation’sbiggest reservation was Source Theatre’s relatively small size.

“We’re really limited about what musicals we can do here,”says Stockman. “But Avenue Q doesn’t require many orchestramembers and it’s only a 10-person cast.” It also doesn’t featuremuch in the way of big dance numbers. “There is dance,” saysStockman, “but because they’re puppets, it’s not like West SideStory .” Still, choreographer Rachel Leigh Dolan “has found a

Constellation Theatre is breathing exuberant life into felt for itsrst full-scale musical hitby Doug Rule / Photography by Todd Franson


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lot of lovely moments where both the puppeteer and the puppet aredancing at once,” Stockman notes. “It may not make a lot of logicalsense to see the puppeteers doing a kick line, but within this world itdoes make sense. Those are some of my favorite moments.”

While set in a contemporary urban America, Avenue Q does have asense of fantasy about it. “The show has really big ideas about nding yourpurpose, knowing who you are, being honest about yourself, racism beingbad, generosity making you feel good,” says Stockman. “All of these sort

Ga y Coleman - Eben Logan

PrincetonMatt Dewber y

Rod Vaughn Midder

(L)Nicky Alex Alferov

and Jenna Berk


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know about the show in advance. Before Avenue Q had evenopened last month, the show was 70-percent sold. Now? “We’realmost sold out,” Stockman says, noting that seats are availablefor only a handful of shows over the next few weeks. To addressthe demand, Constellation is presenting eight shows over a fullweek as opposed to the usual ve over a long weekend. BecauseConstellation shares the city-owned Source with several otherperforming arts organizations, it can’t extend the run. Still,Stockman advises people joining the wait list, noting, “though Ican’t guarantee they’ll get in, they’ve got a good shot.”

It’s a safe bet Constellation will stage other musicals in the

future. And Source has proven to be a ne venue for them.“People who have seen it on Broadway have told me that theyreally enjoyed it being in such an intimate space,” says Stockman.

For his part, McGee would love to help local theatres put onmore shows involving puppets, such as War Horse or The Lion King . “Things that are mainstream that people know about,” hesays. “So when you say puppets, people don’t think of somethingthat’s just for kids.” l

Avenue Q runs to Nov. 23 at Source, 1835 14th St. NW. Tickets are$20 to $45. Call 202-204-7760 or visit constellationtheatre.org.

of simple ideas that are really important to life.”The show’s message about how ephemeral life is, as conveyed through

the nal number “For Now,” resonates with Stockman. “Theater artistsput work into a show, and then after ve weeks, it’s gone. But what it’sreally about is living in the moment, and enjoying the moment becauseit’s all you really ever have.”

And this is a particularly great, even unprecedented, moment forConstellation — as well as those lucky theatergoers who were in-the-

Kate MonsterKaty Carkuff

Lucy the Slut - Emily Zickler

Brian - Mikey Cafarelli and Christmas Eve - Justine Icy Mo al

Bad Idea Bears - Christian Montgome y and Jenna BerkTrekkie Monster - Vaughn Midder and Christian Montgome y


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ers: Omar Sharif, Jr., an actor, former spokesman with GLAAD,and grandson of Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, and AndrewGoldstein, a former lacrosse player credited with being the rstopenly gay athlete on a professional sports team, after he was

drafted as the backup goalie for the Long Island Lizards.“I think Omar’s story, as someone coming from a Muslimcountry, and what he experienced, provides a different perspec-tive on the coming out story,” says Minor. “Andrew’s story isalso very compelling. We watched the ESPN story — which we’llbe showing at the dinner — where he was coming out. It’s verypowerful. And really, that’s the message of our program: makingsports a safe environment for everyone and anyone who wantsto play.”

In advance of the event, Metro Weekly spoke exclusively withboth Sharif and Goldstein about their personal experiences com-ing out, living openly, and how they can inspire the next genera-tion of young LGBT people.

METRO WEEKLY: What was your childhood like?OMAR SHARIF, JR.: I was born in Montreal, but my parentsdivorced when I was very young, so I grew up sort of all over.My father moved back to Egypt and so I’ve really travelled backand forth throughout my life. I went to school in the MiddleEast, in Europe, in North America, always travelling from oneplace to another.

I had an interesting upbringing: my mother was Jewish, myfather was Muslim. They lived on different sides of the world,they were very different socioeconomic classes, and so thatwas about adjusting and tting into the environment that I wasin. When I lived in Canada, I was in Jewish Day School, andwhen I was in the Middle East, I was in a completely different

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A BAS-ketball coach who knew one of her players was alesbian, but she just had no idea how to raise it,”says Brent Minor. “For her, the scholarship was

an icebreaker, it was a way to address this difculttopic, which turned out not to be difcult at all.”That scholarship is Team DC’s College Scholarship, a grant

of up to $2,000 awarded to LGBT high school students whoshow academic and athletic prowess and a desire to attend col-lege. It’s a core component of Team DC, an umbrella organiza-tion that represents the city’s various LGBT sports clubs andtheir more than 8,000 athletes. It’s also an invaluable resourcefor educators and students alike.

“I think one of the great hallmarks of the scholarship pro-gram is that there’s an educational element to just going out andtalking about a gay scholarship for LGBT students,” says Minor,the longtime director of Team DC. In particular, the scholarshiphas offered adults a lifeline to approaching students about theirsexuality. “There’s been an enlightenment among teachers, ath-letic directors and coaches, where they kind of say, ‘Okay, this isnot the big deal I thought it was.’”

The scholarship has never been so popular — indeed, TeamDC has had to reject applicants, whereas a few years ago theystruggled to nd worthy students. It also provides studentsan opportunity to meet and mingle with the stars of the D.C.area sports community. Successful applicants will receive theirgrants at the annual Night of Champions Dinner and AwardsCeremony, an event that honors those who have made signi-cant contributions to the D.C. area sports community.

This year, the awards ceremony, to be held this Saturday,Nov. 7 at the Washington Hilton, will feature two guest speak-

ChampiSpi

Omar Sharif, Jr. and Andrewstories about coming out, an

next generation ofInterviews


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This is someone that I know, or that I think I know, because Isee them in the media.” So we need more people to come out.Unfortunately, in the Middle East, it’s difcult — if not outrightdangerous.

MW: Have you received threats against your life or your familysince coming out?SHARIF: Not against my family, but I do receive threats of vio-lence or intimidation. And I have received death threats oversocial media and comments on blogs or websites, as well.MW: How does the U.S. compare in terms of LGBT rights, given your international upbringing?SHARIF: The United States has come a really long way in whatseems like a very quick time, but it’s been a decades-longstruggle to get there. Some other countries, of course, have got-ten there much faster. Countries like Canada, some countriesin Europe, have had marriage equality for some time. But at theend of the day, those are just policies. In the United States, youcan still be red for being gay. Trans acceptance isn’t really thereyet. Eight in ten kids are still being bullied every day. The rates ofHIV are on the rise for the rst time in a generation. People arestill being shunned from their places of worship, or kicked outof their families, and the rates of suicide among LGBT peoplehave stayed stagnant because of this non-acceptance. So mar-riage equality was a big victory, but there’s still a long way to goin the U.S.

I think the U.S. plays a very important role in terms of shed-ding a light on issues and the spread and advancement of equal-ity globally. I hate to quote a Puritan, but I sort of believe in SirJohn Winthrop’s vision of America as a “beacon on a hill, theeyes of all people upon it.” And I do think the rest of the worldwill look at and adapt to the attitudes they see in America and

environment.MW:When did you rst know you were gay?SHARIF: Certainly not until I moved back to North America forcollege. It was never something that crossed my mind, or that I

even considered.MW: But did you ever tell your parents?SHARIF:No. Everyone found out at once when I came out in anop-ed piece to The Advocate .MW: What was the reaction?SHARIF:I’m very blessed, and mostly because I have a familythat loves me unconditionally. I think they were shocked thatit happened in such a public way. I don’t think that’s what theywanted, especially during a time of political and social upheavalin the Middle East at the time.MW: What has your experience been in the Middle East, given a predominantly hostile attitude towards LGBT rights?SHARIF: Some places in North Africa, like Tunisia, Morocco, area little more accepting. This is all based on polling of social atti-tudes and behaviors. Lebanon, as well. And then there are somethat are much less so. Egypt is even above Saudi Arabia in termsof non-acceptance, which I was shocked to read. And there areother states similar to that. It really is the systematic oppressionon the part of the government, but also on the part of society, thisgeneral non-acceptance. Those two things need to be worked onsimultaneously: getting governments to change their policies,and getting society to change its attitudes.

That’s what I’ve been trying to do in Egypt, just because Ihave that celebrity platform that I can push a little bit. When Ido an interview or a TV show back home, many more people cansay “I know someone who’s LGBT. It’s not just something I hearof from religious interpretation, or from government ofcials.

onshiprit

ldstein share their personalow they hope to inspire the

ung LGBT people.ohn Riley

ANDREWGOLDSTEINBYPEYMANKHAZAN


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through American media, which is the largest cultural exportin the world. And I think that will play a big role in promoting

LGBT and human rights globally.MW: How has media portrayal of LGBT people been receivedabroad?SHARIF:It’s very popular. I always laugh that in Egypt, growingup, I didn’t know gay people — no friends or family members oranything of the sort — but I did have Will & Grace . Today, thereare shows like Glee and The Fosters and Modern Family , and allof these positive portrayals of LGBT characters and storylinesthat aren’t stereotyped, that aren’t sensationalized. In placeslike Egypt, it’s really a poorer society. A lot of people don’t haveroofs on their homes, but they do have satellite dishes. And thesewords and these images, they do change hearts and minds, andthey’re getting through and entertaining in a fun way that audi-

ences are responding to.MW: Are younger generations in the Middle East becoming moretolerant of LGBT rights, or do you think it’s the same as previous generations?SHARIF: To be honest, I’m not sure. There’s not much pollingdone on that. There certainly wasn’t in previous generations,to compare with. I think overall it seems like millennials areincreasingly autonomous, and believe in individualism. And Ithink that’s a positive trend, that will lead not so much to peoplebeing accepting or understanding, but not caring about the issueas it relates to someone else.MW: Was your grandfather aware of your coming out, and if so,was he accepting?SHARIF: We never spoke about it. But our relationship neverchanged. Like I said, my family loved me unconditionally. I’mvery fortunate. People are sometimes shocked to hear that,because he was from an older generation, and from the MiddleEast. But I always say he couldn’t have survived in Hollywood —he couldn’t have worked in Hollywood for 30-some-odd years— without being okay with gay people.MW: You’re starring in The Secret Scripture with your grandfa-ther. What was it like working with him?SHARIF: It was really special and I want to thank Jim Sheridan forthat incredible opportunity. It was just four months before mygrandfather’s passing and I got to spend a considerable amountof time with him. He was with me on my rst lm that I evermade, and I was with him on the last lm he ever made. It sort

of brings things full-circle. But it’s a memory I’ll always cherish.It’s something I’ll always be able to look back on, because it wasalso the last time I saw him in person.MW: Did your grandfather ever give you advice for acting, or did helet you do your own thing?SHARIF: He would go over my lines with me sometimes, suggesthow he would do it. He always told me that everything is in theeyes. Crying’s in the eyes, laughing is in the eyes, anger is in theeyes. He was the king of that: his eyes always told a story. That’ssomething I’ve tried to focus on.MW: You’re speaking at the Night of Champions awards dinner.What do you hope to share with the younger LGBT athletes inattendance?SHARIF: I think sports are a really important socialization tool,because it’s a community that supports you. You’re on a team,you’re with people who are experiencing similar things andempathize with you. What I usually talk about when I speakis when I had to leave Egypt — almost overnight, and move toAmerica — the amazing community that’s taken me in here, theLGBT community has really taken me in as one of their own.And have really helped me, in a warm and welcoming way. I’mso grateful for that.

The way the community took me in, a sports team or league

could do the same for these young athletes. We saw that withMichael Sam at Missouri. His team knew, it wasn’t an issue.They supported him throughout his university career. It wasan example of them rallying together, and standing up together.MW: What would be your message to a young person who is con-sidering coming out?SHARIF: I would tell them to try and live authentically, andopenly, and in a way that would make them happy. Not to payattention to the conversation happening around them, but to theconversation happening in their heart and their head. Becausethat’s the only one they can control.

METRO WEEKLY: Tell me about your early l ife.ANDREW GOLDSTEIN: I grew up outside of Boston, in a town calledMilton, in a sports family. I was the baby of three children. Wewere all athletes, all played sports in college. My dad was a hock-ey recruit from Canada who went to Brown University, where hemet my mom. They moved to Boston, and it was all about hockeyand sports growing up. You know, a regular suburban town.MW: What was it about lacrosse that attracted you?GOLDSTEIN: My brother played lacrosse — he was a goalie, actu-ally — for the high school team. My sister played for the girlsteam. When I was around fth or sixth grade, I picked up a stickfor the rst time. I saw my older siblings excelling at this in col-lege, and I wanted to nd a sport I could excel at, and lacrossehappened to be the one.

My rst lacrosse game, I played mideld, and I scored ve orsix goals and then they told me the next week that they had madea rule that you couldn’t score more than three goals. I thought,“Well, what’s going to happen? I’m going to score three and thenI won’t be able to play.” So I decided it was a good idea to switchto goalie, because then I could play for the back of the defense,and start the offense, and not be restricted, in a sense. And onceI started playing goalie, I think it was pretty clear that I was oneof the better players on whatever team I was on.

My freshman year of high school, I made the varsity team.And I guess that was, at the time, the rst time that a freshmanhad started on the varsity. So from the beginning, I always hadunique opportunities through lacrosse. And later on in life, I

“I think the rest of the worldwill look at and adapt to theattitudes they see in Americaand through American media,which is the largest culturalexport in the world. I THINKTHAT WILL PLAY A BIG ROLEIN PROMOTING LGBT ANDHUMAN RIGHTS GLOBALLY.”

— Omar Sharif, Jr.


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started to get certain awards, whether it was all-league or All-New England. One year, I won “best goalie” at one of the indoortournaments and there were a lot of college coaches who werewatching that tournament, so that led to letters from collegesthat were interested, and Dartmouth was one of them.MW: When did you rst know that you were gay?GOLDSTEIN: I would say I probably always knew. When I wasvery young, my older siblings used to tease me for being gay. It’sreally difcult to know whether they had some sort of instinct, orwhether that’s just what older kids do. But when I went to sleep-away camp for the rst time, when I was about eight years old,I remember being with a group of my bunkmates. Someone hadsnuck in a Playboy magazine and they were all looking over it.

And I really didn’t understand. It didn’t excite me, I didn’t havethe same response that they did. I don’t know whether I had allthe words at the time, but from that age, I suspected I was gay.MW: When did you start coming out?GOLDSTEIN: I really didn’t come out to anyone in my life until Iwas 19. That was my sophomore year of college. I came out to afemale friend who I knew had a gay friend. She used to talk abouthim, so I thought she might be a good person to talk to.

Shortly after that, I ended up nding someone, a guy oncampus, and we sort of fell in love. My roommates, one who wasa lacrosse teammate, knew something was going on, because Iwould come back late or sneak out, or I’d be dressed really nicelike I was going on a date, but I wasn’t telling them anythingabout it. Eventually, I had to tell them. And it was really awk-ward, really uncomfortable, but they were pretty cool about it.

I didn’t tell anyone else until the season was over. My momcame up to the Dartmouth campus for the day, and I came out toher. And she was really cool about it. She asked me what I wasgoing to do, and I told her I was going to come out to everyone.MW: What was your dad’s reaction?GOLDSTEIN: Really positive. It was really scary for me to thinkabout what his reaction would be, because he had seemed tobe of a mind that being gay was not a good thing through hisactions over the years. I eventually asked my mom to tell him forme, because I was so afraid of how he’d react. So my mom wenthome after I saw her, and they had whatever conversation theyhad, and when I woke up in the morning, I had this very long

email from my dad and I sat there reading it, literally in tears,almost shaking, because it was so beautiful and supportive, mak-ing it so clear that I shouldn’t have to worry one more minuteabout what he thinks of me.MW: How did your teammates react?GOLDSTEIN: Coming out to my teammates was really scary. But Ichose to do it at a fairly strategic time, in a fairly strategic way.I was coming off the season where I was All-American, All-IvyLeague, All-New England, and my teammates had voted meTeam MVP. So I was condent in that sense, that, no matterwhat, they weren’t going to turn their backs on me. I still wasterried, because just even saying those words out loud — “I’mgay” — was not something I was comfortable with. I had spent solong trying to project the exact opposite. Even when I came outto my roommate, I told him, “I’ve been dating this guy,” and he just held up his hand, and we slapped high-ve. He made it veryclear that he was cool in the sense he needs to be.

I came out to another guy on the team who I thought sus-pected I was gay, because he knew I was friends with someonehe was friends with who was openly gay. And this guy also hap-pened to be the summer president of the lacrosse fraternity. Sohe was a leader, and I gured that would be a good place to start.I cornered him in the weight room, during a team lifting session.

He was completely stunned, and he thought I had told everyoneelse, but I told him it was frightening, the idea of getting up infront of everyone, and I was thinking maybe he could do it forme, and he happily did that. He eased a lot of my fears. The nexttime I saw all my teammates, they all knew. Many of them hadsent me an email just letting me know they were cool with it. Itwasn’t something we had to talk about. It took a while before Iwas comfortable enough, and others were comfortable enough,but at least it wasn’t a secret anymore and we could move on.MW: What do you hope to talk about at the Night of Championsdinner?GOLDSTEIN: Well, I think it’s an incredible honor to be asked toshare my story in front of this great audience and a group that

does a lot of good. I’m really excited to meet the scholarshipwinners, these young men and women who are really inspir-ing. I always nd it so exciting to meet other young athleteswho have been through the same experiences I have and learntheir stories.

Gay athletes are probably the bravest people in the worldbecause they have persevered with something that they love,even when they were afraid that others wouldn’t accept them,and they’ve come out the other side and realized that everythingis going to be okay. Having a chance to speak and tell my story,really gives meaning to all of the difcult years I had in highschool and early in college, when I felt like all of my energy wasbeing used up to hide who I was. So to get to stand up and becelebrated, and have others nd the value in my life experiences,it really gives a purpose to all of those really difcult times.Personally, that’s quite healing.

I know that I will never again make a decision based on whatI think others would want from me. Going through what I did,and what every gay person has to do, in making the choice tocome out, to choose yourself over other people — I think thatinforms your whole life. Never again will you make a decision toplease others, you’re going to do what’s right for you.

Team DC’s Night of Champions Dinner and Awards Programis Saturday, Nov. 7, starting at 6 p.m. at the Washington Hilton Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW. Tickets are $100 each. For moreinformation, visit teamdc.org/champions. l

“WHEN I WOKE UP, I HADTHIS VERY LONG EMAILFROM MY DAD. I SAT THEREREADING IT, LITERALLY INTEARS, because it was sobeautiful, and supportive,making it clear that I shouldn’thave to worry one moreminute about what he thinksof me.” — Andrew Goldstein


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NOVEMBER 5 - 12, 2015Compiled by Doug Rule

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F T H E A L D E N

FLAMENCO APARICIO

DANCE COMPANY Flamenco Men 2 is a showcase of maledancers that will kick off GALA’s 11thFlamenco Festival, curated by Edwin Aparicio. The piece is a sequel toone that Aparicio presented with hisFlamenco Aparicio Dance Companyfour years ago — showing that amen-co “is not just about pretty womenon stage.” Flamenco Men 2 , which Aparicio co-directs with his husband Aleksey Kulikov, will feature vemale dancers, including three origi-nally from Spain as well as Aparicio,a native of El Salvador who grew upin D.C. It’s the rst in a three-part,two-weekend festival. Friday, Nov. 6,and Saturday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m., and

Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. The FuegoFlamenco Festival runs to Nov. 15.GALA Theatre at Tivoli Square, 333314th St. NW. Tickets are $35 to $45 foreach performance. Call 202-234-7174or visit galatheatre.org.

GAY MEN’S CHORUS OFWASHINGTONSoloists from the chorus perform The S* Show featuring the music of Sinatra,Streisand and Sondheim three timesover the next week: Once during aspecial season-opening fundraisingperformance at the Kennedy Center,as part of a Home Cooked Cabaretprogram including post-show dinnerand drinks at homes throughout thearea, this Saturday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m.;

and then two regular performancesat the Atlas Performing Arts Center,on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m. and 8p.m. Tickets are $135 for the KennedyCenter fundraiser, or $20 to $35 atthe Atlas. Call 202-293-1548 or visitgmcw.org.

JODY WATLEYResponsible for ’80s spunky dance-soul hits “Looking for A New Love,”“Don’t You Want Me,” “Still A Thrill”and “Friends,” this Grammy-winningartist got her start as a lead danceron Soul Train and as a member of theR&B group Shalamar. Over the pastcouple of decades, Watley has shownherself to be an outspoken gay rightsand marriage equality activist. She’s

SPOTLIGHT2015 DC BEER FESTOver 80 breweries will ll the con-course at Nationals Park to helpspread beer cheer the rst Saturdayin November. Over a dozen of D.C.’stop food trucks will also be on handfor this annual beer fest including lawngames, DJs and more. Saturday, Nov.7, from noon to 3 p.m. or 5 to 8 p.m.Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol St.NE. Tickets are $40 per session andinclude unlimited drink tastings. Visitdcbeerfestival.com.

Super-Sized Comedy Bruce Vilanch and Judy Gold team up for an evening of

comedy and Hollywood secrets

Y OU GET YOUR START IN COMEDY BY LOOKING IN THE MIR-ror and thinking what you see is unusual,” says Bruce Vilanch. “Soyou start making funny faces and perform for yourself.”Sixty-six years — and six Emmys — after rst catching a glimpse of him-

self in the mirror, Vilanch is still screwing up his face and cracking wise. Hissignature heft, charmingly raspy voice, and unstoppable wit marked himfor a career in comedy from the get go. It helped that he had a “deep-seatedneed to express [myself],” Vilanch says. “Also, to be funny.”

More than just a comedian, Vilanch has become a force of nature inHollywood and is particularly known for co-penning the Academy Awardseach year. Now, he’s teamed up with lesbian comedian Judy Gold (a two-time Emmy award winner herself) for Big and Tall: Bruce Vilanch and JudyGold , playing this weekend at the Alden Theatre. “I’m number one, andshe’s number two,” Vilanch quips. The comedians met while Gold wasworking on Margaret Cho’s sitcom, All-American Girl . “I don’t rememberexactly when lightning struck,” Vilanch says, “but we were two big gayJews, and we’re both very showbizzy, so it was a natural t.”

But beyond being gay and Jewish, Gold has one more more handicap —

at least in Hollywood’s terms — than Vilanch: being a woman. “It was interesting for Judy, because at the beginning she wasn’tout. It was pre-Ellen,” Vilanch says. “And because all women are perceived as romantic gures, the vast unwashed audienceshad to think she had a shot at getting a man.”

In our post-Ellen world, however, Vilanch believes comedians can thrive on being gay. “There are people who areProfessional Homosexuals, and those who are Homosexual Professionals,” he says. “People who were gay who did what theydid, and people who what they did was being gay. When I get up there, I play myself. I’ve been authentic my entire life.”

—Connor J. Hogan

Big and Tall: Bruce Vilanch and Judy Gold is Saturday, November 7th at 9 p.m. at the Alden Theatre in the McLean CommunityCenter, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, Va. Tickets range from $20 to $72. For more information,

visit mcleancenter.org/alden-theatre.


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RAC WITH BIG DATAThe man born André Allen Anjos inPortugal and based in Portland, Ore.,has racked up a lot of attention thepast couple years with both origi-nal singles and especially remixes —RAC originally stood for Remix ArtistCollective — for Tegan and Sara,Gossip, fun. and Death Cab for Cutie. Spin has described RAC’s output as“sunny summer jams…warm-synthed,handclap-happy indie dance numbers,” the kind that works even infall or really any time of year. He’ll be

joined at the 9:30 Club by Big Data,producer Alan Wilkis’s intriguingalt-dance/indie-rock hybrid, whichhas worked with an eclectic group ofhip, bubbling-under artists to gener-ate songs that are gritty but melodic,edgy but accessible — nothing butcool. If you’ve heard his modest rockhit “Dangerous,” featuring the bandJoywave, you know exactly how itgoes: A sauntering bass guitar riff youcould groove to all day long. Also onthe bill is Filous and Pink Feathers.Tuesday, Nov. 10. Doors at 7 p.m. 9:30Club, 815 V St. NW. Tickets are $35.Call 202-265-0930 or visit 930.com.

M I C H E L E L E E P R O D U C T I O N S

SPECTREBond is back. There’s a new M, a new Aston Martin, and a new purpose forDaniel Craig’s British secret agent: tak-ing down the mysterious Spectre, ashadowy criminal organization. Skyfall was a welcome return to form for thefranchise, so there’s high hopes for Spectre . Opening Friday, Nov. 6. Areatheaters. Visit fandango.com.

THE DC BIG FLEAANTIQUES MARKETBilled as the Mid-Atlantic’s larg-

est antique ea market, this marketincludes booths offering unique, qual-ity antiques for home and ofce. Thisis not the ea market of yore, accord-ing to promoters, but one where youcan nd sophisticated, sleek and stur-dy furniture and designs, from neantiques to vintage clothing and hand- bags to mid-century modern artworks.Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 6p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 8, from 11 a.m.to 5 p.m. Dulles Expo Center, 4320Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, Va. Admission is $8 for both days. Call757-961-3988 or visit www.thebigea-market.com.

STAGECAKE OFF

You enter new musical Cake Off atSignature Theatre already rootingfor its lead female protagonist Rita— largely because she’s being played by the great Sherri Edelen. And sureenough, Sheri Wilner’s Cake Off , writ-ten with Julia Jordan ( Murder Ballad )on the book and lyrics and Adam Gwon( Ordinary Days ) on music and lyrics,might stir up some girl-power passion.But the nal product, as directed byJoe Calarco, isn’t satisfying or sweetenough — especially as the last number nds Rita resorting somewhat togender stereotypes, sublimating herdreams and desires into those of herunseen daughter. It leaves a ratherunpleasant taste. Joe Calarco directsthe show written by Sheri Wilner( Kingdom City) , Julia Jordan ( Murder Ballad ) and Adam Gwon ( Ordinary Days ). To Nov. 22. Signature Theatre,4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington.Tickets are $40 to $101. Call 703-820-9771 or visit signature-theatre.org.(Doug Rule)

currently touring with a concert billedas “Shalamar Reloaded.” Friday, Nov.6, through Sunday, Nov. 8, at 8 p.m. and10 p.m. Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Tickets are $48 to $50, plus$12 minimum purchase. Call 202-337-4141 or visit bluesalley.com.

MID CITY ARTISTS’FALL OPEN STUDIOS TOUR Artists who are part of the 14th Street-centered Mid City Artists collaborativeopen their studios for the public tomeet, learn, enjoy and buy art as part

of this bi-annual event. The a rtists rep-resented offer a range of work, fromdrawings to sculptures to photographsto mixed media, and include many ofnote to the LGBT community — amongthem Metro Weekly ContributingIllustrator Scott G. Brooks, plus CharlieGaynor, Michael Crossett, Glenn Fry,Brian Petro, Colin Winterbottom,Indira Marin Dingledine and BettoOrtiz. Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday,Nov. 8, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mid Citycorridor, from Dupont to Logan Circlesand north to Florida Ave NW. Free. Visit midcityartists.com.

Lee’sKenCen Landing Michele Lee salutes Cy Coleman in a one-woman cabaret

NEVER MIND THAT SHE’S BEST KNOWN AS A DRAMATICTV actress — dubbed “the First Lady of Knots Landing ” for her

portrayal as Karen on that long-running prime-time CBS soapfrom the ’80s — Michele Lee styles herself as a funny lady.

“I wish I could be half-comedian, but I’m probably 10-percent come-dian,” Lee cracks during a phone interview from New York, one shewishes could have been face-to-face, over lunch — or better yet, cock-tails. “Oh yeah, let’s go to cocktails,” she says. “Forget that lunch thing.”

Lee is a hoot, an all-around, honest-to-goodness entertainer, thelikes of which you don’t often see these days. Born Michele Lee Dusick,Lee got her start on Broadway at the age of 19 with small roles in playsand musicals, including How to Succeed in Business Without ReallyTrying . She recently returned to Broadway, as Madame Morrible in thelong-running Wicked .

This Friday, Nov. 6, Lee performs a one-woman show as part of

Barbara Cook’s Spotlight cabaret series at the Kennedy Center. Thefocus is on the music of Broadway composer Cy Coleman, whose 1973musical See Saw earned Lee her rst Tony nod. “Cy Coleman was anincredible artist,” she says. “The songs that I’ve chosen tell just a won-derful story about all his music...and my personal stories with him.”

Lee was going to perform a cabaret focused more on her variedcareer, but the brand-new Coleman show got such “fabulous reviewsin New York,” she opted to go with it instead. Lee says she’d be delighted to come back to the Kennedy Center to perform hermore personal cabaret, which includes a salute to Knots Landing . Asked if that cabaret also includes reference to another rolein particular, from the hit 1968 Disney movie featuring a cognizant car, Lee just laughs. “There’s no song in The Love Bug that Iwould sing. But I do tell some funny stories about it.” — Doug Rule

Michele Lee performs Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m., at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.

Tickets are $50. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.


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8, at 7:30 p.m. The Barns at Wolf Trap,1635 Trap Road, Vienna. Tickets are$25 to $27. Call 877-WOLFTRAP or visit wolftrap.org.

OLETA ADAMSTwo years ago in Metro Weekly ,Maurice Hines sang this singer’spraises. “I think one of today’s great voices is Oleta Adams,” he said. Thisweekend she returns for two showsin our area. So, you know, get there if

you can. Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Tickets are $45. Call703-549-7500 or visit birchmere.com. Also Saturday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. Ram’sHead On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis.Tickets are $45. Call 410-268-4545 or visit ramsheadonstage.com.

PAPERHAUSThis popular D.C. band, now a four-piece, makes rhythmically orientedrock music with a mournful edge, withtouches of Joy Division and the Doors.Paperhaus performs another home-town show on a bill with YonatanGat and Go Cozy. Thursday, Nov. 12.

Doors at 9 p.m. Comet Ping Pong, 5037Connecticut Ave. NW. Tickets are $12.Call 202-364-0404 or visit cometping-pong.com.

RACHAEL YAMAGATABorn in Alexandria and educatedin Bethesda, alternative-rocker Yamagata comes back to the area inadvance of a new album due later this

MUSICACCORDION VIRTUOSI OF RUSSIAWashington Performing Arts offersa co-presentation with host venueLincoln Theatre of this more than70-year-old Russian ensemble said tooffer daredevil feats of keyboard and button prowess. Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW.Tickets are $25 to $45. Call 202-328-

6000 or visit thelincolndc.com.

BALTIMORE SYMPHONYORCHESTRAMarin Alsop conducts BSO soloists inthe science-forward program “TimeTravel,” narrated by NPR’s ScottSimon, and featuring Vivaldi andPhilip Glass pieces, including Icarusat the Edge of Time , a story by spe-cial guest Brian Greene. Thursday,Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. Joseph MeyerhoffSymphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St.,Baltimore. Also Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Tickets are $20 to $99. Call 410-783-

8000 or visit bsomusic.org.

MOUNTAIN HEARTBilled by Bluegrass Today as “one ofthe most daring and experimentalstring bands in the world,” MountainHeart boasts a rotating roster ofGrammy and CMA-nominated musi-cians, who will storm the Barns atWolf Trap this weekend. Sunday, Nov.

THE APPLE FAMILY CYCLEStudio Theatre presents the nal twoplays in Richard Nelson’s bold four-part examination of a rapidly chang-ing America. The plays — Sorry , seton Election Day 2012, and Regular Singing , set on the 50th Anniversaryof JFK’s assassination — are stagedin rotating repertory and with thesame cast. In fact, it’s the same superbcast that appeared in the rst install-ment at Studio in 2013, called “the

strongest, tightest ensemble seen inseveral years” by Metro Weekly : Ted van Griethuysen, Rick Foucheux,Sarah Marshall, Elizabeth Pierotti,Kimberly Schraf and Jeremy Webb.Serge Seiden directs. To Dec. 13.Studio Theatre, 14th & P Streets NW.Call 202-332-3300 or visit studiothe-atre.org.

THE MAGIC TREEUrsula Rani Sarma’s story of love bornin a very dark place examines whygood people do bad things and repeatthe mistakes of the past. Matthew J.Keenan and Colin Smith jointly directKeegan Theatre’s contribution to the

Women’s Voices Theater Festival andfeaturing Brianna Letourneau, ChrisStinson, Scott Ward Abernethy andRyan Tumulty. To Nov. 13. KeeganTheatre, 1742 Church St. NW. Ticketsare $25 to 36. Call 703-892-0202 or visit keegantheatre.com.


season and set to be called TightropeWalker . Thursday, Nov. 12. Doors at 7p.m. 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. Ticketsare $25. Call 202-265-0930 or visit930.com.

STORM LARGEClassic songs twisted by this irre-pressible vocalist, who rst capti- vated national audiences as a contes-tant a decade ago on CBS’s Rock Star: Supernova , but in recent years has

become best known from her workin Pink Martini — with whom shedebuted at the Kennedy Center in2011. Friday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m. Amp by Strathmore, 11810 Grand Park Ave.North Bethesda. Tickets are $30 to$45. Call 301-581-5100 or visit ampbys-trathmore.com.

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BANWith their lineup of instruments, thisColorado-based string band may seemlike a traditional bluegrass band, butthey incorporate rock and other genresinto a music stew that has earnedthem fans far beyond the bluegrass belt. Now a quintet, Yonder Mountain

String Band tours returns to the 9:30Club in another show presented by All Good. Saturday, Nov. 14. Doors at5 p.m. Nightclub 9:30, 815 V St. NW.Tickets are $27.50. Call 202-265-0930or visit 930.com.


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DANCEASANGA DOMASK’SSERENDIBDANCECityDance Ignite Artist AsangaDomask brings her companySerendibDance for a couple perfor-mances at Strathmore, offering adaring collection of Sri Lankan tradi-tional and folk dance. Dancers fromCityDance’s Sri Lankan Traditional &

Folk Dance program and from theCityDance Conservatory also perform.Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m., andSunday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. CityDanceStudio Theater at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Tickets are $25. Call 410-783-8000 or visit citydance.net.

TWYLA THARP An evening featuring the D.C. premiereof two new works by the Tony Award–winning choreographer and KennedyCenter Honoree, who is now celebrating50 years in the arts. Wednesday, Nov.11, through Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7:30p.m. Also Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1:30 p.m.

Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater.Tickets are $34 to $75. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.

COMEDY

BIANCA DEL RIOLast year, after winning RuPaul’s Drag Race Bianca Del Rio was all overD.C., from headlining Capital Prideto monthly runs of a show at TownDanceboutique. Now, the bitch, asthey say, is back, offering a comedyspecial, “Bianca del Rio’s Rolodex ofHate,” presented by Murray & Peter

and offering a Comedy General-typeWarning: “Warning: Adult Content.This Ain’t No Lady!” Saturday, Nov.14, at 9 p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St.NW. Tickets are $20 to $75. Call 202-328-6000 or visit thelincolndc.com.

THE RETROCESSIONISTS An evening of off-the-cuff improvcomedy from troupe based in — andcheekily named in reference to — thepart of Virginia that used to be part ofD.C. a century and a half ago. Friday,Nov. 6, at 8 p.m. The Athenaeum, 201Prince St., Alexandria. Tickets are $15.Call 703-548-0035 or visit nvfaa.org.

WANDA SYKESThe rst openly LGBT perform-er to headline the White HouseCorrespondents’ Association Dinner,D.C. native Wanda Sykes returnshome with her latest stand-up showat the Warner Theatre, which is every bit as political and au courant as herpast outings. “It’s funny, the difference between Democrats and Republicans,”she tells Metro Weekly as part of a pre- view of her new material. “Democratsare like, ‘Man, I really like BernieSanders. He’s saying a lot of good stuff.But he’ll never win.’ And then on theRepublican side, you’ve got a guy likeDonald Trump, who’s a clown, and he

is their front-runner. ‘Yeah, I’m gonna

J E R E M Y F R A N K


Gold StandardMarrow’s Macie Stewart gets her inspiration from St. Vincent

M ACIE STEWART HAS ONLY MET GRAMMY-WINNING INDIE-POPsensation St. Vincent once.“It was at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia in 2011,” she says, noting that hernerves got the best of her. “It was more like ‘Hi!’ and then I ran away really fast.” Stewart

met her idol while performing as part of the band Kids These Days.Two years ago, Stewart and two other members of that unwieldy, seven-piece band ofChicago teenagers broke off and created their own rock-oriented group. “Band names areprobably my least favorite task, because it’s just really hard to nd something that repre-sents you,” Stewart says. But she and her band mates found inspiration in the St. Vincentsong, “Marrow.” “In addition to being the name of one of my favorite St. Vincent songs,”she says, “I liked the imagery it evokes.”

It helps that music is in Stewart’s bones. She was raised by a musician mother andmusic-loving father, who weaned her on piano at age three and violin at age ve. By thetime she was in high school, Stewart was already writing her own songs, and her passionfor music had taken her as far as Ireland, playing ddle with a Chicago-based touringgroup.

Stewart was planning to go to college to study classical piano, until pursuit of her ownmusic took over. Not that the 22-year-old has let herself get rusty. “I still practice it athome all the time,” she says.

These days, her biggest commitment is Marrow and touring in support of its strongdebut set, The Gold Standard , an eclectic mix of folk, progressive-rock and punk-pop. Youcan hear St. Vincent’s inuence on several songs on the new album, nowhere more sothan on the short, hard-charging anthem “Paulson.” When asked what the song is about,Stewart cites a totally unrelated, unexpected source: Fight Club .

“I had just read the book and I thought it’d be fun to write a song about that,” she says,adding with a sly laugh, almost if she had broken the rst rule of her own Fight Club: “Idon’t really tell many people that.” — Doug Rule

Marrow performs Sunday, Nov. 8, at 8:30 p.m., at DC9, 1940 9th St. NW. Tickets are $10.Call 202-483-5000 or visit dcnine.com.


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INGENUE TO ICON: HILLWOOD’SFASHION EXHIBITIONSubtitled “70 Years of Fashionfrom the Collection of MarjorieMerriweather Post,” the HillwoodMuseum offers a special exhibition

focused on the elegant fashions andsumptuous fabrics documenting theevolution of 20th Century fashion —and all drawn, naturally, from thelate Hillwood owner who gave theplace so much style. Through Dec. 31.Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Ave.NW. Tickets are $18. Call 202-686-5807 or visit hillwoodmuseum.org.

ABOVE AND BEYONDLOTUS BLOOMS: OPENINGWEEKEND WITH RACHELKRAMER BUSSEL Adams Morgan’s new education-

C O U R T E S Y O F T H E N A T I O N A L G A L L E R Y O F A R T

based sex-positive boutique throws aGrand Opening Weekend party builton a theme of “Pleasure for EveryBody.” Along with free product demon-strations and giveaways every couplehours Saturday and Sunday, sex edu-cator Rachel Kramer Bussel will offeran “Erotica Writing 101” workshop onSunday. Opens in a free Ribbon Cutting& Champagne Toast on Friday, Nov 6,at 7 p.m. The Rachel Kramer Busselworkshop is Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m.,and costs $25. Call 202-836-4474 or visit lotusblooms.com.

STRATHMORE’S MUSEUM SHOPAROUND Yes, it’s already almost that time of year, and Strathmore’s annual MuseumShop Around is one of the best andmost convenient places in town fornding unique, arty holiday gift ideas.Next weekend, 18 museums will be

represented at the event selling memo-rabilia and merchandise, including the Audobon Sanctuary Shop, Foundationfor the National Archives, MontgomeryCounty Historical Society, the NationalGeographic Museum, the NationalMuseum of Women in the Arts, thePhillips Collection and the SupremeCourt Gift Shop. Each museum is givenits own space, often its own room, inStrathmore’s historic Mansion. That’senough room for most shops to dis-play as much as 40 percent of theirnormal store inventory. The Mansionalso offers a café with food and drinkavailable throughout the event, includ-ing hot apple cider. Opens Thursday,Nov. 12, and runs through Sunday,Nov. 15, starting at 10 a.m. each day.The Mansion at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Tickets are $9. Call 301-581-5100 or visit strathmore.org. l

vote for that guy. He could win!’”Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8,at 8 p.m. Warner Theatre, 513 13th St.NW. Tickets are $73. Call 202-783-4000 or visit warnertheatredc.com.

GALLERIESCOLIN WINTERBOTTOM: SCALINGWASHINGTONCelebrated local gay photographerColin Winterbottom’s debut museumexhibition features stunning, large-scale imag

metro weekly - 11-05-15 - avenue q

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