Metro Weekly - 09-22-16 - Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

CONTENTS
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
13
Volume 23 Issue 20
OUTSIDE THE BOOK
The D.C. Public Library celebrates more than books at this

years Banned Books Week
By Doug Rule
THIS IS OUR MUSEUM.

ITS OUR HISTORY.
The black LGBT community shares its feelings about the
opening of the National Museum of African American
History and Culture
34
Interviews By John Riley
24
AUSTEN POWERS
Sense and Sensibilitys intelligent silliness will create

theatergoers for life
By Kate Wingfield
SPOTLIGHT: VISUALLY DEFINING p.7 OUT ON THE TOWN p.11

OUTSIDE THE BOOK: BANNED BOOKS WEEK p.13 THE FEED: SOCIAL RISKS p.17
THE FEED: PROTECTING PROGRESS p.19 COMMUNITY: THRILL PRIDE p.21
COMMUNITY CALENDAR p.21 COVER STORY: THE NATIONAL MUSEUM FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN
HISTORY AND CULTURE p.24 GALLERY: TIM McLORAINE p.33 STAGE: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY,
COLLECTIVE RAGE p.34 STAGE: ANGELS IN AMERICA, URINETOWN p.36 MUSIC: TOR MILLER p.38
NIGHTLIFE p.41 SCENE: BEAR HAPPY HOUR AT TOWN p.41 SCENE: PEACH PIT AT DC9 p.50
SCENE: NELLIES p.52 LAST WORD p.54
The bitches who make this shit... #masthead
Editorial Editor-in-Chief Randy Shulman Art Director Todd Franson Managing Editor Rhuaridh Marr Senior Editor John Riley Contributing Editor Doug Rule
Senior Photographers Ward Morrison, Julian Vankim Contributing Illustrator Scott G. Brooks Contributing Writers Gordon Ashenhurst,
Sean Bugg, Frank Carber, Fallon Forbush, Sean Maunier, Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield Webmaster David Uy Production Assistant Julian Vankim
Sales & Marketing Publisher Randy Shulman National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media Co. 212-242-6863 Distribution Manager Dennis Havrilla
Patron Saints William Baldwin, Marsha P. Johnson, Bessie Smith Cover Photography Alan Karchmer-NMAAHC
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SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 METROWEEKLY
Spotlight
Jo Ann Block - I am Surfacing - Mixed media collage
Visually Defining
Transformers latest exhibit highlights artists exploring racial, sexual and cultural identity
S AN ALLY AND A SYMPATHETIC HUMAN WITH

friends of all different racial, sexual and national identities, I feel anger and frustration at people being profiled...
because of who they are or how they identify, says Victoria
Reis, artistic director of the intimate Transformer Art Gallery
in Logan Circle. Given everything thats been happening in
our world for the last year especially all the violence based
on racism and sexual identity and cultural identity we felt it
was really important to highlight artists who are both defying
stereotypes and defining themselves in their own way around
issues of identity.
Enter Defy/Define, a new exhibit at Transformer, showing
nine emerging visual artists working in photography, video and
performance art, including Alexandra Rex Delakaran, Jo Ann

Block, Nakeya Brown, Ebtisam Abdulaziz and Eli Barak. Reis
hopes the show will foster a more positive conversation.
Reis co-founded Transformer to provide visual artists a
more consistent platform for exposure. Her passion for identity art began during the culture wars 25 years ago, when she
worked for a small association that supported LGBT artists
such as Karen Finley and Tim Miller, artists were really starting a conversation around identity-based work, particularly of
sexual identity.
As for the artists represented in Defy/Define, Reis says, All
have something important to say, and will be communicating
that through really compelling visual means. Doug Rule
Defy/Define runs to Oct 22 at Transformer, 1404 P St. NW. Call 202-483-1102 or visit transformerdc.org.
Spotlight
DC CHINESE FILM FESTIVAL
A Straight Journey
Now in its third biennial year, the DC Chinese Film Festival continues to shine,
despite a lack of funding from the Chinese government. And that is why its weeklong lineup of 67 features and shorts contains films that challenge official policies
and decreed customs, including on LGBT topics. The highlight this year is Papa
Rainbow, which screens Friday, Sept. 23, followed by a Q&A discussion with Popo
Fan, the Chinese filmmaker who has fought government censors to tell the stories
of LGBT Chinese. His newest documentary introduces us to six Chinese fathers
who stood up for their LGBT children, even though doing so meant they risked
their reputations and social standing in a culture that regards homosexuality as
shameful. Screening with Papa Rainbow is Ma Sha and Miao Jiangs short film A
Straight Journey, offering portraits of 48 gays and lesbians and their families from
across China. Friday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. Landmarks E Street Cinema, 555 11th St.
NW. Festival continues to Sunday, Sept. 25, at various venues. Individual tickets are
$10, or $50 for a festival pass. Call 202-452-7672 or visit dccff.org.
SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF
Billed as the story of Louis Armstrong that you dont

know, drama critic and biographer Terry Teachouts
first play makes its D.C. premiere opening the second season of Mosaic Theater Company. Eleanor
Holdridge directs local great Craig Wallace in this
one-man show, portraying Armstrong, his manager
Joe Glaser, and his rival Miles Davis. Set on the night
of Armstrongs last public performance in 1971, the
play takes a hard look at Satchmos life and his role in
the Civil Rights Movement. The production also kicks
off a provocative season-long discussion series, Race
and Music: Blacks, Jews and the Independent Artist.
Closes Sunday, Sept. 25. Lang Theatre in the Atlas
Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets are $20
to $60. Call 202-399-7993 or mosaictheater.org.
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
Mozarts comic masterpiece is an exploration of the perils

of temptation and the triumph of love told through a mix
of enchanting music and absurd mix-ups. The Washington
National Opera opens its season with a Peter Kazarasdirected production from the Glimmerglass Festival starring newcomer Amanda Majeski, Lisette Oropesa, Joshua
Hopkins, and Ryan McKinny. In Italian with projected
English titles. Opens Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the
Kennedy Center Opera House. Tickets are $25 to $315. Call
202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org. A special free
simulcast of the Saturday, Sept. 24, performance will be
held at Nationals Park. Gates open at 5 p.m., performance
starts at 7 p.m. Visit operaintheoutfield.org
Making
Overtures?
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Out On The Town
Lang Lang
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The NSOs two principal conductors, Christoph Eschenbach and Steven Reineke, present a season opening concert with
a pianist the New York Times has heralded as the hottest artist on the classical music planet. Lang Lang will perform
Rachmaninoffs Piano Concerto No. 1. The concert also pays indirect tribute to the newest Smithsonian museum, with performances by R&B crooner Brian McKnight, jazz singer Nnenna Freelon, and a cappella group Take 6. They will join the
Steven Ford Singers, Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir, and singer/composer Mervyn Warren
in a performance of Warrens new work, We Are All America. Sunday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m. Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
Tickets are $59 to $125. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
Compiled by Doug Rule
FILM
HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE
Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable and

Marilyn Monroe star as women plotting to trap rich, eligible bachelors
til death do they part. Preceding
How to Marry a Millionaire will be
two short films by Negulesco (At the
Stroke of Twelve and Jan Garber and
His Orchestra), made at the start of
his directing career with Warner
Brothers. The Library of Congress
presents a free screening on its picturesque Virginia campus, which
houses the worlds largest collection of films, broadcast and audio
recordings. Friday, Sept. 30, at 7:30
p.m. Packard Campus Theater,
19053 Mount Pony Rd. Culpeper,
Va. Free, first-come, first served.
Call 202-707-9994 or visit loc.gov/
avconservation.
QUEEN OF KATWE
Disneys biographical sports drama

follows the true story of Phiona
Mutesi (Madina Malwanga), who

grew up under immense hardship
in Uganda and transpired to be a
chess prodigy after joining an outreach program. David Oyelowo
and Academy Award-winner
Lupita Nyongo also star. Mira Nair
directs. Opens Friday, Sept. 23.
Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.
(Rhuaridh Marr)
STORKS
A stork company that delivers

babies switches to delivering packages, but accidentally produces
one more baby girl. Its up to the
companys top delivery stork (Andy
Samberg) to find the child a home,
before his boss discovers the... you
know what, this looks like its going
to be profoundly mediocre, so we
wont waste your time with more
information. Opens Friday, Sept. 23.
Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.
(RM)
THE DRESSMAKER
Kate Winslet is a femme fatale who

returns to her backwater Australian
hometown to care for her ailing

mother (Judy Davis), while exacting revenge on those who originally drove her to leave. Reviews
have been mixed, but Jocelyn
Moorhouses film and Winslets
wardrobe are both gorgeous. Liam
Hemsworth and Hugo Weaving
also star in this 50s-set Aussie
dramedy. Opens Friday, Sept. 23.
Landmarks E Street Cinema, 555
11th St. NW. Call 202-452-7672 or
visit landmarktheatres.com. (RM)
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
The air is dense with testosterone

in this post-Civil War adaptation of
Seven Samurai. A town under siege
recruits seven outlaws including Denzel Washington, Chris
Pratt, Ethan Hawke, and Vincent
DOnofrio to protect them. Its
pretty apparent that these bad
guys will end up being good, but it
should be good popcorn-consuming action regardless. Opens Friday,
Sept. 23. Area theaters. Visit fandango.com. (RM)
STAGE
ANGELS IN AMERICA:
MILLENNIUM APPROACHES
Two of suburban Marylands leading theater companies, Round

House Theatre Company and Olney
Theatre Center, join forces for an
unprecedented 25th anniversary
production of Tony Kushners twopart Pulitzer- and Tony-winning
masterpiece. In October, Part I:
Millennium Approaches and Part II:
Perestroika will be staged in repertory. Some of Washingtons leading actors take on the meaty roles
in the gay rights epic, including
Jonathan Bock, Kimberly Gilbert,
Mitchell Hebert, Thomas Keegan,
Sarah Marshall, Jon Hudson Odom,
Tom Story, and Dawn Ursula.
Millennium Approaches runs to Oct.
23. Round House Theatre, 4545
East-West Highway, Bethesda. Call
240-644-1100 or visit roundhousetheatre.org.
BLACKBERRY DAZE
TC Carson stars as Herman Camm,
11
BANNED BOOKS WEEK
OUTSIDE THE BOOK
The D.C. Public Library celebrates more than books at this years Banned Books Week
IBRARIANS ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT BANNED

Books Week, says Kari Mitchell of the D.C. Public
Library. Its kind of the core of what librarianship is. So
it wasnt very hard for people to come up with their own programming and ideas.
All next week, city libraries will host readings, discussions
and displays of popular books that have been challenged in some
way or another. This years theme, chosen by the American
Library Association, celebrates diversity of all types and all
types of information. Its a theme thats evident in the ALAs
list of the most challenged titles of 2015, which includes I Am
Jazz by transgender youth Jazz Jennings, Fun Home by Alison
Bechdel, Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan, and the Holy Bible.
As chair of the Banned Books Week committee, Mitchell helped
her fellow librarians think outside the book this year, with the
launch of the series, Uncensored: Banned Books to Film. We want
to celebrate the freedom of information not just in printed words,
Mitchell says, and reaching people through movies is one way that
we can do that. Among the films screening at various city libraries
are Brokeback Mountain, Charlottes Web, Of Mice and Men, Where

The Wild Things Are and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. None
of those films or the books on which theyre based have been
banned in D.C. Yet as someone who grew up in rural North Dakota,
Mitchell is aware of how rare our local situation is.
Everybody here just seems to be so accepting of information, whether they agree with it or not, she says. I think
the D.C. public has thrived on that. Residents can toast their
open-mindedness at an Uncensored cocktail gala closing out
Banned Books Week on Friday, Sept. 30, at the Martin Luther
King Jr. Memorial Library. For her part, Mitchell is looking forward to this years kickoff event, to be held at the central library
on Monday, Sept. 26. Veteran emcee Rayceen Pendarvis will
host Rayceens Reading Room, an evening celebrating diversity and featuring a diversity of performances, from comedy to
dramatic readings and spoken word to interviews.
Im excited about how everything has come together,
Mitchell says. There are just so many different ways well be
celebrating information and the freedom to it. Doug Rule
For a list of all Uncensored: Banned Books Week activities throughout the DC Public Library, visit dclibrary.org/bannedbooks.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is at 901 G St. NW. Call 202-727-0321 or visit dclibrary.org/mlk.
a provocative gambler who weaves
his magic on three unsuspecting
women in a small Virginia town
post-World War I. Roz White also
features in Thomas W. Jones IIs
world premiere musical adaptation
of Ruth P. Watsons romantic mystery thriller. To Oct. 9. MetroStage,
1201 North Royal St., Alexandria.
Tickets are $55 to $60. Call 800494-8497 or visit metrostage.org.
CLOUD 9
Michael Kahn helms a Studio Theatre

production of British playwright
Caryl Churchills 35-year-old explo-
12
ration of power and sexual politics,

set in colonial Africa and London in
the 1970s. Holly Twyford leads the
cast. To Oct. 16. Studio Theatre, 14th
& P Streets NW. Call 202-332-3300 or
visit studiotheatre.org.
COME FROM AWAY
Fords Theatre is one early stop

for the Broadway-bound folk/rock
musical by Irene Sankoff and David
Hein. The show celebrates hope
and humanity in a time of darkness, focusing on the thousands of
international passengers who were
stranded in a remote Newfoundland
town after air traffic was halted on

9/11, and the warm welcome locals
gave them. Directed by Christopher
Ashley (Memphis). Extended to Oct.
16. Fords Theatre, 511 10th St. NW.
Call 800-982-2787 or visit fordstheatre.org.
HAND TO GOD
Avenue Q sounds like childs play

compared to Robert Askins comedy focused on teens of a Christian
puppetry ministry in a small Texas
town. Touted as a blasphemous and
ruthless comedy about sex, sinners
and sock puppets, Joanie Schultz

directs a production led by Liam
Forde as a foul-mouthed, demonically possessed puppet. With Helen
Coxe, Caitlin Collins, Ryan McBride
and Tim Barker. Extended again
to Oct. 2. Studio Theatre, 14th & P
Streets NW. Call 202-332-3300 or
visit studiotheatre.org.
REPORT TO AN ACADEMY
Scena Theatre opens its 30th season with a short existential drama
by storytelling master Franz Kafka.
Scena founder Robert McNamara
with an outrageous musical comedy. A Tony-winning hit in 2001,

Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis
Urinetown is a Brechtian satire of
politics and populism, examining
timely issues from environmental disaster to corrupt politics
and police brutality. The musical
focuses on a lovestruck young man,
played by Vaughn Ryan Midder,
who becomes the leader of a revolt
against an all-powerful corporation
that has banned toilets at home,
forcing people to pay to pee in its
toilets. To Oct. 9. Source Theatre,
1835 14th St. NW. Tickets are $25
to $50. Call 202-204-7741 or visit
constellationtheatre.org.
THE ALDEN
THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD

- SYMPHONIC METAL VERSION
MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY
An intimate night of spectacular modern dance from a

troupe the Washington Post once called one of the seven
wonders of the artistic universe. Saturday, Sept. 24, at 8
p.m. Alden Theatre at the McLean Community Center,
1234 Ingleside Ave., Mclean, Va. Tickets are $50. Call
703-790-0123 or visit mcleancenter.org/alden-theatre.
directs and stars as a captured
African ape who evolves to behave
like a human in the one-actor showcase. He even learns to communicate, sharing his tales of human
assimilation and earlier ape woes
in the jungle to a scientific academy. Closes Sunday, Sept. 25. Atlas
Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St.
NE. Tickets are $20 to $35. Call
202-399-7993 or mosaictheater.org.
ROMEO & JULIET
Andrew Veenstra is Romeo and

Ayana Workmen is Juliet in a
production also featuring Rafael
Sebastian, Ryan Sellers, Brayden
Simpson, Emily Townley, Gregory
Wooddell, and Elan Zafir. Directed
by Alan Paul. To Nov. 6. Lansburgh
Theatre, 450 7th St. NW. Call 202547-1122 or visit shakespearetheatre.org.
SENSE & SENSIBILITY
Eric Tucker of New Yorks

acclaimed theater company Bedlam
helms Jane Austens beloved tale of
sisterhood and romance, adapted
by Kate Hamill. Maggie McDowell
and Nicole Kang play the Dashwood
sisters, with Edward Ferrars and
Michael Glenn their suitors.
Erin Weaver, Jacob Fishel, Lisa
Birnbaum, Caroline Stefanie Clay,
James Patrick Nelson, and Kathryn
Tkel round out the cast. To Oct. 30.
Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St.
SE. Tickets are $30 to $75. Call 202-
14
544-7077 or visit folger.edu.
THE GULF
Rachel Zampelli and Maria Rizzo

play lesbians in a tumultuous relationship in this world premiere
comedy from D.C. playwright
Audrey Cefaly. Joe Calarco directs
a Signature Theatre production,
as a languid summer day on the
Alabama Delta turns into a nightmare when the motor on their boat
breaks down. In previews. Runs to
Nov. 6. Signatures Ark Theatre,
4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Call
703-820-9771 or visit signature-theatre.org.
THE LAST QUIXOTE
Cervantes is dead and a drunk

man insists the person who killed
him is renowned poet Lope de
Vega, in this world-premiere play
by Jordi Casanovas. Director Jos
Luis Arellano won the 2016 Helen
Hayes Award for his last production
at GALA, Yerma, so expect great
things. In Spanish with English surtitles. Weekends to Oct. 2. GALA
Theatre at Tivoli Square, 3333 14th
St. NW. Tickets are $40 to $45. Call
202-234-7174 or visit galatheatre.
org.
URINETOWN
After snagging 7 Helen Hayes

Awards for last years sensational
Avenue Q, Constellation Theatre
Company kicks off its 10th season
Stephen Sondheim gave the quirky,

upstart Landless Theatre Company
permission to amp up his most
famous tale for its twice-staged,
Helen Hayes Award-nominated
Sweeney Todd-Prog Metal Version.
Now, its author and composer
Rupert Holmess turn, challenging Landless to test its mettle and
metal with The Mystery of Edwin
Drood. The choose-your-own-ending musical from 1986 is a dark tale
of deception, based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens. To
Oct. 2. Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311
Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg.
Tickets are $25. Call 301-258-6394
or visit landlesstheatre.com.
MUSIC
FOLGER CONSORT WITH DEREK
JACOBI, RICHARD CLIFFORD
The early music ensemble Folger

Consort managed to enlist the
British power couple of Sir Derek
Jacobi and Richard Clifford to
kick off its 30th anniversary season in grand, dramatic fashion
and at the Kennedy Center,
no less. The ravishing music of
Henry Purcells Dido and Aeneas is
paired with timeless passages from
Shakespeares Measure for Measure
in a theatrical concert with orchestra and chorus, featuring soloists
Peter Becker, Emily Noel and
Molly Quinn. Saturday, Oct. 1, at 8
p.m. Kennedy Center Eisenhower
Theater. Tickets are $79 to $119.
Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
PHILIP GLASS AT NATIONAL

GALLERY RE-OPENING
The celebrated modern American

composer appears as part of festivities celebrating the renovation of
the National Gallery of Arts East
Building. As part of the 75th season
of free concerts at the museum,
Glass will perform and discuss the
creative process of collaborating
with visual artists, among other
topics, in a program moderated
by musicologist William Robin of
the University of Maryland. The
day before, the New Orchestra of
Washington and the 18th Street

Singers perform Yves Kleins
Symphonie
Monotone-Silence,
an eccentric work that calls for a
32-piece orchestra and a 40-voice
choir sustaining a D-major chord
for 20 minutes and then another 20 minutes of the performers
frozen in silence. Sunday, Oct. 2, at
2 p.m. East Building Auditorium,
National Gallery of Art, 3rd Street
at Constitution Avenue NW. Free
first come, first seated. Call 202842-6941 or visit nga.gov.
PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ

BAND
The exuberant, New Orleans, big

band jazz septet returns to D.C.
as one headlining act performing in celebration of the opening
of National Museum of African
American History and Culture.
Former President Jimmy Carter,
Joey Williams of the Blind Boys
of Alabama, and the DuPont Brass
Band are all special guests at the
concert. Friday, Sept. 23. Doors at
6:30 p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U
St. NW. Tickets are $35. Call 202328-6000 or visit thelincolndc.com.
PRINCESS FEAT. MAYA RUDOLPH

& GRETCHEN LIEBERUM
Not your average nationally touring Prince cover band. You may
not know Gretchen Lieberum, but
you certainly do her cohort Maya
Rudolph, best known as a Saturday
Night Live alum, lesser known as
the daughter of late multi-octave
singer Minnie Ripperton of Loving
You fame. Together, Rudolph and
Lieberum offer a love letter to the
dearly beloved legend, gone too
soon. Sunday, Sept. 25. Doors at 7
p.m. Nightclub 9:30, 815 V St. NW.
or visit 930.com.
THE BIRD AND THE BEE
Airy vocalist Irina George, daughter of Little Feats Lowell George,

makes soft-pop music steeped in
tropicalia jazz rhythms with her
music partner and uber-producer
Greg Kurstin (Sia, Kylie Minogue).
Thursday, Sept. 29. Doors at 7:30
p.m. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW.
Tickets are $18 in advance, or $20
day-of show. Call 202-667-4490 or
visit blackcatdc.com.
WICKED JEZABEL
Pauline Anson-Dross popular lesbian all-covers party-rock band

Wicked Jezabel has been rocking
as well as raising money for various
good causes all over the region
for a decade now, originally under
the name The Outskirts of Town.
This weekend, the women perform a birthday bash for member
Davi Anson-Dross, Paulines wife.
Saturday, Sept. 24, at 9 p.m. JVs
Restaurant, 6666 Arlington Blvd.,
Falls Church. Call 703-241-9504 or
visit jvsrestaurant.com.
YUNA
Malaysias first international pop

star returns to the area for her third
concert this year. The 29-year-old
artists engaging voice, similar to
Feist and Lorde, is matched by a
melodically rich blend of pop, folk
and R&B and songs. If you think
youve heard them before, you likely
have accompanying performances on So You Think You Can Dance,
for example. Yuna tours in support of Chapters, her third global
album. Tuesday, Sept. 27. Doors at
7 p.m. Nightclub 9:30, 815 V St. NW.
or visit 930.com.
DANCE
D.A.N.C.E.
D.C. Area New Companies

Experience (or, D.A.N.C.E.) is a new
event organized by Georgetown
Day High School and its dance
director Maria Watson to spotlight recently formed troupes, as
well as to potentially cultivate new
audiences. Gin Dance Company,
DC Bhangra Dance, Motion X
Dance DC, DanceArt Theater, and
DancEthos are the featured groups
that will perform. Friday, Sept. 30,
at 7 p.m. High School Black Box
at Georgetown Day School, 4200
Davenport St. NW. Call 202-2743200 or visit gds.org.
STEP AFRIKA!
Washington Performing Arts

launches its 50th anniversary
season with a new and expanded production of the step dance
companys signature work, The
Migration: Reflections on Jacob
Lawrence. Step Afrika! blends body
percussion, dance and spoken word
into a multimedia work also featuring members of the WPA Men
and Women of the Gospel Choir.
Meanwhile, images from American
painter Jacob Lawrences iconic
series telling the story of the
African-American migration to
the North a century ago will be
projected beyond the performers.
Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct.
1, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 2, at 4
p.m. UDC Theater of the Arts, 4200
Connecticut Ave. NW. Tickets are
$45. Call 202-833-9800 washingtonperformingarts.org.
THE WASHINGTON BALLET
Julie Kent, The Washington Ballets

new artistic director, narrates an
evening featuring works by her predecessor Septime Webre, Choo San
Goh, and other favorites from the
repertoire in a one-night-only event
celebrating the companys 40th
anniversary. Friday, Sept. 30, at 8
p.m. Kennedy Center Eisenhower
Theater. Tickets are $40 to $500.
Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
READINGS AND
COMEDY
LECTURES
AMY SCHUMER
ALAN CUMMING
The Good Wife and Cabaret star

returns to the area, this time to
read from his latest memoir, You
Gotta Get Bigger Dreams: My Life
in Stories and Pictures. Among the
often self-deprecating personal stories shared in this sequel to his
more serious work Not My Fathers
Son, Cumming tells of his misadventures with everyone from Helen
Mirren to Carrie Fisher to Oprah.
Monday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. Sixth &
I Historic Synagogue. 600 I St. NW.
Tickets are $20, or $35 including
one pre-signed book. Call 202-4083100 or visit sixthandi.org.
ALTON BROWN
The award-winning cookbook

author (Im Just Here for the Food)
discusses EveryDayCook, a collection of 101 recipes and tips that the
star of Food Networks Good Eats
regularly utilizes. Friday, Sept. 30,
at 7 p.m. Politics and Prose, 5015
Connecticut Ave. NW. Call 202364-1919 or visit politics-prose.com.
JACK HAMILTON
Just Around Midnight: Rock and Roll

and the Racial Imagination reveals
the interplay of popular music and
racial thought that was responsible
for making rock a white mans preserve in our cultural imagination
even though it derived from the
African-American R&B tradition.
Also, its earliest stars, most notably Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley,
were black. In his debut book, the
University of Virginia professor
and Slate music critic juxtaposes
black and white artists of the 60s
Sam Cooke with Bob Dylan, Aretha
Franklin with Janis Joplin in his
examination of charged, oversimplified notions of authenticity,
cultural betrayal and politics that
have blinded us to rocks inextricably interracial artistic enterprise.
Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m.
Kramerbooks, 1517 Connecticut
Ave. NW. Call 202-387-1400 or visit
kramers.com.
NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL
Shonda Rhimes, Kareem AbdulJabbar, Diane Rehm, Salman

Rushdie, Ken Burns, and Stephen
King are among approximately
120 writers, authors, illustrators
and poets who will participate
in the annual festival. Marilynne
Robinson will be presented with
the 2016 Library of Congress Prize
for American Fiction during the
13-hour event, which includes a
Youth Poetry Slam and Graphic
Novel Night. Saturday, Sept. 24,
from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Walter E.
Washington Convention Center,
801 Mt. Vernon Pl. Call 202-2493000 or visit loc.gov/bookfest.
Its not everyday, or even every

year, you see a comedian a female
one at that headline the Verizon
Center. Yet a year after opening
for Madonna at Madison Square
Garden, Amy Schumer is now a
bona fide stand-up stadium star.
Shes on her first world tour in support of her characteristically revealing and provocative new memoir
The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo.
Friday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m. Verizon
Center, 601 F St. NW. Tickets are
$52 to $140. Call 202-628-3200 or
visit verizoncenter.com.
DINA MARTINA
Grady Wests comedic drag performance act, a Provincetown staple,

is nearly impossible to explain, or
so The Stranger once summarized.
And it accurately, entertainingly
described Martinas shtick: Beyond
her stature as a superstar entertainer without peer [Martina] is in
possession of not one shred of discernible talent or grace. Her voice
sounds like a cat having an epileptic
fit on a chalkboard, her body moves
like two pigs fighting their way out
of a sleeping bag, and her face looks
like the collision of a Maybelline
truck with a Shoneys buffet. Its so
awful, in other words, its awfully
good. Monday, Sept. 26, at 8 p.m.
The Howard Theatre, 620 T St.
NW. Tickets are $25 in advance, or
$30 day of show. Call 202-588-5595
or visit thehowardtheatre.com.
EXHIBITS
CARL VAN VECHTEN: HARLEM
HEROES
Many central figures in the Harlem

Renaissance were captured by photographer Carl Van Vechten, some
when they were young and on
the cusp of achieving international fame, from James Baldwin and
Langston Hughes to Bessie Smith
and Ella Fitzgerald. There are 39
images spanning over 30 years,
all drawn from the Smithsonian
American Art Museums permanent collection, but never before
presented as a set since they were
acquired in 1983. Through March
19, 2017. Smithsonian American Art
Museum, 8th and F Streets NW.
Free. Call 202-633-1000 or visit
americanart.si.edu.
EARTH WATER AIR:

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
The Historic Glen Echo Park presents works by three local photographers focused on capturing
the mystery and movement of the
natural world: Rebecca Clews,
inspired by Chinese landscape
paintings with works featuring
scenes built from a multitude of
microscopic photographs; Leslie
Kiefer, whose Japanese wood-
block-inspired images explore the

blurring of surfaces and skylines;
and the luminous platinum prints
of Caroline Minchew, said to transform landscapes into intimate, personal experiences. Closes Sunday,
Sept. 25. Photoworks Gallery at
Historic Glen Echo Park, 7300
MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Md.
Call 301-634-2274 or visit glenechophotoworks.org.
FREDA LEE-MCCANN
Studio Gallery presents Spirit of the

Mountain, an exhibit of multi-layer paintings inspired by traditional
Chinese landscapes but incorporating calligraphy and small thumbnails. The works include poems by
an 11th Century Chinese scholar artist Mei-Fu and Freda Lee-McCanns
great uncle, Jen Yuan-Tao, a scholar and a general. Lee-McCann will
close the exhibition with a special
live artistic performance with other
Studio Gallery members. Closes
with an Art All Night Reception
Saturday, Sept. 24, from 7 p.m. to 12
a.m. Studio Gallery, 2108 R St. NW.
Call 202-232-8734 or visit studiogallerydc.com.
JOHN WATERS KIDDIE

FLAMINGOS
Few people could have imagined

that John Waters lovable 1988
film Hairspray would become a hit
Broadway musical and subsequent
hit musical film. No one in their
right mind would pick his startlingly tasteless Pink Flamingos to be
next up for a similar resurgence
though you cant say Baltimores
king of camp isnt trying, albeit
modestly. In 2014 he filmed children reading a cleverly modified,
G-rated version of the 1972 cult
classic. The 74-minute film features
kids mostly his friends children
wearing wigs and costumes that
evoke the legendary performances
of Divine, Mink Stole, Edith Massey
and others. Waters has even suggested the new version is in some
ways more perverse than the original. Now to Jan. 22. The Baltimore
Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum
Dr. Baltimore. Call 443-573-1700 or
visit artbma.org.
THE ART OF ROMAINE BROOKS:

CURATOR GALLERY TALK
All summer, the Smithsonians

American Art Museum has displayed 50 paintings and drawings
from its permanent collection
focused on lesbian artist Romaine
Brooks, who struck an androgynous
look and explored gender and sexuality in her work, something rarely
done in her time. Brooks was a
leading figure of an artistic counterculture of upper-class Europeans
and American expatriates, many
of whom were queer, and a precursor of present-day artists with
works depicting cross-dressing
and transgender themes. Three
days before the exhibit closes, its
15
was one of the first regional competitions and largest prizes to honor
visual artists. Works by the eight
finalists for this years competition
will be presented in a Bethesda
Contemporary Art Awards exhibit presented by the Bethesda Arts
& Entertainment District. Lauren
Frances Adams of Baltimore has
been selected as Best in Show,
with Sarah Irvin of Springfield, Va.,
garnering second place, and Ben
Marcin of Baltimore third. Closes
Saturday, Sept. 24. Gallery B, 7700
Wisconsin Ave. Suite E, Bethesda,
Md. Visit 301-215-6660 or visit
bethesda.org.
ABOVE & BEYOND

ADAMS MORGAN PORCHFEST
ALAN SEPINWALL AND MATT ZOLLER SEITZ
Longtime TV critics Sepinwall and Zoller Seitz, who

worked at the Newark Star-Ledger, have ranked all that
they saw in TV (The Book): Two Experts Pick the Greatest
American Shows of All Time. A spirited discussion will take
place, as the two engage on their rankings with NPR pop
culture critic Linda Holmes. Thursday, Sept. 29, at 6:30
p.m. Kramerbooks, 1517 Connecticut Ave. NW. Call 202387-1400 or visit kramers.com.
guest curator Joe Lucchesi, of St.

Marys College, will lead a free tour
through the exhibit and a discussion about Brookss lasting resonance. Thursday, Sept. 29, at 6
p.m., starting in the G Street Lobby
at the Smithsonian American Art
Museum, 8th and F Streets NW.
Exhibit closes Oct. 2. Call 202-6331000 or visit americanart.si.edu.
THE GREEKS
Subtitled Agamemnon to Alexander

the Great, the National Geographic
Museum offers the only East Coast
stop of this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition featuring more than 500
priceless treasures, many never previously displayed outside of Greece,
from the 5,000 years of Greek culture including the birth of democracy. The Greek Ministry of Culture
along with several North American
museums organized this exhibition. Through Oct. 10. National
Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St.
NW. Tickets are $15. Call 202-8577588 or visit ngmuseum.org.
THE OUTWIN 2016: AMERICAN

PORTRAITURE TODAY
Every three years the Smithsonians

National Portrait Gallery presents
finalists of the Outwin Boochever
16
Portrait Competition, named for a

late volunteer and benefactor. The
portraits are works drawn from
all over America, mostly featuring
unheralded, everyday citizens and
generally presented in innovative
ways through various media, from
standard photography to three-dimensional installation. This years
winner is a stunning, slightly surreal painting of a young AfricanAmerican girl by Amy Sherald of
Baltimore. Among the 43 finalists,
more than a half-dozen are LGBTthemed, including: Jess T. Dugan
of St. Louis and her masculine
self-portrait; a print of two transgender teenagers in love by Evan
Baden of Oregon; an oil painting
focused on a recently married, older
gay couple by Paul Oxborough of
Minnesota; and a flamboyant, patriotic painting by D.C.s Tim Doud
featuring his spouse, cultural theorist Edward Ingebretsen, in full
plume. Through Jan. 8. National
Portrait Gallery, 8th and F Streets.
NW. Call 202-633-8300 or visit npg.
si.edu.
TRAWICK PRIZE
Named after a Bethesda, Md., community leader and arts advocate, the
Trawick Prize, established in 2003,
Two weeks after Adams Morgan

Day comes a smaller festival showcasing the eclectic rhythms that
make the multicultural neighborhood move. Launched in 2013 by
the Adams Morgan Partnership
BID, PorchFest features dozens of
local musicians and musical acts.
Its a mix of ages and expertise, performing a mix of styles from brass
to R&B, folk to rock, and Latin to
reggae, in pop-up venues on porches and patios of historic homes
and local businesses throughout
the neighborhoods leafy residential streets. Saturday, Oct. 1, from 2
p.m. to 6 p.m. Starting point is 18th
Street and Columbia Road NW. Call
202-997-0783 or visit adamsmorganonline.org.
CAPITAL HOME SHOW
DIY Bath Crashers host Matt

Muenster and HGTV House
Counselor host Laurie March headline a show featuring more than
300 exhibitors, seminars and home
remodeling projects, including
a Make-it, Take-it DIY Station,
a free hands-on workshop sponsored by IKEA. Friday, Sept. 23,
and Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 9
p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 25, from 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. Dulles Expo Center,
4320 Chantilly Shopping Center
Drive, Chantilly, Va. Admission is
$7 online or $10 at the door, good
for all three days of the show. Call
888-248-9751 or visit capitalhomeshow.com.
DC GIRLY SHOW:
GURLIES GONE WILD
The DC Gurly Show isnt your

grandfathers burlesque show, nor
is it even a traditional striptease
show. Anybody is welcome, no
matter gender or how they identify, with the focus on expression
and individual performance. An
outgrowth of local drag king organization the DC Kings, the Gurly
Show is a more freeform type of
event. Mindi Mimosa hosts the
latest concoction, Gurlies Gone
Wild, featuring performances
by Lexie Starre, Atomic Venus,

Miss Ginger Jameson, Stellina
Nyghtshade, Dixie Castafiore,
Valarie Morgalis, Nastya Djakov,
La Duchess Davenport. and Lyndi
Luxe. Sunday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m.
Bier Baron Tavern, 1523 22nd St.
NW. Tickets are $10 in advance, or
$15 at the door. Call 202-293-1887
or visit dcgurlyshow.com.
LA-TI-DO
Regie Cabico and Don Mike

Mendozas La-Ti-Do variety show
features higher-quality singing
than most karaoke, often from
local musical theater actors performing on their night off, and also
includes spoken-word poetry and
comedy. Held at Bistro Bistro in
Dupont Circle, Mendoza and Anya
Randall Nebel host the next event
with Stephen Russell Murray, plus
performances by The American
Pops Orchestra and the National
Broadway Chorus and accompanist
Levar Betts. Monday, Sept. 26, at 8
p.m. Bistro Bistro, 1727 Connecticut
Ave. NW. Tickets are $15, or $10
if you eat dinner at the restaurant
beforehand. Call 202-328-1640 or
visit latidodc.wix.com/latido.
MARYLAND RENAISSANCE
FESTIVAL
As summer nears its end, thoughts

naturally turn to jousting, feasting,
crafts, theater, music, and merriment. Yes, its time once again for
Maryland Renaissance Festival, one
of the worlds largest festivals recreating 16th century England. Now
in its 40th season and set in a park
outside of Annapolis, Md., the festival encourages patrons to dress
up in period costume. (Theyre
available to rent if you dont have
your own doublet and hose.) Just
dont bring weapons, real or toy,
or pets, as they tend to eat the turkey legs. Weekends through Oct.
23. Maryland Renaissance Festival,
Crownsville Road, Crownsville,
Md. Tickets are $17 to $22 for a
single-day adult ticket. Call 800296-7304 or visit marylandrenaissancefestival.com.
MEDIEVAL MADNESS
Touted as an out-of-the-ordinary
experience, Alexandrias Medieval
Madness blends art and history
and not simply by way of historical
reenactment. Its an adventure set
in 15th-century England and featuring court jesters, men in tights,
and battling knights trained by the
European Martial Arts Academy.
Above all else, though, Medieval
Madness is a comedy show. To Oct.
21, with evening shows Thursdays
through Saturdays and four-course
feasts on Fridays and Saturdays.
Medieval Madness at Renaissance
Hall, 710 King St. Alexandria.
or visit medievalmadness.com. l
theFeed
SOCIAL RISKS
Are hookup apps to blame for the rise in HIV and sexuallytransmitted infections? By John Riley
ENE IS CONNECTED. THE 37-YEAR OLD D.C. RESIDENT IS ON

Facebook, Snapchat, GroupMe, Instagram, Grindr, Scruff, and Recon, an app
for people into BDSM and other fetishes. Gene and his partner use the latter
three to arrange sexual encounters with others sometimes separately, sometimes
together and enjoy an active sex life. Though HIV-positive, and on medication,
making his viral load undetectable, Gene doesnt always use condoms. Most app users
he encounters dont even bother to ask, while several prefer not to use condoms at all.
Ive noticed that if theyre under 25, they usually want a condom, he says.
When they hit from 25 to 50, they tend to be more into barebacking. When you get
above 50, it moves back towards condoms.
Gene blames the casual attitude towards condoms partly on the increased use of
pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily medication that helps prevent HIV transmission. He also says his HIV status, listed on his profile, plays a role, as others who
are HIV-positive often seek him out because of his status.
Of course, sex with strangers carries its risks. Besides HIV, Gene has been infected
with syphilis twice and once with gonorrhea and herpes. The majority of the time he
is a top, yet most of his infections occurred after bottoming.
Gene accepts the risk of sexually-transmitted infections when seeking casual,
non-monogamous sex. Yet some state and local health departments are concerned
with the number of people recently diagnosed with HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia. In just the last 16 months, health experts from Rhode Island, Pennsylvania,
Florida, and Alberta, Canada, have pointed the finger at apps like Grindr, Tinder and
Scruff for fueling those increases.
Matthew Rand, a health educator and the Self-Test Project coordinator at
Whitman-Walker Health in Washington, D.C., says that while there is evidence
showing higher rates of STI infection among social media users, much more research
is needed. A 2014 study of over 7,000 men who have sex with men (MSM) by the Los
Angeles County Department of Health concluded that the incidence of gonorrhea and
chlamydia was higher among people who use social apps to arrange sexual liaisons.
Data from Whitman-Walkers Gay Mens Health Clinic, held twice a week,
shows a similar trend: Between May 2014 and April 2015, HIV-negative MSM
who used social media had higher rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea as opposed to those who
did not. Still, there may be other
factors contributing to those higher STI rates. Rand points to statistics showing that condom use
in general is declining, something
he attributes to the perception of
HIV as a manageable condition.
Dr. Gregory Phillips, a research
assistant professor of medical
social sciences at Northwestern
Universitys Feinberg School of
Medicine, agrees that the blame for
STI increases cannot be attributed
solely to hookup apps.
A lot of the work weve done
shows that men tend to be less
risky with people they meet online,
because they dont really know
the people, says Phillips. They
arent meeting them through their
social networks, they dont have a
sense of familiarity, so they tend to
be more likely to use condoms or
not engage with people they dont
know offhand. So it doesnt seem
that that might be the reason for
upticks in STDs or HIV.
Grindr, Scruff and Tinder
argue that they are being made
the scapegoat for increases in
HIV and STIs. The claim that
gay apps like Scruff are the culprit
behind increases in reported STIs
is neither accurate nor particularly
helpful, Jason Marchant, found-
17
theFeed
ing partner and chief product officer of Scruff, said in a
statement to Metro Weekly.
It is probably true that more guys are having more sex
because Scruff and other apps have made it easier for GBTQ
guys to connect, he said. It is also probably true that more
guys are having more sex because our hard-earned progress
towards equality has, in many places, made it safer for us
to be openly LGBTQ. Its also probably true that more guys
are having more sex because our hard-earned victories
against HIV are making sex a less fraught and potentially
deadly activity. Further, our continued success in making
HIV more survivable, manageable, and preventable is likely
a primary driver of a related trend: the steady decrease in
condom use.... Decreasing condom use and greatly increased
HIV/STI testing (of guys on PrEP) are the real, proximal
cause behind increases in reported STIs.
Representatives from Scruff, Grindr, and Tinder also
highlighted their companies efforts in helping users make
better sexual health decisions by providing information on
testing and treatment options. Scruff, for instance, allows
members to list their safer sex practices on their profile. The
app also provides geo-targeted alerts about STI outbreaks
and allows nonprofits or public health agencies to advertise
their services.
Grindr adopts a four pronged approach to sexual
health, a representative told Metro Weekly. That includes
ensuring Grindr uses around the world know where and
when they can access LGBTQ-competent, anonymous STI
testing and increasing access to STI prevention tools like
PrEP, as well as helping people make informed decisions
about using protection and fighting the stigma attached to
being HIV-positive.
Tinder has similar efforts to promote sexual health and
safety to its users.
While the CDC, who conducted the largest and most
credible study on the topic, has never identified any connec-
tion that supports the idea that Tinder usage correlates with,
let alone causes, an increase in STDs, were happy to do our
part in supporting these educational efforts by including
Health Safety tips on our site and linking to Healthvanas
free HIV and STD testing site locator, a spokesperson said.
Joe, a 26-year-old D.C. resident who is on OKCupid,
Match, Grindr, Scruff, Tinder and Growlr, credits app
developers for their efforts to promote better sexual health
practices.
These apps have been promoting PrEP, and youll get
advertisements on Grindr to use PrEP or be safe, things
like that, says Smith. Yesterday, I got an advertisement
on Grindr offering where to get tested. Its definitely more
recent, but theyre making an effort.
Joe uses condoms about 75 percent of the time and
gets tested every three months. Hes skeptical about a direct
correlation between the use of social media and an increase
in STIs.
I dont know if theres necessarily a link between the
two, he says. If youre on those apps, youre looking for a
particular thing or are going to be influenced to do a particular thing. I think people that just fuck around in general are
at risk and not just because theyre on an app.
Charlie is a 27-year-old D.C. resident in an open relationship and has profiles on several hookup websites and apps.
He agrees that having a presence on social media isnt the
silver bullet that leads to a greater chance of acquiring
an STI. Rather, he says, its lax attitudes about condom use.
I wont lie and say that once I was on PrEP, I didnt feel
a little more comfortable with risky behavior, or a little more
at ease hooking up with somebody I met on an app, he says.
And once you remove the condom from the scenario, its
going to increase your risk of gonorrhea and chlamydia. l
The names of several of the people interviewed for this article
have been changed.
PROTECTING PROGRESS
President Obamas focus has turned to protecting his legacy and that includes his work
for LGBT rights By Rhuaridh Marr
WILL CONSIDER IT A PERSONAL INSULT, AN

insult to my legacy, if this community lets down its guard
and fails to activate itself in this election, President
Barack Obama boomed. His tone was serious, his often
jovial features furrowed in a stern glare.
During his keynote address to the Congressional Black
Caucus Foundation last week, Obama demanded that the
African American community help protect everything he
has accomplished in the nations highest office. This wasnt
folksy Obama, or charming Obama. This was a president
facing the real possibility that everything hed worked
towards would be for nothing next January. You want to
give me a good send-off, go vote, he ordered the audience.
For the nations first African-American president, the
2016 election cycle has become about much more than
18
merely passing the torch to Hillary Clinton (or watching,

crestfallen, as Trump snuffs it out). In eight years often
overshadowed by partisan roadblocking, the rise of extremism, the Syrian crisis, and more mass shootings (and the
resulting gun control debates) than anyone would care
to think about, its important to remember how much
President Obama has achieved: The Affordable Care Act
(forever known as Obamacare), dragging the nation out of
recession, winning an historic second term, acknowledging
and combatting climate change, reducing military deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan, and countless advances for
the LGBT community.
His legacy, the groundwork Obama has laid, is what hes
now keen to protect at all costs from Donald Trump.
My name may not be on the ballot, but our progress is on
CHRISTOPHER DILTS FOR OBAMA FOR AMERICA
theFeed
the ballot, he told the audience. Tolerance is on the ballot.

Democracy is on the ballot. Justice is on the ballot.
And its not just the African-American community that
has a lot at stake in this election, though the troubling
rise of white nationalism and outright racism should give
everyone pause for thought. The continued advancement
of LGBT rights a key feature of Obamas presidency is
also on the ballot.
Tuesday, Sept. 20, marked five years since the lifting of
Dont Ask, Dont Tell, which forced military personnel to
remain closeted or face discharge. Its been over three years
since DOMA, which mandated that marriage was between
one man and one woman, was ruled unconstitutional. And
its now fifteen months since marriage equality became the
law of the land. These are all hallmarks of Obamas presidency, and, lest we forget, he was the first sitting president
to voice his support for same-sex marriage even if it took
some prompting from Vice President Joe Biden.
Its a commitment to progress that continues even as
Obama enters his last few months as commander-in-chief.
Right now, his administration is fighting for protections
against LGBT discrimination, suing states that try to restrict
bathroom access for transgender people, and trying to make
life a little easier for transgender students who want to use a
changing facility that matches their gender identity.
Clinton is the candidate most upfront about continuing that legacy. Her campaign website contains lengthy
proposals for tackling HIV/AIDS, for protecting LGBT
rights, for upgrading the service records of LGBT veterans
dismissed from the military due to their sexual orientation,
for ending the practice of conversion therapy, for passing
the Equality Act, and for promoting LGBT rights around
the world. Trumps campaign website has not one word
regarding LGBT people. His partys platform actively disavows them.
On the campaign trail, Trump made history as the
first Republican nominee to say LGBTQ during the
Republican National Convention. He called himself a

friend to the community. He promised to protect LGBTQ
people from Islamic extremism. But he opposes marriage
equality, he has seemingly wavered on his previous support for trans bathroom access, and his campaign team and
advisers are a whos who of anti-LGBT activists, politicians,
and media personalities.
When it comes to continuing President Obamas legacy,
Hillary Clinton is eager to intimate that she is the only
choice this election cycle.
We need ideas, not insults, real plans to help struggling Americans in communities that have been left out
and left behind, not prejudice and paranoia, she told the
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. We cant let
Barack Obamas legacy fall into the hands of someone who
doesnt understand that, whose dangerous and divisive
vision for our country will drag us backwards.
In a speech Monday, she told a crowd of millennials at
Temple University that she was best equipped to advance
equality for LGBT people. Indeed, Clinton intimated that
even with all thats been achieved under Obama, no LGBT
voter should be satisfied with the status quo.
You arent and you shouldnt be satisfied with the progress weve made, Clinton said. You should keep wanting
to right wrongs and fight for justice and dignity for all.
As President Obama stood before the Congressional
Black Caucus, compelling the African-American community to realize that their vote matters now, more than
ever before his words rang true for any wavering LGBT
voters, too. After extolling the various things at stake in this
election, he drew a clear contrast between Clinton and her
opponent.
There is one candidate who will advance those things.
And theres another candidate whose defining principle,
the central theme of his candidacy is opposition to all that
weve done, he said, adding, Hope is on the ballot. And
fear is on the ballot, too. l
19
WARD MORRISON
Community
THRILL PRIDE
LGBT people take over Kings Dominion for annual fundraiser/dance

party Pride Days
OME PEOPLE GO TO KINGS DOMINION TO RIDE ROLLER COASTERS AND

bumper cars. Others go to eat cotton candy or funnel cake. On Saturday, Sept. 24,
the LGBT community can do all that, plus dance their way down International
Street, when the parks annual Pride Night returns.
Attendees can enjoy exclusive access to their favorite rides starting at 8:30 p.m..
Baltimores DJ Rosie will spin from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the foot of the parks Eiffel Tower.
Pride Night supports Brother Help Thyself, a local organization that provides money to
local LGBT-related nonprofits. The evening typically brings in upwards of $20,000, with
proceeds going to BHTs general fund. Tickets are available online or at the BHT kiosk on
the day of the event for $38 (a deal compared to the $66 price at the gate).
Everybody enjoys not having to wait in long lines to go on rides, says BHT President
Jim Slattery. They particularly have a great time at the dance party. Im personally looking forward to everyone dancing their butts off. John Riley
The DC ANTI-VIOLENCE
PROJECT (DC AVP), the group
dedicated to combating antiLGBT hate crimes, holds its

monthly meeting at The DC
Center. 7-8:30 p.m. 2000 14th St.
NW, Suite 105. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The LATINO LGBT TASK
FORCE holds its monthly
meeting at The DC Center. 6-7
p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite
105. For more information, call
202-682-2245 or visit thedccenter.org.
SOLUTIONS FOR WELLNESS

2016 is a two-day conference
and awards banquet that

seeks to establish a dialogue
between healthcare providers,
activists, and people living
with HIV, mental health issues
or substance abuse. The conference will feature multiple
workshops and discussion
panels aimed at improving the
quality of life for those individuals. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Public
Welfare Foundation, Inc. 1200
U St. NW. Awards banquet to
be held on Sept. 23, 5-9 p.m.
at Metropolitan Community
DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay

and lesbian square-dancing
group features mainstream
through advanced square
dancing at the National City
Christian Church, 5 Thomas
Circle NW, 7-9:30 p.m. Casual
dress. 301-257-0517, dclambdasquares.org.
The DULLES TRIANGLES
Northern Virginia social
group meets for happy hour
at Sheraton in Reston, 11810
Sunrise Valley Drive, second-floor bar, 7-9 p.m. All welcome. dullestriangles.com.
Church of D.C., 474 Ridge St.

NW. For more information, call
202-682-2245.
IDENTITY offers free and

confidential HIV testing
in Gaithersburg, 414 East
Diamond Ave., and in Takoma
Park, 7676 New Hampshire
Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6
p.m. For appointments other
hours, call Gaithersburg, 301300-9978, or Takoma Park,
301-422-2398.
Weekly Events
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing,
Brother, Help Thyselfs Pride Night at Kings Dominion is Saturday, Sept. 24, from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. at
16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, Va. Visit brotherhelpthyself.net.
THURSDAY, September 22
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)

practice session at Takoma
Aquatic Center, 300 Van Buren St.
NW. 7:30-9 p.m. swimdcac.org.
ANDROMEDA
TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH
offers free HIV testing, 9-5

p.m., and HIV services (by
appointment). Call 202-2914707, or visit andromedatransculturalhealth.org.
3-5 p.m., by appointment and

walk-in, for youth 21 and
younger. 202-567-3155 or testing@smyal.org.
US HELPING US hosts a
Narcotics Anonymous Meeting,

6:30-7:30 p.m., 3636 Georgia
Ave. NW. The group is independent of UHU. 202-4461100.
21
WOMENS LEADERSHIP
INSTITUTE for young LBTQ
women, 13-21, interested in leadership development. 5-6:30 p.m.

SMYAL Youth Center, 410 7th St.
SE. 202-567-3163, catherine.chu@
smyal.org.
FRIDAY, September 23
GAMMA, a confidential support
group for men who are gay, bisexual, questioning and who are
married or involved with a woman,
meets in Washington on the second
and fourth Fridays of each month.
GAMMA also also offers additional
meetings in Northern Virginia and
Frederick, Md. 7:30-9:30 p.m. St.
Thomas Episcopal Church, 1772
Church St. NW. For more information, visit GAMMAinDC.org.
LGB PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP
for adults in Montgomery County

offers a safe space to explore
coming out and issues of identity.
10-11:30 a.m. 16220 S. Frederick
Rd., Suite 512, Gaithersburg, Md.
For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The DC Center holds its CENTER

AGING MONTHLY LUNCH social
for members of D.C.s senior community. 12-2 p.m. 2000 14th St.
NW, Suite 105. For more information, visit thedccenter.org or call
202-682-2245.
WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES

(AND THIRTIES), a social discus-
sion and activity group for queer

women, meets at The DC Center
on the second and fourth Fridays of
each month. Group social activity
to follow the meeting. 8-9:30 p.m.
2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For
more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Weekly Events
practice session at Hains Point,

927 Ohio Dr. SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker
Health. At the Elizabeth Taylor

Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,
9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson
Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9
a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment
call 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.
METROHEALTH CENTER
offers free, rapid HIV testing.

Appointment needed. 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, 202-3190422, layc-dc.org.
SMYALS REC NIGHT provides a

social atmosphere for GLBT and
questioning youth, featuring dance
parties, vogue nights, movies and
games. More info, catherine.chu@
smyal.org.
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-6
p.m., by appointment and walk-in,
for youth 21 and younger. Youth
Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-5673155, testing@smyal.org.
SATURDAY, September 24
Brother, Help Thyself hosts its
annual PRIDE DAYS AT KINGS
DOMINION fundraiser. All proceeds go directly to BHTs general
fund to be used for grants benefitting local LGBT- and HIVfocused nonprofits. 4 p.m.-1 a.m. in
Doswell, Va. Tickets are $38 online
and at the BHT kiosk at the park
gate. Visit brotherhelpthyself.net
Join volunteers from The DC
Center as they volunteer at the
FOOD & FRIENDS KITCHEN. 10
a.m.-12 p.m. 219 Riggs Rd. NE.
For more information, call Food
& Friends at 202-269-2277 or call
The DC Center at 202-682-2245.
Weekly Events
ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL
HEALTH offers free HIV testing,
9-5 p.m., and HIV services (by

appointment). 202-291-4707 or
andromedatransculturalhealth.org.
BET MISHPACHAH, founded by
members of the LGBT community,

holds Saturday morning Shabbat
services, 10 a.m., followed by
Kiddush luncheon. Services in
DCJCC Community Room, 1529
16th St. NW. betmish.org.
BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, including others interested in Brazilian

culture, meets. For location/time,
email braziliangaygroup@yahoo.
com.
practice session at Hains Point, 972

Ohio Dr., SW. 8:30-10 a.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/
walking/social club welcomes all

levels for exercise in a fun and supportive environment, socializing
afterward. Meet 9:30 a.m., 23rd &
P Streets NW, for a walk; or 10 a.m.
for fun run. dcfrontrunners.org.
DC SENTINELS basketball
team meets at Turkey Thicket

Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan
Ave. NE, 2-4 p.m. For players of all
levels, gay or straight. teamdcbasketball.org.
DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass for

LGBT community, family and
friends. 6:30 p.m., Immanuel
22
Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary

Road, Alexandria. All welcome. For
more info, visit dignitynova.org.
GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses
critical languages and foreign languages. 7 p.m. Nellies, 900 U St.

NW. RSVP preferred. brendandarcy@gmail.com.
SUNDAY, September 25
Weekly Events

972 Ohio Dr., SW. 9:30-11 a.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
welcomes all to 10:30 a.m. service,

945 G St. NW. firstuccdc.org or
202-628-4317.
HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF

CHRIST welcomes GLBT community for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130
Old Telegraph Road, Alexandria.
hopeucc.org.
HSV-2 SOCIAL AND SUPPORT

GROUP for gay men living in the
DC metro area. This group will be

meeting once a month. For information on location and time, visit
H2gether.com.
Join LINCOLN
CONGREGATIONAL TEMPLE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST for
an inclusive, loving and progressive

faith community every Sunday. 11
a.m. 1701 11th Street NW, near R in
Shaw/Logan neighborhood. lincolntemple.org.
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY
CHURCH OF NORTHERN
VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led
by Rev. Emma Chattin. Childrens

Sunday School, 11 a.m. 10383
Democracy Lane, Fairfax. 703-6910930, mccnova.com.
NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN

CHURCH, inclusive church with
GLBT fellowship, offers gospel

worship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional
worship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle
NW. 202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.
org.
ST. STEPHEN AND THE

INCARNATION, an interra-
cial, multi-ethnic Christian

Community offers services in
English, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and
in Spanish at 5:15 p.m. 1525 Newton
St. NW. 202-232-0900, saintstephensdc.org.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
CHURCH OF SILVER SPRING
invites LGBTQ families and individuals of all creeds and cultures to

join the church. Services 9:15 and
11:15 a.m. 10309 New Hampshire
Ave. uucss.org.
MONDAY, September 26
Weekly Events

927 Ohio Dr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds
practice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Garrison

Elementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscandals.wordpress.com.
GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. at

Quaker House, 2111 Florida Ave.
NW. getequal.wdc@gmail.com.
NOVASALUD offers free HIV test-
ing. 5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite

200, Arlington. Appointments: 703789-4467.

Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-5673155 or testing@smyal.org.
The DC Center hosts COFFEE
DROP-IN FOR THE SENIOR LGBT

COMMUNITY. 10 a.m.-noon. 2000
14th St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedccenter.org.
US HELPING US hosts a black gay

mens evening affinity group. 3636
Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.
WASHINGTON WETSKINS
WATER POLO TEAM practices 7-9
p.m. Takoma Aquatic Center, 300

Van Buren St. NW. Newcomers
with at least basic swimming ability
always welcome. Tom, 703-2990504, secretary@wetskins.org,
wetskins.org.
WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH
HIV/AIDS Support Group for

newly diagnosed individuals,
meets 7 p.m. Registration required.
202-939-7671, hivsupport@whitman-walker.org.
TUESDAY, September 27
The DC Centers GENDERQUEER
DC support and discussion group
for people who identify outside the
gender binary, meets on the fourth
Tuesday of every month. 7-8:30
p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105.
For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Weekly Events
ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly
dinner in Dupont/Logan Circle

area, 6:30 p.m. afwash@aol.com,
afwashington.net.
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 greater D.C.s LGBT community and

allies hosts an evening run/walk.
dcfrontrunners.org.
THE GAY MENS HEALTH

COLLABORATIVE offers free
HIV testing and STI screening

and treatment every Tuesday.
5-6:30 p.m. Rainbow Tuesday
LGBT Clinic, Alexandria Health
Department, 4480 King St. 703746-4986 or text 571-214-9617.
james.leslie@inova.org.
KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY

(K.I.) SERVICES, at 3333 Duke St.,
Alexandria, offers free rapid HIV

testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4
p.m. 703-823-4401.
METROHEALTH CENTER
offers free, rapid HIV testing.

Appointment needed. 1012 14th St.
NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS
LGBT focused meeting every

Tuesday, 7 p.m. St. Georges
Episcopal Church, 915 Oakland
Ave., Arlington, just steps from
Virginia Square Metro. For
more info. call Dick, 703-5211999. Handicapped accessible.
Newcomers welcome. liveandletliveoa@gmail.com.

Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-5673155, testing@smyal.org.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ

YOUTH ages 13-21 meets at
SMYAL, 410 7th St. SE, 5-6:30 p.m.

Cathy Chu, 202-567-3163, catherine.chu@smyal.org.
US HELPING US hosts a support
group for black gay men 40 and

older. 7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave.
NW. 202-446-1100.
Whitman-Walker Healths GAY
MENS HEALTH AND WELLNESS/

STD CLINIC opens at 6 p.m., 1701
14th St. NW. Patients are seen on

walk-in basis. No-cost screening
for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and
chlamydia. Hepatitis and herpes
testing available for fee. whitman-walker.org.
WEDNESDAY, September 28
The DC Center hosts a monthly
meeting of its HIV PREVENTION
WORKING GROUP. 6-8 p.m. 2000
14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more
information, visit thedccenter.org.
THE LAMBDA BRIDGE CLUB will
meet for Duplicate Bridge. 7:30

p.m. Dignity Center 721 8th St., S.E.
(across from Marine Barracks). No
reservation needed. Call 202-8410279 if you need a partner.
Weekly Events
AD LIB, a group for freestyle con-
versation, meets about 6:30-6 p.m.,

Steam, 17th and R NW. All welcome. For more information, call
Fausto Fernandez, 703-732-5174.
ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL
HEALTH offers free HIV testing,
9-5 p.m., and HIV services (by

appointment). 202-291-4707,
andromedatransculturalhealth.org.

927 Ohio Dr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds
practice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Garrison

Elementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscandals.wordpress.com.
FREEDOM FROM SMOKING, a

group for LGBT people looking
to quit cigarettes and tobacco use,
holds a weekly support meeting at
The DC Center. 7-8 p.m. 2000 14th
St. NW, Suite 105. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH
offers Wednesday worship 7:15 a.m.

and 12:05 p.m. All welcome. 118 N.
Washington St., Alexandria. 703549-1450, historicchristchurch.org.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker

Health. At the Elizabeth Taylor
Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,
9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson
Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9
a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment
call 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.
IDENTITY offers free and confidential HIV testing in Gaithersburg,
414 East Diamond Ave. Walk-ins
2-7 p.m. For appointments other
hours, call Gaithersburg at 301300-9978.
METROHEALTH CENTER offers
free, rapid HIV testing. No
appointment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700. 202638-0750.
NOVASALUD offers free HIV
testing. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 2049 N.
15th St., Suite 200, Arlington.
Appointments: 703-789-4467.
PRIME TIMERS OF DC, social club
for mature gay men, hosts weekly
happy hour/dinner. 6:30 p.m.,
Windows Bar above Dupont Italian
Kitchen, 1637 17th St. NW. Carl,
703-573-8316. l
Submit your community event for
consideration at least 10 days prior
to the Thursday publication you
would like it to appear. Email to calendar@metroweekly.com.
23
This is our museum.

Its our history.
The black LGBT community shares its thoughts
on the opening of the Smithsonians
National Museum of African American
History and Culture
ALAN KARCHMER-NMAAHC
Interviews by John Riley
24
I LOVE AMERICAN HISTORY.
When I visit a town, the first thing I do is

find the local museum.
For months, Earl J. Fowlkes drove past
the new Smithsonian National Museum
of African American History and Culture,
watching as the building slowly took
shape. And now, on the cusp of its official
opening, Saturday, Sept. 24, hes overjoyed.
This is our museum, he says. Its our
history.
That history over 400 years of
oppression, liberation, struggle, recognition, pain, joy, achievement, and one
incredible dream is compressed into
the 400,000-square-foot museum, at the
intersection of Constitution Ave. NW and
14th St. NW. It has taken more than a
decade to complete, and if there is one
sentiment nearly universal among members of D.C.s black LGBT community, its
that the museums launch is long overdue.
Its been a long time coming, says
Phil Pannell. I think its just so wonderful. This museum is just so meaningful
to me.
That the museum should finally open
during the last months of President
Barack Obamas administration is highly
symbolic. Whenever a museum opens,
the name of the person who is president
at that point is displayed somewhere on
the building, says Sterling Washington.
Its very fitting that the first openly black
president is in office when the museum
opens.
Its also fitting that, for a community whose history has been repeatedly
marginalized over the years, the museums location near the Washington
Monument and in a prominent place on
the National Mall will ensure maximum
exposure.
The National Mall is where millions
of people from around the world come
each year to learn about our country,
says Clarence Fluker. You cant tell the
story of America without our history
our story, from captivity to captivating,
full of pain and power. Nothing could be
more fitting than for this museum to take
its rightful place at the core for education
and enjoyment for global citizens.
I remember when they first proposed
the museum, and they were talking about
putting it in the Southeast, says Darryl
DJ Mandrill Harris. I almost had a
brain aneurism when I read that. There
were lots of black people who had lobbied
that it be in Southeast, as opposed to on
25
METRO WEEKLY: How does it feel to finally have the National
Museum of African American History and Culture open on the

mall?
RON SIMMONS (66, President of Us Helping Us: People Into
Living): It is a glorious feeling and to have the first black pres26
ident open it in his last year is symbolic in itself. Too often, the impact
of African Americans on American
culture is ignored. The museum
will help change that, because you
cant ignore a big building on the
mall.
CORNELIUS BAKER (54, Chief Policy
Advisor, Office of the US Global
AIDS Coordinator): This is a transformative moment for the United
States to recognize the central role
of black people in the creation,
building and development of this
country. It is especially powerful
to have the museum placed next
to the Washington Monument and
not far from the Lincoln memorial,
reinforcing the importance of our
history.
SHEILA ALEXANDER-REID (56,
Director of the Mayors Office of
LGBTQ Affairs): This museum is
long overdue. The contributions of
the African American to this country are immeasurable. This opening is very significant step in the
long journey of advocating for the
respect, accolades and visibility we
deserve.
REV. DYAN ABENA MCCRAY-PETERS
(66, pastor): Its an incredible addi-
tion to the museums in Washington.

It will allow for everyone to view
and understand the journey of my
people from the Motherland, to
Jamestown, right up until today.
MICHAEL SAINTE-ANDRESS (65,
actor/writer/lecturer): Its certainly long overdue and will be a tremendous marker of the significance of the indelible contributions of African Americans to the overall culture of this country.
I am filled with pride, reverence and joy to be able to witness this
achievement. It is encouraging, uplifting and bodes well for our
collective future.
TERRANCE LANEY (32, government employee): It feels like a
tremendous victory for black history and culture. There is a
prevailing myth that African Americans do not have our own
distinct culture that is worthy of respect and dignity. Opening
this museum vindicates every African American genius who
used their creativity to help us survive atrocities and generations
of oppression with style, dignity and unmatched flare.
ALAN SHARPE (63, Founding Artistic Director, African American
Collective Theater): In a word, affirming. While its true that
the African American experience is inextricably entwined in the
nations history and culture, and that prior, individual exhibits
have certainly highlighted some of those contributions, the
prominent presence of a Smithsonian Museum on the National
Mall that is focused on the seminal impact of the African
American journey in this country is exciting and essential.
ANGELA PEOPLES (30, co-director of Get Equal): It feels like
a thing that is long overdue, but it also feels very meaningful
that we are transitioning away from the first black president.
ALAN KARCHMER-NMAAHC
the mall. I was like, You have got

to be kidding me. Why would you
hide something thats so crucial
and so important? Put it front and
center where everything is.
Often times, the contributions
by African Americans, who have
been here a long time, are overlooked, says Fowlkes. I wish we
could just have an American museum for everyone. We dont. Thats
not how it works and unfortunately we need the African American
museum to highlight the contributions the people of African descent
have made to build this great country we live in.
Sheila Alexander-Reid toured
the museum last weekend and
found the experience overwhelming. It is an immersive experience of the contributions made
by African Americans to the long,
and sometimes shameful, history
of our country, she says. The
exhibits are thought-provoking,
awe-inspiring, and interactive.
As an African American, I left the
museum with a very strong sense
of pride.
Reid notes that while the museum does not single out individuals
who identified as LGBT, it does
include exhibits featuring prominent LGBT figures, like comedian
Wanda Sykes, playwright Lorraine
Hansberry, WNBA star Brittney
Griner, novelist James Baldwin,
poet Langston Hughes, and legendary blues singer Ma Rainey.
Fowlkes, who was impressed at the museums efforts to
obtain artifacts, says the inclusion of LGBT people is essential to
documenting the full history of the African American community. It was very emotional to receive a call saying, We want
African American LGBT historical artifacts, he says. That
made me feel really good.
I look at LGBT rights as human rights, and as being part of
the overall civil rights agenda, says Pannell. The civil rights
agenda was always incomplete when it was not including LGBT
people.
For CNN anchor Don Lemon, theres no question that the
LGBT community should be included as part of the museums
exhibits.
Gays have been on the forefront of not only the civil rights
movement in the U.S., but have had an enormous influence on
culture in general, he says. Were everywhere. So, why not at
the Museum of African American History and Culture?
Were wrapped up in the end of

the first black presidents term and
this is happening. Were also in
the moment of not just unprecedented coverage and visibility, and
really escalation of violence against
black people by the state, but were
also seeing a real resurgence of a
new iteration of a black liberation
movement in our country.
important. Gays have been on the

forefront of not only the civil rights
movement in the U.S., but have had
an enormous influence on culture
in general. Were everywhere. So
why not at the Museum of African
American History and Culture?
BAKER: The museum would be
incomplete and ahistorical if the
contributions of LGBT were not
included. James Baldwin is essential to the story of black culture and
Bayard Rustin is essential to the
struggle of the 1960s. Their lives
and those of other LGBT people is
part of our history and our future.
WOLFE: Personally, I feel its imperative for LGBTQ issues in the
African American community to be
an integral part of what is presented in the museum. While our experiences as black LGBTQ people are
markedly different and unique in a
variety of ways, we are still and
have always been very much a
part of the beautiful tapestry that
is black people, and that needs to
be demonstrated and celebrated
through this very important medium which has massive potential
to not only educate, but to unify
people from all walks of life.
CRENSHAW: Its very important.
When I first started in my position
as Executive Director of the Wanda
Alston Foundation, I had an African
American lesbian resident of the Wanda Alston House come to
me to say she had never seen or known a lesbian like me before,
and that she wanted to be just like me. I am not special, but what
that experience emphasized for me is that we dont have enough
LGBTQ role models that our youth can connect with. We dont
have a place to learn our LGBTQ history. Covering LGBTQ
issues and history will fill a gap in our community.
CLARENCE FLUKER (36, Deputy Director of the National Parks
Division of the White House Council on Economic Equality):
I salute Lonnie Bunch, founding director of the Smithsonian
National Museum of African American History and Culture for
ensuring that the lives and contributions of LGBT people have
been organically woven into the beautiful tapestry that is the
museum from day one. The museums curation reinforces the
message that we are a family and that everyone is valued. From
advocacy to the academy, politics to poetry, spirituality to sports,
African American LGBT people have always been a presence or
force in our community and we will continue to be seen.
FRANCISCO-LUIS WHITE (30, writer and literacy tutor): You cant
speak of black history in this country and not recognize those
queer and trans individuals without whom we wouldnt have
attained the progress we speak of. Likewise, we cant speak of
our continued struggle as black people in a racist country without speaking to where the struggle is perhaps most difficult: at
the intersection of African American identity and queer or trans
identity. It cant be done any other way.
SAINTE-ANDRESS: It is ironic that the absence and minimization
Few died for the

LGBT movement,
as opposed to black
people who have
been enslaved
and tortured for
centuries. THE
MOST THE WHITE
LGBT COMMUNITY
HAD TO DEAL WITH
WAS HOW TO HIDE
IN PLAIN SIGHT.
Ron Simmons
MW: Have you been through the

museum yet? If not, when are you
planning to go?
MONTE J. WOLFE (41, artist): I have
yet to visit the museum myself but
I am certainly looking forward to
taking it all in, learning something
new, and, most of all, looking forward to being inspired, which Im
sure is going to be a huge part of my
experience.
JUNE CRENSHAW (55, Executive
Director of Wanda Alston
Foundation): I am really looking
forward to experiencing it with my
7-year-old granddaughter. She and
I spend a lot of time at the National
Museum of the American Indian,
Air and Space, and Natural History.
I cant wait to see her reaction to
touring the museum and being surrounded by history and people that
look like her.
SAVANNA WANZER (activist): I have
not visited the inside yet, the outside structure is beautiful and the fine iron African art work that
frames the build is breathtaking and so beautiful.
SHARPE: I have read and seen a number of articles and video
profiles on the museum, and followed its evolution. I do have
my tickets for the first week after the dedication and am looking
forward to finally getting to visit it in person. I fully expect it to
be an educational, entertaining and overwhelming emotional
experience.
DARRYL DJ MANDRILL HARRIS (58, former DJ and nightlife
promoter): I tend to want to see things on my time when they
are not the go-to thing. Its not something I have to see immediately and when I looked into how the tickets were purchased
and how people were going I thought, Well, you know what?
Maybe I should just wait until the fray is over and Ill see it in
the spring or so of 2017 rather than rushing to get it when there
is so much going on around it right now. Im not a great crowd
person. I know there is going to be a crowd any time I go, but the
frequency is going to be turned down.
RAYCEEN PENDARVIS (66, activist and host of The Ask Rayceen
Show): I gave my tickets away to someone else because I only
had two. I want to take my family my mother, my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren. Im waiting at a later time to
take four generations.
MW: How important is it that the museum cover LGBT issues in
the African American community?
DON LEMON (50, journalist and host of CNN Tonight): Its very
27
of the African American presence in the nations culture and

history is the same dynamic with the inclusion and recognition
of the LGBT existence in the African American community. For
the integrity of the project to be intact, this inclusion must be
acknowledged and presented.
SHARPE: LGBT issues, history and contributions are as intrinsic
to the African American experience as that experience is to the
evolution of the country as a whole. A museum that did not
acknowledge, examine and celebrate LGBT life within that mosaic
would be missing an integral component of African American history
and culture.
PHILIP PANNELL (65, Executive
Director of the Anacostia
Coordinating Council): Lets be
honest about it. You cant really
talk about African American literature from maybe the beginning of
our country to the current without
mentioning Zora Neale Hurston
or James Baldwin. The March
on Washington in 1963, which is
one of the major events in civil
rights in American history, and also
where Martin Luther King gave his
I have a dream speech well,
the chief organizer of that was a
gay man, Bayard Rustin. A black
gay man. Even today I would ask
people to just shut their eyes and
imagine what our communities and
what our nation would be like if all
of a sudden all the LGBT African
Americans disappeared. I hope that
if its not included in the exhibits,
that at least in terms of future programming in the museum, there
will be some type of programs or
special exhibits on appropriate
occasions.
lesbian and trans people like myself who have shared of themselves through the vehicle of the arts would warm my heart.
LANEY: I would like to see old love letters and historic photographs of black same-sex couples. I really want to see people like
George Washington Carver, Bayard Rustin, Langston Hughes,
Bessie Smith, Pauli Murray and Marsha P. Johnson brought to
life through their intimate relationships as well as their contributions to society.
WANZER: I know I would love to
know more about how Coretta
Scott King helped the LGBT community and how she went around
the world helping us with human
rights issues.
SHARPE: In addition to obvious and
major contributions to arts, education and culture, I would hope
that the museums exhibits will
do much to shed light on LGBT
involvement in politics, government, science, civil rights activism,
religion, business, sports, media,
technology and other areas where
our involvement has not historically been as widely known and
recognized.
ZAR (Production Director for The
Ask Rayceen Show): Seeing an
exhibit about black LGBTQ club
life would be terrific. From Disco
to House music to Ball culture,
there is so much that started within those spaces that is now mainstream. Homage should be paid.
FOWLKES: My hope is that its integrated within all aspects of African
American histories. I dont necessarily want to see any particular
focus. I think I just want to see,
obviously our contributions to the
civil rights movement and our contributions in the war effort. Theres
so many things we do I can think
of.
PEOPLES: The leadership of Marsha P. Johnson, helping to make
the Stonewall uprising, and helping to birth what is now the
modern LGBTQ movement.
HARRIS: I dont know what I want it to look like, but just factual
information, the data related to a specific event that were key
moments. I would imagine it would be something about music
and dance, the theater Alvin Ailey, Jeffrey Holder, those
kind of folks. Something that points out their contributions so
that maybe somebody else would get credit for voguing besides
Madonna.
PENDARVIS: One surrounding the ballroom community, the
effect of LGBTQ people in areas of politics, religion, fashion, and
television. As much as the ballroom community has impacted
our lifestyle, unfortunately mainstream society only has been
given a glimpse of just what ballroom is, but not the fullness and
richness of the entire culture.
It would be great
to have a museum
in Washington for
LGBTQ history.
Washington is a
mecca for LGBTQ
people. IT IS
IMPORTANT FOR
LGBTQ FOLKS TO
HAVE A MUSEUM
THAT DOCUMENTS
OUR HISTORY,
EXPERIENCES
AND LIFE.
MW: What LGBT-focused exhibits
June Crenshaw
would you like to see in the museum?

SIMMONS: An exhibit that explains the traditional African cultural conception of gays and lesbians before the coming of the
Europeans. I have done some research and its profound. It will
say so much about the past that we need to know today and teach
black LGBT youth tomorrow.
BAKER: It would be important to see an exhibition on the role of
black political leadership in the achievement of LGBT rights in
America. The role of A. Philip Randolph, Martin Luther King,
Jr., Willie Brown, Marion Barry, and Jesse Jackson, Deval
Patrick, and Barack Obama as heterosexual black men is particularly powerful in countering the narrow stereotype of ingrained
prejudice in black communities.
LEMON: Id like to see one that celebrates black gay men. For so
long weve been made to believe that being a black gay man was
the worst thing on earth. An exhibition could help change that.
Id also like to see one on black transvestites. They are pioneers
in gay culture. Its high time they get their due.
WOLFE: Because Im an artist, I would personally love to see any
and all black LGBTQ artists throughout time. To see black gay,
28
MW: The LGBT movement is often compared to the Civil Rights
movement. Do you feel its an apt comparison?
SIMMONS: No, because few died for
the LGBT movement, as opposed

to black people who have been
enslaved and tortured for centuries
in this country. The most the white
LGBT community had to deal with
was how to hide in plain sight.
black people were being hunted
down and lynched. Second, the
LGBT movement has yet to give
credit to the Civil Rights movement
for inspiring it. blacks demonstrated that you could riot in the streets
to demand justice. I can remember
the early days of the gay liberation
movement and its parade in New
York City when a white drag queen
carried a huge red, black and green
flags to symbolize the link between
our struggles. When white LGBT
organizations like the Gay Activist
Alliance adopted a gay only agenda, the gay movement abandoned
the black community, and left it to
deal with white racist oppression
on its own.
LEMON: Yes and no. Discrimination
is discrimination. But let me put
it this way. Ive been discriminated against far more for being
black than for being gay. People dont always know Im gay. They
always know Im black. And white gay people have always been
allowed access to jobs, education, wealth and the voting booth
especially white gay men. So its not really the same thing.
MCCRAY-PETERS: Rights for all people remains an important factor. What has happened because of the Civil Rights movement
helps produce and influence what takes place within the LGBT
movement. Civil Rights speaks to the rights that every person
regardless of their sex, race or religion should have. There are
rights of personal liberty guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th
and 14th Amendments to the Constitution, in addition to acts of
Congress.
CRENSHAW: I feel that the LGBTQ movement and the Civil
Rights movement are very similar. I think attempts to imply that
one groups struggle for equality, equity and fairness is different
than that of another groups is just an attempt to alienate and
malign. My favorite Martin Luther King, Jr. quote is, No one is
free until we are all free.
WHITE: Are they separate movements? As someone who exists
in a very black and very queer body, as this society has deemed
it, I cant separate or differentiate concurrent movements for my
liberty. To do so, or to be asked to, is to divide myself into two
parts and maybe even value one part over the other. Is that ever
asked of others?
SAINTE-ANDRESS: I have never fully understood why there was
a conflict with that notion in the first place. I was reared in the
segregated South in the 1950s and 60s and was keenly aware of
racism and social injustice. I was taught fairness, compassion
and respect for others, no matter the differences between us. To
me discrimination is discrimination, no matter how it is manifested. The Civil Rights movement was certainly the springboard for those other areas of activism, but the focus was always
ensure a decent quality of life and freedom of all people.
LANEY: Are these different movements? I refuse to see these
struggles as separate because that

is how we continue to perpetuate destructive myths about race
and LGBTQ identities. They are
the same movement and as soon
as we acknowledge this truth the
better we will be as a people. An
out black gay man, Bayard Rustin,
engineered the most successful
demonstrations of the civil rights
movement and to Dr. King about
non-violent civil disobedience.
ZAR: There are similarities amongst
all struggles and injustices, but various groups of people have been
persecuted in different ways, and
that should be recognized.
FOWLKES: All movements in this
country have started from some
place else. Its no more unfair to
compare the Civil Rights movement to the womens rights movement, or the disabled rights movement, or the seniors movement. All
these other movements that have
taken place. The labor movement.
The Immigration movement. They
all start from some place else. The
black Civil Rights movement is used as a model around the
world to achieve human rights for many different types of people, many different types of constituencies. So I dont think its
unfair to compare the LGBT movement to the black Civil Rights
movement. We all come from the same roots. Its about community organizing. Its about protests. Its about peaceful protests.
Its about changing hearts and minds and the law.
For so long weve

been made to
believe that being
a black gay man
was the worst
thing on earth. AN
EXHIBITION COULD
HELP CHANGE
THAT.
Don Lemon
MW: Have things improved in the African American

community with respect to LGBT people? What has your personal
experience been?
SIMMONS: Things have improved tremendously. You can see it
in the youth. They are openly coming out at age 13. black gay and
lesbians couples have marriage protection for their children.
More black churches have become open and affirming. There
is a cadre of young black gay men who are being developed and
who see themselves as future leaders.
LEMON: Yes, things have improved for some in the community,
but not all. We have to be more inclusive and welcoming to all
the letters in LGBT. Perhaps we should add a C to that, for people of color.
CRENSHAW:I do think improvements have been made and I also
think we have a lot of work left to be done. Our ability as African
American LGBTQ folks to come out of the closet and live openly
and authentically is the way to change hearts and minds and to
help evolution to occur in our culture. I have been out for a long
time, but I have African American friends and colleagues that
still struggle with their sexuality and gender identity. Many of
our African American LGBTQ youth are homeless because of
family rejection. We have legal protection but our lived experience is very different from that of some of our white counterparts.
WHITE: Anything shy of absolute freedom from violence and
oppression is not enough. Progress toward being actually safe
and fully affirmed as who we are cant be compared to the
29
end goal. We have so far to go, but what I will say is, were
getting there.
LANEY: African American people have our own cultural perspectives about sexuality that is valid and has to be respected,
so I cant really compare us to other groups or cultures. I cannot
measure the progress that LGBT people have made within our
community because black people as a whole have so much more
progress to make when it comes to all of our rights. After all,
we are still fighting for our basic right to live and be treated as
citizens in this country.
ZAR: I think homophobia within black communities has often
been exaggerated. There have always been people of every
ethnicity who have been progressive, liberal, open minded. I
think things have improved because people are more informed
thanks to education and technology. Religion has been the
primary culprit, and thankfully dogma goes unquestioned less
frequently now.
PEOPLES: Theres a lot of misconceptions and misnomers that
black folk are somehow more anti-LGBT than other communities. How we love each other, how we are in community, how
we are in family with each other looks different than how might
looks to a white mainstream organization. So yeah, for white
LGBT people, it might be a perspective that black families are
much more anti-LGBT than white folks, but I think thats not
true. I think what Im really grateful for right now is seeing the
transformative leadership coming in this movement from Black
Lives Matter. Being led by queer folks, black trans women, gender non-conforming folks Im very grateful for really being
seen and learning from all of that.
WASHINGTON: President Obamas support of marriage equality
in 2012 moved the needle towards that in many ways. I was actually one of the people who was concerned about him doing that.
As it turns out it was fine. It was fortuitous that he did it, because
he moved a needle that much quicker. There were any African
Americans who, for whatever reason had not made that step forward in their thinking, who reevaluated after the president was
very strong in his support of the LGBT community.
MW: Would you like to see a museum in Washington exclusively
for LGBT history?
SIMMONS: Why not? As long as its honest about how the Civil
Rights struggle inspired Stonewall and the modern gay movement.
BAKER: If it had a historical root and sustainable anchor.
MCCRAY-PETERS: Having a museum in Washington that is exclusively for the LGBT community that tracks our history would
be an interesting venue. The duality of creating the venue to
highlight diversities of the many LGBT cultures as it relates to
beliefs, customs, arts and the way of thinking would be most
interesting.
CRENSHAW: I think it would be great to have a museum in
Washington for LGBTQ history. Washington is a mecca for
LGBTQ people. We come here because there are both protective
and inclusive laws but also because there are opportunities. It is
also important for LGBTQ folks to have a museum that documents our history, experiences and life.
SAINTE-ANDRESS: I support that idea as a goal. The treasure
trove of information and materials is so overripe that an exclusive representation is almost mandatory.
LANEY: Yes, but only when our leaders and those with power
in the LGBT community have the intersectional perspective
to create a museum that honors and celebrates the complexity
of our experiences, the diversity within the community, and
30
can acknowledge all the people who have been marginalized

or silenced in the LGBT community since the beginning of the
organized struggle for civil and humans rights for LGBT people.
SHARPE: I would love to see such a museum. I think it could be
extremely enlightening, not only to the broader public, but just
as importantly, to the the LGBT community, in terms of educating, affirming and empowering us to live our lives proudly, in the
full truth of our existence.
ZAR: It would be interesting to have a LGBTQ museum. I would
definitely lobby for a Rayceen Pendarvis exhibit. I hope Team
Rayceen has the opportunity to collaborate with NMAAHC.
Much of what we do at The Ask Rayceen Show correlates with
what the museum is doing: informing, educating, and shining a
spotlight on individuals and populations who are often denied
one. I think its important for NMAAHC to not just commemorate and celebrate the past, but also to highlight the present and
look to the future.
FOWLKES: I think it would be fantastic. We have museums of
everything in the world, and a specific museum that highlights
the broad mosaic of LGBT history and our contributions and
struggles would be welcome.
ANGELA PEOPLES: My instinct is to say no right now because,
having a museum thats specifically dedicated to LGBTQ
implies that other identities arent included. That history exists outside of the history for black LGBTQ people.
PHILIP PANNELL: Well, Im not sure it would be on the Mall
because there are people who are complaining now that,
Theres not very much space left on the mall for any major
museums. But I would like to see a museum here in the nations
capital for LGBT history and culture. Whether or not it would be
Smithsonian? I think that that would be a bit problematic in the
sense that, with it being a governmental institution, you would
have automatic opposition coming from conservatives. If they
could find space for something like the Spy Museum, they could
definitely find some space in the nations capital for an LGBT
museum.
WASHINGTON: Interesting idea. I dont necessarily think that
the museum would need to be on the Mall, but I dont see why
there shouldnt be one. Im very concerned about the Mall being
eaten up. I would hate to think that every little spot of green
space would be taken on the Mall. When the museum site for the
African American museum was announced, I had some mixed
feelings about it, because around that time, there was talk of the
USDA building moving off the mall, and I thought, well, that
would be a great spot for it. Heres a spot where its already got
a building, and you can knock that down, and create a museum
there, its not like youre eating up any more green space. I mean,
thats my concern, I dont know if anyone else cares about green
space on the Mall. I do.
PENDARVIS: Yes, I would like to see one. I would like to be featured in it. I would like to contribute as a historian on both sides
of African American history and LGBT history.
LEMON: Simple answer. Hell, yes!
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History
and Culture, at 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, will officially open
on Saturday, Sept. 24, with a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. The
museum will be open 364 days a year, except Christmas Day,
from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Due to heightened interest, the museum is
offering timed entry passes to the public. The next available timed
entry passes are for the months of November and December. To
purchase passes, or for more information on the museum, visit
nmaahc.si.edu.
Gallery
Tim McLoraine
Trigger Finger - 2016 - video still
(Trigger Finger is a video loop created in response to the shooting at Pulse in Orlando.)
Tim McLoraine creates video art and projection design that appears in settings as varied as stage plays, opera,
orchestra concerts, public art and gallery installations. He is currently an artist in residence at Red Dirt Studio.
www.timmcloraine.com
33
TERESA WOOD
Stage
Austen Powers
Sense and Sensibilitys intelligent silliness will create theatergoers for

life; Collective Rage is just plain boring By Kate Wingfield
HERE IS SOMETHING DELICIOUSLY SUBVERSIVE IN THE FOLGER

Theatre. Tucked behind the impenetrable faade of its namesake library, a building rubbing shoulders with the Supreme Court and the Capitol, youd expect it
to be offering some kind of stately, patriotic fare. But, like a small, crazy-fierce Roman
Candle, the Folger keeps delivering all manner of gloriously innovative theater magic.
The latest piece of brilliance is director Eric Tuckers joyfully raucous Sense and
Sensibility (HHHHH). Adapted with verve by Kate Hamill from Jane Austens classic
novel, it is fast, funny, witty and ridiculous. But it is also incredibly adept at breathing
hot and feverish life into an early 19th century tale of landed (and unlanded) gentry
and their loves and losses. Originally developed and premiered by New Yorks Bedlam
theater company, the production stays true to the novel while playing with all of its
parts, real and emotional. Sets run around on casters, chairs move with their occupants,
emotional revelations become surreal light-shows and the fourth wall is more of a
trampled hedge. It is high entertainment, with Austens wit, wisdom and observations
of the human heart at its core.
A whirlwind such as this needs a powerful pair of heroines, and here Austens two
Dashwood sisters are vibrant, memorable mainstays. As the calm and controlled elder
sister Elinor, Maggie McDowell balances perfectly the inner tension between Elinors
expectations for herself and her growing sense of despair as her chances for love look to
be passing her by. It is a button-downed role and might easily turn stock, but McDowell
34
Sense and Sensibility
keeps it warm and intriguing, with much

understated but complex expression. The
outgoing and volatile Marianne might also
have slipped into something derivative,
but Erin Weaver invests her with so much
raw energy, anger and heart, she too is
ceaselessly fresh and compelling. The
chemistry between the sisters is palpable,
their connection full of edgy authenticity.
Creating the sisters world and the people in it, the small ensemble take multiple
roles not just as characters, but in serving
the inventive stagecraft. Its by necessity a
tight-knit group and under Tuckers hand,
the productions many parts come, go and
move with an incredibly pleasing energy
and precision. Stealing his scenes, Jamie
Smithson plays potential beau Edward
Ferrars and his younger brother Robert.
Smithson has the extraordinary ability to
be utterly believable even while being
hilarious. But as brilliant as his comedy
may be, there is a skillfully understated
subtlety about his Edward that keeps the
awkward suitor original and interesting.
As for the smaller but bountiful roles,
Jacob Fishel delivers a nicely comic turn
SCOTT SUCHMAN
Collective Rage
as the dashing John Willoughby and in later revealing his tortured inner life, while Caroline Stefanie Clay invests her gossipy
yenta Mrs. Jennings with mischievous irony. Michael Glenn
makes it look easy carrying several roles and brings much charisma to his bombastic Sir John Middleton. Playing two mothers
and the equivalent of an eighteenth century Valley Girl, Lisa
Birnbaum has fun segueing between her characters and evoking
plenty of laughs in the process.
Rounding out the social scene, James Patrick Nelson delivers
a quietly appropriate Colonel Brandon, though he doesnt quite
convince as a final suitor, while Kathryn Tkel brings energy if
not enough nuance to her matriarch Fanny Dashwood. In the
smaller role of third sister Margaret Dashwood, Nicole Kang
does a good job of channeling the insouciance of the very young.
Its the whole that makes the mood and carries the day in this
production and, like last seasons A Midsummers Night Dream,
given a chance this play will win hearts and minds. Its the kind
of intelligent silliness that creates theatergoers for life among the
uninitiated and brings back the faith for everybody else. It just
doesnt get much better.
about looking at ones own. Though such themes might once

have been shocking enough to be an end in themselves for live
performance, those days are long gone.
And though Silverman may understand a bit about parody
in her caricatures of the sassy, street-wise New Yorker, the
poodle-skirted, bespectacled nerd, the rich white lady, and
the concept of butch, once established these women needed
to speak. Whether funny, witty or surreal, they needed to emotionally jostle and mingle in ways that actually say something or
cause feeling. Unfortunately, Silvermans women just drag on
through a boring premise (putting on a play) that quickly turns
into a clichd, color-by-numbers exercise in opposites-attracting
and personal ah-ha moments. One need only recall last seasons
Women Laughing Alone with Salad, Sheila Callaghans hilarious
comment on the young female zeitgeist, to see what insight really looks like in an edgy vehicle. That said, Natascia Diaz does her
best with celebrity wannabe Betty Boop 3, capturing a certain
authenticity in her magnetic narcissism, while Dorea Schmidt
gives her Betty Boop 2 a skein of pathos. Unfortunately, despite
their efforts, this play never makes it outside the box. l
A SELF-SATISFIED SKIM JOB, Jen Silvermans Collective

Rage: A Play in Five Boops (HHHHH) checks a lot of boxes but
fails to deliver. Put simply, unless you have been living off grid,
revelations on sexual identity unless explored with insight
and originality are just plain boring. Likewise for throwing
around the word pussy every two seconds and making a meal
Collective Rage runs to Oct. 9 at Woolly Mammoth, 641 D St. NW.

Tickets are $20 to $54. Call 202-393-3939 or visit woollymammoth.net
Sense and Sensibility runs to Oct. 30 at the Folger, 201 East Capitol
St. SE. Tickets are $30 to $75. Call 202-544-7077 or visit folger.edu.
35
DANISHA CROSBY
Stage
Angels in America
Wings
Angels in America remains one of the great masterpieces of our time;

Urinetown makes the bathroom a trip to remember By Doug Rule
WENTY YEARS AFTER PROTEASE INHIBITORS HELPED TRANSFORM

AIDS from a death sentence disease to a chronic condition, why are we still
talking about Tony Kushners two-part saga, Angels in America?
Its a silly question, of course, for so many reasons. Yet some people have been
asking it ever since two of Marylands leading theater companies, Round House and
Olney, announced a partnership to jointly stage both plays. Anyone who doubts the
relevance of Kushners astounding epic twenty-five years after the first staging of part
one, Millennium Approaches, obviously has never seen the audacious, supremely theatrical work.
Any such doubter also clearly has not been paying attention to the rise of Donald
Trump, who wouldnt have had the success hes had if it had not been for closeted
conservative Roy Cohn, who mentored and groomed Trump to become the Manhattan
megalomaniac he is today. Trump may not appear in Angels in any way, but more than
36
a few times you can imagine him saying what Kushner has written for Cohn,
though far less eloquently.
Its one of many details that makes
Angels timely yet it is the overall quality
of the staging at Round House that makes
Angels in America essential for any serious
lover of theater, including that of politics.
Round House artistic director Ryan
Rilette is in rehearsal with
Part II: Perestroika, which opens in
October. Its possible Rilettes best efforts
will leave him trailing Olneys Jason
Loewith, whose direction of Millennium
Approaches (HHHHH) is a wonder to
behold. This is a collaboration, however,
not a competition. Its hard to imagine
anyone who sees Millennium Approaches
not also yearning to see Perestroika, as part
one ends on a potent, startling cliffhanger.
The chief thrill of Millennium is its
DANIEL SCHWARTZ
Urinetown
exquisite exposition, with Kushner presenting ideas on weighty

topics such as history, race, ethnicity and politics in a lively,
energized manner. One such debate finds the gay, Jewish Louis
(Jonathan Bock) talking at but not hearing or respecting the
gay, black Belize (Jon Hudson Odom) in an all-too familiar pattern. And Mitchell Hebert plays Roy Cohn as a blustering bully,
a force to be reckoned with, largely on account of sheer will and
self-confidence. He never betrays a sense of doubt or regret even
as he physically falls apart. Tom Story, meanwhile, is perfectly
cast as the plays troubled hero, Prior Walter, so riddled with
self-doubt and regret, so in need of a guardian angel, he begins
to lose touch with reality.
Every actor takes on multiple roles, displaying impressive
sensitivity and dexterity in quick character and costume changes. We dont see quite as much of Dawn Ursula or Sarah Marshall
as we do the others, but there is perhaps no moment more indelible than Marshall as a soft-spoken, malevolent Ethel Rosenberg
haunting Cohn in a hallucinatory moment of utter panic.
Set designer James Kronzer has opened up Round Houses
massive stage to accommodate moments in which two scenes
overlap and the actors become intertwined in testy exchanges. At one point two characters who otherwise dont meet in
Millennium Approaches, end up in a twin hospital bed together
rubbing shoulders metaphorically, revealing similarities of their
personal predicaments. Lighting designer York Kennedy, sound
designer Joshua Horvath and projectionist Clint Allen do astonishing work throughout, though their crowning achievement
comes during the arrival of the Angel. The show takes flight,
fantastically, magnificently, sending a raw, emotional three-hour
shock wave through your system.
CONSTELLATION THEATRE COMPANYS Urinetown (

) is a delightful surprise and not a completely
unexpected one, given the companys track record, including
last years dazzling adults-only puppet-fest, Avenue Q. Several
notable actors from Avenue Q return to the fold, competently led
by director Allison Arkell Stockman, but two new recruits are
standouts: The charismatic, commanding Niklas Aliff as chief
evildoer Cladwell and, the beautifully voiced Katie Keyser, a
natural heroine, as his daughter, Hope.
Written by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, Urinetown is a
self-aware, self-referential modern musical, full of witty wordplay and smart humor surrounding a water shortage that makes
private toilets a thing for the rich. Everyone else is relegated
to using filthy public toilets or paying a fee. Naturally, unrest
ensues and the police are marshalled. Call it, bladder control.
As Officer Lockstock, Matt Dewberry also serves as the shows
narrator. Hes joined by the mesmerizing Jenna Berk as Little
Sally, full of childlike wonder and adult wisdom in the uproarious
satire of power, corruption, capitalism and musical comedy. Its
an awful title, Little Sally says of the shows name. It is awful
though memorable and theres nothing even remotely awful
about Constellations production. You have to go. l
Urinetown runs to Oct. 9 at Source, 1835 14th St. NW. Tickets are
$25 to $50. Call 202-204-7760 or visit constellationtheatre.org.
Angels in America, Part I: Millennium Approaches runs to Oct.
23 at Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda.
Tickets are $55 to $75. Call 240-644-1100 or visit roundhousetheatre.org.
37
Music
English Beat
Tor Millers New York state of mind shines brilliantly on his impressive,
soul-enriched debut By Sean Maunier
ITH ITS ROOTS IN THE MID-CENTURY SOUTH, FEW GENRES CAN

claim to be as essentially American as soul. It seems an odd quirk, then, that
in the 21st century, the genre has found the most success in the hands of
British artists like Estelle, Adele and the late Amy Winehouse. While not exclusively
a British phenomenon, few Americans in recent years have managed to match their
success.
Enter Tor Miller, the latest singer in a wave of male solo artists that has unsurprisingly been largely dominated by Brits like Sam Smith, James Bay and Ed Sheeran.
With piano-heavy 70s throwbacks, soaring tributes to his hometown of New York, and
cover art that evokes late-century noir, the 22-year-old Brooklynite brings the genre
back across the Atlantic on an aptly-titled debut album, American English (HHHHH).
Millers style is refreshingly confident, energetic and anything but subtle. His flair
for drama is immediately apparent on the knockout opener Surrender, which starts
with a brash, dramatic piano and strings line. The tracks bombastic, freewheeling
energy is a strange prelude to the more cerebral Midnight, but if his intent was to
first grab our attention before showing us what hes truly capable of, then Surrender
does the job nicely. While the albums opener is undeniably catchy and inspiring, most
of the songs build up to their hooks more deliberately, with soft, tense intros that give
way to soaring choruses. On second single, Always, the snapping builds up to a deep,
stomping beat so effortlessly, its happening before youve noticed its arrival.
38
Other songs hint at greater versatility.

Rag N Bone is an emotional piano ballad crafted to demonstrate Millers vocal
range, rejecting more complex instrumentation in favour of stark piano chords.
All Fall Down and Baby Blue feature
hints of jazz that electrify the tracks and
hearken back to the 70s. Reaching into
the past for inspiration pays off well for
Miller. His lyrics and style evoke not only
places but also eras. With a sound that
nods towards Elton Johns Goodbye Yellow
Brick Road and David Bowies Hunky
Dory, he also captures the aesthetic of a
period in music that he was never around
for, yet embodies almost flawlessly. The
album feels timeless in a way, a quality helped by heavy reliance on acoustic
instruments, with minimal use of electronic sounds. Millers talent for songwriting
pairs well with instrumentals that feel
organic in a genre that sometimes suffers
from overproduced, excessively cinematic
instrumentals. The ever-present piano is
the albums backbone, while the strings
and choral arrangements lend a degree of
drama to the tracks. But the instrumentals
never come at the expense of Millers distinct and expressive voice.
His
quivering
yet
commanding vocals are
well-suited to his subject
matter, which often dwells
on themes of youth and
young love. Between his
musings on love, longing and
heartache, all the generic
tropes of contemporary soul
are present on American
English, but by grounding
the album firmly and unapologetically in his hometown,
he marks out a distinct style.
New York functions as both
setting and subject matter,
its iconic locales providing
much of the inspiration. In
Washington Square Park,
the famous meeting place
plays host as Miller reminisces on a lost love. Chelsea
distills the energy of the city
into a memory of a night in
one of its best-known neighbourhoods, culminating in Miller repeating the line Im a New
York City boy. Even when it is not being directly referenced,
the city is a constant presence on American English, whether it
is in the bright city lights bearing down on him on Headlights,
or the crushingly busy, anonymizing streets evoked by the
closing track, Stampede. Somehow, Miller captures some-
thing of New Yorks timeless feeling, a feat that many

artists attempt but few manage to carry off successfully. Midnight captures this
best, dwelling on the minutiae of a New York night,
when the city catches its
breath in the early morning
hours. Sure, its all incredibly sentimental, but Miller
handles it with the sincerity
that could only come from a
native New Yorker.
In case last years
Midnight EP left any doubt,
American English proves
that Tor Miller will be an
artist to watch in the future,
that he can stand alongside
the best of his peers. In a
field already saturated with
talented vocalists, Miller
stands out with an undeniably infectious passion for
his craft, along with a cinematic sound that captures the essence
of a particular brand of late-century Americana. Not bad for a
child of the mid-nineties.l
American English will be released on Sept. 30 and is available for
pre-order on iTunes.
39
NightLife
Photography by
Ward Morrison
41
Scene
DrinksDragDJsEtc...
Thursday
September 22
Prize Doors open 10pm,

21+ $5 Cover or free
with college ID
9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm Multiple
TVs showing movies,
shows, sports Expanded
craft beer selection
Music videos featuring
DJ Wess
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 8pm
Happy Hour, 8-10pm
$2 Bud and Bud Light
Draughts, $3 Domestic
Bottles, $4 Rail and Import
Bottle Beer, $6 Call DJ
Theo Storm spinning in
the main bar, 9pm-1am
Throwback Thursdays: The
Exile opens with DCs new
MegaParty, 10pm-2am
$10 Cover 21+
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $6 Call
Martini, $3 Miller Lite, $4
Rail, $5 Call, 4-9pm $3
Rail Drinks, 10pm-midnight, $5 Red Bull and
Frozen Virgin Drinks
Locker Room Thursday
Nights DJs Sean Morris
and MadScience Best
Package Contest at midnight, hosted by BaNaka &
Kristina Kelly $200 Cash
FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
Bearlesque at Towns Bear Happy Hour - Friday, September 16

Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Ladies Drink Free Power
Hour, 4-5pm Shirtless
Thursday, 10-11pm DJs
BacK2bACk
JR.S
All You Can Drink for $15,
5-8pm $3 Rail Vodka
Highballs, $2 JR.s drafts,
8pm-close Flashback:
Music videos from 19752005 with DJ Jason Royce,
8pm-12am
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Beat the Clock Happy Hour
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Beer $15 Drag Bingo
NUMBER NINE
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
SHAWS TAVERN
Happy Hour 4-7pm $3
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 Rails and House Wines
and Half-Priced Pizzas
$4 Corona and Heineken
all night Football Food
Specials, 7-11pm
SOMEPLACE ELSE BAR
& GRILL
1637 R St. NW
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $1
PBR, $2 Yuengling, $3 Rail,
$5 Appetizers Extended
Happy Hour, 7-9pm, with
only $1 increase in price
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
Happy Hour: Any drink
normally served in a cocktail glass served in a huge
glass for the same price,
5-10pm Beer and wine
only $4
Friday
September 23
9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy
Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink,
5-9pm Friday Night
Videos with resident DJ
Shea Van Horn VJ
Expanded craft beer selection No Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
All You Can Drink Happy
Hour $15 Rail and
Domestic, $21 Call &
Imports, 6-9pm Guys
Night Out Free Rail
Vodka, 11pm-Midnight, $6
Belvedere Vodka Drinks all
night DJ MadScience
upstairs DJ Keenan Orr
downstairs $10 cover
10pm-1am, $5 after 1am
21+
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 8pm
Happy Hour, 8-10pm
Bottle Beer, $6 Call DC
Underground Music No
Cover 21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Smirnoff, all flavors, all
night long
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
DJ Matt Bailer Videos,
Dancing Beat the Clock
Happy Hour $2 (5-6pm),
$3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
Buckets of Beer $15
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
Shirtless Thursday DJ
9pm Cover 21+
43
NUMBER NINE
Open 5pm Happy Hour:
2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
No Cover Friday Night
Piano with Chris, 7:30pm
Friday Night Videos with
Chord, 9:30pm
SHAWS TAVERN
& Half-Priced Pizzas
Magic! 8-10pm
SOMEPLACE ELSE BAR
& GRILL
1637 R St. NW
TOWN
Patio open 6pm DC Bear
Crue Happy Hour, 6-11pm
$3 Rail, $3 Draft, $3 Bud
Bottles Free Pizza, 7pm
No cover before 9:30pm
21+ Drag Show starts
at 10:30pm Hosted by
Lena Lett and featuring
Miss Tatianna, ShiQueeta-Lee, Riley Knoxx
and BaNaka DJ Wess
Making
Overtures?
Review Classical & Choral
Music for Metro Weekly
Apply at
metroweekly.com/write
44
upstairs, DJs BacK2bACk

downstairs following the
show GoGo Boys after
11pm Doors open at
10pm For those 21 and
over, $12 For those
18-20, $15 Club: 18+
Patio: 21+
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
normally served in a
cocktail glass served in a
huge glass for the same
price, 5-10pm Beer and
wine only $4 DJ Jeff
Prior, 10pm
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers,
hosted by LaTroya Nicole,
9pm Dance floors open
9pm Ladies of Ziegfelds
Drag Show, 11:30pm and
1:30am Rotating Hosts
DJ Don T. in Secrets
Cover 21+
Saturday
September 24
9 1/2
drink, 3-9pm $5 Absolut
& Titos, $3 Miller Lite
after 9pm Expanded craft
beer selection No Cover
Music videos featuring
various DJs
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Drag Yourself to Brunch at
Level One, 11am-2pm and
2-4pm Featuring Kristina
Kelly and the Ladies of
Illusion Bottomless
Mimosas and Bloody
Marys Happy Hour:
Tops Down $6 Top Shelf,
Bottoms Up $3 Rail, $3 Bud
Light, 4-9pm Doors open
10pm $5 Cover 21+
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 8pm
Happy Hour, 8-10pm
Bottle Beer, $6 Call
Rocky Horror Takeover
Cast of the show invades
DC Eagle to promote the
show and provide tickets
for Oct. 22 No Cover
21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Drag Queen Broadway
Brunch, 10am-3pm
Starring Freddies
Broadway Babes Crazy
Hour, 4-7pm Freddies
Follies Drag Show, 8-10pm,
hosted by Miss Destiny B.
Childs No Cover
GREEN LANTERN
Bacardi, all flavors, all
night long JOX: The
GL Underwear Party,
9pm-close Featuring DJ
David Merrill $5 Cover
(includes clothes check)
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Guest DJs Zing Zang
Bloody Marys, Nellie Beer,
House Rail Drinks and
Mimosas, $4, 11am-5pm
Buckets of Beer, $15
NUMBER NINE
Doors open 2pm Happy
Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink,
3-9pm $5 Absolut and
$5 Bulleit Bourbon
Pop Tarts, featuring DJs
BacK2bACk, 9:30pm
SHAWS TAVERN
Bottomless Mimosas,
10am-3pm Happy Hour,
5-7pm $3 Miller Lite, $4
Blue Moon, $5 Rails and
House Wines & Half-Priced
Pizzas DJ Gio for Art All
Night, 9pm-close
Miss Tatianna, ShiQueeta-Lee, Riley Knoxx

and BaNaka DJ Wess
upstairs, DJs BacK2bACk
downstairs following the
show GoGo Boys after
11pm Doors open 10pm
$12 Cover 21+
SOMEPLACE ELSE BAR

& GRILL
1637 R St. NW
TRADE
Doors open 2pm Huge
only $4
TOWN
Patio open 2pm DC
Rawhides host Town &
Country: Two-Step, Line
Dancing, Waltz and West
Coast Swing, $5 Cover to
stay all night Doors open
6:30pm, Lessons 7-8pm,
Open dance 8-10:30pm
CTRL: Illuminaughti,
11:15pm-4am Music
upstairs by DJs Adam
Koussari-Amin, Jeff Prior
and Devon Trotter Music
and video by DJ Wess
downstairs Phi Phi
OHara from RuPauls All
Stars performs in the Drag
Show Drag Show starts
at 10:30pm Hosted by
Lena Lett and featuring
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Men of Secrets, 9pm
Guest dancers Ladies
of Illusion Drag Show
with host Ella Fitzgerald
Doors at 9pm, Shows
at 11:30pm and 1:30am
DJ Don T. in Secrets
Cover 21+
Sunday
September 25
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
No Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: Tops Down $6
Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm
Homowood Karaoke,
hosted by Robert Bise,
10pm-close 21+
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 12pm
Draughts all day and night,
$3 Domestic Bottles, $4
Rail and Import Bottle
Beer, $6 Call Sunday
BBQ hosted by SigMa DC,
3-7pm No Cover 21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Champagne Brunch
Buffet, 10am-3pm Crazy
Hour, 4-7pm Karaoke,
8pm-1am
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Mamas Trailer Park
Karaoke downstairs,
9:30pm-close
JR.S
Sunday Funday Liquid
Brunch Doors open at
1pm $2 Coors Lights and
$3 Skyy (all flavors), all day
and night
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Drag Brunch, hosted by
Shi-Queeta-Lee, 11am-3pm
$20 Brunch Buffet
House Rail Drinks, Zing
Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie
Beer and Mimosas, $4,
11am-close Buckets of
Beer, $15
NUMBER NINE
Pop Goes the World with
Wes Della Volla at 9:30pm
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on
any drink, 3-9pm No
Cover
SHAWS TAVERN
Brunch with Bottomless
Mimosas, 10am-3pm
Outstanding Voices of DC
Cabaret, Show, 8pm
45
SOMEPLACE ELSE BAR

& GRILL
1637 R St. NW
TOWN PATIO
Open 2pm Cornhole,
Giant Jenga, and Flip-cup
inside Town
TRADE
Doors open 2pm Huge
only $4
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Decades of Dance DJ
Tim-e in Secrets Doors
9pm Cover 21+
Monday
September 26
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
No Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Monday Nights A Drag,
hosted by Kristina Kelly
Doors open at 10pm
Showtime at 11:30pm
$3 Skyy Cocktails, $8 Skyy
and Red Bull $8 Long
Islands No Cover, 18+
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 8pm
Happy Hour, 8-10pm
Endless Happy Hour prices
to anyone in a DC Eagle
T-Shirt Free Ballin
Mondays: Free Pool All
Night and Day $1 Bud
and Bud Light Draughts, $3
Domestic Bottles, $4 Rail
and Import Bottle Beer, $6
Call No Cover 21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Singles Night Karaoke,
8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long
Open Mic Night Karaoke,
9:30pm-close
JR.S
Happy Hour: 2-for-1, 4-9pm
Showtunes Songs &
Singalongs, 9pm-close
DJ James $3 Draft Pints,
8pm-midnight
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Beer $15 Texas Holdem
Poker, 8pm Dart Boards
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
only $4
Tuesday
September 27
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
No Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
DJ Honey Happy Hour:
Tops Down $6 Top Shelf,
Bottoms Up $3 Rail, $3 Bud
Light, 4-9pm SIN Service
Industry Night, 10pm-close
$1 Rail Drinks all night
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
NUMBER NINE
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long,
4pm-close
SHAWS TAVERN
Trump vs. Clinton Debate
Watch Party Food and
Drink Specials
NELLIES SPORTS BAR

$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Beer $15 Karaoke and
Drag Bingo
Artistic
Tendencies?
Review Art
for Metro Weekly
Apply at
metroweekly.com/write
46
SOMEPLACE ELSE BAR

& GRILL
1637 R St. NW
NUMBER NINE
After 9pm, $3 Absolut,
Bulleit & Stella
SHAWS TAVERN
Half Priced Burgers &
Pizzas, 5pm-close $5
House Wines & Sam
Adams Drafts, 5pm-close
Bingo with Kristina Kelly,
8:30pm
SOMEPLACE ELSE BAR
& GRILL
1637 R St. NW
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
only $4
47
Wednesday
September 28
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
No Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
$4 Stoli and Stoli Flavors
and Miller Lite all night
No Cover 21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm $6
Burgers Drag Bingo
Night, hosted by Ms.
Regina Jozet Adams, 8pm
Bingo prizes Karaoke,
10pm-1am
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long,
4pm-close
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
SmartAss Trivia Night, 8pm
and 9pm Prizes include
bar tabs and tickets to
shows at the 9:30 Club
$15 Buckets of Beer for
SmartAss Teams only
Bring a new team member
48
and each get a free $10

Dinner
NUMBER NINE
SHAWS TAVERN
Piano Bar, Second Floor,
8pm-close
SOMEPLACE ELSE BAR
& GRILL
1637 R St. NW
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
only $4
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Shirtless Night, 10-11pm,
12-12:30am Military
Night, no cover with
military ID DJ Don T. in
Secrets 9pm Cover
21+ l
Scene
50
Peach Pit at DC9 - Saturday, September 17

51
Scene
52
Nellies Sports Bar - Saturday, September 17

53
LastWord.
People say the queerest things
I would not be unhappy were I

the last cisgender male to play
a transgender character
on television.
JEFFREY TAMBOR, during his acceptance speech after winning his second Emmy Award for
playing trans character Maura Pfefferman in Amazon Studios Transparent.
Give trans talent a shot.

I wouldnt be here if someone didnt give me chance.
LAVERNE COX, speaking during Sundays Emmy broadcast, prior to announcing the nominees for Outstanding Directing for a
Variety Special. She expanded in an Instagram post: All I have ever wanted was a chance to get in the room and show what I can
do. [OITNB] and its brilliant storylines gave me that shot. Other trans talent needs that chance.
Any moment that I have to

call Trump out for being an inheritor to Hitler
I will.
Transparent creator JILL SOLOWAY, speaking to reporters backstage at Sundays Emmy Awards after winning for Outstanding
Directing for a Comedy Series. He needs to be called out at every chance he gets for being one of the most a dangerous monsters
to ever approach our lifetimes. Hes a complete dangerous monster, she said.
Some people dont realize theres

no legal reason for Charlotte to do anything.
Charlotte Mayor JENNIFER ROBERTS, speaking after North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory agreed to repeal the states controversial
anti-LGBT HB 2 law, but only if the city of Charlotte repealed its anti-LGBT discrimination ordinance. Roberts refused.
McCrory faces losing his gubernatorial election due to economic and political backlash over the unpopular law.
We cant hide and be afraid.

ALEKSEI KOROLYOV, one of two openly gay men who ran for a seat in Russias parliamentary elections, speaking with Radio Free
Europe. The LGBT community now is in a desperate situation, Korolyov added. I decided to run because the ruling party has
adopted an extreme homophobic position. The authorities are facilitating a homophobic
discourse in society that is inciting hate crimes.
54

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Metro Weekly - 09-22-16 - Smithsonian National Museum of African American History &amp; Culture

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CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

OUTSIDE THE BOOK

The D.C. Public Library celebrates more than books at this

THIS IS OUR MUSEUM.

Interviews By John Riley

Sense and Sensibilitys intelligent silliness will create

SPOTLIGHT: VISUALLY DEFINING p.7 OUT ON THE TOWN p.11

2016 Jansi LLC.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 METROWEEKLY

Jo Ann Block - I am Surfacing - Mixed media collage

S AN ALLY AND A SYMPATHETIC HUMAN WITH

performance art, including Alexandra Rex Delakaran, Jo Ann

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 METROWEEKLY

SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF

Billed as the story of Louis Armstrong that you dont

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

Mozarts comic masterpiece is an exploration of the perils

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 METROWEEKLY

Out On The Town

NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable and

Disneys biographical sports drama

Mutesi (Madina Malwanga), who

A stork company that delivers

Kate Winslet is a femme fatale who

hometown to care for her ailing

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

The air is dense with testosterone

Two of suburban Marylands leading theater companies, Round

TC Carson stars as Herman Camm,

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 METROWEEKLY

BANNED BOOKS WEEK

OUTSIDE THE BOOK

IBRARIANS ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT BANNED

are Brokeback Mountain, Charlottes Web, Of Mice and Men, Where

Michael Kahn helms a Studio Theatre

ration of power and sexual politics,

COME FROM AWAY

Fords Theatre is one early stop

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 METROWEEKLY

town after air traffic was halted on

Avenue Q sounds like childs play

and sock puppets, Joanie Schultz

with an outrageous musical comedy. A Tony-winning hit in 2001,

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD

MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY

An intimate night of spectacular modern dance from a

ROMEO & JULIET

Andrew Veenstra is Romeo and

SENSE & SENSIBILITY

Eric Tucker of New Yorks

544-7077 or visit folger.edu.

Rachel Zampelli and Maria Rizzo

THE LAST QUIXOTE

Cervantes is dead and a drunk

After snagging 7 Helen Hayes

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 METROWEEKLY

Stephen Sondheim gave the quirky,

The early music ensemble Folger

PHILIP GLASS AT NATIONAL

The celebrated modern American

Washington and the 18th Street

PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ

Metro Weekly - 09-22-16 - Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

Metro Weekly - 09-22-16 - Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture