Metro Weekly - 02-18-16 - Alicia Garza

EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Randy Shulman
FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Volume 22 / Issue 41
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NEWS

Nothing Changes
by Rhuaridh Marr

COMMENTARY
9
Shock to the System
by Sean Bugg
10
Community Calendar

SCENE
13
2016 Her HRC
DJ Battle at Town
photography by Ward Morrison
16
Alicia Garza

FEATURE
Interview by John Riley
OUT ON THE TOWN

22

Mad About Paul
24

Lords and Monsters
FILM

31

Deadpool
MUSIC

33

Rihanna and Panic! at the Disco
GAMES

35

Unravel
NIGHTLIFE

39

DistrktC at the DC Eagle
SCENE

49

Super Bowl 50 at Nellies
SCENE

52

Trade
54
Last Word
by Randy Shulman
by Doug Rule
by Rhuaridh Marr
by Sean Maunier
by Rhuaridh Marr
GAGE SKIDMORE
LGBT
News
Now online at MetroWeekly.com
Kentucky clerk Kim Davis throws in the towel

Tom of Finlands life to be made into biopic
Cruz, Trump and Rubio
Nothing Changes
In the last week alone, the Republican Party continues to prove that
it has nothing to offer LGBT voters
by Rhuaridh Marr
O THE CASUAL OBSERVER, THIS PAST WEEK

would seem to be definitive proof that the Republican
Party has abandoned any pretense of appealing to
LGBT voters. As presidential candidates bicker over
who is the most homophobic, politicians attempt to outdo each
other with increasingly vitriolic comments, and polls reveal the
mistrust voters have in the GOP to even remotely care about
Americas gay citizens, it seems that LGBT people have been left
with one choice if they want to protect and advance their rights:
vote Democrat.
A new poll released this week offers an insight into the
extent of the Republican Partys problem with the LGBT community. Community Marketing & Insights asked 563 registered
LGBT voters from 46 states a number of questions about the
6
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
presidential candidates and their support for LGBT civil rights.

Unsurprisingly, Democrats fared well.
Between Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton, its Sanders who draws the most love from
LGBT voters. Asked whom would be the most supportive of
LGBT civil rights, thirty-one percent sided with Sanders, while
only twenty-five percent preferred Clinton. Thirty-seven percent believed that both would be equally supportive. However,
Clinton who has struggled to appeal to LGBT voters due to
her late support of same-sex marriage and previous statements
against it could find some hope in the polls other results.
While voters may think Bernie is better positioned to support them, if the election had been held on the day they were
asked, those polled would have thrown their support behind
METROWEEKLY.COM
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
LGBTNews
Clinton. Forty-eight percent favored her over Sanders, who
trailed with forty-one percent.
Flip those same questions over to their Republican rivals,
and a very different picture is painted. Who among the GOPs
dwindling field would best support LGBT rights as president?
Seventy-three percent chose none. Ohio Gov. John Kasich
came second, with a meager six percent believing that he would
support their rights presumably after he enthusiastically told
a debate audience that he had attended a same-sex wedding,
despite not supporting marriage equality.
What is striking in this research is how little support the current group of Republican candidates have among the LGBT community in the 2016 presidential elections, said David Paisley,
senior research director at Community Marketing & Insights.
Unless something changes, the party may largely forfeit about
five percent of adults in the United States to the Democrats,
which can cause important swings in tight elections.
Hes not wrong. Swing states are an important factor in presidential elections, and 2016 will be no different. Politico lists seven
swing states this election cycle: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada,
New Hampshire, Ohio and Virginia. In these states, every vote
counts California is determinedly Democrat, Texas resolutely
Republican, so parties focus on fickle swing states to woo independent and unsure voters. By ignoring LGBT people, the Republican
Party is doing itself a disservice and in the process, throwing
away over one million potential votes. Even if Republicans were
only trying to convert the forty-three percent of LGBT voters who
identified as independents in 2012, thats still half a million voters
or, the entire LGBT population of Florida.
The point of all this is that the current march towards an ever
more conservative ideology in the Republican Party isnt going
to win them any favors from the increasingly liberal-leaning
LGBT community. While Log Cabin Republicans are quick to
point out that gay GOP members arent single issue voters, and
support the party for its economic and foreign policy stances, its
hard to argue with the actions of party members this past week.
Starting with presidential hopefuls, Sen. Ted Cruz and
Donald Trump are currently locked in a battle over who will be
the more homophobic nominee. Trump has previously called
same-sex marriage a dead issue, but recently told Fox News
that he would try to overturn it. If Im elected I would be
very strong in putting certain judges on the bench that maybe
could change things, the reality star said. Confusing many, he
then told the lesbian host of New England Cable News that he
would move forward and bring people together over the issue
of marriage. However, after Cruz ran commercials stating that
Trump is in favor of same-sex marriage, the billionaire quickly
refuted the claims.
Lying Cruz put out a statement, Trump & [Sen. Marco] Rubio
are [with] Obama on gay marriage, he wrote on Twitter. Cruz is
the worst liar, crazy or very dishonest. Perhaps all three?
Unfortunately for Trump, the notoriously anti-gay National
Organization for Marriage doesnt believe him. Trumps stance
isnt anti-gay enough for them, and theyre urging voters in
South Carolina to Dump Trump.
When Donald Trump quit on the fight for marriage, he quit
on South Carolina and over 50 million voters across the nation
who cast ballots defining marriage as one man and one woman,
the organization said last week in a statement to PinkNews.
Meanwhile, Cruz has been boasting about his recent anti-gay
endorsement. He wrote on his campaigns website last week
that he was grateful for the support of Mike Bickle, a pas8
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
tor from International House of Prayer. Bickle has a history of

homophobia, last year telling his followers that same-sex marriage was a unique signal of the End Times.
Senator Rubio, implicated in Cruzs attacks as not hating marriage equality enough, has been desperately trying to
prove that he is just as anti-gay as his fellow candidates. Prior
to Saturdays PBS Republican Debate, Rubio announced a new
advisory board which will specifically deal with overturning
marriage equality. Its ranks include a member of the anti-gay
Family Research Council and an advocate for ex-gay conversion therapy. Rubio said the board would work at rebuilding a
vibrant culture of marriage and family.
Eric Teetsel, Rubios director of faith outreach, added to
that, stating, The Supreme Courts decisions in Windsor and
Obergefell are only the most recent example of our failure as a
society to understand what marriage is and why it matters. For
decades, we have taken for granted the unique and necessary
contributions of moms and dads in the lives of their children.
That GOP candidates particularly those seen as the partys
biggest stars are more than happy to throw LGBT under the
bus for those ever-important primary votes leaves little hope for
their attitudes should they ascend to the nations highest office.
What doesnt help is that such attitudes are seemingly rampant
through all levels of the party.
Again, in just the last week, Republicans have been getting
confused or confrontational when faced with LGBT issues.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence drew fire from Freedom Indiana after
he failed to give a simple answer to whether or not LGBT people
should be protected from discrimination in employment. At a
recent event, Pence was asked: Yes or no: do you believe gay
and transgender people should be able to be fired from their jobs
just for that reason only?
Its a great privilege to be your Governor, Pence responded, after almost ten seconds of silence. I dont think anyone
should be discriminated against because of who they are or who
they love, but my position as I expressed in the State of the State
address is that we are a state with a constitution, and as you
knowthat constitution has very strong safeguards for freedom
of conscience and freedom of religion.
I will not support legislation that diminishes religious freedom, he added.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence has never been able to
answer the question of whether he believes LGBT Hoosiers
should be fired for who they are, Freedom Indiana wrote.
Time after time, he has dodged the question of why he does
not support comprehensive non-discrimination protections for
LGBT people.
Meanwhile, in West Virginia, Del. Tom Fast decided that
comparing LGBT people to pedophiles was an acceptable way
to conduct a debate. Delegates were voting on an amendment
to a bill to allow Uber to operate in the state. The amendment
would also ban drivers from discriminating against LGBT people something Ubers own internal policies already prohibit.
That amendment failed on Friday after Fast rallied colleagues
with an impassioned speech.
History and reason illustrates the insanity of according special civil rights protection to a persons sexual preference, Fast
said. Once homosexual, bisexual and transgender behavior is
elevated to a protected status, there is nothing to stop bigamy,
pedophilia or any other sexual practice from receiving the same
protection.
All of these statements are from within the last week or so, all
LGBTNews
from members of the Republican Party, all negatively balanced
against the LGBT community. If this primary season has shown
voters anything, its that LGBT rights are far from the minds of
the GOP. Its possible that the party will change and adapt to a
nation where a majority of voters support marriage equality, but
its unlikely to happen this election cycle.
Consider this excerpt from the website of the Log Cabin
Republicans: Log Cabin Republicans have a proud history of
fighting to build a stronger, more inclusive Republican Party.
Gay and lesbian Republicans have chosen to transform the GOP
from the inside, working to overcome the forces of exclusion
and intolerance.
In a column for The Stranger last week, columnist Dan
Savage took the organization to task, called them lying, delusional, self-hating shitbags.
Nothing changes. Their party never changes, Savage wrote.
All the GOP candidates for president take the same old bigoted
positions. It never gets any better. But no one who writes up
the efforts of Log Cabin Republicans to change their party ever
thinks to examine the results. Theres never an accountability moment for the cocksucking wing of the party of personal
responsibility. l
COMMENTARY
Shock to the System
Or, how I learned to stop being idealistic and accept our

failed political system
by Sean Bugg
NCE UPON A TIME, WHEN I WAS A YOUNGER MAN

who was pissed off about a great many things in the
world, I still held onto a few idealistic beliefs about our
government. Namely, the basic, common things that are passed
along through our education and culture, such as believing that
our imperfect system is the best one for an imperfect world.
Im not saying I was naive. I did happen to live through the
age of Jesse Helms and Jerry Falwell, so I know full well that
horrible politicians have inflicted pain on those Americans
they deemed less than or other through the political system. Anyone paying even a modicum of attention to American
politics since the Civil Rights era roughly the time when racist
southern Democrats bolted for the Republican Party knows
that much of America has been slowly entrenching itself into a
never-ending culture war.
Yet the government still worked. Not always the way I liked
and often in infuriating ways, but it worked. And politics being
an incremental beast, many of the things weve fought for over
years and decades came to fruition through that frustrating system of compromise and debate.
But that was then. Now that Im an older man still pissed
off about a great many things in the world I am officially
disabused of any notion or belief in the nobility of our political
system. Its nowhere near the best, its simply broken.
Rather obviously, the death of Supreme Court Justice
Antonin Scalia and the nearly instantaneous discovery by congressional Republicans of an alternate constitution that limits
presidents to three active years, followed by a final year of golf
and tending roses, has been something of a final straw.
And we need to be clear about this: this is a Republican
problem. There is a certain kind of Beltway political animal
Ronimous Fourniericus who will declare the crisis an equal
failure of both parties. Mainstream journalists, who fear telling
simple truths will get them lumped in with partisans at Fox or
MSNBC, impose a false equivalence by treating every wild claim
about precedent as a matter of political perspective rather than
objective and verifiable fact or lie.
Theres really no better word for this than bullshit.
An acquaintance recently accused me of having become a
boring mouthpiece for Obama talking points. I had once been
much more willing to criticize Democrats and some of their

received truths, but now focus almost entirely on the failings
of Republicans of the congressional persuasion. But there is a
reason Ive focused my ire almost exclusively on one side: the
Republican party is literally breaking our constitutional political system.
The short, well-documented version: From the days just
before Barack Obama took office in 2009, the official Republican
strategy on Capitol Hill (per Sen. Mitch McConnell, followed by
many others) has been to block anything and everything Obama
might attempt, then with the intention of denying him a second
term and now with the intention of getting any Republican, no
matter how terrifying, into the White House.
This is the way the Republican political world works now.
No compromise, no debate, just a playground code of taking
their ball and going home. And when anyone points to their
actual stated plan of no compromise, no debate, they turn
around and farcically claim that its Obama and the Democrats
who refuse to compromise. By holding the gears of government hostage, theyve presented the executive branch with
two options. One, simply acquiesce to a four-year term of
doing absolutely nothing and allow one branch of government
to effectively negate the other. Or, two, stretch the limits of
executive power in order to accomplish a bare minimum of the
agenda on which Obama was elected.
To be clear, these are both terrible options. The whole
reason I supported Obama over Hillary Clinton in 2008 was I
believed he would better roll back the gross expansions of executive power under Bush/Cheney. Im aware of the irony. But
the bigger problem isnt which option Obama chose, but how a
Republican congress has attempted to nullify a valid presidential election through obstruction and obfuscation.
Which brings us back to the death of Scalia and the new
Republican position that presidents cannot exercise their constitutional duties when they are in the fourth year of their term
and, more importantly, a Democrat. The bleating of McConnell,
Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, et al, that the voters should decide who
picks the next Supreme Court justice despite the fact that the
current president was elected, twice, by a majority of American
voters just proves the central thesis of todays Republican
politics: elections only count when Republicans win them.
This is, of course, madness. If I were still idealistic I would
believe that voters will eventually, even soon, put an end to this,
but the gerrymandering of the House and the radically unrepresentative nature of the Senate make that unlikely. Realistically,
congressional Republicans have unleashed a tactic thats proven
horribly effective in the short term and its unlikely to be shoved
back into Pandoras Box.
The system is broken. And so is my belief that it can be fixed. l
METROWEEKLY.COM
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
LGBTCommunityCalendar
Metro Weeklys Community Calendar highlights important events in the D.C.-area
LGBT community, from alternative social events to volunteer opportunities.
Event information should be sent by email to calendar@MetroWeekly.com.
Deadline for inclusion is noon of the Friday before Thursdays publication.
Questions about the calendar may be directed to the
Metro Weekly office at 202-638-6830 or
the calendar email address.
BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay

volunteer organization, volunteers
today for the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue
Foundation at Falls Church PetSmart.
To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.
The DC Center hosts a meeting of
KHUSH DC, a support group for
LGBTQ South Asians. 2-4 p.m. 2000
14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more
information, visit thedccenter.org.
The DC Center hosts a monthly LGBT
ASYLEES SUPPORT MEETING
AND DINNER for LGBT refugees and
THURSDAY, FEB. 18
METROHEALTH CENTER offers
The DC Center hosts its POLY

DISCUSSION GROUP for people
interested in exploring or talking
about non-traditional, polyamorous,
or non-monogamous relationships, in
both the kink and non-kink scenes.
Open to all. 7-8 p.m. 2000 14th St.
NW, Suite 105. For more information,
visit thedccenter.org.
free, rapid HIV testing. Appointment

needed. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700.
202-638-0750.
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5

p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for
youth 21 and younger. 202-567-3155
or testing@smyal.org.
WEEKLY EVENTS
US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics

Anonymous Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.,
3636 Georgia Ave. NW. The group is
independent of UHU. 202-446-1100.
ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL
HEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5
WOMENS LEADERSHIP
INSTITUTE for young LBTQ women,
p.m., and HIV services (by appointment). Call 202-291-4707, or visit

andromedatransculturalhealth.org.
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.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
practice session at Takoma Aquatic

Center, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9
p.m. swimdcac.org.
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.
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 whitmanwalker.org.
IDENTITY offers free and confiden-
tial 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, 301-300-9978, or
Takoma Park, 301-422-2398.
10
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
FRIDAY, FEB. 19
GAY DISTRICT, a group for GBTQQI
men between the ages of 18-35, meets

on the first and third Fridays of each
month. 8:30-9:30 p.m. 2000 14th St.
visit gaydistrict.org.
HIV-positive advocate Gregry Revenj
talks about life after being diagnosed
with HIV as part of his LIFE AFTER
DIAGNOSIS speaking tour. The
tour is to raise awareness of HIV
rates and risk among LGBTQ youth.
Featuring HIV advocate and author
Guy Anthony. Doors open 6:45 p.m.
7-9 p.m. Human Rights Campaign
Equality Center, 1640 Rhode Island
Ave. NW. For more information, visit
hrc.org or thedccenter.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.
METROWEEKLY.COM
WEEKLY EVENTS
p.m., and HIV services (by appointment). 202-291-4707, andromedatransculturalhealth.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at Hains Point, 927 Ohio

Dr. SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.

Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.4:30 p.m. For an appointment call
202-745-7000. Visit
whitman-walker.org.

202-638-0750.
PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-
affirming social group for ages 11-24.

4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road NW.
Contact Tamara, 202-319-0422,
layc-dc.org.
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.
youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,
410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155,
testing@smyal.org.
SATURDAY, FEB. 20
All concerned LGBT people in
Montgomery County can attend the
GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY
FORUM FOR LGBTQ EQUITY AND
SAFETY. 2-5 p.m. For location and
more information, email pamela@

thedccenter.org.
asylum seekers. 5-7 p.m. 2000 14th St.

WEEKLY EVENTS
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.
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 Church-on-theHill, 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.
RVSP preferred. brendandarcy@
gmail.com.
tial HIV testing in Takoma Park,

7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411.
Walk-ins 12-3 p.m. For appointments
other hours, call 301-422-2398.
INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUAL

DEVELOPMENT, God-centered new
age church & learning center. Sunday

Services and Workshops event. 5419
Sherier Place NW. isd-dc.org.
SUNDAY, FEB. 21
Join LINCOLN CONGREGATIONAL
CHRYSALIS arts & culture group
progressive faith community every

Sunday. 11 a.m. 1701 11th Street NW,
near R in Shaw/Logan neighborhood.
lincolntemple.org.
visits the National Gallery of Art to

see popular exhibition on Hellenistic
Greek Bronzes. Free; lunch in
Cascades Caf follows. Meet at
11:30 a.m. in the 6th & Constitution
Avenue NW. lobby of the Old (West)
Building. Craig, 202-462-0535. craighowell1@verizon.net.
WEEKLY EVENTS
TEMPLE UNITED CHURCH OF

CHRIST for an inclusive, loving and
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF
REFORMATION invites all to Sunday
worship at 8:30 or 11 a.m. Childcare is

available at both services. Welcoming
LGBT people for 25 years. 212 East
Capitol St. NE. reformationdc.org.
LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULS

MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY
CHURCH OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
celebrates Low Mass at 8:30 a.m.,

High Mass at 11 a.m. 2300 Cathedral
Ave. NW. 202-232-4244,
allsoulsdc.org.
services at 11 a.m., led by Rev. Onetta

Brooks. Childrens Sunday School, 11
a.m. 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax.
703-691-0930, mccnova.com.
BETHEL CHURCH-DC progressive

and radically inclusive church holds
services at 11:30 a.m. 2217 Minnesota
Ave. SE. 202-248-1895, betheldc.org.
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY
CHURCH OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

Dr., SW. 9:30-11 a.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
DIGNITYUSA offers Roman Catholic

Mass for the LGBT community. 6
p.m., St. Margarets Church, 1820
Connecticut Ave. NW. All welcome.
Sign interpreted. For more info, visit
dignitynova.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.
FRIENDS MEETING OF
WASHINGTON meets for worship,
10:30 a.m., 2111 Florida Ave. NW,

Quaker House Living Room (next to
Meeting House on Decatur Place),
2nd floor. Special welcome to lesbians
and gays. Handicapped accessible
from Phelps Place gate. Hearing
assistance. quakersdc.org.
HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF

CHRIST welcomes GLBT commu-
nity 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.
services at 9 a.m. (ASL interpreted)

and 11 a.m. Childrens Sunday School
at 11 a.m. 474 Ridge St. NW. 202-6387373, mccdc.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.
RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH,

a Christ-centered, interracial, welcoming-and-affirming church, offers
service at 10 a.m. 680 I St. SW. 202554-4330, riversidedc.org.
ST. STEPHEN AND THE
INCARNATION, an interracial,
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 CHURCH OF
ARLINGTON, an LGBTQ welcoming-
and-affirming congregation, offers

services at 10 a.m. Virginia Rainbow
UU Ministry. 4444 Arlington Blvd.
uucava.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.
UNIVERSALIST NATIONAL
MEMORIAL CHURCH, a welcom-
ing and inclusive church. GLBT

Interweave social/service group
meets monthly. Services at 11 a.m.,
Romanesque sanctuary. 1810 16th St.
NW. 202-387-3411, universalist.org.
METROWEEKLY.COM
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
11
MONDAY, FEB. 22
The DC Centers CENTER
MILITARY WORKING GROUP,

dedicated to raising awareness of and
supporting LGBT veterans, active
duty servicemembers, their families and allies, meets on the fourth
Monday of each month at The DC
Center. 7-8:30 p.m. 2000 14th St.
NW, Suite 105. Please RSVP to Eric
Perez, 202-6872-2245 or eric.perez@
thedccenter.org
WEEKLY EVENTS
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.
HIV Testing at WHITMANWALKER 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.
KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY

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

testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
703-823-4401.

free, rapid HIV testing. No appointment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14th
St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing. 5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite
200, Arlington. Appointments:
703-789-4467.

410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155 or testing@smyal.org.
THE DC CENTER hosts Coffee DropIn for the Senior LGBT Community.
10 a.m.-noon. 2000 14th St. NW. 202682-2245, thedccenter.org.
US HELPING US hosts a black gay
mens evening affinity group. 3636

Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.
12
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
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, 703-299-0504, 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, FEB. 23
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.
WEEKLY EVENTS
ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly dinner in Dupont/Logan Circle area,

6:30 p.m. afwash@aol.com,
afwashington.net.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
practice session at Takoma Aquatic

Center, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9
p.m. swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walking/social club serving 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. 703-746-4986 or text 571-2149617. james.leslie@inova.org.

Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.4:30 p.m. For an appointment
call 202-745-7000. Visit
whitman-walker.org.
THE HIV WORKING GROUP of THE
DC CENTER hosts Packing Party,
where volunteers assemble safe-sex

kits of condoms and lube. 7 p.m.,
Green Lantern, 1335 Green Court NW.
thedccenter.org.
scene
2016 Her HRC
DJ Battle at Town
Sunday, February 14
scan this tag
with your
smartphone
for bonus scene
pics online!
Photography by
Ward Morrison
SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE
13
14
SEE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE
tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg,

414 East Diamond Ave., and in
Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire
Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m.
Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978 or
Takoma Park at 301-422-2398.
KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY

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

testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
703-823-4401.

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, 703-521-1999. Handicapped
accessible. Newcomers welcome.
liveandletliveoa@gmail.com.

410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, 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. 202446-1100.
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, FEB. 24
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
meets for Duplicate Bridge. 7:30 p.m.

Dignity Center, 721 8th St SE (across
from Marine Barracks). No reservations needed. All welcome. 202-8410279 if you need a partner.
WEEKLY EVENTS
AD LIB, a group for freestyle conversation, meets about 6:30-6 p.m.,
Steam, 17th and R NW. All welcome.
For more information, call Fausto
Fernandez, 703-732-5174.

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.
HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH
offers Wednesday worship 7:15 a.m.

and 12:05 p.m. All welcome. 118 N.
Washington St., Alexandria. 703-5491450, historicchristchurch.org.

Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE,
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment
call 202-745-7000. Visit
whitman-walker.org.
tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414

East Diamond Ave. Walk-ins 2-7 p.m.
Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978.
JOB CLUB, a weekly support pro-
gram for job entrants and seekers,

meets at The DC Center. 2000 14th St.
NW, Suite 105. 6-7:30 p.m. For more
info, www.centercareers.org.
free, rapid HIV testing. No appointment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14th
St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
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
METROWEEKLY.COM
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
15
BlackLivesMatt
Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza on privilege,

accountability and using social media to inspire a movement
Interview by John Riley
Y FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH INTERPERSONAL RACISM WAS IN THE FIFTH GRADE,
says Alicia Garza. A teacher commented that the palms of my

hands were so much lighter than the tops, and wondered whether
the bottoms of my feet were the same.
Garza, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter, was keenly aware of
race growing up. The daughter of a white father and black mother,
as a young child in the San Francisco Bay area she took notice of
how differently society treated her parents based on their skin
color. It was a treatment an institutionalized racism that
Garza would eventually be subjected to.
I had taught myself to read at 3 years old, she says. And my
mom was trying to get me into preschool or early kindergarten.
She had a hard time getting me in as a little black girl, because there was disbelief that I could read and hold my own. That was
persistent throughout my school career. My mom pushed to try and get me into Advanced Placement classes, and even though I
had passed the test, there was a lot of hesitancy on the part of teachers and administrators. There was an assumption that, because
I was black, I wouldnt be able to achieve in those spaces.
A social justice activist who cut her teeth working on issues related to housing and gentrification, Garza now organizes domestic workers. Her longtime advocacy on behalf of low-income communities of color has not only informed her political ideology
which she characterizes as a little left of progressive and radical but has contributed to a deeper understanding of the
interplay between race, power and privilege. Through her work and personal experience, Garza became increasingly frustrated by
the lack of progress on racial justice issues. That frustration boiled over in 2013.
After the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., Garza took to
Facebook, penning a post titled, A Love Note to Black People. It called on African Americans to fight the societal biases and
various forms of structural and institutional racism that devalue their lives. She concluded with, Our Lives Matter, Black Lives
Matter, a phrase that became the moniker for the movement she launched, along with Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi, to help
black people change the unacceptable status quo.
I was really impacted with what happened with Trayvon Martin, not because it was the first time that I had ever heard about
or been involved in a movement around police brutality, but because I was tired like, really exhausted of all of these different
ways in which black folks are portrayed as being thugs and criminals and animals, she says.
Living in Oakland, right before Trayvon was killed, Oscar Grant was killed just a few blocks from my house, she continues. A
young man was murdered on the new train system that they put through the largest remaining black community in San Francisco.
He was murdered in cold blood, in the daytime, by police, and people saw it. He was running from the police, because he had been
approached by officers about proof of payment for the transit system. That fare is $2. He lost his life over two dollars.
Garza says all of these horrific instances laid the foundation for me. Its what motivated me to stay active in the movement,
and what motivated me to write that Facebook post that eventually became a real moniker for a broader movement around not just
police brutality, but the sanctity of black lives.
16
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
KRISTIN LITTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
atter
Alicias tattoo is the last six lines of

Poem about My Rights by June Jordan
METROWEEKLY.COM
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
17
METRO WEEKLY: Lets start with your childhood.

ALICIA GARZA: I was born and raised in the Bay Area, in California.
And I like to say Im a little bit of a unicorn, because theres not

many people now that live in the Bay Area who were born and
raised there, due to market forces and all kinds of things. My
upbringing in a pretty progressive place definitely shaped my
political thinking and my political experiences. I went to local
middle schools and high schools in Marin County, and went to
college at UC-San Diego. Then I moved back to the Bay Area to
live and work. Ive been organizing locally for about 13 years.
MW: How did you get into that?
GARZA: College was really when I got exposed to social justice
work. I became involved in student-led initiatives to increase
GARZA: [Laughs.] I became most comfortable expressing my own
self in my later years in college, as I started to become exposed to

more people, build a wide range of relationships, and also I think
just the process of getting older, starting to be more comfortable
in your own skin, is also somewhat helpful.
MW: When did you officially come out to your family?
GARZA: It was when I met my current partner. Weve been
together for, lets see, I think its 12 years this year. And I dont
know, when we met, we were instantly tight. We were friends
for a while, and when that transitioned from a more platonic
relationship into a romantic one. My family was really, really
supportive. I feel grateful that they didnt process with me all of
the things that they were probably going through, and instead,
just made it very comfortable, and very positive. I
feel very lucky, because I know that thats not
always the norm.
MW: Talk a bit bit about the intersections of
race and sexuality as theyve played out in
your life.
GARZA: I think my experiences organizing
inside of poor and low-income communities
in the Bay Area, which were largely black and
Latino and some Southeast Asian, actually really
built the foundation for what eventually became Black Lives
Matter. Patrisse and I both worked in community-based organizations that had relationships to each other, and thats actually
how we met. One of the ways we bonded was over being a part
of a social justice movement that is still, by and large, hetero
male-led.
I also think the experience of organizing in poor and working-class black communities, seeing the ways in which our
communities are physically segregated from resources, from
activities, from amenities and also seeing
the ways that police interact in those
communities was very formational.
As somebody who grew up in Marin
County, I can tell you that the way
police interact with communities
there, particularly white communities, is very, very different than the way
they interact with communities in West
Oakland, or East Oakland, where I live now. This is not stuff
thats in peoples heads, and youre not really protected from it,
no matter how much wealth you have access to.
MW: When did you realize that Black Lives Matter could be a larger
movement?
GARZA: We were just noticing that this thing that we put out
was gaining traction. And we started to think about what the
possibilities could be. We really felt like it wasnt enough for
this thing to live online. Online things come and go, people are
bombarded with all kinds of information all the time. And social
media, in and of itself, is meant to be a way to connect people to
do something.
We thought that we could experiment, as organizers, with
what it meant to connect people online, so they could do stuff
together offline. In particular, we really wanted to create space
for new narratives of black life, and what that meant. We
wanted to create space for people who are looking for a way to
get involved and looking for other people to do that with, who
maybe werent part of formal organizations, or maybe even
never considered themselves to be political until this particular
moment. And we also wanted to create space to talk about what
a new black radical politic could look like in real time recog-
We live in a political context where

racism has been watered down to
bad interactions with other people.
the number of students of color on campus, to raise awareness
around the experiences of women of color on campus, and so it
was a natural fit that, as I left, I would pursue something similar
to that.
My first entre into organizing was participating in a program
called the School of Unity and Liberation. They did a program
where they would take young people who wanted to learn how
to organize in their communities, and put them through an
eight-week internship, where you would actually do organizing
work in a local community organization, and then twice a week
do seminars. Youd learn about social movement history, and you
also learned about the mechanics of organizing.
MW: And what issue did you work on?
GARZA: I was working at Just Cause Oakland, which was newly
formed at the time, and had just won a really badass tenant protection measure that prevented no fault eviction. So we were
doing door-knocking in East and West Oakland, and organizing
Oakland residents particularly low-income residents of color
around the impending issues that were involved in the gentrification of the community.
MW: What do you do for your job now?
GARZA: I work with the National Domestic Workers Alliance,
which is powered by more than 54 membership-based organizations. We organize domestic workers. So, women who clean
homes, who take care of other peoples children, who provide
elder care, and who support people with disabilities. My specific
role is special projects director I lead our work at the intersections of race, gender, and the economy, and our democracy. I
helped spearhead a new initiative called We Dream in Black,
a leadership development and capacity-building program for
black domestic workers from across the diaspora. So that
means black American women workers, Caribbean workers,
and African immigrant workers. Together, we are strengthening
the organizations that they lead, and we are also starting new
chapters in places where there are high concentrations of black
domestic workers, but very few organizations that are actually
organizing them.
MW: How do you identify within the LGBT spectrum?
GARZA: I identify as queer.
MW: When did you first know that something was different about
you, that you werent heterosexual?
18
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
What powers
deep, profoun
each other, bu
nizing that a lot of our political framework has been shaped by

generations of black radical tradition.
Its not necessarily something new that were doing, but it
is a new context. Its not the 1970s, its not the 1980s, its not
even the 1990s. This is a really different political moment, when
were trying to understand what it means to build black power,
in the era of the first black president, in an era when we have
more black elected officials, and CEOs, and corporate heads than
weve ever had in our history as a nation.
MW: Theres a misperception or deliberate mislabeling of Black
Lives Matter as a movement that is an inherently anti-police
movement. How do you respond to that?
GARZA: So heres the thing: This narrative that Black
Lives Matter is anti-police is actually ridiculous.
And theres a lot of other ridiculous narratives out
there about Black Lives Matter, despite the fact
that weve written really extensively about who
we are and what we believe. And despite the fact
that weve said, many, many times, that this is not a
movement that is solely focused on police violence,
nor is it a movement that is anti-police.
I think its ironic that we would be framed in that
way, when really what were talking about and fighting
against are police who are fundamentally being covered for
taking lives. Were talking about a system of policing that has
developed a culture that is largely unaccountable, not transparent, and corrupt. And its not a question of good cops or bad cops,
because the institution of police itself supports bad behavior. So
even good cops, in a bad context, become bad cops.
This isnt about people being good or bad its about whether
or not the structure that weve created for safety, and for justice,
is actually playing the functions that we wanted it to. And I think
what the movement is
saying, and what our
network is saying,
is that its not. The
gap between keeping people safe
and our current
system and structures of policing is so
wide that were not clear that its able to be reformed. Thats not
personal.
I think where the personalization of that narrative comes
from is a corrupt culture of policing. We know police unions,
in particular, take a really large role in reshaping and reframing
conversations that have to do with transparency or accountability, whether its about Black Lives Matter or not. Unions
have been corrupting the narrative around what it would mean
to have accountable policing, way before we were even on the
scene. People who have been doing this work for a long time can
testify to that.
The other piece is that the conservative right which has
consolidated power in this country, by and large gains its support from how afraid people are of each other. When we look at
the presidential debates, for example, theres so much rhetoric
around whos a threat to you, whos a threat to your well-being,
whos a threat to your ability to survive, whos a threat to the
ability of this country to be as powerful as it is. All of their language is about threat and fear. Even on the Democratic side.
Lets be clear: This isnt limited to Republicans, but given our
political context, certainly it is the result of a very successful
right-wing conservative movement that has been working to
owers this movement is a

ofound love, not just for
er, but for humanity.
consolidate power at the local level, at the state level, and at the
federal level for more than 30 years.
We believe that its important to engage in the battle of ideas,
because our peoples lives depend on it. But we dont have time
to go tit-for-tat with a movement that wants to unravel every
gain that our ancestors fought for. Our focus is making sure
that we bring more and more people into the fight not just
black people, but people from all walks of life and all types of
backgrounds not just for the sanctity of black lives, but for the
reclamation of the ideals that this country was based on.
Were talking about a system

of policing that has developed
a culture that is largely
unaccountable, not transparent,
and corrupt.
MW: In the current political climate, the one whos stood out
the most on the Republican side has been Donald Trump, whos
attacked Black Lives Matter verbally. People of color have even
been escorted from his rallies in a violent manner. What do you feel
when you hear people talk about the fear of the other?
GARZA: Honestly, I feel sorry for them. I feel compassion that, at
some point, something didnt click. Its really basic that this is
not a movement thats about hate or fear or division or separation. What powers and fuels this movement is a deep, profound
love, not just for each other, but for humanity. So when theres
rhetoric that tries to reframe who we are and what were about
and to me, specifically, since I wrote that letter talking about
how much I love black people I dont get mad.
I have a lot of compassion that were incredibly susceptible to
narratives that we may not understand what their motives are.
This was the very reason that we try to do a lot of communicating about who we are and what we believe, and what we think
people can do to change the world that we live in. We try to do
that with a lot of love, a lot of compassion, a lot of empathy, and a
lot of desire for connection. And the reality is that we know that
not everybody is going to be won over. But were going to keep
trying to build the broadest front possible that will help us win
justice for all of us.
MW: One of the things thats so interesting is that when you talk
about privilege, theres a tendency for people to get their guard up,
and say, Im not privileged, I grew up in a small hut in Appalachia
and I ran 10 miles in the snow to school, and
GARZA: [Laughs.] carrying 15 books, with no backpack
MW: and I worked 50 hours a week, or had four jobs, and Im not
privileged. And if people would just work harder and stop asking
the government to bail them out, this would all be better. We hear
that a lot people get their guard up when theyre called out on
privilege.
GARZA: I think our understanding of privilege, in this context, is
also really closely related to how we understand race and racism.
And unfortunately, we live in a political context where racism
has come to not be seen as structures and policies and practices
that are both seen and unseen, but gets watered down to bad
interactions with other people. So its essentially, Im not racist, because Im not mean to people, or Im not racist, because
METROWEEKLY.COM
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
19
We know that not everybody is going to be

won over. But were going to keep trying to
build the broadest front possible that will
help us win justice for all of us.
I dont see color, or I dont have privilege, because I dont
think Im better than anybody else. These are very rudimentary
understandings of how society actually works. You can think
about it as an iceberg: Theres the thing you see above the water,
but the thing thats the most dangerous is the thing thats under
the water, because you dont see it.
I think that whole misunderstanding of race, power and privilege has also been a very concerted effort by a very well-organized right-wing movement. Their whole gusto is derived from
the Black Power Movement and the Civil Rights Movement,
where, essentially, theyve redefined race and privilege as being
politically correct. Theyve reframed race to say, We no longer have a race problem that people, if they dont have, its a
function of their own individual failings, as opposed to societal
or systemic failings. Even some people of color have adopted
those narratives, even though thats not their actual experience.
So we can point to people like Stacey Dash, we can point to
people like Raven-Symon, we can even point to people like Bill
Cosby, who perpetuate these narratives that black people are
inherently deficient. And they will hold themselves up as exceptions to the rule, because thats how it works. But, by and large,
what the Right has been really good at is generating this fear of
the disappearance of whiteness, and has done a really good job
of masking where privilege lies.
All white people have privilege, but it doesnt mean that all
white people have the same amount of privilege, or the same
degree of privilege. And privilege is really just access. You
can get access based on your skin color, but be really poor and
be from Appalachia, but in a different context. Because youre
being able to find common cause

with people who are being screwed
in the same way that youre being
screwed. It allows us to mask the
dynamic and the power dynamics, in particular, of wealth being
consolidated into the hands of very
few people. Increasingly, it takes
away what should be a natural
solidarity between people who are also struggling
to make a living, or who are also struggling to be
their full selves.
MW: What causes that division?
GARZA: I attribute that to a very well-organized
machine that has permeated not only our politics, but also our educational systems, our
media institutions, our faith-based institutions.
They have been very deliberate and powerful in
consolidating power that helps to shape our opinions, our thoughts, and our relationships.
MW: If white people are genuine about wanting to stand
in solidarity with those suffering from oppression, how do we
demonstrate it?
GARZA: Well, I think the first way is by acknowledging that privilege exists. And doing that as a white person is actually pretty
powerful. Because part of what becomes so polarizing is what
happens when white folks deny the existence of something,
which is our lived experience. So theres that. And then the other
piece, I think, is to have conversations with other white people
about white privilege and white supremacy not just historically, but really investigating how it plays out today. That is also
a very important task, because its not available to everybody.
I can talk to white people until Im blue in the face, and I do. I
do that a lot. But the reality is we all share the same experience.
And what we may be talking about, it may be more comfortable
to ask questions, to make mistakes, to say the wrong thing, to
somebody whos sharing a similar experience as you.
So its really important for that organizing to take place in
white communities. And there are
organizations and individuals
that are doing a real model job
of that. Youve got the World
Organizing Project, which
has been doing a lot of very
powerful work in Oregon,
especially, during this federal occupation, and organizing white people around that.
You have groups like the Catalyst
Project, in San Francisco, that trains young white people to
be organizers in working-class white communities. You have
organizations like Resource Generation, which is working with
people who have wealth to redistribute that wealth in a way
thats equitable and pursues the path of social justice. You also
have groups like Showing Up for Racial Justice, which is one of
the newer groups on the scene, that has been building chapters
around the country of white, anti-racist folks who want to stand
in solidarity with the movement. But you dont have to be part of
an organization to be part of the movement.
Another thing you can do is vote your values. We know that
when we turn on the TV and watch these debates, that there are
a certain group of candidates that are really appealing to white
voters who are scared of demographic change, who are afraid of
The way to stand in solidarity with the

movement is to really vote your values,
around justice and equality, and an end
to oppression overall.
white, you have access to opportunities and resources and assets
that a person whos not visibly white doesnt have. And theres
been millions and millions of studies that lay this out. You can be
a white person whos part of another marginalized or disenfranchised group, like you could be a white gay person, and still have
privilege, and also still experience oppression.
The point is not to segment us based on all these different
identities, but to ask ourselves, Well, who does this benefit?
Because, ultimately, even though white people in this country
and really, around the damn world have privilege at the
expense of people of color, and black people specifically, it also
doesnt benefit white people for that social norm to continue.
Theres lots of ways that poor white people are screwed by
white supremacy, or are screwed by racism. And part of it is not
20
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
The who
and
eff
movem
W
the movement that is building right now. And the way to stand
in solidarity with the movement is to vote around justice and
equality, and an end to oppression overall. There are some clear
choices on how to do that. Its not just about people were electing, but its also about initiatives.
The other thing you can do as a white person, or as a person
of privilege, is talk to your family and talk to your friends. Its
laws passed in 26 states in a period of one year around criminal justice. We wouldnt even have bipartisan criminal justice
reform happening at the federal government. We wouldnt have
the Congressional Black Caucus taking on, as a priority, criminal
justice reform.
You and I wouldnt even be having this conversation. We
wouldnt be having conversations around respectability politics,
we wouldnt be be talking about white supremacy, even. A lot
has changed. And what were looking at now is, how do
we take all of these different strategies that people are
employing to create change, and weave them into a
quilt that will cover all of us, but that doesnt require
all of us to be doing the same thing. And that is
really our task and our charge for the next period.
MW: When we talk about representation, a lot has
been made about the Oscars, and the invisibility of
people of color when it comes to being recognized
for their work. How have you reacted to the idea of a
boycott of the Oscars?
GARZA: My take on it is that this isnt new. But it is
exactly this movement that has created space for this conversation to happen. You know, the Oscars has been really white
for a very long time. I think its a really great example of how
systemic racism plays out. The utter lack of people of color, who
are being recognized for their work, in an industry that we shape
pretty profoundly, is a basic example of how racism works. And
what I feel inspired by are people like [independent filmmaker]
whole misunderstanding of race, power

and privilege has been a very concerted
effort by a well-organized right-wing
movement. Theyve reframed race to say,
We no longer have a race problem.
really important that these conversations are happening on
multiple levels, in multiple places, where real people who
dont have access to academies or whatever can have a real
conversation about the state of our country and the state of our
world, and really start to make commitments to each other about
what kind of world we want to live in and how were going to
practice that.
Another thing you can do is
show up for this movement by
being a part of it. That could
mean giving resources, that
could mean showing up at
protests and demonstrations, that could mean writing letters to the editor and
sending your opinion into
newspapers and into blogs,
and where people can see it.
Because part of what we have
to do is show that this isnt going to
happen on our watch, and we have to show, at some point, that
this is an outdated way of being, and that we all want something
better. So any place where we have the opportunity and the
access to move that narrative, its really important and its really
impactful.
MW: How do you translate Black Lives Matters various actions
into a form where the movement can effect change politically?
GARZA: Well, first and foremost, among the network there is great
diversity in terms of peoples preferred strategy to get where
we want to be. Thats not just characteristic of our network, but
of any social movement that has existed. If we were to look at
the Civil Rights Movement, not everybody thought that pursuing legislation was the way to go. It was actually the interplay
between the people who did not want to work in that arena, and
the people who did, who created the outcomes that we have.
I think our task as a movement is to figure out how all of those
different strategies relate to each other. Because what weve
seen is, we know we have the power to create space for change
to happen. If it wasnt for this movement, we wouldnt have
presidential candidates talking about whether black lives matter.
We wouldnt talk about presidential candidates having platforms
on racial justice and criminal justice. We wouldnt have 40 new
We can point to people like Stacey Dash,

we can point to people like Raven-Symon,
we can even point to people like Bill Cosby,
who perpetuate these narratives that black
people are inherently deficient.
Ava DuVernay [Selma], who makes it her business whether
she is acknowledged or not to make sure she is casting talented black actors. To make sure she has black production teams,
and women on her team, and all of the people who are excluded
regularly. She makes it a point to ensure that level of talent is
included in all of her productions.
Its important to call out whats happening at the Oscars, but
its also important to create our own things. Ultimately, we dont
control the Oscars, but there are millions and millions of dollars being made off this industry, and some of the same people
who are complaining and rightfully so about how white the
Oscars are, also have leverage and resources to do things differently. I hold up Ava as an example, because imagine how powerful it would be if Will Smith followed suit, if Jada Pinkett followed suit, if Chris Rock followed suit. These are major heavyhitters in the industry. If they were to create their own spaces,
or create environments that they wanted to see, it would actually
have a lot of traction, and would force the contradiction even
more. I hope that thats the next step for this conversation. l
For more information about Black Lives Matter, or to learn about
upcoming actions, visit blacklivesmatter.com.
METROWEEKLY.COM
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
21
FEBRUARY 18 - 25, 2016
Compiled by Doug Rule
Mad
About
Paul
Paul Reiser, who became a household name on Mad About You, returns to his stand-up roots
the jokes.
Paul Reiser is reminiscing over Mad About You with a
rabid fan posing as a reporter. The hit series, which chronicled
the life of a New York married couple, played to uncanny,
intimate perfection by Reiser and Helen Hunt, ran 7 seasons
on NBC until 1999. It was one of those shows that, along with
Friends and Seinfeld, was the very definition of Must See TV.
People in sitcoms say things that are snippy and snappy
and funny, Reiser goes on. But in real life somebody would
punch you in the nose if you said that or youd at least hurt
somebodys feelings. We never wanted to score jokes at the
expense of reality. I could talk about this all day.
Alas, there are other things to talk about. Such as Reisers
return to stand-up. (Hell appear at the Howard Theater this
Saturday, Feb. 20.) Many know Reiser from Mad About You,
or from Aliens, or from his recent turn on the Amazon series
Red Oaks, but stand-up comedy was his launching pad.
I started as a comedian, says the 58-year-old. Thats all I
originally wanted to do, but it worked out that I got to do these
wonderful things. I find it surprising when people say, I didnt
know you do stand-up. In fairness, I had a 20-year absence.
Indeed, the grind of a weekly series and then the joys of
raising two sons and authoring three books (Couplehood,
Babyhood, Familyhood) got in the way of stand-up, but three
years ago, Reiser decided to return to his roots. Im still
talking about relationships, but its a different point of view.
Talking about marriage in your fifties is very different from
talking about it when you were newly married. Hes quick to
add, in his trademark New York cadence, A lot of my stuff is
not about relationships, so you know.
Reiser is happy to opine about everything from the Oscar
controversy (I dont actually think Academy members are sitting there going, Lets keep this white, but when you see 20
white mugs, you cant help think that it is a shockingly disproportionate representation) to Donald Trump (Are people
really saying we want him to be our leader? I dont know that
when push comes to shove if everybody will say that) to the
PHOTO COURTESY OF PERSONAL PUBLICITY
ITH A LOT OF SITCOMS, THE THING WAS TO

go for the joke. We always tried to strike a balance.
It was for laughs, but the laughs were never about
accepting, nonplussed attitude his 15-year-old son had toward

a fellow 10th grader.
My son was talking about a kid whos transitioning, and he
said it matter-of-factly, to him it wasnt an exciting story, says
Reiser, clearly proud. It made me think there will be a period
not too far where people will go, Really, that was an issue? I
certainly hope so. Randy Shulman
Paul Reiser appears at The Howard Theater, 620 T St. NW, on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $35
(general seating) to $75 (booth, 4 ticket minimum). Call 202-803-2099 or visit thehowardtheatre.com.
22
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
SPOTLIGHT
#THISISWHYIMSINGLE
KEITH WATERS, KX PHOTOGRAPHY
Flashpoint Gallery presents a post-Valentines Day-themed show featuring

artists using as source material their
own experiences with social media,
dating apps and the quest for an emotional connection in the digital age.
The show features Dafna Steinbergs
Im Willing to Lie about How We Met,
exploring idealized desires of romance
versus the reality of personal communications on social media; Jennifer
Towners Failed T-Shirt Designs for
Todays Modern Woman, playing with
the idea of fitting in with the standards
of socially accepted femininity; and
Jenny Waltons Match/Enemy, examining presentations of male persona in
profile pictures on dating sites. Opens
Saturday, Feb. 20. Runs to March 19.
Flashpoint Gallery, 916 G St. NW. Call
202-315-1310 or visit flashpointdc.org.
ALESSIA CARA
Lords
and
Monsters
Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory Smiths new musical explores the
influence of Lord Byron
ORD BYRON WAS THE MODEL FOR SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE COMMONplace in our pop culture today, says Stephen Gregory Smith. Touted as the first
celebrity of the modern era, Byron was a 19th-century media sensation. Attractive and
eccentric. Troubled and campy. Bisexual.
He slept with a lot of people, women and men, Smith says, adding with a laugh, basically
anyone. Though his same-sex dalliances were frowned upon at the time, it diminished neither
his fame nor his influence. In fact, Byron is said to have inspired the titular character of Oscar
Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray as well as Heathcliff in Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights.
Smith has taken inspiration from Byron for a new musical co-written with his husband,
composer Matt Conner. Monsters of the Villa Diodati centers on one summer, in 1816, when
Lord Bryon helped spawn popular tales about the undead simply as a result of challenging
the literary guests at his Swiss villa to create compelling new horror stories. Among those
conceived there: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, considered the first work of science fiction
and John Polidoris The Vampyre. Unlike the never beautiful monsters that epitomized
vampire folklore previously, Polidori opted to model his protagonist after Byron basically, as Smith puts it, a beautiful man who seeks out other young beautiful people to suck
the life out of.
Understandably, there was little love lost between Polidori and Byron after that summer.
Or really between Byron and any of his other three guests, including Marys husband, the
poet Percy Shelley. These are some of the wittiest people that ever walked the earth and all
they do is try to shoot each other down, Smith says. When theyre not trying to sleep with
each other, theyre trying to insult each other in very smart ways.
Monsters of the Villa Diodati, which features a largely pop/rock score, is the duos second
show, after last years The Turn of the Screw at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church. Conner and
Smith are set to create three more works, one per year, for the small theater company. Thats
in addition to Silver Bells, a big, new Christmas musical theyre developing for Signature.
Factor in other projects, including acting roles on local stages, and its no wonder that any
time Conner and Smith are together becomes an opportunity to talk shop whether at home
or at the gym. A lot of our conversations are artistic, Conner says. Its actually a good thing
were married. Ive never spent so much time with another writer. Doug Rule
Monsters of the Villa Diodati runs to Feb. 21 at ArtSpace Falls Church, 410 South Maple Ave.
Tickets are $26. Call 703-436-9948 or visit creativecauldron.org.
24
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
A month after snowzilla wiped out

what was to be Alessia Caras sold-out
debut at the 9:30 Club, I.M.P. presents
a makeup date for the impressive pop
newcomer at the Lincoln Theatre. A
19-year-old Canadian who cites Amy
Winehouse as one influence, Cara
has drawn comparisons to Lorde and
Rihanna whose musical path started
with Def Jam Recordings a decade
ago, just as Caras has now. Late last
summer the storied hip-hop/R&B
label released Caras tongue-in-cheek
titled album Know-It-All, a savvy mix
of pop/R&B with light jazz touches
complementing Caras silky voice and
soulful style. The set is led by two
thoroughly mainstream pop singles
with decidedly anti-mainstream, or
at least alt-pop, messages: The sharp,
wordy anti-social/anti-club anthem
Here, which reached No. 5 on the
Billboard pop charts, and breezy new
single Wild Things, which celebrates
being rebellious to the point of appearing uncool. Saturday, Feb. 20. Doors at
6:30 p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St.
NW. Tickets are $25. Call 202-3286000 or visit thelincolndc.com.
AUTOGRAF
Mikul Wing, Louis Kha and Jake

Carpenter started working together
as Autograf with the purpose of creating sculptural art. These days the
Chicago trio is primarily making buzzworthy EDM music specifically a
Disclosure-esque strain of progressive/trop-house that is sometimes
moody, sometimes bouncy, but always
sophisticated and intriguing. Next
week Autograf stops by U Street Music
Hall on a tour named after its best
track to date, Metaphysical featuring
vocalist Janelle Kroll which sounds
a lot like Sias first song Breathe Me,
only less dramatic and more jaunty.
Thursday, Feb. 25, at 10 p.m. U Street
Music Hall, 1115A U St. NW. Tickets
are $15. Call 202-588-1880 or visit
ustreetmusichall.com.
DC SHORTS WINS!
DC Shorts offers two showcases on

two nights this weekend featuring
some of the favorite and most successful films from the annual summer festival, including those voted as
audience favorites. And two of the 14
total films are nominees in the shorts
categories at this years Oscars: the
Irish drama Stutterer and the Kosovo
war-set U.K. drama Shok. Another
notable film screening is the American
Barrio Boy, in which a Latino barber
develops a secret crush on a handsome
Irish stranger over the course of a haircut. The programs two 90-minutelong showcases include different films,
and will be screened one after the
other. Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday,
Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
U.S. Navy Memorials Burke Theater,
701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets
are $15 per showcase, or $25 for a
Double Header of both. For a showcase
breakdown and more information, visit
wins.dcshorts.com.
MARIINSKY BALLET
For its 14th annual visit to the

Kennedy Center, St. Petersburgs great
Mariinsky Ballet presents what is touted as the last grand ballet of the 19th
Century, Marius Petipas Raymonda.
Set in medieval times, the focus is on
a countess torn between the love of
a noble crusading knight and a handsome warrior. The Kennedy Center
Opera House Orchestra accompanies the ballet under guest conductor
Gavriel Heine, performing Alexander
Glazunovs score, filled with spirited
rhythms and lilting waltzes, which
George Balanchine once called some
of the finest ballet music we have.
Performances begin Tuesday, Feb. 23,
at 7 p.m. Runs to Feb. 28. Kennedy
Center Opera House. Tickets are $49
to $225. Call 202-467-4600 or visit
kennedy-center.org.
RAHSAAN PATTERSON
Named after 60s jazz saxophonist

Rahsaan Roland Kirk, the openly gay
Rahsaan Patterson may be still best
known as The Kid from the popular
80s television show Kids Incorporated
starring alongside Fergie, Mario
Lopez and pop singer Martika, who
gave Patterson his start as a backup
singer. But over the past two decades
Patterson has established himself as
one of the sturdiest neo-soul singersongwriters around, sometimes sounding like the original Kid, aka Prince,
as on his most recent release, 2011s
stupendous Bleuophoria. Patterson
knows you probably havent heard that
set or much about his music in general and has a hunch why. Ive seen
[gays] become much more embraced in
popular culture over the years, which
is a great thing, Patterson told Metro
Weekly two years ago, [but] in the
black community, it hasnt been as
embraced. On the pop side Ive seen
it become embraced, but not as much
so in the R&B realm, commercially
speaking. Friday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. and
10 p.m. Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper
Club, 7719 Wisconsin Ave. Tickets are
$50 to $65. Call 240-330-4500 or visit
bethesdabluesjazz.com.
ROAD SHOW
Thirteen years after it debuted as part

of the Kennedy Centers Sondheim
Celebration when it was called
Bounce Signature offers a new
production of this Sondheim show,
featuring a book by John Weidman
(Assassins, Pacific Overtures). Road
Show is a musical travelogue focused
on the adventures of the real-life
Mizner brothers, an eccentric duo
from a century ago who sought fame
and fortune and the American dream.
Gary Griffin directs. Now in previews.
Runs to March 13. Signature Theatre,
4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Call
703-820-9771 or visit signature-theatre.org.
FILM
JERUSALEM 3D
Benedict Cumberbatch narrates a

film offering the first-ever large format aerial footage of the Old City and
throughout the Holy Land including
sites ranging from the Western Wall
to the Dome of the Rock to the Sea of
Galilee. This 3D film also offers eyeopening personal stories and remarkable historical perspective. Showtimes
Saturdays and Sundays to March 31.
National Geographic Museum, 1145
17th St. NW. Tickets are $7. Call 202857-7588 or visit ngmuseum.org.
OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT

FILMS 2015: ANIMATED,
LIVE ACTION
Once again Landmark Theatres, in

partnership with ShortsHD, offers
two feature-length programs of the
short films nominated at the upcoming
Academy Awards: a program with the
animated shorts, featuring films from
Chile, Russia, the U.K. and two from
the U.S., including Pixar Animations
Sanjays Super Team; and a program of
live action shorts, including films from
Germany, Ireland and the U.S., plus
two set in the West Bank and Kosovo.
Now playing. Landmarks E Street
Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. Call 202-4527672. Also Bethesda Row Cinema, 7235
Woodmont Ave. Call 301-652-7273.
Visit landmarktheatres.com.
OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT

FILMS 2015: DOCS
In addition to the animated and action

programs, Landmark Theatres this
year also presents a feature-length
program of documentary shorts. All
five Oscar-nominated films will screen,
including the Liberian Body Team 12
set in the height of the Ebola outbreak, Chau, Beyond the Lines about an
Agent Orange-disabled child and aspiring artist in Vietnam and The Price of
Forgiveness, focused on a rare survivor
of honor killings in Pakistan. Among
two American documentaries is Last
Day of Freedom, about a war veteran who faces criminal charges, racism and ultimately the death penalty.
Now playing. Landmarks West End
Cinema, 2301 M St. NW. Call 202-5341907 or visit landmarktheatres.com.
RACE
Rising Canadian-born actor Stephan

James is Jesse Owens in Stephen
Hopkinss biopic about the AfricanAmerican track and field star who
won four gold medals and set a world
record in the long jump at the 1936
Berlin Olympics. That event was meant
to be a showcase for Adolf Hitlers
Aryan heroes, and there had been
much talk internationally of boycotting
the games altogether. Jason Sudeikis
plays Owenss coach as part of a cast
that also includes Jeremy Irons and
William Hurt. Opens Friday, Feb. 19.
Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.
WASHINGTON JEWISH
FILM FESTIVAL
Now in its 26th year, the festival presents over 150 different events from
traditional film screenings to related
cultural and educational programs at
eight different theaters. Seven films at
this years festival are Rated LGBTQ,
a programmatic focus exploring sexuality, gender and identity on screen
including two screenings in March
of the 2014 documentary Compared
to What? The Improbable Journey of
Barney Frank, followed by a discussion with Frank, husband Jim Ready
and filmmakers Sheila Canavan and
Michael Chandler. The festival kicks
off Wednesday, Feb. 24, with Baba
Joon, Israels submission for Best
Foreign Language Film and runs to
March 6. Tickets are $13 for regular
screenings and $30 for opening and
closing evenings, while a general festival pass is $150. Call 888-718-4253 or
visit wjff.org.
STAGE
A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM
The hearty Shakespeare comedy gets

twisted considerably at Folger Theatre
through the casting of women in traditionally male roles. Holly Twyford
is Bottom and Erin Weaver is Puck as
part of a large cast directed by Aaron
Posner that also includes Megan
Graves, Eric Hissom, Caroline Stefanie
Clay, Adam Wesley Brown and
Desmond Bing. Extended to March 13.
Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St. SE.
Tickets are $35 to $75. Call 202-5447077 or visit folger.edu.
ANTIGONE PROJECT:
A PLAY IN 5 PARTS
Joseph W. Ritsch directs a Rep Stage

production of this show reconsidering
Sophocless tragedy of sisterly devotion. Chiori Miyagawa and Sabrina
Peck conceived of Antigone Project,
which features five different takes on
Antigone by five female playwrights,
including Caridad Svich and Lynn
Nottage. Now in previews. Runs to
March 6. The Horowitz Centers
Studio Theatre at Howard Community
College, 10901 Little Patuxent
Parkway, Columbia, Md. Tickets are
$40. Call 443-518-1500 or visit www.
repstage.org.
BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY
Yet another boisterous and unflinchingly dark comedy from Stephen Adly
Guirgis, whose play The Motherfucker
with the Hat received much critical
praise at Studio Theatre a few years
ago. Between Riverside and Crazy was
the winner of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for
Drama and is focused on an ex-cop who
is facing eviction, battling City Hall and
struggling over the recent death of his
wife. To Feb. 28. Studio Theatre, 14th
& P Streets NW. Call 202-332-3300 or
visit studiotheatre.org.
CARMEN: AN AFRO-CUBAN
JAZZ MUSICAL
Some of Broadways best writer/

director Moises Kaufman (The Laramie
Project) and choreographer Sergio
Trujillo (Jersey Boys) among them
are behind this world-premiere adaptation of Bizets opera as a musical
set in 1958 revolutionary Cuba. Olney
Theatre presents a co-production with
Kaufmans Tectonic Theater Project
featuring lyrics by Kaufman and a book
co-written by Kaufman and Eduardo
Machado, with music composed and
adapted by Arturo OFarrill. The
18-person cast stars Brandon Andrus
as Jose, Caesar Samayoa as Camilo and
Christina Sajous as the tragic titular
diva. To March 16. Mainstage at Olney
Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy
Spring Road, Olney, Md. Call 301-9243400 or visit olneytheatre.org.
CONSTELLATIONS
David Muse directs a distinctly intimate staging of Nick Paynes play

that charts the infinite possibilities of
one relationship. Written by one of
Britains most innovative playwrights,
Constellations plays with choice and
chance, and charts the limitless possibilities of one relationship. Tom
Patterson and Lily Balatincz star. Now
to March 6. Stage 4 at Studio Theatre,
14th & P Streets NW. Call 202-3323300 or visit studiotheatre.org.
DIRECTORS CUT
The Washington Ballet offers an

explosion of creative contemporary
ballet...bold, new works made in the
last 30 years. And these works
William Forsythes seminal In The
Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Annabelle
Lopez Ochoas Prism and Webres own
State of Wonder, set to Bachs Goldberg
Variations have helped redefine the
boundaries of classical ballet. Opens in
a preview Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 7:30
p.m. Performances to Feb. 28. Kennedy
Center Eisenhower Theater. Tickets
are $25 to $110. Call 202-467-4600 or
visit kennedy-center.org.
FATHER COMES HOME

FROM THE WARS
Round House Theatre offers a production of this explosively powerful

Civil War-era drama from SuzanLori Parks (Topdog/Underdog),
which follows a slave from Texas to
the Confederate battlefield. Timothy
Douglas directs this Greek tragedyinspired trilogy with a cast includ-
METROWEEKLY.COM
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
25
ing Ian Anthony Coleman, KenYatta

Rogers, Craig Wallace, JaBen Early
and A. Stori Ayers. Extended to Feb.
28. Round House Theatre, 4545 EastWest Highway, Bethesda. Tickets are
$50 to $60. Call 240-644-1100 or visit
roundhousetheatre.org.
JACK AND PHIL,

SLAYERS OF GIANTS
Janet Stanford directs Imagination

Stages tongue-in-cheek adaptation
of the classic fairy tale Jack and the
Beanstalk in this Theater for Young
Audiences production by Charles
Way. The focus is on Jack, a sporty,
popular kid whose mother is facing
foreclosure on their house and enlists
his smart yet nerdy neighbor Phil to
accompany him to the pawnshop to
trade in his grandfathers gold watch
for some magic beans. To March
13. Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn
Ave. Bethesda. Tickets are $10 to $25.
Call 301-280-1660 or visit imaginationstage.org.
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH
Another musical by Benj Pasek and

Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen,
Dogfight), based on Roald Dahls
disproportionately peachy tale and
featuring a book by Timothy Allen
McDonald, gets the theater for young
audiences treatment at Adventure
Theatre MTC. Michael Baron directs
the show, a co-production with Lyric
Theatre of Oklahoma. Now to April
4. Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300
MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Tickets
are $19.50. Call 301-634-2270 or visit
adventuretheatre-mtc.org.
THE PROMISED LAND
Mosaic Theater presents the U.S. premiere of Israeli dramatists Shachar

Pinkas and Shay Pitovskys documentary-infused kaleidoscope chronicling
the waves of Sudanese refugees in
Israel. Michael Bloom directs the
show, which is the third of five productions part of a four-month Voices
from a Changing Middle East Festival,
the provocative series that former
Theater J director Ari Roth has
revived at his new company. Opens
Thursday, Feb. 18, at 8 p.m. To Feb. 28.
Rehearsal Hall at Woolly Mammoth,
641 D St. NW. Tickets are $30 to $50.
Call 202-399-7993 or visit mosaictheater.org.
ROMEO AND JULIET
One of its earliest attempts at wordless Shakespeare, Synetic Theater

revives the 2008 production, which
snagged six Helen Hayes Award
nominations and two wins, for direction and ensemble. Synetics founding
artistic director Paata Tsikurishvili
returns to direct the show, set among
the gears of a giant clock, such that
the greatest of Shakespearean lovers
here portrayed by Synetic veterans
Zana Gankhuyag and Irina Kavsadze
race against time itself to try to
outrun their fate. Opens Thursday,
Feb. 18, at 8 p.m. Runs to March 27.
Theater at Crystal City, 1800 South
Bell St., Arlington. Tickets are $15 to
26
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
$60. Call 800-494-8497 or visit synetictheater.org.
SENORITA Y MADAME
GALA Theatre presents this show,

subtitled The Secret War of Elizabeth
Arden and Helena Rubinstein, a comedy exploring the clash between two
icons of beauty and marketing that
helped revolutionize the fashion
industry and change societal views
about beauty. Consuelo Trum directs
Gustavo Otts play, presented in
Spanish with English surtitles. To Feb.
28. GALA Theatre at Tivoli Square,
3333 14th St. NW. Tickets are $38 to
$42. Call 202-234-7174 or visit galatheatre.org.
SHAKE LOOSE
A full-length revue celebrating 15

years of Metro Stages homegrown
musical writing team, Thomas
W. Jones II, William Knowles and
William Hubbard, whose output celebrates the music born from gospel
as created or popularized by AfricanAmerican icons. Lori Williams,
Anthony Manough, Roz White and
Rayshun Lamarr perform in this
musical night of blues, moods and
icons. To March 6. MetroStage, 1201
North Royal St., Alexandria. Tickets
are $55 to $60. Call 800-494-8497 or
visit metrostage.org.
ST. NICHOLAS
Bill Largess plays a jaded theater

critic who falls in with vampires in
Washington Stage Guilds production
of St. Nicholas, the popular monologue that helped make Irish playwright Conor McPhersons name
two decades ago. Laura Giannarelli
directs. Closes this Sunday, Feb. 21.
Undercroft Theatre of Mount Vernon
United Methodist Church, 900
Massachusetts Ave. NW. Tickets are
$40 to $50. Call 240-582-0050 or visit
stageguild.org.
SWEAT
Arena Stage offers a world-premiere

production, co-commissioned with
the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, of a
new gripping tale about loss, redemption and redefinition in a new era from
Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage
(Ruined). Kate Whoriskey directs
this co-commission with the Oregon
Shakespeare Festival and featuring
among its cast local actors Johanna
Day, Kimberly Scott, Tramell Tillman
and Jack Willis. Closes this Sunday,
Feb. 21. Kreeger Theater in the Mead
Center for American Theater, 1101 6th
St. SW. Call 202-488-3300 or visit
arenastage.org.
THE CITY OF CONVERSATION
Doug Hughes directs an in-the-round

production at Arena Stage of Anthony
Giardinas play, offering an inside
look at the theater of politics as seen
from the vantage point of a fictional
Georgetown hostess and her Ferris
family clan. Margaret Colin stars
in this show also featuring Michael
Simpson playing her sons. To March
6. The Fichlander in the Mead Center
METROWEEKLY.COM
for American Theater, 1101 6th St. SW.

Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenastage.org.
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
The Southern-fried family drama that

made Tennessee Williams famous
gets examined anew in a production
directed by Mark Ramont, the former programming director at Fords
Theatre. Surprisingly, the show
marks the first Williams play presented at Fords. Madeleine Potter,
Tom Story, Jenna Sokolowski and
Thomas Keegan star in this iconic
memory play. Closes this Sunday, Feb.
21. Fords Theatre, 511 10th St. NW.
Tickets are $20 to $52. Call 800-9822787 or visit fordstheatre.org.
THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG
Twenty-two years after its Broadway

debut and 10 years after its awardwinning playwrights untimely
death, Theater J presents The Sisters
Rosensweig by Wendy Wasserstein.
Kasi Campbell directs this heartfelt
comedy about three very different siblings, reunited for one remarkable,
revealing weekend, and portrayed
by the sharp team of Susan Lynskey,
Susan Rome and Kimberly Schraf.
Josh Adams, Edward Christian,
Michael Russotto, James Whalen
and Caroline Wolfson round out
the cast. Closes this Sunday, Feb.
21. The Aaron and Cecile Goldman
Theater, Washington, D.C.s Jewish
Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW.
Call 202-777-3210 or visit theaterj.org.
COMMUNITY STAGE
THE LARAMIE PROJECT
Marylands Kensington Arts Theatre

offers a production of Moises
Kaufmans examination with the
Tectonic Theater Project of the small
Wyoming town forever changed by
the hate-crime murder of Matthew
Shepard nearly 18 years ago. John
Nunemaker directs the production. Closes this Saturday, Feb. 20.
Kensington Town Hall, 3710 Mitchell
St., Kensington, Md. Tickets are $20.
Call 240-621-6528 or visit
katonline.org.
MUSIC
1964 THE TRIBUTE
A four-piece band with a self-titled

PBS special to its credit and acclaim
from Rolling Stone as the best Beatles
tribute ever, the popular 1964 The
Tribute returns for another area show,
recreating the vibe of the Fab Fours
early 60s concerts, from the instruments to clothing to onstage banter.
Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. The
Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road,
Vienna. Tickets are $38 to $42. Call
877-WOLFTRAP or visit wolftrap.org.
AKUA ALLRICH
A D.C. native and Howard University

alum, young jazz vocalist and composer Akua Allrich blends traditional,
modern and African jazz styles while

often singing in the showy, rangy manner of many of todays leading soul/
pop divas when not channeling
her idol, Nina Simone. She performs
another hometown show in support of
last years new set Soul Singer, which
includes original tunes as well as
inspired covers, including the Negro
work song Rosie and Ann Peebles
soul hit I Cant Stand the Rain.
Saturday, Feb. 27, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Bohemian Caverns, 2001 11th St. NW.
Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at
the door. Call 202-299-0800 or visit
bohemiancaverns.com.
ANDRAS SCHIFF
One of the worlds preeminent pianists

returns for another installment in his
two-year project The Last Sonatas,
presented by Washington Performing
Arts. Through the project, the
Hungarian-born Schiff gives recitals
of the final sonatas by Mozart, Haydn,
Schubert and Beethoven. Wednesday,
Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. Music Center at
Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,
North Bethesda. Tickets are $45 to
$95. Call 301-581-5100 or visit strathmore.org.
BUMPER JACKSONS
Strathmore presents a concert by its

current Artist in Residence, a D.C.
folk/roots act that won as best traditional folk band at the Washington
Area Music Awards in 2013 and 2014.
Consisting of vocalist/washboard player Jess Eliot Myhre and banjoist Chris
Ousley, the Bumper Jacksons tour in
support of Too Big World. Wednesday,
Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. The Mansion
at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike,
North Bethesda. Tickets are $17. Call
301-581-5100 or visit strathmore.org.
DARREN CRISS, BETSY WOLFE

WITH NATIONAL SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA
Steven Reineke leads the NSO Pops

in a Broadway Today program
featuring two emerging stars on the
Great White Way: Darren Criss, who
of course is best known from Foxs
Glee but recently starred in Hedwig
and the Angry Inch, and Betsy Wolfe,
seen in The Last Five Years, Bullets
Over Broadway and The Mystery of
Edwin Drood. The NSO will accompany Criss and Wolfe as they perform
songs from recent hit shows, including
The Book of Mormon and Frozen yes,
the movie as well as from modern classics Cabaret, Company, Little
Shop of Horrors and Nine. Friday, Feb.
26, and Saturday, Feb. 27, at 8 p.m.
Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets
are $25 to $99. Call 202-467-4600 or
visit kennedy-center.org.
FOUR BITCHIN BABES
Hormonal Imbalance v2.5: A Mood

Swinging Musical Revue features highlights from 25 years of this comedic
music ensemble featuring Ohio-based
Sally Fingerett, Philadelphia-based
comedic singer Deirdre Flint and two
locals, Grammy-winning lesbian multiinstrumentalist Marcy Marxer and
former The Hags singer Debi Smith.
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FEBRUARY 18, 2016
27
In an interview with Metro Weekly

a few years ago, Smith summed up
the Babes outlook to songwriting and
performing: We look at life, as its
happening, usually in a comedic way
[and] through a wacky viewfinder.
Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. The
Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave.
Alexandria. Tickets are $35. Call 703549-7500 or visit birchmere.com.
JOHN EATON
The Barns at Wolf Trap hosts another concert by local jazz veteran and
pianist John Eaton, a flagship artist
on the Wolf Trap Recordings label.
The Swingin 30s is the focus of this
show. Saturday, Feb. 27, at 8 p.m. The
Barns at Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap Road,
Vienna. Tickets are $25 to $27. Call
703-255-1900 or visit wolftrap.org.
KAKI KING
Years afterRolling Stoneheralded her

as one of its New Guitar Gods and
a genre unto herself, Kaki King had
been searching for new ways to dazzle
as a performer. Thats how the lesbian
artist discovered projection wrapping
and the work of lighting designers V.
Owen Bush and Benton-C Bainbridge,
who go by the name Glowing Pictures.
Working together, the three have
developed an innovative, immersive
audio-visual show, The Neck Is a
Bridge to the Body, a metaphor for
her guitar. The show returns to the
area in a concert presented by the
9:30 Club at Jammin Java. Monday,
Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m. Jammin Java, 227
Maple Ave. E. Vienna. Tickets are $28
to $30. Call 703-255-3747 or visit jamminjava.com.
KENNEDY CENTERS THE

CONSERVATORY PROJECT
Every February and May the Kennedy

Center offers showcases of some of
the best young musical artists from
the nations leading undergraduate
and graduate conservatories as part
of its Conservatory Project and its
free Millennium Stage programming.
Concerts still to come this month
are: Cleveland Institute of Music on
Thursday, Feb. 18; Yale School of
Music on Friday, Feb. 19; Shepherd
School of Music at Rice University on
Sunday, Feb. 20; Oberlin Conservatory
of Music on Monday, Feb. 21; and the
Juilliard School on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
All performances at 6 p.m. Kennedy
Center Terrace Theater. Tickets are
free. Call 202-467-4600 or visit www.
kennedy-center.org.
NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC
Music Director Piotr Gajewski

leads Strathmores resident orchestra in a Baroque-focused program
led by Vivaldis Gloria and featuring
the National Philharmonic Chorale
plus soprano Julie Keim and mezzo-soprano Magdalena Wor. Cellist
Zuill Bailey joins to open the concert
with two lively concertos by Vivaldi
and Piatigorksys Variations on a
Paganini Theme. Saturday, Feb. 20,
at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 21, at 3
p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301
28
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.

Tickets are $29 to $89. Call 301-5815100 or visit strathmore.org.
NELLIE MCKAY
Two summers ago, this longtime

straight LGBT ally and eccentric jazz/
folk/musical theater artist toured performing her original musical revue A
Girl Named Bill, about a real-life transgendered jazz musician from the past.
But she returns for whats becoming
an annual gig at Jammin Java with a
more traditional concert. The show
focuses on her latest album My Weekly
Reader, which is a little lighter than
her previous sets more lilting in a
Brazilian jazz kind of way yet every
bit as quirky. Saturday, Feb 20, at 6:30
p.m. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E.
Vienna. Tickets are $20. Call 703-2553747 or visit jamminjava.com.
RHIANNON GIDDENS, BHI

BHIMAN, LEYLA MCCALLA
Swimming in Dark Waters: Other

Voices of the American Experience is
a program at GW Lisner that challenges common stereotypes about folk artists and politically motivated singersongwriters as being a white bunch.
Impressive singer Rhiannon Giddens,
a founding member of the black bluegrass group Carolina Chocolate Drops,
leads the concert by performing songs
of resistance of the South, old and
new. Giddens is joined by her former
Drops bandmate Leyla McCalla, who
will sing protest songs from Haiti and
Louisiana, and rocker Bhi Bhiman,
whose songs offer observations about
being a first-generation American (of
Sri Lankan heritage) today. Friday,
Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. GW Lisner, The
George Washington University, 730
21st St. NW. Tickets are $35. Call 202994-6851 or visit lisner.org.
SUTTON FOSTER WITH THE

BALTIMORE SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA
Though known for her work on TV

(Bunheads, Younger), Sutton Foster
has won more accolades for her work
on stage, including winning two Tony
Awards, for revivals of Thoroughly
Modern Millie and Anything Goes.
After an incredible performance with
the National Symphony Orchestra two
years ago, Foster now finds accompaniment in the Baltimore Symphony
Orchestra as she perform selections
from her Broadway career and other
pop and jazz standards. And her hot
Younger co-star Nico Tortorella is
even set to join her for one song, Fit
as a Fiddle. Thursday, Feb. 18, at 8
p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301
Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.
Also Friday, Feb. 19, Saturday, Feb.
20, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 21, at
3 p.m. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony
Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore.
Tickets are $38 to $104. Call 410-7838000 or visit bsomusic.org.
THE INSERIES:
KABARETT & CABARET
The InSeries once again returns to the

well of iconic Berliner cabaret gems
METROWEEKLY.COM
with a new song revue focused on

the artists who emigrated to America:
Marlene Dietrich, Kurt Weill and
Arnold Schoenberg, to name three
obvious ones, but also lesser-known
film music geniuses, such as Frederick
Hollander (The Blue Angel), Erich
Korngold (Robin Hood) and Franz
Waxman (Sunset Boulevard), who
exported the dark, raunchy, political
world of the Kabarett to Weimar on
the Pacific, aka 1940s-era Hollywood.
Sasha Olinick directs a cast of seven
performers. Performances begin
Saturday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. Weekends
to March 6. Source Theatre, 1835 14th
St. NW. Tickets are $22 to $42. Call
202-204-7741 or visit inseries.org.
any day of the year. And Sunday, Feb.

21, Washington Performing Arts will
do just that, as it reprises for a fourth
year the program Living the Dream
Singing the Dream. Men, women
and children of the Washington
Performing Arts Gospel Choirs team
up with the Choral Arts Society of
Washington 300 voices strong to
perform in honor of King. Sunday, Feb.
21, at 7 p.m. Kennedy Center Concert
Hall. Tickets are $25 to $70. Call 202467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
VERONNEAU
Propelling Voice is a new work

inspired by this Dance Place Resident
Companys dedication to community engagement, mixing athletic and
innovative dance choreography from
artistic director Shannon Quinn and
Natty Mncube, with scenic, lighting and multimedia design from Ben
Levine. Saturday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m.,
and Sunday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. Dance
Place, 3225 8th St. NE. Tickets are $25
in advance, or $30 at the door. Call
202-269-1600 or visit danceplace.org.
D.C.-based acoustic group offers jazz

from around the world, from swing to
samba to gypsy. And as it gains in popularity, the group increasingly travels the world, presenting its spin on
global grooves perfect to take in while
sipping cocktails. But last month, the
group got snowed-in. So its originally scheduled concerts at Blues
Alley when snowzilla hit will now
take place next week. Tuesday, Feb.
23, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Blues Alley,
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Tickets are
$20, plus $12 minimum purchase. Call
202-337-4141 or visit bluesalley.com.
VOCALOSITY
Deke Sharon, vocal producer for the

Pitch Perfect movies and NBCs The
Sing-Off, has gathered 12 great singers
for what is billed as the Aca-Perfect
Concert Experience. The concert at
the Clarice will range from Gregorian
chant to contemporary Top 40 hits
and will also feature the University of
Marylands a cappella ensembles Faux
Paz and DaCadence. Friday, Feb. 19, at
8 p.m. The Clarice at the University of
Maryland, University Boulevard and
Stadium Drive. College Park. Tickets
are $25. Call 301-405-ARTS or visit
theclarice.umd.edu.
WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA
Following his turn with WNO in The

Flying Dutchman, renowned bassbaritone Eric Owens stars in Kurt
Weills final work for the stage, merging influences from Broadway, gospel,
African spirituals and the blues. A collaboration with Maxwell Anderson,
Lost in the Stars is a musical tragedy based on Alan Patons novel Cry,
The Beloved Country. A production
from Cape Town Opera and directed
by Tazewell Thompson. Remaining
performances are Thursday, Feb. 18,
and Friday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., and
Saturday, Feb. 20, at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30
p.m.. Kennedy Center Eisenhower
Theater. Tickets are $79 to $265. Call
202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
WASHINGTON PERFORMING
ARTS WITH CHORAL ARTS
SOCIETY
Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday

and federal holiday may have already
passed, but you can sing his praises
DANCE
REVISION DANCE COMPANY
SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS
Based in New York, this group seeks

to breathe new life into traditional
Chinese culture, blending beauty,
energy and grace. Dancers dressed in
dazzling costumes move in seamless,
flowing patterns while a live orchestra and thunderous drums shake the
stage, against stunning, otherworldly
backdrops. Shen Yun Performing Arts
returns to the Kennedy Center for a run
of performances of its new production
Experience a Divine Culture, once again
presented by Falun Dafa Association of
Washington, D.C. Remaining performances are Thursday, Feb. 18, through
Saturday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. Also
Saturday, Feb. 19, and Sunday, Feb. 20,
at 1 p.m. Kennedy Center Opera House.
Tickets are $60 to $250. Call 202-4674600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
GALLERIES
ART OF THE AIRPORT TOWER
The images of Smithsonian photographer Carolyn Russo offer a journey

examining contemporary and historic
air traffic control towers in this exhibition at the Air and Space Museum.
Through November. National Air and
Space Museum, Independence Ave at
6th St. SW. Call 202-633-2214 or visit
airandspace.si.edu
COLBY CALDWELL: HOW TO

SURVIVE YOUR OWN DEATH
Logan Circles Hemphill Fine Arts

presents an exhibition by this Asheville,
N.C.-based Corcoran Gallery of Art
alum, based on a series of accidentally
corrupted images that have taken on
a new life of their own as a result.
Through March 5. Hemphill Fine Arts,
1515 14th St. NW. Call 202-234-5601 or
visit hemphillfinearts.com.
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FEBRUARY 18, 2016
29
EYE POP: THE CELEBRITY GAZE
Many never publicly displayed portraits of 53 luminaries at the top in

their fields is the focus of this exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.
Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt, Katy Perry,
Sonia Sotomayor, Michelle Obama,
Serena Williams and Kobe Bryant are
among the works, ranging from drawings to sculpture, paintings to video
portraits, and all recent additions to
the museums collection. Through July
10. National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F
Streets. NW. Call 202-633-8300 or visit
npg.si.edu.
OUT OF THE ASHES
Subtitled New Library for Congress

and the Nation, this exhibition marks
the 200th anniversary of the acquisition of Jeffersons library of books, the
foundation of the modern Library of
Congress. The Jeffersonian concept of
a universal library covering all subjects
is the basis of the librarys comprehensive collecting policies. Through
May. Second Floor of the Library of
Congresss Thomas Jefferson Building,
10 First St. SE. Call 202-707-8000 or
visit loc.gov/concerts.
PATHMAKERS: WOMEN IN ART,

CRAFT AND DESIGN
The National Museum of Women in

the Arts presents an exhibition illuminating the vital contributions that
women made to post-war, mid-20th
century visual culture and their use of
craft materials to explore concepts of
modernism. Although painting, sculpture and architecture were dominated
by men a half-century ago, women
had considerable impact in the fields
of textiles, ceramics and metals. Ruth
Asawa, Sheila Hicks and Eva Zeisel
are just a few of the women from the
era celebrated in this exhibition, organized by New Yorks Museum of Arts
and Design, which also shines the light
on some pathmaking contemporary
female artists and designers, including
Anne Wilson, Vivian Beer and Hella
Jongerius. Through Feb. 28. National
Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250
New York Ave NW. Admission is $10.
Call 202-783-5000 or visit nmwa.org.
SEEING NATURE:
LANDSCAPE MASTERWORKS
Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen

has organized an exhibition with several museums to display the 39 masterpieces from his familys collection
exploring the evolution of European
and American landscape art. Spanning
five centuries, the exhibition features
works, among others, by Jan Brueghel,
Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Gustav
Klimt, Georgia OKeeffe, Edward
Hopper and David Hockney. To May
8. The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st
St. NW. Tickets $12. Call 202-387-2151
x247 or visit phillipscollection.org.
SHAKESPEARE: LIFE OF AN ICON
In honor of the 400th anniversary year

of William Shakespeares death, the
Folger Shakespeare Library offers an
exhibition that brings together some
of the most important manuscripts and
30
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
printed books related to his life and

career. The intent is to offer a glimpse
of the most famous author in the
world. Through March 27. The Great
Hall in Folger Shakespeare Library,
201 East Capitol St. SE. Call 202-5447077 or visit folger.edu.
SOL HILL: SIGNAL FROM NOISE
Combining the aesthetics and visual

concerns of painting and photography, Sol Hill dubs his work energy
paintings. Using a digital sensor,
Hill transforms images into a kind
of hyper-vision, showing aspects of
reality not normally seen. Through
March 11. Vivid Solutions Gallery in
the Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Good
Hope Road SE. Call 202-631-6291 or
visit anacostiaartscenter.com.
TRENDING:
CONTEMPORARY ART NOW!
Womens Caucus for Art partners with

the Target Gallery in Alexandria for
this new exhibition featuring women
who are leading the direction of contemporary art. Sarah West, Blythe
King and Sarah Boyts Yoder are three
D.C. and Virginia artists among 12
self-identified women working in a
cross-section of media from video
to 3D photography to installation.
To Feb. 28. Studio 2 of the Torpedo
Factory Art Center, 105 North Union
St. Alexandria. Free. Call 703-8384565 or visit torpedofactory.org.
ABOVE AND BEYOND

LA-TI-DO
Regie Cabico and Don Mike

Mendozas La-Ti-Do variety show
is neither karaoke nor cabaret. The
show features higher-quality singing than most karaoke, often from
local musical theater actors performing on their night off. Cabico and
co-host Mendoza also select storytellers who offer spoken-word poetry
and comedy. Held at Bistro Bistro
in Dupont Circle, La-Ti-Do offers a
night focused on singing and speaking jazz on Monday, Feb. 22, 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/latidodc.
TEAM DC FASHION SHOW AND

MODEL SEARCH
Team DCs popular annual event

raises funds for the LGBT sports associations College Scholarship Program
for LGBT student athletes. The fashion show features models in club
wear, swimsuit, underwear and leather/sports/fetish competitions. And
this years event features guest judge
Tatianna from RuPauls Drag Race and
the Town Drag Show. Saturday, Feb.
27, at 8 p.m. Town Danceboutique,
2009 8th NW. Cover is $15. Call 202234-TOWN or visit teamdc.org. l
film
Dead Good
Deadpool is a middle-finger to
convention, restraint and
child-friendly action
by RHUARIDH MARR
20TH CENTURY FOX
EADPOOL IS A REVELATION. IN A WORLD OF

safe decisions, repetitious sequels, tightly managed franchises and grossly commercialized content, Ryan Reynolds subversive superhero is a
breath of sweaty, leathered, flatulent air and its never smelled
so good.
Deadpool (HHHHH) is an R-rated superhero film at a time
when family-friendly, PG-13 fare is the norm. This isnt Disneys
interpretation of Marvels comics far from it. Deadpool is sexual, sadistic, violent, intensely meta, profane and totally against
being a stereotypical superhero movie. At a time when parents
blame everything but themselves for influencing their children,
a superhero who actively revels in evisceration and ejaculation

is a legal departments idea of hell. The very existence of the film
is testament to Hollywoods reticence to take risks: Deadpool
languished in developmental hell for over a decade.
Thankfully, however, it is finally here. It lacks the swollen
budget of its Marvel stablemates a mere $58 million, whereas Iron Man had $140 million bestowed upon it. Even last years
dreadful Fantastic Four reboot warranted $120 million. It lacks
a name-brand director, with first-timer Tim Miller at the helm.
It also lacks 3D, something of a staple/gimmick of CGI-dense
superhero films.
Deadpool also has a main character with whom most viewers
will be unfamiliar. As such, the unorthodox action film is actually incredibly formulaic at its core its yet another superhero
origin story. Deadpool, alter-ego of Wade Wilson, is a mercenary
for hire who undergoes an experiment that results in him gaining superhuman abilities, while in the process gaining a foe who
he will ultimately try to destroy. So far, so samey.
Indeed, the formulaic plot is Deadpools greatest weakness, if
only because everything else about the film defies genre conventions. If youve ever wanted more impact from the fights in a
superhero film, youre in luck, as heads literally roll here. Bodies
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FEBRUARY 18, 2016
31
explode in blood, knives rip through flesh, bullets leave gaping

holes. Deadpool revels in its R rating, showing the real impact of
a superhuman punching someone in the face. Captain America
may grunt and enemies may fly backwards in his franchise, but
in reality, bones would crunch and people would scream and
thats exactly what happens here.
Everything about Deadpool offers something for those unsatisfied with the watered down antics of other superheroes. When
hes angry, Deadpool throws out fucks with gay abandon. When
hes aroused, he has no issue telling whomever is closest man
or woman. He drinks, he dabbles in drugs, he masturbates. Hes
a three-dimensional character, with flaws, idiosyncrasies, and a
list of psychoses. He inhabits a world of fantasy, but decoupling
from the restraints of PG-13 brings it closer to reality.
Conveying all of this is a humorous tone that eclipses anything weve seen from past superhero films. Joss Whedon was
rightfully hailed for his witty dialogue in the first Avengers film,
but Deadpool could be classed as a full-on comedy without any
complaints from the audience. Rhett Reese and Paul Wernicks
script may have a predictable plot to follow, but it courses there
with a bounty of jokes. From the amazing opening credits to
the films close, Deadpool constantly manages to draw laughter,
whether its revelling in genre stereotypes, lampooning lead star
Ryan Reynolds (including a subtle reference to his failed outing
as Green Lantern), breaking the fourth wall at every possible
moment, offering gross-out laughs, or just engaging in snappy
dialogue. That it can be so consistent in its comedy while throwing so many styles around is testament to the appeal not only of
the script, but also the delivery.
Deadpool was a passion project for Ryan Reynolds and he
feels perfectly cast as its lead. His charm, his grasp of comedy,
32
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
the way he wonderfully fills that tight, red costume it all works
together to make Deadpool irresistible, regardless of whether
hes shooting people in the head, slicing his own hand off, or
struggling with his emotions.
It helps that the cast surrounding him are similarly on point.
Morena Baccarin is just the right combination of smouldering,
damaged, delicate and strong as Deadpools girlfriend, going
toe-to-toe with Reynolds whether theyre trading insults or shes
penetrating him with a dildo. (This really isnt Disneys Marvel.)
Ed Skrein is cool and menacing as Ajax, the architect behind
Deadpools new powers and his eventual enemy, who possesses
enhanced strength and reflexes, feels no pain, and lacks the emotions that power Deadpools talkative nature and constant joking. Leslie Uggams shines in her few moments onscreen as Blind
Al, Deadpools cocaine-addicted roommate. Brianna Hildebrand
steals focus as moody, teenage X-Men member Nagasonic.
There are numerous standout moments in Deadpool, from the
dozens of references it deploys, to Millers confident handling of
its action scenes, to almost every moment Deadpool breaks the
fourth wall by talking directly to the audience. Its far from perfect the CGI, for instance, is notably lacking compared with
bigger budget films but, as a whole, it represents something
more. Yes, the underlying tale of good versus evil and a hero
rising to defeat a powerful enemy has been told dozens of times
before, but Deadpool is a glimpse of a future where more comic
book films are unshackled from the restraints of appealing to
everyone. That future, like this film, is where Deadpool gleefully
resides. l
Deadpool is Rated R and runs 109 minutes. Now playing at area
theaters.
music
New Direction
Rihanna trades club beats for something
self-assured and introspective, and
Panic! At the Disco gets nostalgic
by SEAN MAUNIER
FTER SEVEN ALBUMS, RIHANNA COULD BE

forgiven for wanting to shake things up a bit. Her
songs have long been a fixture on the radio and a
favourite in clubs, and her previous albums have
mostly come across as vehicles for her wildly successful singles.
Not that theres anything wrong with that. Those songs were
fun, danceable, and catchy as all hell. But with her eighth studio
album Anti (HHHHH), Rihanna is reaching for something more.
The first thing that will strike listeners is how different Anti is
from what weve come to expect from the singer. Its not a total
reinvention she hasnt taken up the hurdy-gurdy, for instance.

Her fierce, confident energy is still there, but its slowed down
and somehow even more intense. Anti has a definite sense of
purpose, and beyond that, it shows us that she is ready to tone
things down and take the time to really tease out what she
wants to say. She explains as much right on the opening track,
Consideration shes gotta do things her own way.
Most of the songs are strong enough to stand on their own,
notably the single Work, featuring Drake. Even so, Anti
feels more like a unified whole than any of Rihannas previous
albums. It flows seamlessly from track to track, although there
are definitely moments that stand out. Desperado has an
intense swagger. Woo is raw and glitchy, with beats and backing vocals vaguely reminiscent of Daft Punk. She even makes
a foray into psychedelia with Same Ol Mistakes, a cover of
Tame Impalas New Person, Same Ol Mistakes. This happens
to be the longest track on the album, but its so absorbing that
youd hardly know it. By the time the album closes with intimate
piano ballad Close to You, Rihanna has taken us in so many
unexpected directions that you might need to sit down to catch
METROWEEKLY.COM
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
33
your breath.
Having been in production since 2014,
Anti was worth the wait. Its powerful
proof of Rihannas growth and depth, both
as an artist and a person. The strength
of its individual songs, its clear focus,
and its experimentation with style all
result in an album that can be listened to
from beginning to end and remain interesting throughout. Anti easily stands as
Rihannas best, most vulnerable work yet.
SOMETIMES SUNNY, SOMETIMES
ANGSTY, but always loud and manic,
Panic! At the Disco is nothing if not
youthful at its core. But their fifth studio
album, Death of a Bachelor (HHHHH), shows us a band that has
grown up, and now wants a sound to reflect that new maturity.
Lead singer (and only remaining original member) Brendon
Urie was only 18 when the band debuted in 2005. Still, to anyone who happened to be an angry teen in the mid-2000s, this
newest release will sound very familiar. It may bring in pianos,
electronica, and some high production values, but its chaotic
energy and Uries ecstatic, half-shouted vocals still make its
sound recognizably Panic!.
After a predictably fun and chaotic start, the album peaks
with the fifth and sixth tracks, Death of a Bachelor and Crazy
= Genius. Here, Urie displays his versatility by ditching his
trademark vocals for something right out of the swing era, channelling Frank Sinatra. These two tracks are where the blending
of different styles works best, and produces something unique
34
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
and memorable. Sadly, its not to last, as

the next track LA Devotee switches
abruptly back into Top 40-ready poppunk. From there, the last few songs bleed
into each other without much variety.
Fortunately, the album ends on another high note. Impossible Year plays us
out with more of Uries crooning, and lyrics that once again evoke swing: Theres
no sunshine/This impossible year/Only
black days and skies grey/And clouds full
of fear. Ten years on, Urie seems to be
nothing if not nostalgic.
Unlike Panic!s 2008 psych-pop experiment Pretty. Odd., this reinvention feels
much more timid. The effort is there,
and briefly pays off in the middle of the album. But it doesnt
carry through. What sets Death of a Bachelor apart is its mixing
of slower, jazzy elements with the more pop-punk sound they
originally made a name for themselves with, with some polished
electronic sounds just for variety. This blending of elements
is somewhat interesting, but it is far from seamless, and there
doesnt seem to be much of a goal in mind. In the end, the album
is at its best when it slows down, relaxes, and lets Uries distinct
and versatile voice take the spotlight.
Long-time Panic! fans might find a lot to like about Death of a
Bachelor, but anyone coming to this album hoping for something
new is going to finish it slightly disappointed.
Anti and Death of a Bachelor are available at Amazon.com and on
most popular streaming sites. l
games
Undone
Unravel is a beautiful and challenging
game, but its desperation to be
loved is its own undoing
by RHUARIDH MARR
ELECTRONIC ARTS
NRAVEL IS DESPERATE TO BE SOMETHING

different. The beautiful, lovingly-made platformer that wowed audiences at last years E3 is finally
here, but after charming everyone with its woollen hero and detailed environments, what we actually have is a
fairly run-of-the-mill platformer cobbled together from recognizable elements and a greater focus on story over gameplay. Is
it a good game? Undoubtedly. Is it something truly unique and
exceptional? Not so much.
That said, youll be hard pressed not to fall a little bit in love
with Unravel (
). It helps that its protagonist, Yarny,
is so utterly lovable. Ready made to be turned into a plush toy to

delight younger players (and, heck, this older player), Yarny is
formed entirely from red wool, a flimsier, more fragile version
of LittleBigPlanets Sackboy and without as many expressions or
fancy costumes.
Yarny is created at the start of Unravel, as we watch an elderly
woman climb the stairs in her home. She drops a ball of red wool
from her knitting basket and, magically, up pops Yarny. Players
are then free to navigate Unravels central hub, the womans
home, stumbling across photographs from various experiences
in her life a garden, a trip to the seaside, a scrapyard. These
form the backbone of each of Unravels gorgeous worlds.
That first experience, the womans garden, is also the tutorial level, where youll learn Yarnys rather impressive abilities.
At its core, Unravel is a platformer, but its one rich with clever,
brain-tickling physics puzzles that will require more than a
passive engagement. Yarny can jump, throw pieces of himself
to lasso objects, push and pull objects around, and rope swing
(yarn swing?) across gaps. As players advance through levels,
however, Yarny will gradually unravel, leaving a trail of wool
behind him. Go back and Yarny will wrap himself back up, but
METROWEEKLY.COM
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
35
keep going and hell reduce to a thin, hobbling, incredibly frail

imitation of his former glory. Unless you can find another bundle
of wool to add to his frame, youll have to walk backwards and
find another route.
Thats one of Unravels greatest strengths, forcing players
to rethink the way they approach the games environments.
Economy is key making as few jumps, finding the straightest
lines, only forming rope bridges when necessary to ensure
Yarny doesnt find himself spent before hes successfully navigated an area. Its somewhat unfortunate that Unravel doesnt
make greater use of this mechanic its deployed sparingly
and effectively, but it would have added an even greater challenge had developer Coldwood Interactive gone for a slightly
higher difficulty.
Not that Yarny isnt going to face troubles. Unravel isnt afraid
to make players think. Many of its puzzles can be boiled down to
push object here, jump there, or lasso here, swing there, but
some will require a little more consideration. Unravel keeps tight
focus on Yarny, exaggerating how small he feels in his environments, but occasionally the camera will pull back and force players to really analyze an area, before picking their path carefully.
Its a degree of puzzling that was initially unexpected: One of
the first puzzles involves pushing apples into a small pond and
hopping across them. Cue ten minutes of drowning Yarny over
and over again before realizing the game expected me to walk
back and use every apple to make a bobbing bridge. Sorry, Yarny.
Youll eventually dry out.
If theres one area Unravel definitely falls flat, its in its
core gameplay: platforming. Another element unfortunately
borrowed from LittleBigPlanet is that series floaty, imprecise
controls. Yarnys movements across the games six hour runtime
36
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
can never be accurately determined something

surprising, given the focus on physics in many of
the puzzles. Hes too floaty, too light, too uncertain
in his path for players to confidently place him.
Normally this isnt an issue, as levels are negotiated at a fairly relaxed pace, but particularly in later
stages Unravel seems to be actively trying to murder Yarny and force the player to quit. Demanding
precise inputs without a control scheme to match is
a pretty toxic combination for player engagement,
and I found myself stepping away from Unravel during one of the darker, more menacing levels, before
returning later to try again.
Something sure to keep players going, however,
is Unravels simple, effective story. As you move
through the memories of the elderly womans life,
Unravel will silently unwind a story about family,
love, and the deterioration of both as time advances.
In each level you work through, players will see
glimpses of the womans past but theyre fuzzy.
Yarny collects these memories and returns them to
a book in the womans home, filling it with quotes
and photographs, returning the memories for her
to enjoy. Its a simple, wonderfully told narrative
despite a lack of any spoken dialogue.
Its backed by an attention to detail and craftsmanship that belies Coldwoods status as a small
developer (though they have EA, one of the biggest
publishers out there, as backers). Unravel is a game
that never fails to be anything less than spectacularly pretty. Its environments, be they rich grass,
weather-beaten rocks, or menacing pools of glowing waste, are rich tapestries for the player to move through.
Backgrounds are dense with activity, lighting and animations
are top notch, and Yarny himself is wonderfully detailed red
fuzz and all.
The soundtrack, too, is worthy of mention. Frida Johansson
and Henrik Ojas score is dynamic and changes between the
games various environments to match the mood, setting and current danger Yarny is in. It can get repetitive if you take too long
on puzzle, and youll hear where the tracks switch or loop, but
its a wonderful mix of guitar, strings and very gentle electronica.
Unfortunately, I felt I was missing something in Unravel.
Perhaps it was the games desire that I invest so heavily in its
protagonist and narrative, perhaps it was the undercooked
platforming, perhaps it was the fact that the game has difficulty
spikes sure to annoy more than a few players. I finished its story
and was moved by it, but there wasnt any lasting impact. Its
so eager to be dramatic and emotional, Coldwood is so keen to
be loved and appreciated for its work, that I couldnt help but
detach a little. Journey reaped emotional investment by slowly
building a relationship and then snatching it away. Firewatch
used incredible dialogue to pack its emotional punch. Unravel
offers a cute protagonist and a story about love and expects the
emotions to follow, but they dont at least, not for me.
That doesnt dissuade from what is still, in essence, a great
experience. Unravel should be commended for trying to be different, even though cute platformers with physics puzzles arent
that hard to find. What it does represent, though, is a labor of
love on the part of its developers. What theyve produced is
undoubtedly beautiful, challenging, and worthy of your time. l
Unravel is available now on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
METROWEEKLY.COM
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
37
38
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
NIGHT
LIFE
LISTINGS
THURS., 02.18.16
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
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $6 Call
Martini, $3 Miller Lite,
$4 Rail, $5 Call, 4-9pm
Stonewall Darts Season
3, Game Day 6, 6-10pm
$3 Rail Drinks, 10pmmidnight, $5 Red Bull,
Gatorade and Frozen
Virgin Drinks Locker
Room Thursday Nights
DJs Sean Morris and
MadScience Best
Package Contest at midnight, hosted by BaNaka
$200 Cash Prize Doors
open 10pm, 18+ $5
Cover under 21 and free
with college ID
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 5pm
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
$2 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
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Ladies Drink Free Power
Hour, 4-5pm Shirtless
Thursday, 10-11pm DJs
BacK2bACk
METROWEEKLY.COM
39
scene
DistrktC at the DC Eagle
Saturday, February 13
scan this tag
with your
smartphone
for bonus scene
pics online!
Photography by
Ward Morrison
JR.S
All You Can Drink for $15,
5-8pm $3 Rail Vodka
Highballs, $2 JR.s drafts,
8pm-close Throwback
Thursday featuring rock/
pop retro hits
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
TRADE
1410 14th St. NW
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
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
Shirtless Thursday DJ
9pm Cover 21+
FRI., 02.19.16
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+
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 5pm
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
Bottle Beer, $6 Call
Fetish Friday men in
latex/rubber gear drink
free, 8-10pm No Cover
21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
Smirnoff, all flavors, all
night long
JR.S
Happy Hour: 2-for-1,
4-9pm $2 Skyy Highballs
and $2 Drafts, 10pmmidnight Retro Friday
$5 Coronas, $8 Vodka Red
Bulls, 9pm-close
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
NUMBER NINE
Open 5pm Happy Hour:
2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
No Cover
TOWN
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, Shi-Queeta-Lee,
Riley Knoxx and BaNaka
DJ Wess upstairs, DJs
BacK2bACk downstairs
GoGo Boys after 11pm
Doors open at 10pm For
those 21 and over, $10
For those 18-20, $15 18+
TRADE
1410 14th St. NW
Doors open 5pm Huge
only $4
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers,
hosted by LaTroya Nicole
Ladies of Ziegfelds,
9pm Rotating Hosts
DJ in Secrets VJ Tre in
Ziegfelds Cover 21+
SAT., 02.20.16
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: $3
Miller Lite, $4 Rail, $5
Call, 4-9pm LURe DC
Ladies Night Party, 10pmclose Drink specials
all night Doors open
10pm $7 cover before
midnight, $10 cover after
21+
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 4-6pm
dcnine.com
METROWEEKLY.COM
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 8pm
Happy Hour, 8-10pm
Onyx on Club Bar $2
Draughts, 9-close Jello
shots and raffle 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
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
Bacardi, all flavors, all
night long 495 Bears
presents Bears Can Dance,
9pm-close
JR.S
$4 Coors, $5 Vodka
Highballs, $7 Vodka Red
Bulls
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
41
NELLIES SPORTS BAR

Guest DJs Zing Zang
Bloody Marys, Nellie Beer,
House Rail Drinks and
Mimosas, $4, 11am-5pm
Buckets of Beer, $15

only $4
NUMBER NINE
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Men of Secrets, 9pm
Guest dancers Ladies
of Illusion with host Ella
Fitzgerald Doors at 9
p.m., first show at 11:30
p.m. % DJs Doors open
8pm Cover 21+
TOWN
DC Rawhides host Town
& Country: Two-Step, Line
Dancing, Waltz and West
Coast Swing, $5 Cover
to stay all night Doors
open 6:45pm, Lessons
7-8pm, Open dance
8-10:30pm Iceman
Dance Party, featuring
DJ Kidd Madonny, 10pmclose Music and video
downstairs by DJ Wess
Drag Show starts at
10:30pm Hosted by Lena
Lett and featuring Miss
Tatianna, Shi-Queeta-Lee,
Riley Knoxx and BaNaka
Doors open 10pm $12
Cover 21+
TRADE
1410 14th St. NW
Doors open 2pm Huge
42
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
SUN., 02.21.16
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
$4 Stoli, Stoli flavors
and Miller Lite all day
Homowood Karaoke,
hosted by Robert Bise,
10pm-close 21+
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 2-6pm
dcnine.com
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 12pm
Buffet, 2-7pm Like on
Facebook for menu options
Draughts all day and night
No Cover 21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Champagne Brunch Buffet,
10am-3pm Crazy Hour,
4-7pm Karaoke, 8pm1am
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, 11am3pm $20 Brunch Buffet
House Rail Drinks, Zing
Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie
Beer and Mimosas, $4,
11am-close Buckets of
Beer, $15
TRADE
1410 14th St. NW
Doors open 2pm Huge
only $4
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
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Decades of Dance DJ
Tim-e in Secrets Doors
9pm Cover 21+
ROCK HARD SUNDAYS

@THE HOUSE
NIGHTCLUB
3530 Georgia Ave. NW
Diverse group of all male,
all nude dancers Doors
open 8pm Shows all
night until close, starting
at 8:30pm $5 Domestic
Beer, $6 Imports
$10 cover For Table
Reservations, 202-4876646 rockharddc.com
TOWN
Flip Out DC League Flip
Cup games, 4pm Doors
open 3:30pm 21+
MON., 02.22.16
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
Cover
ANNIES
4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm
$4 Small Plates, $4 Stella
Artois, $4 House Wines,
$4 Stolichnaya Cocktails,
$4 Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $2 Rail, $3
Miller Lite, $5 Call, 4-9pm
Monday Nights A Drag,
hosted by Birthday Girl
Kristina Kelly and Special
Guest Miss Gay America
2015 Asia Ohara Doors
open at 10pm $3 Skyy
Cocktails, $8 Skyy and Red
Bull $8 Long Islands
No Cover, 18+
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long
Michaels Open Mic
Night Karaoke, 9:30pmclose
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
NELLIES SPORTS BAR

$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Beer $15 Texas Holdem
Poker, 8pm Dart Boards
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 5pm
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
Draughts Free Pool all
day and night Men in
DC Eagle T-Shirts get
Happy Hour, 8pm-close
Bottle Beer, $6 Call No
Cover 21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
JR.S
Happy Hour: 2-for-1,
4-9pm Showtunes Songs
& Singalongs, 9pm-close
DJ James $3 Draft
Pints, 8pm-midnight
NUMBER NINE
TRADE
1410 14th St. NW
Doors open 5pm Huge
only $4
TUES., 02.23.16
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
Cover
ANNIES
4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm
$4 Stella Artois, $4 House
Wines, $4 Stolichnaya
Cocktails, $4 Manhattans
and Vodka Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
DJ Honey Happy Hour:
$2 Rail, $3 Miller Lite, $5
Call, 4-9pm SIN Service
Industry Night $1 Rail
Drinks all night StandUp Comedy Show, 7:30pm
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
METROWEEKLY.COM
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long,
4pm-close
JR.S
Birdie La Cage Show,
10:30pm Underground
(Indie Pop/Alt/Brit Rock),
9pm-close DJ Wes
Della Volla 2-for-1, 5pmmidnight
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Beer $15 Karaoke and
Drag Bingo
NUMBER NINE
Safe Word: A Gay Spelling
Bee, 8-11pm Prizes to
the top three spellers
After 9pm, $3 Absolut,
Bulleit & Stella
TRADE
1410 14th St. NW
Doors open 5pm Huge
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
43

only $4
WED., 02.24.16
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $2 Rail, $3
Miller Lite, $5 Call, 4-9pm
Wednesday Night
Karaoke, hosted by Miss
India Larelle Houston,
10pm-close $4 Stoli and
Stoli Flavors and Miller
Lite all night No Cover
21+
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
44
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
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
JR.S
Buy 1, Get 1 Free, 4-9pm
Trivia with MC Jay Ray,
8pm The Feud: Drag
Trivia, hosted by BaNaka,
10-11pm, with a $200
prize $2 JR.s Drafts and
$4 Vodka ($2 with College
ID or JR.s Team Shirt)
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
members and each get a
free $10 Dinner
NUMBER NINE
TRADE
1410 14th St. NW
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
45
46
48
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
METROWEEKLY.COM
scene
Super Bowl 50
at Nellies
Sunday, February 7
scan this tag
with your
smartphone
for bonus scene
pics online!
Photography by
Ward Morrison
49
50
SEE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE
scene
Trade
Saturday, February 13
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with your
smartphone
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pics online!
Photography by
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53
The court has spoken.

Thats the end of it.
GOV. JOHN KASICH, speaking about marriage equality during a town hall at Michigan State University. A student pressed Kasich
to further explain his position after he said hed attended a same-sex wedding. According to NBC News, Kasich said, Well,
were not changing any laws. Were not changing. Were not going to allow discrimination on this.
I realized this is someone I want in my life forever.

This is the one person I cant live without.
SPC. SHANE ADRIANO, speaking with USA Today. The American Military Partner Association shared a photo of Adriano and his
husband, Pfc. Tristian Resz, kissing at their wedding and it quickly went viral. The majority of people who were commenting
and sharing, they were doing it because they are proud of how far the military has come, Resz said. Up until 2011 it
was illegal to be openly gay in the military. Now, its legal for us to be married.
If Pope Francis seems to have a more conciliatory approach to the subject, it is clear
he is struggling to implant this approach within the church
he leads.
ALTERNATIVES-CAMEROON, an LGBTI activist group in Cameroon, in a statement calling on Pope Francis to help them after the
National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon adopted a zero tolerance policy towards homosexuality,
calling it this abominable thing that goes against nature.
If people then engage in male to male, female to female relations, then

they are worse than animals.
Boxer MANNY PACQUIAO, responding to a question about same-sex marriage. Pacquiao issued an apology on Instagram, stating:
Im against same sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but Im not condemning LGBT.
Having a family is
a matter of human rights.
JULIANNE MOORE, responding to an Italian reporter who asked whether it was right for same-sex couples to raise a child
together, Gay.It reports. Everyone should have the right to have a family, she continued. People taking care of
each other, thats what it means to be a family.
54
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
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FEBRUARY 18, 2016

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OUT ON THE TOWN

Mad About Paul

Lords and Monsters

Rihanna and Panic! at the Disco

DistrktC at the DC Eagle

Super Bowl 50 at Nellies

photography by Ward Morrison

photography by Ward Morrison

photography by Ward Morrison

Now online at MetroWeekly.com

Kentucky clerk Kim Davis throws in the towel

Cruz, Trump and Rubio

O THE CASUAL OBSERVER, THIS PAST WEEK

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

presidential candidates and their support for LGBT civil rights.

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

tor from International House of Prayer. Bickle has a history of

Shock to the System

Or, how I learned to stop being idealistic and accept our

NCE UPON A TIME, WHEN I WAS A YOUNGER MAN

much more willing to criticize Democrats and some of their

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay

METROHEALTH CENTER offers

The DC Center hosts its POLY

free, rapid HIV testing. Appointment

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5

US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics

p.m., and HIV services (by appointment). Call 202-291-4707, or visit

13-21, interested in leadership development. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL Youth

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)

practice session at Takoma Aquatic

DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay and lesbian square-dancing group features

HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker

Health. At the Elizabeth Taylor

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-

tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg,

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

men between the ages of 18-35, meets

LGB PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP for

p.m., and HIV services (by appointment). 202-291-4707, andromedatransculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at Hains Point, 927 Ohio

HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker

free, rapid HIV testing. Appointment

PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-

affirming social group for ages 11-24.

SMYALS REC NIGHT provides

more information, email pamela@

asylum seekers. 5-7 p.m. 2000 14th St.

p.m., and HIV services (by appointment). 202-291-4707 or andromedatransculturalhealth.org.

BET MISHPACHAH, founded by

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walking/social club welcomes all levels for

DC SENTINELS basketball team

meets at Turkey Thicket Recreation

DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass for

LGBT community, family and friends.

GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses