CONTENTS

MARCH 30, 2017 Volume 23 Issue 45

21 UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY
One year after HB 2, transgender North Carolinians
remain casualties of the states right-wing agenda

By John Riley

AW, SHUCKS!
Jamie Leeds has grown a single restaurant into a
veritable empire, one oyster at a time.

Interview by Doug Rule

Photography by Todd Franson
28
41
ALL-AMERICAN
QUEENS
RuPaul serves patriotic realness and Todrick Hall
returns to Oz

By Sean Maunier

SPOTLIGHT: HATERS ROAST p.11 OUT ON THE TOWN p.15

OTHER PEOPLE: EVERYMANS LOS OTROS p.16 THE FEED: UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY p.21
COMMUNITY: PASSOVER PRIDE p.23 SCENE: CAGLCC MEGA NETWORKING p.26
COVER STORY: AW, SHUCKS! p.28 GUIDE TO DINING OUT FOR LIFE p.34
GALLERY: ARTOMATIC p.37 STAGE: RAGTIME p.38 MUSIC: RUPAUL AND TODRICK HALL p.41
NIGHTLIFE p.43 SCENE: CTRLS PHOTO BOOTH p.43 LISTINGS p.45 SCENE: UPROAR p.51
SCENE: ONYX AT GREEN LANTERN p.52 LAST WORD p.54

Real LGBTQ News and Entertainment since 1994

Editorial Editor-in-Chief Randy Shulman Art Director Todd Franson Managing Editor Rhuaridh Marr Senior Editor John Riley Contributing Editor Doug Rule
Senior Photographers Ward Morrison, Julian Vankim Contributing Illustrator Scott G. Brooks Contributing Writers Andr Hereford,
Sean Maunier, Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield Webmaster David Uy Production Assistant Julian Vankim
Sales & Marketing Publisher Randy Shulman National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media Co. 212-242-6863 Distribution Manager Dennis Havrilla
Patron Saint Hank Leeds Cover Photography Todd Franson

Metro Weekly 1775 I St. NW, Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 202-638-6830
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2017 Jansi LLC.

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 7

 Spotlight

Insult Without Injury

N
OW THAT A NINTH SEASON OF RUPAULS
Drag Race has begun, several of the more pop-
ular queens from previous seasons of the show
are hitting the road, including three previous winners:
Season 5s Jinkx Monsoon, All-Stars 2s Alaska (or Miss
Thunderfuck, if youre nasty), and Season 8s Bob The
Drag Queen. Theyll all be featured in the insult come-
dy confection Haters Roast: The Shady Tour.
Kim Chi, Phi Phi OHara, Acid Betty, and Darienne
Lake complete the lineup and the irrepressible Ginger
Minj hosts. According to the shows producers, the
eight queens will walk on stage as sisters, but when the
show begins, the claws come out for the most outra-
geous night of drag comedy in years.

Saturday, April 1, at 8 p.m. Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. Tickets are $20 to $50.
Call 202-783-4000 or visit warnertheatredc.com.

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 11

 Spotlight
LYNDA CARTER:
THE OTHER SIDE OF TROUBLE
The original Wonder Woman has developed a second
career as a cabaret/jazz singer in recent years, frequent-
ly stopping at the Kennedy Center during her national
tours. Carters latest cabaret, The Other Side of Trouble,
is touted as a dynamic, sexy 90-minute show offering her
usual smorgasbord of musical delights, including classic
standards, jazz, country, blues, and her own originals.
She is once again accompanied by a band including Paul
Leim and Blue Lou Marini. Saturday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Kennedy Center Family Theater. Tickets are $65. Call
202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHAW

KARL SIMONE
CHAWBARET 12
Soloists from around the region perform in this 12th annual cabaret at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop,
a fundraiser for the organizations tuition assistance program. It also features a cappella group Not
What You Think, which grew out of the former Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Washington. Expect to
hear songs riffing on the theme The Dirty Dozen, with a separate, special reception honoring retir-
ing CHAW Executive Director (and Not What You Think soprano) Jill Strachan in conjunction with
the Saturday performances. Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, April 1, at 4 and 8 p.m. Capitol
Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th St. SE. Tickets are $20. Call 202-547-6839 or visit chaw.org.

FORCES OF NATURE
National Geographic offers a virtual tour
through modern-day disasters and Earths
fiercest powers, from volcanic eruptions on
the island of Montserrat and trembling fault
lines in Turkey, to storms ripping through
the notorious Tornado Alley of Americas
Midwest. Experience it all in eye-popping
enormity on the giant screen. Kevin Bacon
narrates the 40-minute documentary, shot
in IMAX by George Casey, that also features
scientists to help viewers better comprehend
these forces and hopefully increase the odds
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

of surviving such events in the future. To

April 30. National Geographic Museum, 1145
17th St. NW. Tickets are $7. Call 202-857-
7500 or visit ngmuseum.org.

12 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 Spotlight
LINDSAY MULLEN:
SPEAKING LAYERS
Mullen is a post-impression-
ist colorist known for works
revealing a refined sensitivity
to the light and climate of the
locations depicted. Her new
paintings aim to breathe life
into layers on canvas. The
finished work, according
to her Artist Statement, is
intended to draw the observ-
er into a meditative, magi-
cal space where light and
color merge into visceral
sensations and the viewer
is encouraged to finish the
story however they choose.
Opening reception is Friday,
March 31, from 6 to 8 p.m.
On exhibit through April 29.
Susan Calloway Fine Arts,
1643 Wisconsin Ave. NW.
Call 202-965-4601 or visit
callowayart.com.

GLORIA GAYNOR LIVE:

DISCO DANCE PARTY
Over the next month, the Library
of Congress is shining a spotlight
on of all things disco music
and culture, through a series of
film screenings and discussions.
Naturally, this Bibliodiscotheque
series culminates with a late
night party of disco dancing in
the Librarys historic Thomas
DAVID RICE-LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Jefferson Building. Brightest

Young Things co-presents the
party on Saturday, May 6, featuring
music from DJs Mike Simonetti and Adrian Loving, and one of the genres
leading ladies, Gloria Gaynor, who will perform a show with her band
commemorating last years induction of I Will Survive into the Librarys
National Recording Registry. But if you want to go, youll need to pounce.
Tickets are free but required; once they sell out, a waitlist will be created.
Call 202-707-5502 or visit loc.gov/concerts/disco.

THE NIGHT ALIVE

SCENA Theatre offers the latest
work by Conor McPherson, Irelands
most celebrated contemporary play-
wright. The Night Alive is a touching
drama about a floundering Irish lad
who finds a sense of purpose in
helping a destitute woman after an
attack. To April 9. Atlas Performing
Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets
are $20 to $40. Call 202-399-7993 or
visit atlasarts.org.

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 13

 Out On The Town

ALMA SELIMOVIC: IN TRANSITION PROJECT AND FUNDRAISER

A Serbian refugee, Alma Selimovic was granted political asylum in the U.S. in 2009 on account of the violence and threats
she faced as a prominent LGBTQ activist in her homeland. The visual artist is preparing for a two-month residency at
Berlins Institute fur Alles Mogliche, where she will interview and create digital drawings of other people from Eastern
Europe who are queer, trans and/or gender neutral. Sculptural works by her and others from her sister company RozArt
will be exhibited as part of a silent auction and fundraiser that also includes a presentation about her In Transition proj-
ect and a screening of a documentary about her activist work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she organized a Queer
Sarajevo Festival. Upon her return from Germany, Selimovic aims to present the resulting works as a final installation of In
Transition, as well as bring back works by the artists to exhibit. Saturday, April 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. Otis Street Art Project,
3706 Otis St. Mt. Rainier, Md. Visit almaselimovic.com.

Compiled by Doug Rule THE BOSS BABY

FILM
GHOST IN THE SHELL
Is anyone really shocked that
Hollywood took an international-
ly successful Japanese Manga and
cast a white actor in the lead role?
Apparently so, as choosing Scarlett
Johansson to play The Major (orig-
inal character name Major Motoko
Kusanagi) caused widespread out-
rage for the obvious whitewash-
ing. If that werent enough, house
music producer Steve Aoki is now
being heavily criticized for dese-
crating the Ghost in the Shell TV
shows theme tune in his remix for
the film. Its fine, though, as the
film has box office bomb written
all over it. Opens Friday, March 31.
Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.
(Rhuaridh Marr)
Alec Baldwin is the voice of a brief-
case-carrying, fully coherent baby,
who teams up with his older broth-
er to stop the owner of a puppy
business that threatens to desta-
bilize the balance of love in the
world. Were not completely sold on
DreamWorks latest animated tale,
but Baldwins voice acting alone
should be worth the price of entry.
Opens Friday, March 31. Area the-
aters. Visit fandango.com. (RM)
THE ZOOKEEPERS WIFE
An incredible true story, based
on Diane Ackermans nonfiction
book. Jessica Chastain is Antonina
abiska who, together with her
husband (Johan Heldenbergh),
helped save hundreds of Polish
Jews from the Nazis by sheltering
them in the Warsaw Zoo. Daniel
Brhl once again plays the villain
as a German officer determined
to uncover the abiskis secret.
STAGE
Opens Friday, March 31. Area the-
aters. Visit fandango.com. (RM)
BATTLEFIELD
Legendary director Peter Brook
takes subject matter from his
THELMA & LOUISE
landmark 1985 production of The
The Library of Congress con-
Mahabharata for this work, pre-
cludes its series of films celebrat-
sented as part of a Kennedy Center
ing Womens History Month with
series highlighting five internation-
screenwriter Callie Khouris 1991
ally acclaimed theater directors.
film. Thelma & Louise started as a
Battlefield is a revised and extend-
crime caper focused on two women,
ed excerpt from the sweeping
but evolved into a feminist manifes-
epic poem of ancient India. The
to and a Time cover-minted cultur-
focus is on a new and untested
al flashpoint. Ridley Scott directs
king who must face the devasta-
Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis
tion he has caused as his world
in career-defining performances,
crumbles around him and his peo-
plus an early breakout role for Brad
ple. Thursday, March 30, through
Pitt. Friday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m., and
Packard Campus Theater, 19053
Sunday, April 2, at 2 p.m. Kennedy
Mount Pony Rd. Culpeper, Va. Free.
Center Family Theater. Tickets are
Call 202-707-9994 or visit loc.gov/
$35. Call 202-467-4600 or visit ken-
avconservation.
nedy-center.org.

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 15

 KING LEAR
To celebrate its 10th anniversary,
professional audio theater company
Lean & Hungry offers its first fully
staged production, Shakespeares
deeply moving epic about a pow-
erful, aging leader suffering from
dementia, featuring an emphasis
on language and sound to encour-
age use of imagination. The cast
includes Jessica Leflow, Sarah
Anne Sillers, G Michael Harris,
John Stange and Kevin Finkelstein,
the companys associate artistic
director. Opens Friday, March 31,
at 8 p.m. Runs to April 23. Atlas
Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St.
NE. Tickets are $20. Call 202-399-
7993 or visit atlasarts.org.
CLINTON B PHOTOGRAPHY

MARX IN SOHO
Mary Myers is Karl Marx in a typ-
ically gender-bending production
from Nu Sass of Howard Zinns
one-man play. Dating to 1999, Marx
in Soho offers a sympathetic por-
trayal of the 19th-century philos-
opher and his communist ideals.
Angela Kay Pirko directs the show,

OTHER PEOPLE
performed in an intimate space of
30 seats, and in an immersive, open
way with a goal of developing a
connection with audiences beyond
the typical. To April 2. Caos on F,
Michael John LaChiusa on feeling invisible in the gay community 923 F St. NW. Tickets are $30. Visit
and the timeliness of Los Otros nusass.com.

NO SISTERS

W
HHHHH
HEN IT COMES TO AGE, BROADWAY COMPOSER MICHAEL JOHN LACHIUSA THREE SISTERS
doesnt hesitate in describing his own. Im old! says 54-year-old. Thats invisible
in the gay community. It was fascinating to me when I turned 50 and I went, Oh, Studio Theatre, in collaboration
Im invisible! But theres something kind of comforting, and very freeing, in that as well. As with multimedia production com-
pany New Neighborhood, offers
any 50-year-old, or any older man, can tell you. theatergoers a unique opportu-
As a self-described older gay man, LaChiusa feels a sense of duty to the younger generation, nity to experience drama both on
to support them in their journey through the exploration and discovery of themselves. Its and offstage, with their produc-
tions of Three Sisters and Aaron
very important for old men like myself to help them these days. Theres still a lot of bias, and Posners new Chekhov-inspired
still a lot of bigotry, and we have to always confront that, and fight it when necessary, and resist riff, No Sisters. The two shows are
the forces that want us to not be who we are. running not only in repertory, but
Those anti-LGBTQ forces see us as the others. And thats the topic as well as the name, are performed simultaneously,
with several members of the cast
in Spanish of Los Otros, a new musical collaboration between LaChiusa and his early mentor of Chekhovs play dashing in their
and frequent collaborator Ellen Fitzhugh, who wrote the book and lyrics. Los Otros is about offstage moments from one Studio
the encounters with those who we think of as the others, he says. Through learning their theater to appear onstage in a dif-
ferent theater, as the same charac-
stories and having encounters with the others, we realize that we [all] are the others. ters, but in Posners clever riff on
Partly drawn from Fitzhughs life growing up in California, Los Otros focuses on a rela- the play, described as a hangout in
tionship between a white woman and a Mexican man, principally exploring issues of race, a weird-ass existential Chekhovian
ethnicity and gender. It does touch on sexual orientation, and in quite a beautiful way, too, green room. You might opt
to undertake just one leg of this
LaChiusa says, adding, I dont want to spoil how it all plays itself out. ambitious choose-your-own-ad-
There is also a timeliness to Los Otros, given the current political climate. What were venture trip through the tangled
dealing with border issues and the immigration law and this nonsense thats happening in lives and loves of the Przorovs,
but the most rewarding path is to
Washington it is...unfortunately timely, LaChiusa says. experience both. To April 23. In
But he does see reason for hope, pointing to the Republican debacle to repeal Obamacare. separate auditoriums at Studio
LaChiusa is convinced that happened in large part as a result of the many anti-repeal calls he Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. Tickets
and other citizens made to elected officials, something he says everybody should be doing, for Three Sisters are $20 to $69,
and tickets for No Sisters are $20 to
almost on a daily basis. $45. Call 202-332-3300, or visit stu-
I think they do listen to those calls, and they do pay attention to it, he continues. There diotheatre.org. (Andre Hereford)
have been so many responses to that particular issue, for instance, you can see that there is the
PARADE
chance for change. Doug Rule
HHHHH
The period musical by Jason Robert
Los Otros runs to April 23 at Everyman Theatre, 315 West Fayette St. in Baltimore. Brown (music) and Alfred Uhry
(book), trains a fairly narrow focus
Tickets are $43 to $64. Call 410-752-2208 or visit everymantheatre.org. on the feelings and tragic fate of

16 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

Leo Frank (Michael Innocenti), a
Texas-born, Brooklyn-raised Jew
living in Atlanta at the turn of the
twentieth century. Leo was arrest-
ed and tried in a Fulton County
courthouse and across newspaper
front pages for the gruesome
1913 murder of 13-year old Mary
Phagan. Parade is not a happy-go-
lucky lets take Grandma out for
Mothers Day play. Rather, Brown
and Uhrys 1999 Tony-winner
encompasses a world of post-Re-
construction era concerns, from
anti-semitism and mob justice to
child labor. Harrowing. To April 8.
Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St.
NW. Tickets are $45 to $55. Call
202-265-3768 or visitkeeganthe-
atre.com. (AH)
RICHARD II
The Rude Mechanicals present
Shakespeares tale about the rocky
reign of an imperious ruler, whose
eventual overthrow by his cousin
Henry IV set the stage for the War
of the Roses. Michael McCarthy
directs a production in which each
scene will be briefly summarized
beforehand for those less familiar
with Shakespeare as well as for
added comic relief. Friday, March
31, and Saturday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m.
District of Columbia Arts Center
(DCAC), 2438 18th St. NW. Tickets
are $15 to $20. Call 202-462-7833 or
visit rudemechanicals.com.
BLOOD KNOT/A HUMAN BEING
DIED THAT NIGHT
Athol Fugards seminal masterpiece
returns more than 50 years after its
debut, as part of Mosaics South
Africa: Then & Now series, which
includes the D.C. premiere of A
Human Being Died That Night. Both
chamber plays feature a black and
white character in constant, heat-
ed dialogue. Joy Zinoman helms
Fugards intimate parable about a
brotherhood bound by blood but
separated by color. Meanwhile,
New York-based director Logan
Vaughn tackles Nicholas Wrights
2013 adaptation of a memoir by
psychologist Pumla Gobodo-
Madikizela, exploring the ongoing
quest for truth and reconciliation in
South Africa. Currently in previews,
Blood Knot opens Sunday, April 2, at
7:30 p.m. A Human Being Died That
Night begins previews on Thursday,
April 6 and opens Tuesday, April 11.
Both plays in rep to April 30. Atlas
Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St.
NE. Tickets are $40 to $60. Call
202-399-7993 or visit mosaicthe-
ater.org.
TWISTED MELODIES
Kelvin Roston Jr. portrays Donny
Hathaway in a powerful, one-man
musical homage to a soulful leg-
end. Hathaway is probably best
known for his 70s-era duets with
Roberta Flack. Twisted Melodies is
billed as an immersive and crushing
play about the muses that inspired
Hathaway and the paranoid schizo-
phrenia that tormented him. Now
to April 16. Baltimore Center Stage,
700 North Calvert St. Tickets are
$22 to $64. Call 410-332-0033 or
visit centerstage.org.
MUSIC
BOHEMIAN CAVERNS JAZZ
ORCHESTRA
Its namesake venue may be gone,
but the 17-piece big band founded
by baritone saxophonist Brad Linde
and former Bohemian Caverns
owner Omrao Brown lives on at
least for special occasions. In honor
of the seventh anniversary of the
ensemble, the citys leading and lon-
gest-lasting jazz club presents two
concerts of big band works from
Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billy
Strayhorn, Maria Schneider and
others. Co-directed by Linde and
Joe Herrera and featuring some of
the citys best musicians. Monday,
April 3, at 8 and 10 p.m. Blues Alley,
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Tickets
are $25, plus $12 minimum pur-
chase. Call 202-337-4141 or visit
bluesalley.com.
CECILE MCLORIN SALVANT
A quirky, sophisticated and soul-
ful jazz vocalist, the New York
Times has heralded the 27-year-
old Salvant as having the best
MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY
chance of extending the lineage
of the Big Three: Billie Holiday,
Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald.
Salvant performs original songs and
unique interpretations of obscure
jazz and blues compositions in
English, Spanish and her native
French as demonstrated on her
2016 Grammy-winning jazz vocal
album For One To Love. At the
Barns, shell be accompanied by the
increasingly in-demand, 31-year-old
jazz piano virtuoso Aaron Diehl.
Saturday, April 8, at 8 p.m. The
Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road,
Vienna. Tickets are $35 TO $45.
Call 877-WOLFTRAP or visit wolf-
trap.org.
NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC
One of the youngest winners of the
esteemed International Fryderyk
Chopin Piano Competition, the
prodigy Eric Lu joins Strathmores
resident symphony to perform
Mozarts Piano Concerto No.
23 in A Major. Also on the Piotr
Gajewski-led, all-Mozart pro-
gram is the humorous and satiri-
cal A Musical Joke, which pokes
fun at uninspired composers, and
the popular Symphony No. 40 in G
Minor. Saturday, April 1, at 8 p.m.
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301
Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.
Tickets are $48 to $88. Call 301-
581-5100 or visit nationalphilhar-
monic.org.
17
 URBANARIAS: LUCY
Most have heard the tragic tale of
Lucy, a chimpanzee raised as if she
were the human child of a psy-
chologist and his wife. The real-
life social experiment ended far
worse than most others from the
60s and the tale is relayed in a
new short chamber opera by com-
poser John Glover and librettist
Kelly Rourke. UrbanArias presents
the East Coast premiere, directed
by Erik Pearson and conducted by
Robert Wood, and starring baritone
Andrew Wilkowske. There wont
be a chimp onstage, real or anthro-
pomorphized instead, a toy piano
in the orchestra serves as a stand-in
for the titular character. Saturday,
April 1, at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 2,
at 2 p.m., Friday, April 7, at 8 p.m.,
and Saturday, April 8, at 8 p.m. Atlas
Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St.
NE. Tickets are $32 to $35. Call 202-
399-7993 or visit atlasarts.org.
DANCE
REVISION DANCE COMPANY
Inspired by the Dance Place
Resident Companys dedication to
community engagement, Propelling
Voice mixes athletic and innova-
tive dance choreography by artistic
director Shannon Quinn with stark,
imaginative scenic, lighting and
multimedia design by Ben Levine.
Saturday, April 1, at 8 p.m., and
Sunday, April 2, at 7 p.m. Dance
ANDREW BOSSI
Place, 3225 8th St. NE. Tickets are
$25 in advance, or $30 at the door.
Call 202-269-1600 or visit dan-
ceplace.org.
JANE FRANKLIN DANCE: BARRIER THE WASHINGTON BALLET:
KYLIAN, PECK, FORSYTHE
In Barrier, voices from the community taken from Jiri Kylians Petite Mort, Justin Pecks
recorded interviews with people including an envi- In Creases and William Forsythes
ronmental scientist, a birdwatcher, and an outdoor In The Middle, Somewhat Elevated
are three works, all radical and inno-
hobbyist share stories and experiences with nature
vative in their own ways, that have
or climate change. Layered with music and made visual gone on to inform the next wave of
through movement and art, the performance brings
forward very personal relationships to the creatures
contemporary ballet choreographers.
Remaining shows Thursday, March
30, and Friday, March 31, at 7:30
on earth, adaptations and changes. Dawn Whitmore, p.m., Saturday, April 1, at 1:30 and
a resident artist at the Arlington Arts Center, has also 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 2, at 1:30
created brief video statements using words and phrases and 6:30 p.m. Sidney Harman Hall,
Harman Center for the Arts, 610 F
from the interviews. Friday, March 31, Saturday, April
St. NW. Tickets are $25 to $118. Call
1, Friday, April 7, and Saturday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m. 202-362-3606 or visit washington-
Theatre on the Run, 3700 South Four Mile Run Dr. ballet.org.
Arlington. Tickets are $25 or $28.50 on opening and
closing nights, including a beer ticket and light buffet at COMEDY
New District Brewing Company, 2709 South Oakland
St. Call 703-933-1111 or visit janefranklin.com. LISA LAMPANELLI
She may be best known as the
Queen of Mean, but Lampanelli
is never mean for the sake of it
THAO NGUYEN focused on Thaos runaway father,
only for show. At heart, she likes
Liberal causes and protest politics yet its naturally lightened by her
the people she ribs. Thats the
regularly fire up the quirky-to-the- voice and music that is driven by
thing: You cant make fun of anyone
point-of-weird alt-pop act Thao & beats and bass, rather than guitar.
unless you really like them, she
The Get Down Stay Down. It start- Sunday, April 2. Doors at 7 p.m.
told Metro Weekly. And as a strong
ed out a decade ago in Virginia, Rock and Roll Hotel, 1353 H St.
and vocal supporter of the LGBTQ
where its frontwoman grew up. NE. Tickets are $20. Call 202-388-
community, everyone knows to
Thao returns home for a solo show ROCK or visit rockandrollhoteldc.
expect some loving insults to come
in support of last years album A com.
our way and we wouldnt want it
Man Alive. The dark-themed set is
18 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY
any other way. Lets be honest, gay
guys just like bitchy women, she
says, so they really seem to buy in.
Saturday, April 8, at 8 p.m. Lincoln
Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets
are $45. Call 202-888-0050 or visit
thelincolndc.com.
WASHINGTON IMPROV
THEATER: FIST 2017
The Fighting Improv Smackdown
Tournament is an elimination tour-
nament in which audiences vote
to decide which team of improvers
advance to the championship. Runs
to final round on April 15. Source,
1835 14th St. NW. Tickets start at
$12 to $25. Call 202-204-7760 or
visit witdc.org.
READINGS
MARDEE BENNETT: THE
REAPERS ON WOODBROOK
AVENUE
Spanning three decades in the
life of a West Baltimore family
with roots in Charleston, Mardee
Bennetts play was a finalist in
the 2016 Eugene ONeill National
Playwrights Conference, and sin-
gled out for its deft ear for dia-
logue as well as its ambition and
scope. The work introduces us to
matriarch Loretta Reaper, as well
as her great grandson, who is seek-
ing to reclaim the familys ancestral
land in South Carolina. Signature
Theatre presents the work, direct-
ed by Joe Calarco, as part of its
SigWorks: Monday Night New Play
Readings series. The D.C.-based
actor and playwright Bennett refers
to the experience as a full circle
moment, as only eight years ago
he was a member of the chorus
in Signatures Show Boat. Monday,
April 3, at 7 p.m. Signature Theatre,
4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington.
Free. Call 703-820-9771 or visit sig-
nature-theatre.org.
EXHIBITS
FOUR SEASONS BY PHILIP HAAS
Four larger-than-life, three-dimen-
sional portrait busts become the
first ever art installations in the
Hillwood gardens. Contemporary
American artist Philip Haas
offers sculptural interpretations
of the celebrated botanical paint-
ings by Italian master Giuseppe
Arcimboldo. The 15-foot fiberglass
works have weathered the seasonal
changes in climate since going up
at the end of September. Closes
Friday, March 31. Hillwood Estate,
4155 Linnean Ave. NW. Suggested
donation is $12. Call 202-686-5807
or visit HillwoodMuseum.org.
LISA TURESON: SCRIBBLES
A Virginia fine artist, Tureson spe-
cializes in site-specific, commis-
sioned artwork of various forms.
Her latest mixed-media works, sub-
titled An Urban Art Series, was
inspired by a peeling, deteriorat-
ing wall, revealing layers of col-
ors, papers, street art and writings
she encountered on a recent trip to
Copenhagen. Closes Sunday, April
2. Touchstone Gallery, 901 New
York Ave. NW Call 202-347-2787 or
visit touchstonegallery.com.
ORCHIDS: A MOMENT
Yayoi Kusamas Infinity Mirrors
(see separate entry) may get all
the attention, but its not the only
dazzling, limited-time exhibit to
see at the Hirshhorn. Theres also
the 22nd annual orchid exhibit, a
collaboration with Smithsonian
Gardens and the U.S. Botanic
Garden. Hundreds of the fragrant
flowering plants selected from
the nearly 8,000 specimens in the
Smithsonian Orchid Collection
are presented as objects of art
and beauty in a colorful garden
installation backdropped by the
Hirshhorns unique architecture.
The installation also features time-
lapse videos of orchids stretching
into full blossom. Now to May
14. Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden,
Independence Avenue and Seventh
Street SW. Call 202-633-2220 or
visit gardens.si.edu.
YOU CAN GROW IT!
Now that Spring has arrived, the
United States Botanic Garden pres-
ents an exhibit intended to help
experienced and novice gardeners
alike to have more fruitful expe-
riences. Discover foolproof plants,
pick up tips on plants that require
extra attention, learn about the
right plant for the right place, and
get specific advice through a series
of discussions, including: Cooking
with Herbs on April 13 and 27,
Trees at Home on April 27, and
Berry Me lecture on April 29.
But first up, Wednesday, April 5, at
10:30 a.m., is a tour of the exhibition
as well as other parts of the garden
as led by Ari Novy, the institutions
executive director. Now to Oct.
15. Conservatory Terrace and East
Gallery, 100 Maryland Ave. SW.
Call 202-225-8333 or visit usbg.gov.
FOOD
GOOD FOOD POP-UP
Union Market will host D.C.s
first-ever show focused on the bur-
geoning local artisanal foods move-
ment, including a free small busi-
ness breakfast led by San Franciscos
Good Food Foundation. Healthcare
expert and chef Zeke Emanuel
will moderate this Good Food
Mercantile Breakfast panel discus-
sion, Saturday, April 1, at 9 a.m.,
featuring Elias Cairo of charcuterie
MARGOT SCHULMAN
MIDWESTERN GOTHIC
A new, darkly funny musical thriller about a young woman who longs to escape her
little town in the middle of nowhere. Signature Theatre promises writer Royce Vavrek
and lyricist/composer Josh Schmidts work will provoke, shock and entertain in equal
measure, describing it as Fargo meets Misery. It also includes a warning noting that
Midwestern Gothic is intended for adults over 18 and that the performance includes live
gunshots, theatrical haze, depictions of drug use and smoking (herbal scent). Matthew
Gardiner directs a cast including Timothy J. Alex, Sherri Edelen, Morgan Keene, Sam
Ludwig, Bobby Smith, Stephen Gregory Smith, and Rachel Zampelli. In previews. Opens
Thursday, March 30, at 8 p.m. Pride Nights are April 21 and April 28. Runs to April 30.
Ark Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets are $40 to $99. Call 703-820-9771 or
visit signature-theatre.org.
Olympia Provisions, Danielle Vogel
of Glens Garden Market, Ann Yang
ABOVE & BEYOND Hamilton conductor Kurt Crowley.
Additional performances will come
of Misfit Juicery, Shanika McCloud from Michael Trusnovec, Michelle
DAMIAN WOETZELS DEMO:
of food-grade skincare producer Fleet and James Samson of the
SONG & DANCE
Greenplicity, and Sarah Gordon of Paul Taylor Dance Company, and
A choreographer and former
Gordys Pickles. Meanwhile, these instrumentalists Andrew Axelrad
dancer with the New York City
craft food purveyors and more than on woodwinds, Gabe Schnider on
Ballet, Woetzel has been dubbed
80 others from around the country guitar, and Samantha Harris on
a Matchmaker by the New York
will participate in a weekend-long percussion. Monday, April 3, at 8
Times for his Demo series, in which
un-trade show pop-up at Dock 5, p.m. Kennedy Center Eisenhower
he invites artists to come togeth-
culminating in a Good Food Awards Theater. Tickets are $25 to $59.
er to explore cross-disciplinary
event, featuring cookbook author Call 202-467-4600 or visit kenne-
concepts and collaborations. In
Joan Nathan. Pop-Up opens Friday, dy-center.org.
Song & Dance, Woetzel exam-
March 31, through Sunday, April 2,
ines the interplay in performance
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Union Market, LA-TI-DO
of music and movement through
1309 5th St. NE. Call 800-680-9095 Started by Regie Cabico and
intriguing pairings, including: Alvin
or visit unionmarketdc.com. DonMike Mendoza, La-Ti-Do is a
Ailey American Dance Theaters
VINOTECA: WINE & CHEESE
Matthew Rushing performing
A Song for You from Aileys
variety show of music, spoken word,
storytelling and comedy. Cabico
CLASS and Mendoza co-host the next
Love Songs with Hamilton actor
Every couple of weeks, Vinoteca, round, with a focus on TV/Movie
Christopher Jackson; Lessons in
the wine-focused tapas restaurant Themes led by local musical per-
Tradition, a new three-person song
just off U Street, offers a differ- former Anya Randall Nebel, a spot-
and tap work featuring tap power-
ent event meant to heighten your light on singer Amanda Spellman
house Michelle Dorrance, vocalist/
appreciation or experience. Next up plus participants from La-Ti-Dos
multi-instrumentalist Kate Davis
is a world-hopping Wine & Cheese organizational partner, the wom-
and actor/clown Bill Irwin; and
class led by Wine Director Kate en-focused theater troupe Pinky
NYC Ballet dancers Tyler Angle and
Chrisman and Chef Anna Miller. Swear Productions. Pianist Taylor
Tiler Peck performing Christopher
Tuesday, April 4, at 7 p.m. Vinoteca, Rambo accompanies guest perform-
Wheeldons pas de deux This
1940 11 St. NW. Tickets are $55 ers including Janet Aldrich, Linda
Bitter Earth with accompani-
per person before tax. Call 202-332- Bard, Tina Ghandchilar, Larry
ment from vocalist Davis, violinist
9463 or visit vinotecadc.com. Grey, Matt Meyers, Matthew Ratz,
Johnny Gandelsman, and pianist/
MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 19
 Michael Sandoval, Russell Silber,
Caelyn Sommerville, and Stephen
Yednock. Monday, April 3, at 8 p.m.
Bistro Bistro, 1727 Connecticut Ave.
NW. General admission is $15, or
$10 if you dine at the restaurant
before the show. Call 202-328-1640
or visit latidodc.wix.com/latidodc.
LIGHT CITY BALTIMORE
Also called A Festival of Light,
Music and Innovation, Light City
returns for a second year to illu-
minate a winding, 1.5-mile stretch
of the Inner Harbor and Harbor
East. The first large-scale illumi-
nation festival in the U.S. and mod-
eled after a much bigger affair in
Sydney, Light City features light
displays and sculptures, video pro-
jections and interactive technolo-
gies designed by a curated group of
local, regional, national and interna-
tional artists. There are more than
50 attractions on this years BGE
Light Art Walk, from art installa-
tions to performance stages to food
and beverage vendors. There are
also a number of additional attrac-
tions in nearby parts of downtown,
as well as a series of daytime inno-
vation conferences. The festival
kicks off with a parade at 8 p.m.
on Friday, March 31. Runs from
7 to 11 p.m. on weeknights and 7
to midnight on weekends. Closes
April 8. Call 410-752-8632 or visit
lightcity.org for a map and details
on all events.
NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM
FESTIVAL
Two weeks from now Saturday,
April 15 the ephemeral blossoms
on the Tidal Basin cherry trees
will be long gone. Yet the month-
long Cherry Blossom Festival will
just be wrapping up and going
out with a bang, via the Southwest
Waterfront Fireworks Festival. In
between the bloom and boom, the
festival presents two more free
outdoor events for all ages. First
up is the seventh annual Blossom
Kite Festival, which showcases
the creativity of kitemakers and
skill of fliers through a variety of
competitions and demonstrations.
Festivalgoers can bring their own
kites, or make one at the festi-
val activity station, while supplies
last but only kites can be flown,
not drones. Saturday, April 1, from
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Grounds of
the Washington Monument near
17th Street and Constitution
Avenue NW. The following week
ushers in what organizers tout as
the nations premier springtime
parade. Among the elaborate
floats, giant balloons and march-
ing bands from around the country,
this years Cherry Blossom Festival
Parade features musical artists
Drew Lachey, Jo Dee Messina, Blu
20 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY
Cantrell, DJ Kool, Mari, and not one
but two budding gay pop stars
Brian Justin Crum from Americas
Got Talent and Alex Newell from
Glee. Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m.
to noon. Constitution Avenue from
7th to 17th Streets NW. Visit nation-
alcherryblossomfestival.org.
PRETTY BOI DRAG BRUNCH
Reviving the art of drag kings in
D.C., Pretty Boi Drag, co-founded
by former DC King Pretty Rik E,
now offers a monthly all-inclusive
brunch experience with live music
from hip-hop DJ Tezrah, in addi-
tion to drag performances. Sunday,
April 2, from noon to 3 p.m. Acre
121, 1400 Irving St. NW. Tickets are
$20 for show only, or $40 including
an entree and bottomless mimosas.
Call 202-431-4704 or visit pretty-
boidrag.com.
THE ASK RAYCEEN SHOW:
MINI BALL
For the latest edition of his month-
ly show, Rayceen Pendarvis hosts
the annual Ask Rayceen Mini Ball,
with music by DJ Vjuan Allure.
Participants will vye for bragging
rights in eight categories: Best
Dressed, Runway in All Black,
Voguing with a Prop, BQ Face,
Female Face, Face over 40, Butch/
Trans Realness, and FQ Realness.
Wednesday, April 5. Doors at 6 p.m.,
with Mini Ball from 7:30 to 8:30
p.m. HRC Equality Center, 1640
Rhode Island Ave. NW. Free. Visit
AskRayceen.com.
THE PANCAKES AND
BOOZE ART SHOW
An import from Los Angeles, this
unusual underground art show
features the work of over 100
emerging artists, plus body paint-
ing, live music, an art battle, and
a free pancake bar. Pancakes and
Booze is a traveling, Andy Warhol-
styled event that former Hollywood
cameraman Tom Kirlin started in
2009 and has since brought to over
20 cities. When I was in college,
the only place that was open after a
night of drinking was IHOP, Kirlin
told Metro Weekly in 2015. I always
had this silly idea to make a pancake
restaurant with a full bar. So with
the art show, I just merged the two
ideas together. Thursday, April 6,
at 7 p.m. Penn Social, 801 E St. NW.
Cover is $10. Call 202-697-4900 or
visit pancakesandbooze.com. l
 theFeed
UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY
One year after HB 2, transgender North Carolinians remain casualties
of the states right-wing agenda By John Riley
I
N THE PAST YEAR, HB 2 HAS MADE ME AWARE
that Im now literally an outlaw, says Liam Hooper,
a 53-year-old transgender minister with the United
Church of Christ from Winston-Salem, N.C. My birth
certificate still has my birth name and birth gender on it. So
when I go into a public building and use the restroom, Im
intentionally breaking the law.
For Hooper, who was born in Indiana, obtaining an
amended birth certificate would be immensely difficult.
Hooper would have to return to his birth state, obtain legal
representation (at personal cost), petition a judge to allow
him to change his name and gender, and hope that the judge
grants a court order to compel the state to amend his birth
certificate.
Birth certificates can be problematic for transgender
people in even the most LGBTQ-friendly states. But its
much worse for Hooper following the passage of HB 2,
North Carolinas so-called bathroom bill, which prohibits
transgender people from using restrooms or other facilities
that do not match the gender listed on their birth certificate.
While HB 2s passage has not led to mass arrests,
many transgender residents fear what could happen if they
were outed while using a restroom, or if law enforcement
attempted to stringently enforce the law. And the bigotry
is spreading outside of North Carolina lawmakers in
Alabama have proposed a bill that would take the idea
behind HB 2 even further, requiring multi-user restrooms
for either gender to be staffed by a restroom attendant who
will monitor the appropriate use of the restroom.
As a result, Hooper wont use facilities in certain areas
of the state. It requires him to be mindful of what he eats
and drinks before going out in public, even though he can
pass as male and has not previously had an issue using
mens restrooms.
There are just some places Im not going to put my
trans body right now, at least not alone. There are some
places in North Carolina, where, even with some degree of
white male passing, Im not going to be safe in those mens
rooms, he says.
Im very aware of how I hydrate when Im going to be
away from home for a while or when Im in spaces that are
considered public, he adds. I might not eat when Im out,
or drink very much when Im out, so I can navigate with a
little more assurance where I would have to go to relieve
myself.
Hooper is not alone in altering his behavior following
HB 2s passage. As the facilitator of a trans support group
in Winston-Salem, he hears from high schoolers and college
students who intentionally avoid food or drink so they dont
have to be forced to use facilities that dont match their
gender identity.
Hooper, who was at the State Capitol in Raleigh on the
day lawmakers passed HB 2, believes lawmakers succeeded
in achieving their goal, which was to create an atmosphere
of fear and confusion, based on misconceptions about trans-
gender people, in order to further a right-wing agenda.
I think they knew exactly what they were doing, which
was try to create an environment of vigilantism, where peo-
ple are policing public spaces, he says. And its based on
a misconception that trans people are just folks in various
stages of drag. They dont understand fundamentally, that
[trans] women go in the womens spaces and [trans] men go
into mens spaces.
From 34-year-old Alex McNeills perspective, the big-
gest impact of HB 2 is that it has given voice to people who
always held anti-transgender animus in their hearts, but
might have been reticent to express that previously. Now,
its emboldened those people to attempt to out those they
believe to be transgender, he says.
The bathroom policing has always existed, but HB 2
has just given people a legal avenue for feeling like theyre
on the right side, says McNeill, who moved back to the
Asheville area from Washington, D.C., just two weeks
before HB 2 was passed.
It makes me feel really sad to hear the ways transgender
people are talked about, and used to pass these restrictive
laws, he adds. The thing I keep telling folks, especially
when talking about safety, is that, as a group of people who
are always concerned about safety for themselves, were
always looking to make sure others feel safe, because were
often the ones targeted for abuse and violence.
Alaina Brennan-Kupec, 47, of Chapel Hill, N.C., initial-
ly thought that former Gov. Pat McCrory would take the
time to learn about the transgender community and might
even consider vetoing the bill. Her reasoning was sound
Republican South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard nixed
a similar measure in his state. But McCrory signed HB 2
into effect within hours of its passage, further underscoring
the rapidity with which Republicans jammed through the
controversial law.
I dont think that this was ever a law about protecting
women and children in the state, she says. I think this is
a law thats been put forward solely for the political gain of
the party in power. They thought this would be a slam dunk
that would appease their base in an election year, and they
didnt want anything to derail that.
She also notes that HB 2 has provisions that cover more
than just restrictions on public restrooms. It essentially
MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 21
 theFeed
nullified local municipalities nondiscrimination ordinances when LGBTQ-friendly companies scuttled plans for expan-
if they extended protections to the LGBTQ community. It sion or refused to set up shop there. But the Republican-
also prevented people from suing in instances where they dominated General Assembly stubbornly stood its ground,
felt they had been discriminated against, and, in a giveaway resulting in financial losses that can never be recouped.
to the Chamber of Commerce, capped the minimum wage in North Carolina stands to lose additional revenue if HB
the state. 2 isnt repealed, due to the NCAA, which will consider
A marketing direc- the presence of pro-LGBTQ laws or anti-LGBTQ laws
tor for a pharma- HB 2 has made when selecting a host city for sporting championships.
ceutical company, North Carolina could potentially be denied a chance to
Brennan-Kupec has me aware that Im host any NCAA championships through 2022. Hooper
never had any nega- hopes the NCAA stands strong in its threat to bypass
tive encounters when
now literally an the state.
trying to use the outlaw. As much as I am not necessarily a proponent of
restroom since HB 2s focusing all of our responsive rhetoric and messaging
passage. But she still When I go around money, I realize that is also the way you get
has some concerns certain peoples attention, he says. What weve seen
when using public into a public with the majority of politicians in North Carolina is that
facilities, even if most they dont care. They fundamentally do not want for
people cant guess building people to have the freedom to be who they are, and live
shes transgender. out their gender in a way that feels consistent with their
I dont feel and use the self-understanding. There really is an agenda against
uncomfortable, but
Im conscious of it. restroom, Im trans people, to the point that theyre willing to suffer
loss of revenue.
That was something
that was not the case intentionally Unfortunately, the states polarized politics and the
intransigence of the General Assembly have left North
before HB 2, she
says. I never thought
breaking the Carolina at a standstill. Despite attempts by Democrats,
particularly recently elected Gov. Roy Cooper, to nego-
twice about my safety
in a restroom. Now,
law. tiate a deal to repeal HB 2, Republicans have refused to
pass anything that doesnt keep in place the anti-trans-
when I use a restroom gender restrictions.
in the airport, or out Liam Hooper, 53, I think the only way theres going to be movement
in public, Im always Winston-Salem, N.C. on HB 2 is through the court system, says Brennan-
conscious of Do I Kupec, noting that there are
have to be worried? two separate pending law-
Do I have to be con-
cerned that someone might know that Im
The bathroom suits challenging the law.
Ultimately, the legislatures
transgender? Its a constant state of fear of policing has had multiple opportunities to
what could happen whenever I go to the bath- repeal this legislation. They
room. always existed, but might trim around the edges,
Having just celebrated its one year anni- but what they do will never be
versary, HB 2 remains one of the most contro- HB 2 has just acceptable. It will always be
versial anti-LGBTQ measures ever passed, not
only in North Carolinas history, but nation- given people window dressing. So I think
were going to have the sta-
wide. To this day, it holds the dubious distinc-
tion of being the only bill restricting transgen- a legal avenue tus quo for the foreseeable
future.
der restroom use to be signed into law.
Following its passage, North Carolina
for feeling like However, the one positive
thing about HB 2 is that it has
was beset by a barrage of negative press and
high-profile cancellations of concerts, conven-
theyre on the brought together and ener-
gized those North Carolinians
tions, and sporting events. According to an
analysis by the Associated Press, the state lost
right side. who oppose the laws anti-
LGBTQ measures. More
$196 million, something thats been noticed by Alex McNeill, 34, than ever, theyre fighting for
Alex McNeill, who lives in tourism-dependent values that are important to
Asheville.
Asheville, N.C. them, including tolerance,
I know of friends who run small business- a respect for diversity, and
es dependent on the tourism industry, who inclusion.
have had business slow down and lost money, I think what happened
because over the summer and fall, the crowds have been in North Carolina is a prelude to whats going to happen
diminished, he says. nationally, Brennan-Kupec says. And I think were going
The states business community urged for the laws to continue to see that play out in the next year or two across
repeal, warning that it would halt investment in the state the country. l

22 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY


THURSDAY, March 30
DC SENTINELS basketball
team meets at Takoma Park
Middle School Gym. For play-
ers of all levels, gay or straight.
7-9 p.m. 7611 Piney Branch Rd.,
Silver Spring, Md. For more
information, visit teamdcbas-
ketball.org.
Weekly Events
ANDROMEDA
TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH
offers free HIV testing and HIV
services (by appointment). 9
a.m.-5 p.m. Decatur Center,
1400 Decatur St. NW. To
arrange an appointment, call
202-291-4707, or visit androm-
edatransculturalhealth.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
practice session at Takoma
Aquatic Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 300
Van Buren St. NW. For more
information, visit swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS run-
ning/walking/social club
welcomes runners of all ability
levels for exercise in a fun and
supportive environment, with
socializing afterward. Route
distance is 3-6 miles. Meet at
7 p.m. at 23rd & P Streets NW.
For more information, visit
dcfrontrunners.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, dclamb-
dasquares.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds
practice. The team is always
looking for new members. All
welcome. 7:30-9:30 p.m. King
Greenleaf Recreation Center,
201 N St. SW. For more infor-
mation, visit scandalsrfc.org or
dcscandals@gmail.com.
The DULLES TRIANGLES
Northern Virginia social
group meets for happy hour at
Sheraton in Reston. All wel-
come. 7-9 p.m. 11810 Sunrise
Valley Drive, second-floor bar.
For more information, visit
dullestriangles.com.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-
Walker Health. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at
1525 14th St. NW, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
at the Elizabeth Taylor Medical
Center, 1701 14th St. NW, and 8
a.m-5 p.m. at the Max Robinson
Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave.
SE. For an appointment call
202-745-7000 or visit whit-
man-walker.org.
Community
IDENTITY offers free and
confidential HIV testing at
two separate locations. Walk-
PASSOVER PRIDE
ins accepted from 2-6 p.m.,
by appointment for all other
hours. 414 East Diamond Ave.,
Gaithersburg, Md. or 7676
New Hampshire Ave., Suite
GLOEs annual Rainbow Seder celebrates 411, Takoma Park, Md. To set
Jewish LGBTQ inclusion up an appointment or for more
information, call Gaithersburg,
301-300-9978, or Takoma Park,
T
301-422-2398.
HERES A TRADITION OF QUEER-
METROHEALTH CENTER
ness thats inherent to Judaism, says offers free, rapid HIV testing.
Josef Palermo, the director of GLOE, Appointment needed. 1012 14th
the Kurlander Program for GLBTQ Outreach St. NW, Suite 700. To arrange an
appointment, call 202-638-0750.
& Engagement at the Edlavitch DC Jewish
Community Center. SMYAL offers free HIV Testing,
Jews are always the stranger, Palermo con- 3-5 p.m., by appointment and
tinues. It stems from coming out of the land of walk-in, for youth 21 and
younger. Youth Center, 410 7th
Israel into Egypt, and just being strangers in differ- St. SE. 202-567-3155 or test-
ent lands throughout history. So with that kind of ing@smyal.org.
frame, its always in the back of our minds, what it
Us Helping Us hosts a
means to be the other, to be on the outside. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
Its that understanding that has led many in MEETING. The group is inde-
the Jewish community to embrace their LGBTQ pendent of UHU. 6:30-7:30
brethren and support them over the years. In p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW.
For more information, call 202-
the spirit of that tradition, GLOE will once again 446-1100.
bring together queer Jews and their allies for the
annual Rainbow Seder now in its 10th year on WOMENS LEADERSHIP
INSTITUTE for young LBTQ
Sunday, April 2. women, 13-21, interested in
As part of this years Seder, participants will leadership development. 5-6:30
follow an LGBTQ Haggadah a text outlining the p.m. SMYAL Youth Center, 410
rituals for the Passover celebration, that frames 7th St. SE. For more informa-
tion, call 202-567-3163, or email
the Passover story within a queer context. It draws catherine.chu@smyal.org.
parallels between the Jewish peoples search for
liberation and the victories that the queer Jewish FRIDAY, March 31
community has been able to win in its fight for
Join LGBTQ people and allies
equality, says Palermo. from all over the Metro D.C.
Special guests include Noah Westreich, of area for a HAPPY HOUR
Temple Micah and SVARA: A Traditionally Radical SOCIAL at Uproar Lounge &
Yeshiva, who will serve as Seder leader, and Rabbi Restaurant. Cash bar. Free to
attend. All welcome. 7-9 p.m.
Haim Ovadia, the leader of a Rockville-based 639 Florida Ave NW. For more
Orthodox Sephardic synagogue who has directed information, visit gogaydc.org.
his congregation to be affirming of LGBTQ Jews.
In keeping with the spirit of inclusion, the Weekly Events
event is open to all people, regardless of religious BET MISHPACHAH, founded
background or sexual orientation. by members of the LGBT com-
Everything we program through GLOE is for munity, holds Friday evening
Shabbat services in the DC
the queer Jewish community, our allies, and our Jewish Community Centers
friends, says Palermo. Its really all about cel- Community Room. 8 p.m. 1529
ebrating LGBTQ inclusion in Jewish life, and 16th St. NW. For more informa-
tion, visit betmish.org.
religious communities at large. Religious commu-
nities have really been involved in the struggle for DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
inclusion, and the seder is just a symbol of that. holds a practice session at
John Riley Howard University. 6:30-8 p.m.
Burr Gymnasium, 2400 6th St.
NW. For more information,
GLOEs 10th Annual National Rainbow Seder, pre- visit swimdcac.org.
sented with HRC, will take place on Sunday, April
HIV TESTING at Whitman-
2, from 5-9 p.m. at the Human Rights Campaign,
Walker Health. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at
1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW. For tickets or more 1525 14th St. NW, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
information, visit bit.ly/2017seder.
MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 23
at the Elizabeth Taylor Medical
Center, 1701 14th St. NW, and 8
a.m-5 p.m. at the Max Robinson
Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE. For
an appointment call 202-745-7000
or visit whitman-walker.org.
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 LGBT and
questioning youth, featuring dance
parties, vogue nights, movies and
games. For more info, email cather-
ine.chu@smyal.org.
SATURDAY, April 1
CENTER GLOBAL, a group that
fights against anti-LGBTI laws
and cultures in 80 countries, holds
its monthly meeting on the first
Saturday of every month. 12-2 p.m.
The DC Center, 2000 14th St. NW,
Suite 105. For more information,
visit thedccenter.org.
Weekly Events
BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, includ-
ing others interested in Brazilian
culture, meets. For location/time,
email braziliangaygroup@yahoo.
com.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
holds a practice session at
Montgomery College Aquatics
Club. 8:30-10 a.m. 7600 Takoma
Ave., Takoma, Md. For more infor-
mation, visit swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/
walking/social club welcomes run-
ners of all ability levels for exercise
in a fun and supportive environ-
ment, with socializing afterward.
Route distance will be 3-6 miles.
Walker meet at 9:30 a.m. and run-
ners at 10 a.m. at 23rd & P Streets
NW. For more information, visit
dcfrontrunners.org.
DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass for
LGBT community, family and
friends. 6:30 p.m., Immanuel
Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary
Road, Alexandria. All welcome. For
more info, visit dignitynova.org.
GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses
critical languages and foreign lan-
guages. 7 p.m. Nellies, 900 U St.
NW. RSVP preferred. Email bren-
dandarcy@gmail.com.
SUNDAY, April 2
ADVENTURING outdoors group
takes a short, easy hike through
Scotts Run Nature Preserve along
the Potomac, near the American
Legion Bridge. Bring beverages, a
snack or lunch, and a few dollars
for fees. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at free
24 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY
parking lot along Army-Navy Drive
near the Pentagon City Metro to
form carpool. For more informa-
tion, call Jerry, 703-920-6871, or
visit adventuring.org.
CHRYSALIS arts & culture group
visits National Gallery of Art to see
exhibition on 19th century Eastern
American landscape photography.
Free. Lunch to follow in NGAs
Cascades Cafe. Meet at noon inside
the 6th & Constitution Avenue NW
lobby of the Old West Building.
For more information, call Craig,
202-462-0535 or craighowell1@
verizon.net.
Weekly Events
LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULS
MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
celebrates Low Mass at 8:30
a.m., High Mass at 11 a.m. 2300
Cathedral Ave. NW. 202-232-4244,
allsoulsdc.org.
BETHEL CHURCH-DC progressive
and radically inclusive church
holds services at 11:30 a.m. 2217
Minnesota Ave. SE. 202-248-1895,
betheldc.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
holds a practice session at Wilson
Aquatic Center. 9:30-11 a.m. 4551
Fort Dr. NW. For more informa-
tion, visit swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/
walking/social club welcomes run-
ners of all ability levels for exercise
in a fun and supportive environ-
ment, with socializing afterward.
Route will be a distance run of 8, 10
or 12 miles. Meet at 9 a.m. at 23rd
& P Streets NW. For more informa-
tion, visit dcfrontrunners.org.
DIGNITYUSA offers Roman
Catholic Mass for the LGBT
community. All welcome. Sign
interpreted. 6 p.m. St. Margarets
Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave.
NW. For more info, visit dignity-
washington.org.
FAIRLINGTON UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH is an open,
inclusive church. All welcome,
including the LGBTQ commu-
nity. Member of the Reconciling
Ministries Network. Services at
9:30 and 11:00 a.m. 3900 King
Street, Alexandria, Va. 703-671-
8557. For more info, visit fairling-
tonumc.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 UNIVERSALIST NATIONAL
to lesbians and gays. Handicapped MEMORIAL CHURCH, a welcom-
accessible from Phelps Place gate. ing and inclusive church. GLBT
Hearing assistance. quakersdc.org. Interweave social/service group
meets monthly. Services at 11 a.m.,
HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF Romanesque sanctuary. 1810 16th St.
CHRIST welcomes GLBT commu- NW. 202-387-3411, universalist.org.
nity for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130
Old Telegraph Road, Alexandria. MONDAY, April 3
hopeucc.org.
The DC Center hosts a
HSV-2 SOCIAL AND SUPPORT VOLUNTEER NIGHT for commu-
GROUP for gay men living in the nity members to lend a hand with
DC metro area. This group will be various duties, including cleaning,
meeting once a month. For infor- keeping safe-sex kit inventory, and
mation on location and time, visit sorting through book donations.
H2gether.com. Pizza provided. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For
INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUAL more information, visit thedccen-
DEVELOPMENT, God-centered ter.org.
new age church & learning center.
Sunday Services and Workshops
Weekly Events
event. 5419 Sherier Place NW. isd-
dc.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
holds a practice session at Dunbar
Join LINCOLN
Aquatic Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 101 N
CONGREGATIONAL TEMPLE
St. NW. For more information, visit
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST for
swimdcac.org.
an inclusive, loving and progressive
faith community every Sunday. 11
GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. at
a.m. 1701 11th Street NW, near R in
Quaker House, 2111 Florida Ave.
Shaw/Logan neighborhood. lincol-
NW. For more information, email
ntemple.org.
getequal.wdc@gmail.com.
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF
NOVASALUD offers free HIV test-
REFORMATION invites all to
ing. 5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite
Sunday worship at 8:30 or 11 a.m.
200, Arlington. Appointments: 703-
Childcare is available at both ser-
789-4467.
vices. Welcoming LGBT people for
25 years. 212 East Capitol St. NE.
The DC Center hosts COFFEE
reformationdc.org.
DROP-IN FOR THE SENIOR LGBT
COMMUNITY. 10 a.m.-noon. 2000
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY
14th St. NW. For more information,
CHURCH OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
call 202-682-2245 or visit thedc-
services at 9 a.m. (ASL interpret-
center.org.
ed) and 11 a.m. Childrens Sunday
School at 11 a.m. 474 Ridge St. NW.
US HELPING US hosts a black gay
202-638-7373, mccdc.com.
mens evening affinity group for
GBT black men. Light refreshments
NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN
provided. 7-9 p.m. 3636 Georgia
CHURCH, inclusive church with
Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.
GLBT fellowship, offers gospel wor-
ship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional wor-
WASHINGTON WETSKINS
ship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle NW.
WATER POLO TEAM practices 7-9
202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org.
p.m. Newcomers with at least basic
swimming ability always welcome.
RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH,
Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van
a Christ-centered, interracial,
Buren St. NW. For more informa-
welcoming-and-affirming church,
tion, contact Tom, 703-299-0504
offers service at 10 a.m. 680 I St.
or secretary@wetskins.org, or visit
SW. 202-554-4330, riversidedc.org.
wetskins.org.
ST. STEPHEN AND THE
WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH
INCARNATION, an interra-
HIV/AIDS Support Group for
cial, multi-ethnic Christian
newly diagnosed individuals,
Community offers services in
meets 7 p.m. Registration required.
English, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and
202-939-7671, hivsupport@whit-
in Spanish at 5:15 p.m. 1525 Newton
man-walker.org.
St. NW. 202-232-0900, saintste-
phensdc.org.
TUESDAY, April 4
UNITARIAN CHURCH OF
ARLINGTON, an LGBTQ welcom- GAY & LESBIAN ACTIVISTS
ing-and-affirming congregation, ALLIANCE meet to make final plans
offers services at 10 a.m. Virginia for 46th Anniversary Reception.
Rainbow UU Ministry. 4444 All welcome. 6:30 p.m. Whitman-
Arlington Blvd. uucava.org. Walker Clinic, 1525 14th Street NW.
For more information, call Rick,
202-328-6278 or visit glaa.org.
Queer-identifying women who
have survived violent or traumatic
experiences and are looking for
support are invited to take part
in a bi-weekly QUEER WOMEN
WORKING THROUGH TRAUMA
GROUP at The DC Center.
Participants are encouraged to
do an intake assessment with
moderator and social worker Sam
Goodwin. 6-7 p.m. 2000 14th St.
NW, Suite 105. For more infor-
mation, email Sam at samantha@
thedccenter.org.
THE HIV WORKING GROUP of
The DC Center hosts a Packing
Party, where volunteers assemble
safe-sex kits of condoms and lube.
7-9 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite
105. For more information, visit
thedccenter.org.
Weekly Events
ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly
dinner in Dupont/Logan Circle
area, 6:30 p.m. For more informa-
tion, email afwash@aol.com, or
visit afwashington.net.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
practice session at Takoma Aquatic
Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 300 Van Buren
St. NW. For more information, visit
swimdcac.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds prac-
tice. The team is always looking
for new members. All welcome.
7:30-9:30 p.m. King Greenleaf
Recreation Center, 201 N St. SW.
For more information, visit scan-
dalsrfc.org or dcscandals@gmail.
com.
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 571-214-9617.
james.leslie@inova.org.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker
Health. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at 1525
14th St. NW, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at the
Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center,
1701 14th St. NW, and 8 a.m-5 p.m.
at the Max Robinson Center, 2301
MLK Jr. Ave. SE. For an appoint-
ment call 202-745-7000 or visit
whitman-walker.org.
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. liveandletli-
veoa@gmail.com.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ
YOUTH ages 13-21 meets at
SMYAL. 5-6:30 p.m. 410 7th St.
SE. For more information, contact
Cathy Chu, 202-567-3163, or cath-
erine.chu@smyal.org.
US HELPING US hosts a support
group for black gay men 40 and
older. 7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave.
NW. 202-446-1100.
WEDNESDAY, April 5
THE TOM DAVOREN SOCIAL
BRIDGE CLUB meet for Social
Bridge. No partners needed, all
welcome. 7:30 p.m. Dignity Center,
721 8th St., SE (across from Marine
Barracks). Call 301-345-1571 for
more information.
Weekly Events
AD LIB, a group for freestyle con-
versation, meets about 6-6:30 p.m.,
Steam, 17th and R NW. All wel-
come. For more information, call
Fausto Fernandez, 703-732-5174.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
holds a practice session at Dunbar
Aquatic Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 101 N
St. NW. For more information, visit
swimdcac.org.
FREEDOM FROM SMOKING, a
group for LGBT people looking
to quit cigarettes and tobacco use,
holds a weekly support meeting at
The DC Center. 7-8 p.m. 2000 14th
St. NW, Suite 105. For more infor-
mation, visit thedccenter.org.
HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH
offers Wednesday worship 7:15 a.m.
and 12:05 p.m. All welcome. 118 N.
Washington St., Alexandria. 703-
549-1450, historicchristchurch.org.
JOB CLUB, a weekly support pro-
gram for job entrants and seekers,
meets at The DC Center. 6-7:30
p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105.
For more info, www.centercareers.
org.
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. More
info, contact Carl, 703-573-8316.
WASHINGTON WETSKINS
WATER POLO TEAM practices 7-9
p.m. Newcomers with at least basic
swimming ability always welcome.
Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van
Buren St. NW. For more informa-
tion, contact Tom, 703-299-0504
or secretary@wetskins.org, or visit
wetskins.org.
Submit your community event for
consideration at least 10 days prior
to the Thursday publication you
would like it to appear. Email to cal-
endar@metroweekly.com. l
MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 25
 Scene
CAGLCCs MEGA Networking at Town - Wednesday, March 22
Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

26 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 27
Aw,
Shucks! Crme frache and toasted coriander gnocchi, butter poached crab, mustard broth, shaved Parmesan Reggiano and celery
Jamie Leeds has grown a single
restaurant into a veritable empire,
one oyster at a time.
Interview by Doug Rule
Photography by Todd Franson
I
THOUGHT I WAS JUST GOING TO HAVE MY ONE
little spot, says Chef Jamie Leeds, owner of Hanks
Oyster Bar. It kind of grew organically and then people
just keep pushing me, like from the roots of a tree. They
just keep pushing me and pushing me.
The encouragement has manifested itself into an
ever-expanding empire: Over the past year, Leeds has doubled
the size of her staff and nearly doubled the number of Hanks
restaurants, as well as opening a critically acclaimed Italian
eatery in Alexandria and a trendy cocktail lounge in D.C.s
Petworth. By the end of 2017, the JL Restaurant Group will add a
fourth seafood-focused outlet on the Southwest Waterfront. Will
the company expand to include more Pasta Bars? Possibly, she
says. How about more Oyster Bars? Possibly. Is Leeds consid-
ering expanding to other markets beyond D.C. and Alexandria?
Yes. She understandably declines to tip her hand on the specif-
ics. Nothings signed yet, but there are talks.
Still, its her signature brand Hanks, named after her father,
that has cemented Leeds status among local foodies. She takes
pride in the fact that each Hanks location has its own personal-
ity, largely derived from its neighborhood. And she throws regu-
lar signature events to help further solidify a sense of communi-
ty, whether it be annual Oyster Fests in Dupont and Old Town,
or Hanks Battle of the Bars in Petworth, a cocktail competition,
28 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY
launched in January, that Leeds intends to make semi-annual.
She also plans to start a monthly Ladies Tea at Hanks Cocktail
Bar, her Petworth location, modeled on the popular lesbian-ori-
ented mixer shes thrown for years in Dupont. We get over 200
people here, she says. We usually do a specialty punch and
then all happy-hour prices and half-price raw bar.
The Dupont location is the original Hanks. It opened in 2005
and, in 2010, doubled its size. As Leeds explains from her office
above her Q Street venues Yacht Room, all the change and
growth hasnt altered her motivation for getting into the restau-
rant business in the first place the creation of something out
of nothing. The excitement of being able to provide great food
at a good value to the people that want it. To be able to provide
jobs [and] to provide a source of giving back to the communi-
ties. And give back, she does. All of her five establishments
will donate 25% of its dinner sales to Food & Friends, during
the organizations annual Dining Out for Life fundraiser, next
Thursday, April 6.
Leeds has come a long way since her first restaurant job,
at Popover Cafe in mid-1980s New York City. I just took to it
instantly, she says, but there were no women chefs, really, at
that time, as role models. With help from key industry figures
such as mentor Danny Meyer, of the famed Union Square Cafe
and Shake Shack empire she forged a path. I found my way,
and I got different jobs along the way and it kind of picked me,
she says. I fell in love with it and I just couldnt imagine myself
doing anything else.
METRO WEEKLY: A lot has changed in the seven years since you
were last featured on the cover of Metro Weekly. Yet Dining Out
for Life and your involvement in Food & Friends is as strong as
ever, with Hanks participating every year.
JAMIE LEEDS: Every year since we opened. Its an incredible
organization. They do such good for people, and I feel very
MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 29
strongly about giving back to the community and helping to LEEDS: Over 260. I doubled the size of the company last year,
support an organization that is doing the hard work that theyre which is a huge feat.
doing. Its a great way to help them by offering percentages of MW: Part of that growth came from new ventures, including
our sales. I have five restaurants. We do 25 percent from all five Hanks Pasta Bar in Alexandria. What inspired that departure
restaurants. So its a substantial amount of money, and Im very from the seafood that built the brand?
proud to be able to do it. LEEDS: Ive always wanted to do Italian, and I had an opportu-
The philanthropic aspect of my philosophy is a huge part nity to get the real estate. It was a good location for an Italian
of the Hanks culture. I really feel a responsibility to give back. restaurant. I felt like there was a real lack of freshly made pasta
Were a neighborhood restaurant, so were very involved in the options in the area, and theres nothing like a good bowl of fresh
neighborhoods that were in, and we try to support as much as pasta. Its just been a hit ever since.
we can. We do a lot of fundraisers March of Dimes, Hearts MW: You also opened Twisted Horn in Petworth, but rebranded
Delight, Zoofari. You name it, we do it. and relaunched it as Hanks Cocktail Bar at the end of the year.
MW: In February, you announced plans to donate to several pro- Why the change?
gressive organizations. LEEDS: People didnt realize who we were, and the Hanks brand
LEEDS: Yes. Were carries good recognition. Literally, we
donating one per- changed the name and our sales dou-
cent of our sales bled overnight. It really speaks to the
from all the restau- strength of the brand.
rants to Planned The concept is creative cocktails
Parenthood, ACLU, made with fresh juices, homemade
NAACP and HRC. infusions and tinctures. We increased
I felt that I had to the amount of food that were doing
just do something, we have burgers and sandwiches and
especially with tacos, so its a much more substantial
the immigration menu. We also lowered the prices a
laws. We closed for little bit just to be in line with what the
the Day Without market wanted, listening to the neigh-
Immigrants to bors. And we lightened up the place.
support our staff, We have a local artist come in every
standing in solidar- month and hang their art for sale. We
ity with them. I just have a projector now that shows mov-
Lobster roll with old bay fries
think its important ies throughout the night. Its just a lit-
to do what you can. tle more playful.
MW: Do you host political meetups or We do a great
organizing activities? brunch, too. The
LEEDS: Ive done a couple of things, but beauty of the
no. Im not a political person. Im not place is that we
trying to make political statements. Its have 40 seats out-
more about the human condition and side in the back,
being a human being and being inclu- the summer gar-
sive. And just having inclusivity being a den, and it just
part of our statement. I try to do what I twinkles at night
can do to support the organizations that because weve
are doing the hard work to make things hung stringing
right. lights across and
MW: Have you shown support to staff, we have a living
particularly those that are immigrants, in wall back there,
other ways? I know you attribute much of and were doing
your success to staff loyalty. wine on tap back
Seafood mousseline with parsley coulis and lobster butter, braised Jerusalem
LEEDS: Ive talked to my staff multiple artichokes and Jerusalem artichoke crisps
there and cock-
times, and they know that they have my tails on tap as well
support. And were all about protecting them, as much as we sangria usually, or a punch. Its a lot of fun.
can. I have people that have been working with me for years and MW: Youre also building another Oyster Bar on the Southwest
years. Since weve opened. I have a very committed, passionate, Waterfront. How is that coming along?
honest group of people working for me. LEEDS: Well, were starting to build next month. Ive been work-
I always say that I try to hire people that are smarter and ing on it for over a year. I signed the lease almost two years ago.
more ambitious than I am so that they really drive me. Ive devel- Its been a long time coming.
oped a corporate office in this past year. Ive hired a Director Im really excited about the design. Its going to be really
of Operations, I have a Director of Human Resources now, a hot. Maggie ONeill from Swatch Room is designing it. Weve
Director of Marketing, and an assistant. My bookkeeper is now had many meetings about the different nuances she has an
the CFO. Were building a structure to support all the growth artistic side to her that I really love. Its going to be beautiful.
thats happening for the brand. Sixty seats inside, a seventeen-seat bar, a six-seat oyster bar, and
MW: How many people currently work for you? seventy-six seats outside. The front is going to be all sliding glass

30 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 Hog Island BBQ for broiled oysters
2 cups chopped shallots
1 cup chopped garlic
1 cup white wine
4 small bottles of Tabasco sauce
1 sprig thyme
3 pounds butter
Salt and pepper
Reduce white wine with shallots, garlic, and thyme.
Season.
Add Tabasco and bring to boil.
Whisk in butter by adding 1 pound at a time,
otherwise it could separate.
Finish with parsley.
Cool down in ice bath promptly. Stir once in a while.
doors so you have more of an indoor/outdoor feel when youre
sitting there. Were going to have an outdoor bar so that you
can sit outside but order from inside through an open window.
Were going to have a takeout window where you can just walk
up and take box lunches to go.
Were also going to have a permanent awning with gas heat-
ers and fans and the drop-down sides so we can deal with the
weather. Because the weather is definitely going to be an issue
down there. You never know with the wind, the rain.
MW: The whole Wharf project is exciting, especially with all the
restaurants to come.
LEEDS: Yeah, the whole thing is going to be great. Its going to
be teeming with people. I feel very honored to be amongst the
other restaurateurs Fabio Trabocchi, Cathal Armstrong, Todd
Thrasher, Jos Andrs, Nick Stefanelli, Mike Isabella. All the big
players.
MW: In the 12 years since the original Hanks opened in Dupont, the
local restaurant scene has grown in size and national stature. How
has it changed from your vantage point?
LEEDS: Its still very friendly theres a lot of camaraderie.
Everybodys a lot busier because were all growing. And then
there are the newer kids coming in that I dont know as well
because my position has changed. Ive grown professionally
over the years. Im not in the trenches anymore, Im overseeing
everything, Im just taking care of everybody. Im kind of like
the mama bear. So if anybody needs something, they come to
me, which is great. I love taking care of my people. This is a
people business before its a food business for me. I think that,
all the chefs that Im friends with, weve all remained friends
and friendly. Ive talked to Jen Carroll, shes going to be doing
Requin, one of the restaurants at the Wharf, not that far from
me If you ever need anything, just come on over. If you need
napkins or whatever. Its very friendly.
MW: And youve accomplished it all while out and open about it.
LEEDS: Oh yeah, Ive been out my whole career. Ive never had a
reason not to be out. And I never had a problem.
MW: How old were you when you came out?
LEEDS: I was 23. I was living in New York City. I came out to
my best friend we had gone to college together, and we were
sorority sisters. We moved to New York together and I came out
to her and then she came out to me. So we were each others first,
which is really special. And that was in my early 20s in New York
City, and I kept it from my mom for a long time my dad passed
when I was 11. When I told her, she said, Honey, its fine, I just
want you to be happy, and Ive known anyway. Because I was
living in a studio apartment with my girlfriend at the time, and
my mom would come over and I would tell her that I would sleep
on the pullout couch, which was obviously not true. [Laughs.]
She was very supportive. My whole family, it was never an issue.
One of my sisters is gay. Shes seven years older than me, so she
came out first.
MW: I wanted to ask about your health and appearance, which has
MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 31
changed dramatically in recent years. LEEDS: I met the love of my life at an HRC event on February
LEEDS: Yeah. I had weight-loss surgery three years ago. I was 15th two years ago it was a Valentines Day thing, and I wasnt
close to 300 pounds, and it was really affecting my arthritis in going to go out. I was over it. My friend said, Got to get out. So I
both knees and my feet and I could hardly walk up the stairs. I said, All right, Ill go to this. And there she was, Tina McDaniel.
couldnt run with [my son] Hayden. I couldnt do anything. I was And just instantaneously we fell for each other. We got married
just in chronic last year in May. And then we had a
pain for years baby in November. We have a little girl,
and on the way Hazel Grace Leeds.
to diabetes and I Its funny because we talked about
had high choles- having children early on. Tina really
terol. Everything wanted kids, and so we started talking
was going awry, about names on our second or third
and I just had to date. We had her name picked out way
go and become before it happened. The H is for my dad,
horizontal. I just Hank.
was in so much MW: Have you found a good balance
pain and I had between work and parenting?
done everything LEEDS: Im pretty involved. This is my
I could. I tried to second its been 13 years since Hayden
lose the weight. I was born, so its a little different ener-
couldnt lose the gy-wise and with everything else. But I
weight. So I had Crab cake with coleslaw put her to sleep every night. We play a
weight-loss sur- lot. We have a very
gery. And I lost 145 lbs over a course good, solid con-
of two years. I eat a lot of food but nection with each
little amounts throughout the course other. Im very
of the day. involved in helping
The surgery that I had is called out. Bathing her,
a DS a Duodenal Switch. Its the changing her, the
kind of surgery where you cant gain usual. We switch
the weight back. My stomach is only off. We have a
eight ounces, so I can only eat a certain schedule of sleep,
amount of food, I can only eat so much. so we can both get
I take a lot of vitamins so I stay healthy. some sleep. Shes
I get checked every year. But all of my up like every two
pain is gone. Im totally pain-free. My hours.
cholesterol is gone. All of my levels Shes kicking
are good. Blood pressure, everything around a lot. Shes
is back to normal. I wish I would have a mover and shak-
Pumpkin seed crusted rockfish, pepita pesto tossed spaghetti squash,
done it sooner. red pepper coulis
er. Shes constantly
MW: It was a big step to take. moving. I feel like
LEEDS: It was a huge decision. My doctor had suggested doing shes going to do somersaults and cartwheels before she starts
double-knee surgery, so I was going to have to get knee replace- walking.
ments. And I was so heavy that the recovery would have been MW: Do you still live in Columbia Heights?
really difficult. I had a good friend that had done the weight-loss LEEDS: No, we bought a house in Chevy Chase. After we got
thing very successfully, so I said, Lets do this instead and see married and we were going to have the baby, we wanted to have
what happens. some more room. And we have a nice big yard for her. Shes the
MW: I imagine your biggest reservation was the fact that youre a master of the house.
restaurateur food is a constant in your life. MW: Do you think youll have more kids?
LEEDS: That was the problem. That was an issue. I wasnt sure LEEDS: No. We had talked about it at one point but no, weve
if it was going to change my taste buds. It hasnt at all. It hasnt decided that were just going to stick with Hazel. I think shes
done any of that. And its totally changed my life around. Ive going to be a handful.
done a complete 180. I would not have been able to grow my MW: Other than your own, any particular restaurants youd want
business if I hadnt done this. I would have stopped. Because I to call out as favorites?
had no energy. LEEDS: I love Izakaya Seki, the Japanese place [in the U Street
I have so much more energy and I can do so much more. At neighborhood]. Its run by a father and daughter. Hes behind
the beginning, the first year, I was hardly sleeping. I had so much the counter doing the sushi and she runs the front of the house.
energy coming out of me and all these ideas and the guys were It really feels like youre transported, and I love places like that. I
getting texts at four in the morning. Is everything okay? Oh, also love Sushi Taro, just around the corner. I love Japanese food.
yeah, I just have an idea and I had to get it out of my head. And For a higher-end experience, I love The Source. Scott Drewno is
then meeting Tina was a huge thing, and falling in love. I had just a great chef. Hes leaving there now, though, but hes fantastic.
no social life at all before. MW: Danny Meyer was your mentor. Have you stayed in touch?
MW: Talk a bit about Tina and your family life. LEEDS: Yeah, Im still in touch with him. I get a lot of advice from

32 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

his people. And once in a while I talk to him.
MW: Two years ago, Meyer made a big splash by announcing plans
to do away with tipping at his restaurants. Are you considering
following his lead on that?
LEEDS: I dont know if hes implemented it in all of his restau-
rants yet, but he was supposed to start it this year. Im very
mixed on the whole subject. The thing about the Hanks brand
is that were a good value restaurant. So I keep my prices low
lower than most other seafood restaurants. In turn, I have a
higher food cost. But I do that because thats what were about
and I want to be able to provide people with a delicious, fresh
piece of fish without having to pay $38. In order to take off tips
and put everybody on salary, Id have to raise my prices sub-
stantially. And I dont want to do that. I dont want to raise my
prices, because I think the perception will be off. Im not sure
that people will really understand. All of a sudden the prices are
raised and yes, you dont have to tip your server but still, I think
it will be perceived as more of an expensive restaurant, and I just
dont want that. Our system is fine now and our servers make a
good amount of money. I pay my people well, so I dont think its
necessary right now.
Also, people dont realize the labor it takes to get the food on
the plate in front of you. We have people coming in here at eight
in the morning that start prepping so that we can be ready for
dinner service at 5 oclock.
MW: Shucking oysters in and of itself takes a lot of time and effort.
LEEDS: Yeah. I feel very lucky, I have some great oyster shuckers
that have been with me for a long time. We go through about
10,000 to 12,000 oysters a week at each location. So each of the
guys are shucking 600 to 700 oysters a night, if not more.
MW: Youve helped many customers, including myself, develop a
taste for oysters.
LEEDS: We get a lot of oyster virgins here. We have a wide vari-
ety of oysters. One that we have is named after my son, Haydens
Reef. Its more of a mild oyster, a good starter oyster. And then
we have the Salty Wolf. My fathers middle name was Wolf.
Thats more of an East Coast briny oyster.
MW: Youre Jewish. Has running a shellfish restaurant ever caused
conflict?
LEEDS: Well Im not really practicing. Its pretty funny, because I
also eat and cook a lot of pork. Youd never think a Jewish girl is
running a restaurant thats shellfish and pork-driven.
MW: When not eating seafood or pork what do you go for?
LEEDS: Thats a tough one, because I like everything. Whenever
I go out to a nice restaurant, I always order the duck. Because I
get so much seafood all the time. I love game. I love squab, duck.
I love livers, hearts. I love all that stuff. I eat it all.
MW: Do you have much of a sweet tooth?
LEEDS: Oh, yeah. Big sweet tooth. Ice cream. I love ice cream.
MW: Do you make it yourself?
LEEDS: [Laughs.] No. Id rather just buy it and eat it. l
The next Ladies Tea is Sunday, April 2, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Hanks
Oyster Bar, 1624 Q St. NW. The 10th Annual Hanks Dupont
Oyster Fest is Saturday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets
are $90 per person. For more information, as well as full details
on all five current Hanks locations, call 202-462-HANK or visit
hanksoysterbar.com.
Dining Out for Life is Thursday, April 6. Each Hanks location will
donate 25% of their dinner sales. For a complete list of participating
restaurants, turn to page 34, or visit foodandfriends.org/diningout.
MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 33
 A COMPLETE GUIDE TO

DINING
A complete guide to all participating
restaurants as of press time, by
neighborhood, including meals and
what percentage of each bill will be
donated to Food & Friends. This years
Dining Out for Life takes place on

OUT FOR
THURSDAY, APRIL 6TH. Please note

LIFE
that RESERVATIONS ARE SUGGESTED
at most restaurants. Please call
ahead or visit OpenTable.com. For
an up-to-date list of restaurants visit
foodandfriends.org/diningout.
WASHINGTON, D.C.

ADAMS MORGAN Perrys

1811 Columbia Rd.
18th & U Duplex NW
Diner 202-234-6218
2004 18th St NW Dinner, 25%
202-265-7828
Dinner, 25% Pops SeaBar
1817 Columbia Rd
Mintwood Place NW
1813 Columbia Rd. 202-534-3933
NW Lunch & Dinner, 25%
202-234-6732
Dinner, 25%

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017

TODD FRANSON

34 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 BRENTWOOD CHEVY CHASE La Tomate LOGAN CIRCLE Sala Thai Shaws Tavern
1701 Connecticut Restaurant 520 Florida Ave. NW
Sala Thai Blue 44 DC Ave. NW Commissary 3716 Georgia Ave. 202-518-4092
Restaurant 5507 Connecticut 202-667-5505 1443 P St. NW NW Dinner, 25%
2300 Washington Ave. NW Dinner, 25% 202-299-0018 202-629-1643
Place NE 202-362-2583 Lunch & Dinner, 25% Lunch & Dinner, 25% Thally
202-808-2189 Dinner Lauriol Plaza 1316 9th St. NW
Lunch & Dinner, 25% 1835 18th St. NW Le Diplomate SHAW 202-733-3849
Bucks Fishing & 202-387-0035 1601 14th St. NW Dinner, 25%
CAPITOL HILL Camping Lunch & Dinner, 25% 202-332-3333 Beau Thai
5031 Connecticut Dinner 1550 7th St. NW U ST.
Caf Berlin Ave. NW Pesce Restaurant 205-536-5636
322 Massachusetts 202-364-0777 2002 P St. NW Logan Tavern Dinner, 25% &Pizza
Ave. NE Dinner, 50% 202-466-3474 1423 P St. NW 1250 U St NW
202-543-7656 Dinner, 35% 202-332-3710 Declaration 202-733-1286
Lunch & Dinner, 25% Comet Ping Pong Lunch & Dinner, 25% 804 V St NW $2/pizza
5037 Connecticut Station Kitchen & 202-627-2277
Hanks Oyster Bar Ave. NW Cocktails Nage Bistro Dinner, 25% Compass Rose
on the Hill 202-364-0404 2015 Massachusetts 1608 Rhode Island 1346 T St. NW
633 Pennsylvania Dinner, 50% Ave NW Ave. NW Dinos Grotto 202-506-4765
Ave. SE 202-265-4333 202-448-8005 1914 9th St. NW Dinner, 25%
202-733-1971 CLEVELAND Dinner, 25% Dinner, 25% 202-686-2966
Dinner, 25% PARK Dinner, 25%
Urbana Pearl Dive Oyster
CENTRAL Cactus Cantina 2121 P St NW Palace
NORTHEAST 3300 Wisconsin Ave. (Kimpton Hotel 1612 14th St. NW MARYLAND
NW Palomar DC) 202-319-1612
Sala Thai 202-362-0776 202-956-6650 Dinner, 50%
Dinner, 25% BETHESDA POTOMAC
Restaurant Lunch & Dinner, 25%
4020 Minnesota Ave. The Bird
Sala Thai Amici Miei
NE COLUMBIA FOGGY BOTTOM 1337 11th St NW
202-518-3609 Restaurant 1093 Seven Locks
202-399-7999 HEIGHTS 4828 Cordell Ave. Rd.
Lunch & Dinner, 25% Tonic at Quigleys Dinner, 25%
301-654-4676 301-545-0966
Acre 121 Restaurant
The Pig Lunch & Dinner, 25% Dinner, 25%
1400 Irving St. NW 2036 G St NW
202-328-0121 202-296-0211 1320 14th St. NW
Lunch & Dinner, 25% 202-290-2821 Trattoria Sorrento ROCKVILLE
Dinner, 25% 4930 Cordell Ave.
Dinner, 25%
301-718-0344 Il Pizzico
The Heights FRIENDSHIP
Dinner, 25% 15209 Frederick Rd.
3115 14th St. NW HEIGHTS MOUNT
301-309-0610
202-797-7227 PLEASANT
MGM NATIONAL Dinner, 35%
Dinner, 25% Le Chat Noir
Beau Thai HARBOR
4907 Wisconsin Ave.
Mosaic Bistro and
DUPONT CIRCLE NW 3162 Mount Pleasant
Fish by Jose Andres Bar
202-244-2044 St. NW
101 MGM National 186 Halpine Rd.
Annies Paramount Dinner, 35% 202-450-5317
Ave 301-468-0682
Steakhouse Dinner, 25%
301-971-6050 Dinner, 25%
1609 17th St. NW GEORGETOWN
Purple Patch Lunch, 25%
202-667-9148 SILVER SPRING
Dinner, 100% The Grill Room 3155 Mt Pleasant
St. NW Ginger
1050 31st St NW
202-299-0022 101 MGM National All Set Restaurant
Bar Dupont (Rosewood DC)
Dinner, 25% Ave & Bar
1500 New Hampshire 202-617-2424
301-971-6030 8630 Fenton St.
Ave NW Lunch & Dinner, 25%
Lunch & Dinner, 25% 301-495-8800
202-483-6000 PENN QUARTER
Dinner, 75%
Lunch & Dinner, 25% H STREET Marcus
Ristorante Tosca
1112 F St. NW
101 MGM National TAKOMA PARK
Dupont Italian Le Grenier
Ave
Kitchen 502 H St. NE 202-367-1990
301-971-6010 Marks Kitchen
1637 17th St. NW 202-544-4999 Dinner, 25%
Lunch & Dinner, 25% 7006 Carroll Ave.
202-328-3222 Dinner, 35%
301-270-1884
Dinner, 25% PETWORTH
TAP Sports Bar Lunch & Dinner, 25%
IVY CITY 101 MGM National
Grillfish Hanks Cocktail Bar
Ave Republic
1200 New Hampshire Republic 819 Upshur St NW
301-971-6031 6939 Laurel Ave.
Ave. NW Restoratives 202-290-1808
Lunch & Dinner, 25% 301-270-3000
202-331-7310 1369 New York Ave Dinner, 25%
Dinner, 50%
t

Lunch & Dinner, 25% NE Voltaggio Brothers

202-733-3996 Homestead
Steak House
Hanks Oyster Bar Dinner, 25% 3911 Georgia Ave
101 MGM National
1624 Q St. NW NW
Ave
202-462-4265 202-627-2371
301-971-6060
Dinner, 25% Dinner, 25%
Lunch, 25%

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 35

 VIRGINIA
VIRGINIA

CLARENDON

Delhi Club
1135 N Highland St.
703-527-5666
Dinner, 50%

CRYSTAL CITY

Freddies Beach Bar

555 23rd St. S.
703-685-0555
Dinner, 110%

DEL RAY

Bombay Curry
Company
2607 Mt Vernon Ave.
703-836-6363
Lunch & Dinner, 35%

FALLS CHURCH

Argias
124 N Washington St
703-534-1033
Dinner, 25%

Clare and Dons

Beach Shack
130 N. Washington
St.
703-532-9283
Lunch & Dinner, 35%

MOSAIC DISTRICT

Choolah Indian BBQ

2911 District Ave
571-357-3923
Lunch & Dinner, 25%

OLD TOWN
ALEXANDRIA

Chadwicks
203 The Strand
703-836-4442
Dinner, 25%

Hanks Oyster Bar

Old Town
1026 King St.
703-739-4265
Dinner, 25%

Hanks Pasta Bar

600 Montgomery St
571-312-4117
Dinner, 25%

PINECREST

Foxfire
6550 Little River Tpk.
703-914-9280
TODD FRANSON

Dinner, 25% l

36 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 Gallery

Nathan Drake

Stuart Diekmeyer

Janelle Washington

Yiqiao Wang

Artomatic
Now in its 11th incarnation, the all-access arts event returns to Crystal City, where more than 600 visual artists,
musicians, filmmakers and performers will be engaged in a 100,000 square-foot space over the next month. Artomatic
handiworks for sale range from diamonds-in-the-rough to the kind of art only an artist could love. A literary program
and art workshops, including live model drawing and demos, are also on tap throughout the events run.

Now through May 6. Vornado/Charles E. Smith, 1800 South Bell St., Arlington.
Tickets are $20 to $60. Call 800-494-8497 or visit artomatic.org.

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 37

CAROL ROSEGG
Stage

Jonathan Atkinsons silky-voiced immi-

grant artist Tateh and Tracy Lynn Olivera

Back in Time
Part musical, part melodrama, all crowd-pleaser, Ragtime charts a safe
as Mother of a moneyed New Rochelle
family. Atkinson brings ample swagger
and likability to his role, lending fresh-
ness to an Old World character. Though,
journey through tumultuous American history By Andr Hereford for pure showmanship, practically no
one onstage rivals Christopher Muellers

I
amusing Harry Houdini. The other play-
TS A MUSICAL. ITS A CONCERT. ITS AN AMERICANA-THEMED THEAT- ers portraying Ragtimes period celeb-
rical event. Its Ragtime, a late twentieth-century blockbuster about turn-of-the- rities register, to varying degrees, fully
century American history that critics declared stiff, and a lot worse, when it first across the amusement spectrum, from
debuted. Despite its Hall of Presidents renditions of several complicated, larger-than- Jefferson A. Russells uninspired Booker
life historical figures, it went on to garner a bevy of fans and four Tonys, including Best T. Washington, to a truly rousing perfor-
Original Musical Score. mance by Rayanne Gonzales as anarchist
Fords Theatres new production, directed by Peter Flynn, shows the 20-year old Emma Goldman.
musical to be a capable workhorse that wont necessarily set minds and hearts racing, Kevin McAllister as smitten (fiction-
but is sure to please. Flynn steers the titanic song machine towards an incisive, rel- al) musician Coalhouse Walker and Nova
evant interpretation, while contending with a book by notable playwright Terrence Y. Payton as Sarah thoroughly convince
McNally (Love! Valour! Compassion!) that reduces E.L. Doctorows expansive novel to as star-crossed lovers. However, though
a CliffsNotes reading of an epic. Payton sings the ever-lovin blues out
Fortunately, Ragtime ( ) boasts some great songs by composer Stephen of ballad Your Daddys Son, neither
Flaherty (Once on This Island) and lyricist Lynn Ahrens (Rocky the Musical) like the script nor her somewhat tame per-
comic charmer Crime of the Century and heartbreaking ballad, Your Daddys formance offer clear enough insight to
Son that deserve to be standards. Best for the sweeping score, this production has answer the deeper questions posed about
assembled generations of talented performers, including a swinging nine-piece band Sarah in Mothers moving song What
led on keyboards and accordion by music director Christopher Youstra. It gives life to Kind of Woman.
Doctorows interconnected stories about three fictional families, each one representa- Backing up the performances, every
tive of a distinct American experience circa 1900. aspect of stagecraft from the lighting
Exploring what it meant at the time to be Negro and struggling, or white and afflu- and sound design to the hair and make-
ent, or an Eastern European Jew recently arrived in the U.S., the show poignantly up resonates as soundly as the subject
reflects the different factions similar, or contradictory, ideas of America in ways that matter. Wade Laboissonnieres costumes
still resonate. are especially ravishing, and do a fantas-
A large part of the shows success derives from the wonderful chemistry between tic job of identifying each character with

38 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

their respective tribe folding is able to sell
and milieu a quali- this shows version of
ty beautifully comple- a Harlem juke joint,
mented by Michael which feels more
Bobbitts peppy cho- like a spin around a
reography. sock-hop than a peek
Peppy or not, the inside a bawdy night-
show drags a little, club filled with those
weighed down by a brothers and sisters
concert-style ten- that the plays Booker
dency to bring solo- T. Washington disses
ists front and center as leading less than
to belt to the house, impeccable lives.
rather than to any Of course,
other character Ragtime and per-
onstage. And a few of haps any big-budget
CAROL ROSEGG

the songs advance the musical featuring

simple plot in only
the tiniest baby steps.
A richly satisfying
and well-acted moment between Sarah and Coalhouse is barely
allowed a second to steep in that earned emotion before another,
too-similar song rolls in and diminishes the moment.
The utilitarian, multi-leveled set does help keep things moving
via little more than shifts in lighting and staircases, from a huge
suburban house in New Rochelle, to famed explorer Admiral
Pearys ship bound for the North Pole, and several far-flung
locations in between. However, no amount of reshuffled scaf-
a cast and crew the
size of a small army
cant afford to be
too grown-up in its sensibilities. Notwithstanding a few fla-
grant racial epithets, this glossy survey of gritty realities skirts
stirring up much offense. The political statements land with
a soft touch, though the shows portrayal of brutal conflicts
related to immigration and race, such as the shooting of an
unarmed innocent soul, still feel utterly and powerfully top-
ical. Maybe Ragtime is one show this divided nation might
agree to enjoy together. l

Ragtime runs until May 20 at Fords Theatre, 511 Tenth St. NW. Tickets are $18 to $64.
Call 888-616-0270, or visit fords.org.

40 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 Music

inevitable, but it is kept at tolerable levels

just enough to wink at fans, without pil-

All-American
ing on to the point of becoming obnoxious.
Like so much of RuPauls work,
American is a celebration of love, identity,

Queens
and inclusion. In other words, a cele-
bration of the America that she recently
feared dead. Its a timely reminder, and
it is no coincidence that it comes from
RuPaul serves patriotic realness and Todrick Hall an artist who has never been shy about
returns to Oz By Sean Maunier the inherently political nature of drag. In
RuPauls America, there is room for all of

A
us to get along, even love each other, but
T LAST YEARS CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS, RUPAUL OPENLY WON- not at the expense of our identities.
dered if the America she knew, the narrative of love and peace and liberty and In a fraught time for LGBTQ rights, a
equality was now dead in the aftermath of the presidential election. Three more cynical reading of American might
months into 2017, its still too early to tell exactly what it will mean to be LGBTQ in dismiss this as unproductive escapism, but
America over the next four years. There are few certainties and no easy answers, but there is something to be said for a vision
Ru, for her part, has refused to turn over and accept the new status quo, whatever it of a country worth fighting for. Obviously,
may turn out to be. Instead, she seems to have looked at the mess around her, rolled up it will take much more than dance-pop
her sleeves and said, Hold my wig. to heal a deeply divided nation, but for
Her answer to the pervasive fear and uncertainty is American [HHHHH], an album a moment, RuPaul just might make you
named for its eye-wateringly patriotic title track. From beginning to end, the album is believe otherwise.
full of the catchy hooks and cheesy yet infectious beats that we have come to expect
from Mama Ru. Its no Glamazon, and there are no great surprises here, but no real let- BEST KNOWN FOR HIS PROLIFIC
downs, either. Aside from the title track, there are a handful of other standouts, notably YouTube parodies and a stint on the judg-
Kitty Girl, Call Me Mother, and Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent. Drag es panel of the second season of RuPauls
Race has become such a runaway cultural institution that some fanservice was probably Drag Race: All Stars, Todrick Hall turned

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 41

heads last July with a sprawling, hour-long,
semi-autobiographical visual album based
on The Wizard of Oz. He subsequently toured
the album around the country, and while
some might have taken a breather after such
a massive project, Todrick, true to form,
immediately went back, added new material,
and prepared to tour it all over again.
The deluxe release of Straight Outta Oz
[HHHHH] is a bigger, bolder take on the
original release, albeit only slightly bigger
and marginally bolder. It offers four new
songs that appeared in the stage version
but not the album, and two re-shot videos
prominently featuring RuPauls Drag Race
alumni. Wrong Bitch and Expensive lean
heavily on guest appearances from some of
the shows most high-profile queens. The
deluxe version of Expensive, a song that
both celebrates and mercilessly skewers the
materialism of show business, brings on more familiar faces, but
alongside Shangela, Pandora Boxx, and Jinkx Monsoon, obser-
vant fans will also notice appearances by a handful of contestants
from season 9, which premiered last week. The queens dont do
much more than strut up and down a makeshift runway, and
their unfamiliarity to most viewers means they are easily out-
shone by the more recognizable faces whose parts were edited
down to make room for the newcomers. It leaves us to wonder
Straight Outta Oz (Deluxe Edition) is available now on YouTube and iTunes.
American is available now on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play and streaming services.
42 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY
if there was any point other than advertising
the new season.
Aside from updates to existing mate-
rial, the new songs deliver as well. Black
& White is a cutesy, Broadway-ready be
yourself musical number, Raven Symone
and Shoshana Bean deliver the comic relief
on Flying Monkey Lament 1 and 2, and
Tamar Braxton replaces Amber Riley on a
new version of Lions and Tigers and Bears.
However, the real highlight comes at the
very end with Low, a remix of the 2015
single that turns a brief moment from The
Wizard of Oz into the chorus of an absurd-
ly catchy piece of pop. The new version
improves upon the original in almost every
way, featuring stunning visuals, an appear-
ance by RuPaul, and a beat that dares you not
to drop everything and dance.
Whether or not this revamp was really
necessary, it does add a bit of sparkle to what was already a
solid foundation of catchy songs and impressive spectacle. Does
it warrant another hour of your time if youve already seen the
original? Probably not, but the new content is fun and Low
alone merits repeat listens. Slight as they are, the additions
should be enough to give his show a well-deserved boost on its
second tour. By now, Todricks talent and drive should be clear
to everyone. Whether or not he ever sleeps? Thats less certain. l
NightLife Photography by
David Claypool / Kalorama Photography

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 43

 Scene
CTRLs 5th Anniversary, Town Danceboutique - Saturday, March 25
Photography by David Claypool / Kalorama Photography
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

DrinksDragDJsEtc... $4 (7-8pm) Buckets of Friday, DC EAGLE SHAWS TAVERN

Beer $15 Drag Bingo Doors open at 8pm Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3
March 31 Happy Hour, 8-10pm $2 Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
NUMBER NINE off everything 21+ $5 Rails and House Wines
Thursday, Prize Doors open 10pm,
21+ $5 Cover or free
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any 9 1/2 & Half-Priced Pizzas
March 30 with college ID
drink, 5-9pm No Cover Open at 5pm Happy
Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink,
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm TOWN
SHAWS TAVERN 5-9pm Friday Night Karaoke, 8pm Patio open 6pm DC Bear
9 1/2 DC EAGLE
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3 Videos with DJ Sean Crue Happy Hour, 6-11pm
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Doors open at 8pm Strip
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, McClafferty, 9:30pm GREEN LANTERN $3 Rail, $3 Draft, $3 Bud
drink, 5-9pm Multiple Down Thursdays Happy
$5 Rails and House Wines Expanded craft beer selec- Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5 Bottles Free Pizza, 7pm
TVs showing movies, Hour Shirtless guys get
& Half-Priced Pizzas $4 tion No Cover Smirnoff, all flavors, all No cover before 9:30pm
shows, sports Expanded $2 off all drinks, 8-10pm
Heineken and Coronas, night long 21+ Drag Show starts
craft beer selection Jock or underwear gets $2
5pm-close Paint Nite, COBALT/30 DEGREES at 10:30pm Hosted by
Music videos featuring off all drinks, 10pm-2am
Second Floor, 7pm All You Can Drink Happy NELLIES SPORTS BAR Lena Lett and featuring
DJ Wess No Cover 21+
Hour $15 Rail and DJ Matt Bailer Videos, Tatianna, Shi-Queeta-Lee,
TRADE Domestic, $21 Call & Dancing Beat the Clock Riley Knoxx and BaNaka
COBALT/30 DEGREES FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Doors open 5pm Huge Imports, 6-9pm Freaky Happy Hour $2 (5-6pm), DJ Wess upstairs, DJs
Happy Hour: Tops Down Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Happy Hour: Any drink Fridays, 10pm $6 Grey $3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm) BacK2bACk downstairs fol-
$6 Top Shelf, Bottoms Karaoke, 8pm
normally served in a cock- Goose all night Two Buckets of Beer $15 lowing the show GoGo
Up $3 Rail, $3 Bud
tail glass served in a huge 30-minute open bars Boys after 11pm Doors
Light, 4-9pm Locker GREEN LANTERN
glass for the same price, featuring Grey Goose, NUMBER NINE open at 10pm For those
Room Thursday Nights, Happy Hour, 4-9pm
5-10pm Beer and wine 11-11:30pm and 1-1:30am Open 5pm Happy Hour: 21 and over, $12 For
10pm-close $3 Rail Ladies Drink Free Power
only $4 DJ MadScience 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm those 18-20, $15 Club:
Drinks, 10pm-midnight, $5 Hour, 4-5pm Shirtless
upstairs DJ Keenan Orr No Cover Friday Night 18+ Patio: 21+
Red Bull and Frozen Virgin Thursday, 10-11pm DJs
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS downstairs $10 cover Piano with Chris, 7:30pm
Drinks DJs Sean Morris BacK2bACk
All male, nude dancers 10pm-close 21+ TRADE
and MadScience Best
DJ 9pm Cover 21+ Doors open 5pm Huge
Package Contest at mid- NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Happy Hour: Any drink
night, hosted by BaNaka & Beat the Clock Happy Hour
normally served in a cock-
Kristina Kelly $200 Cash $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 45

 tail glass served in a huge DC EAGLE
glass for the same price, Doors open 8pm Happy
5-10pm Beer and wine Hour, 8-10pm $2 off
only $4 all drinks Potomac
MC hosts Club Bar,
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS 9pm-2am Cigar Social,
Men of Secrets, 9pm sponsored by The DC
Guest dancers Ladies Eagle, Joe Whitaker,
of Illusion Drag Show and HotCigarMen.com,
Doors at 9pm, Shows at 8-10pm Joe Whitaker
11:30pm and 1:30am and ManUPP present DILF
DJ Don T. in Secrets Mens Jock and Harness
Cover 21+ Party with DJ Shea Van
Horn, 10pm-4am 21+

Saturday, FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Drag Queen Broadway
April 1 Brunch, 10am-3pm
Starring Freddies
9 1/2 Broadway Babes Crazy
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Hour, 4-7pm Freddies
drink, 2-9pm $5 Absolut Follies Drag Show, hosted
& Titos, $3 Miller Lite by Miss Destiny B. Childs,
after 9pm Expanded 8-10pm Karaoke,
craft beer selection 10pm-close
No Cover
GREEN LANTERN
COBALT/30 DEGREES Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
Drag Yourself to Brunch at Bacardi, all flavors, all
Level One, 11am-2pm and night long REWIND:
2-4pm Featuring Kristina Request Line, an 80s and
Kelly and the Ladies of 90s Dance Party, featuring
Illusion Bottomless DJ Darryl Strickland,
Mimosas and Bloody 9pm-close No Cover
Marys Happy Hour:
Tops Down $6 Top Shelf, NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Bottoms Up $3 Rail, $3 Bud Guest DJs Zing Zang
Light, 4-9pm Doors open Bloody Marys, Nellie Beer,
10pm $5 Cover 21+ House Rail Drinks and

46 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

Mimosas, $4, 11am-5pm public at 10pm Cover COBALT/30 DEGREES Mamas Trailer Park ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS Pool All Night and Day
Buckets of Beer, $15 $15 from 10pm-12am, $12 Happy Hour: Tops Down $6 Karaoke downstairs, All male, nude dancers $1 Bud and Bud Light
after midnight 21+ Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3 9:30pm-close Decades of Dance DJ Draughts all night No
NUMBER NINE Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm Tim-e in Secrets Doors Cover 21+
Doors open 2pm Happy TRADE Homowood Karaoke, NELLIES SPORTS BAR 9pm Cover 21+
Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, Doors open 2pm Huge hosted by Robert Bise, Drag Brunch, hosted by FREDDIES BEACH BAR
2-9pm $5 Absolut and $5 Happy Hour: Any drink 10pm-close 21+ Shi-Queeta-Lee, 11am-3pm Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Bulleit Bourbon normally served in a cock-
tail glass served in a huge DC EAGLE
$20 Brunch Buffet
House Rail Drinks, Zing
Monday, Singles Night Karaoke,
8pm
SHAWS TAVERN glass for the same price, Doors open at 12pm Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie April 3
Brunch with Bottomless 2-10pm Beer and wine Happy Hour, 12-6 pm Beer and Mimosas, $4, GREEN LANTERN
Mimosas, 10am-3pm only $4 $2 off everything 11am-close Buckets of 9 1/2 Happy Hour all night long
Happy Hour, 5-7pm $3 The DC Eagle welcomes Beer, $15 Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Open Mic Night Karaoke
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS BLUF (Breeches, Leather drink, 5-9pm Multiple with Kevin, 9:30pm-close
$5 Rails and House Wines Men of Secrets, 9pm-4am and Uniform Fanclub) DC, NUMBER NINE TVs showing movies,
& Half-Priced Pizzas Guest dancers Ladies 4-9pm $2 Bud and Bud Pop Goes the World with shows, sports Expanded JR.S
of Illusion Drag Show Light Draughts all day and Wes Della Volla at 9:30pm craft beer selection Showtunes Songs &
TOWN with host Ella Fitzgerald night The DC Eagle Pizza Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on No Cover Singalongs, 9pm-close
DC Rawhides host Town Doors at 9pm, Shows Party (no T, no shade) any drink, 2-9pm No DJ James $3 Draft Pints,
& Country: Two-Step, Line at 11:30pm and 1:30am Free slice of pizza with Cover COBALT/30 DEGREES 8pm-midnight
Dancing, Waltz and West DJ Don T. in Ziegfelds each drink while supplies Happy Hour: Tops Down
Coast Swing, $5 Cover to DJ Steve Henderson in last Stars of the Century SHAWS TAVERN $6 Top Shelf, Bottoms NELLIES SPORTS BAR
stay all night Doors open Secrets Cover 21+ Drag Show, hosted by Brunch with Bottomless Up $3 Rail, $3 Bud Light, Beat the Clock Happy Hour
6:30pm, Lessons 7-8pm, Angie King, 7-11pm in the Mimosas, 10am-3pm 4-9pm Monday Nights $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Open dance 8-10:30pm Exile $10 Cover 21+ Happy Hour, 5-7pm $3 A Drag, featuring Miss $4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
DJ Joe Ross, 11pm-close
Music and video by
Sunday, FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 Rails and House Wines
Kristina Kelly Doors
open at 10pm Showtime
Beer $15 Texas Holdem
Poker, 8pm Dart Boards
DJ Wess downstairs April 2 Champagne Brunch Buffet, & Half-Priced Pizzas at 11:30pm $3 Skyy
Eureka the Elephant Queen 10am-3pm Crazy Hour, Cocktails, $8 Skyy and Red NUMBER NINE
performs in the Drag Show 9 1/2 4-7pm Freddies Zodiac TRADE Bull $8 Long Islands Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
Meet and Greet with Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Monthly Contest, hosted by Doors open 2pm Huge No Cover, 18+ drink, 5-9pm No Cover
Eureka, 9-10pm $25 drink, 2-9pm Multiple Regina Jozet Adams, 8pm Happy Hour: Any drink
Tickets available via TVs showing movies, Karaoke, 10pm-1am normally served in a cock- DC EAGLE SHAWS TAVERN
Flavorus.com Drag Show shows, sports Expanded tail glass served in a huge Doors open at 8pm Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3
starts at 10:30pm Hosted craft beer selection GREEN LANTERN glass for the same price, Happy Hour, 8-10pm $2 Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
by Lena Lett and featuring No Cover Happy Hour, 4-9pm 2-10pm Beer and wine off everything Endless $5 Rails and House Wines
Tatianna, Shi-Queeta-Lee, Bears Can Party, featuring only $4 Happy Hour prices to any- and Half-Priced Pizzas
Riley Knoxx and BaNaka DJ Jeff Eletto, 6-10pm one in a DC Eagle T-Shirt Trivia with Jeremy, 7:30pm
Doors open to general upstairs No Cover Industry Mondays Free

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 47

 TRADE GREEN LANTERN
Doors open 5pm Huge Happy Hour all night long,
Happy Hour: Any drink 4pm-close
normally served in a cock-
tail glass served in a huge NELLIES SPORTS BAR
glass for the same price, Beat the Clock Happy Hour
5-10pm Beer and wine $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
only $4 $4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Beer $15 Karaoke and
Drag Bingo
Tuesday, NUMBER NINE
April 4 Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
9 1/2 After 9pm, $3 Absolut,
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Bulleit & Stella
drink, 5-9pm Multiple
TVs showing movies, SHAWS TAVERN
shows, sports Expanded Half-Priced Burgers and
craft beer selection Pizzas, 5-10pm $5 House
No Cover Wines and $5 Sam Adams

COBALT/30 DEGREES TRADE

DJ Honey Happy Hour: Doors open 5pm Huge
Tops Down $6 Top Shelf, Happy Hour: Any drink
Bottoms Up $3 Rail, $3 Bud normally served in a cock-
Light, 4-9pm SIN Service tail glass served in a huge
Industry Night, 10pm-close glass for the same price,
$1 Rail Drinks all night 5-10pm Beer and wine
only $4
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm

48 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 49
 Wednesday,
April 5
9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm Multiple
TVs showing movies,
shows, sports Expanded
craft beer selection
No Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: Tops Down $6
Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm
$4 Stoli and Stoli Flavors
and Miller Lite all night
Gay Mens Chorus Open
Mic Night and Wednesday
Night Karaoke, hosted
by India Larelle Houston,
10pm No Cover 21+ $5 Rails and House Wines
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm $6
Burgers Drag Bingo
Night, hosted by Ms.
Regina Jozet Adams, 8pm
Bingo prizes Karaoke, Happy Hour: Any drink
10pm-1am
50 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long,
4pm-close
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
SmartAss Trivia Night, 8pm
and 9pm Prizes include
bar tabs and tickets to
shows at the 9:30 Club
$15 Buckets of Beer for
SmartAss Teams only
Bring a new team member
and each get a free $10
Dinner
NUMBER NINE
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
SHAWS TAVERN
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
and Half-Priced Pizzas
Piano Bar with Jill, down-
stairs, 8pm
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
normally served in a cock-
tail glass served in a huge
glass for the same price,
5-10pm Beer and wine
only $4 l
Scene
Uproar - Friday, March 18
Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 51

 Scene
Onyxs CODE RED Fundraiser for Josephs House at Green
Lantern - Saturday, March 25 Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

52 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY

MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY 53
 LastWord.
People say the queerest things

[Port Authority police officers] engage in a pattern and practice of targeting and wrongly arresting
men that such officers perceive as gay and/or gender non-conforming, on

baseless charges including

public lewdness and exposure.
The LEGAL AID SOCIETY and international law firm Winston & Strawn, in a complaint filed as part of a class action lawsuit against
Port Authority police. The lawsuit alleges that police have been engaging in such profiling for years, reports The Daily Beast.

People dont know how to place me in their consciousness. They think,

Oh, you must be here to make me look good. Thats what gay guys are, right?

Youre an accessory for my straight life.

RUPAUL, speaking with American Public Medias Dinner Party Download on the trend of straight women who host
bachelorette parties at gay bars. While the Drag Race host says straight people are welcome in gay spaces,
they need to understand that LGBTQ people do not exist simply to entertain them.

If youre going to be inclusive,

you have to talk about everyone who was impacted.
Thats not happening.

Lesbian Orlando city Commissioner PATTY SHEEHAN, telling the Orlando Sentinel about her criticism of Orlando Mayor Buddy
Dyer and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs for not mentioning the LGBTQ community when announcing Orlando United
Day, during which the city is expected to commemorate the lives of those people killed in last years Pulse nightclub massacre.

I would talk to him about some of

the horrors that [Juliet] has experienced.
Trump inauguration singer JACKIE EVANCHO, speaking to People Magazine about what she would tell President Trump
in a face-to-face meeting on transgender rights. Evanchos sister, Juliet, is currently involved in a lawsuit
over her schools anti-transgender bathroom policy.

It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I was living a lie.
PATRICIA DAVIES, a British World War II veteran, speaking to The Sun about coming out as a transgender woman.
Patricia lived with the secret of her true identity for years, but tells the tabloid she has recently received
support from her neighbors as part of her coming out process.

54 MARCH 30, 2017 METROWEEKLY