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CONTENTS

APRIL 27, 2017 Volume 23 Issue 49

7 RAISING THE BAR


Alan Cumming is putting his name to a New York gay bar,
but first hes singing Sappy Songs at the Kennedy Center

By Randy Shulman

CHEF DE RSISTANCE
Thirty years ago, Jeremiah Tower forged the celebrity chef
culture that pervades todays society. A new documentary
celebrates the life of the playful, irascible perfectionist.

Interview by John Riley


24
32 DRAWN APART
Fun Home hits deep with a tender score and
a smart, sincere coming out story

By Andr Hereford

SPOTLIGHT: RAISING THE BAR p.7 OUT ON THE TOWN p.13


SPANISH REVOLUTION: IN THE HEIGHTS p.14 REACTIONARY ROCKER: BOB MOULD p.17
COMMUNITY: CASINO ROYALE p.19 COMMUNITY: ANIMAL PLANET p.20
COVER STORY: CHEF DE RSISTANCE p.24 GALLERY: JS ADAMS p.31
STAGE: FUN HOME p.32 STAGE: OR, p.34 NIGHTLIFE p.37
SCENE: CHERRY ROYALTY AT TOWN p.37 LISTINGS p.39
LAST WORD p.46
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 James Beard Cover Photography Courtesy of The Orchard

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

4 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


Spotlight
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KENNEDY CENTER

Raising the Bar


C
OME SEPTEMBER, IF ALL GOES AS PLANNED, over two years, hes still so loving doing it.... Its so different to
Manhattan will have a new gay bar. Well, not new, exact- how Ive ever felt doing a play. Because its me and Im being
ly, a reboot. But oh, what a reboot. The popular gay bar very vulnerable and its very personal and authentic, it still feels
Eastern Bloc, situated in the lower East Village and co-owned as fresh and fun to do. I want it to feel like Im just telling you
by Anderson Coopers beau Benjamin Maisani, is taking the sur- stories and singing you songs, and having quite an old-fashioned
name of a new incoming partner: Alan Cumming. experience, really.
Were planning to change it a little bit so we can have a The Scottish-born actor, who became a household name
piano, the award-winning performer says, quite ebulliently, of after seven seasons playing ambitious, crafty political opera-
Club Cumming. I want it to feel like anything could happen. tive Eli Gold on The Good Wife, holds American citizenship,
Somebody might get up and sing a song.... Or we might just have so when asked his views on the current administration, he
a man come playing the theremin for an hour. Stuff like that. Try doesnt hold back.
to think outside the box. Well, Im devastated, he says. I think its just terrifying. Its
Cumming wants the establishment to extend beyond gay just a mess. Its embarrassing as well. I, as an American, am abso-
moorings. I want it to be an omnisexual bar. Obviously, I want lutely ashamed and embarrassed that this is whats happening,
gay people to come, but I want straight people, I want anyone and some of the decisions that are being made and the behavior
who wants to have fun and let go and be non-judgmental. Come its just so awful.
in with an open heart and be wanting to have fun. The thing that got me the other day was the company that
Fun is in store this weekend at the Kennedy Center as makes the missiles that were sent to Syria, Trump has shares
Cumming returns with his immensely popular Alan Cumming in. So, he actually made money off that missile attack! Its just so
Sings Sappy Songs, part of the Rene Flemings Voices series. corrupt, its so wrong. Every decision thats made is based on
Even though Cumming has been performing Sappy Songs for greed. Randy Shulman

Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs is Saturday, April 29 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $29 to $99.
Call 202-467-4600 or visit Kennedy-Center.org.

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 7


Spotlight
THREE SISTERS
Lev Dodin, widely regarded as one of the
worlds finest directors, helms a revealing,
emotionally raw rendition of Chekhovs
Three Sisters. Produced by Russians Maly
Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg and per-
COURTESY OF THE KENNEDY CENTER

formed in Russian with English surtitles.


It doesnt get more authentic than this.
Through Sunday, April 30 in the Kennedy
Center Eisenhower Theater. Tickets are
$19 to $59. Call 202-467-4600 or visit ken-
nedy-center.org.

JOEY ARIAS
All these years later, Arias is still channeling Billie
Holiday. Its an uncanny, even eerie, recreation, a trib-
ute from the incomparable singing drag queen to the
incomparable jazz vocalist. A few years since his last
performances in D.C. via the former Speakeasy caba-
ret series at LEnfant Cafe, Arias returns as part of the
inaugural season of Septime Webres Halcyon Stage.
Saturday, April 29. Doors at 8 p.m. Halcyon House,
3400 Prospect St. NW. Tickets are $60. Call 202-298-
5956 or visit halcyonhouse.org.

THE WASHINGTON BALLET SANTIAGO FELIPE

Three masters of contemporary dance from the past century are


featured in an eclectic program that includes Nine Sinatra Songs
choreographed by Twyla Tharp. The companys Ballet Master
Elaine Kudo, a retired soloist with American Ballet Theatre and
a former dancer with the Tharp Dance Co., stages the work, a
glamorous portrait of seven couples swinging, swirling, tangoing
and cha-chaing through the romantic songs by Ol Blue Eyes. Also
on the bill is the company premiere of Seven Sonatas by Alexei
Ratmansky, the former Bolshoi Ballet artistic director now affili-
ated with the ABT, who sets his work to music by Scarlatti, which
Canadian pianist Ryo Yanagitani will perform live. Finally, theres
the mini-marathon Allegro Brillante by the foremost contempo-
DEAN ALEXANDE

rary choreographer George Balanchine and set to Tchaikovsky.


To Sunday, April 30. Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. Tickets
are $22 to $96. Call 202-783-4000 or visit washingtonballet.org.

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 9


Out On The Town

WASHINGTON ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR


The 42nd edition of this annual event offers a treasure trove of rare books, modern first editions, manuscripts, autographs,
maps, drawings and other fine ephemera, from authentic White House letters from Jackie Kennedy to first editions of
Sylvia Plath poetry. The fair is said to offer something for every interest and every price point, and tickets include partic-
ipation in fast-paced literary games hosted by Labyrinth Games & Puzzles on Friday, or a personalized, off-the-cuff poem
typed on a vintage machine by Typewriter Rodeo on Saturday. Friday, April 28, from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, April 29,
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Sphinx Club, 1315 K St. NW. Tickets are $15 for both days, or $10 Saturday only. Call 202-898-
1688 or visit wabf.com.

Compiled by Doug Rule


their life, James Ponsoldts thriller but only partly delivers. Matthew THE MAGIC PLAY
follows a young tech worker at a Gardiner directs a cast that includes Olney Theatre offers the lat-
FILM large internet corporation that is Timothy J. Alex, Sherri Edelen, est from playwright Andrew
working to make 24/7 surveillance Morgan Keene, Sam Ludwig, Bobby Hinderaker (Colossal) in a story
FILMFEST DC of every human a reality. Emma Smith, Stephen Gregory Smith, and about a magician losing control of
Now in its 31st year, the Washington, Watson is the worker in ques- Rachel Zampelli. Pride Nights is his life. Halena Kays directs Brett
DC International Film Festival tion, in a cast that includes Tom Friday, April 28, at 8 p.m. Closes Schneider, Jon Hudson Odom and
presents more than 60 features, Hanks, John Boyega, Karen Gillan Sunday, April 30. Ark Theatre, 4200 Harry A. Winter. To May 7. Olney
documentaries and shorts from and Bill Paxton, in his final film. Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy
around the world. The lineup is bro- Based on Dave Eggers eponymous are $40 to $99. Call 703-820-9771 or Spring Road, Olney, Md. Call 301-
ken down into categories of come- novel. Opens Friday, April 28. visit signature-theatre.org. (Andre 924-3400 or visit olneytheatre.org.
dy (The Lighter Side), crime and Area theaters. Visit fandango.com. Hereford)
thrillers (Trust No One), music
MUSIC
(Rhuaridh Marr)
(Rhythms On & Off the Screen) RAGTIME
and thought-provoking documen-
STAGE Based on the sprawling novel by
taries on themes of Division & E.L. Doctorow, with book, music BALTIMORE SYMPHONY
Debate and Justice Matters. The and lyrics by Terrence McNally, ORCHESTRA: STRAVINSKYS
festival closes with the whimsical MIDWESTERN GOTHIC Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, FIREBIRD
French slapstick comedy Lost in A carnival of lust, violence and the Tony-winning musical Ragtime Juho Pohjonen joins the BSO to
Paris by the husband-and-wife duo lewd behavior, Josh Schmidt and depicts three families striving for perform Ravels jazz-inflected
of directors/actors Fiona Gordon Royce Vavreks cheeky new musi- the American dream at the turn Piano Concerto in G Major, in a
and Dominique Abel, on Sunday, cal Midwestern Gothic (HHH of the 20th century. Its an epic program led by Principal Guest
April 30, at 3:30 and 7 p.m. Embassy and 1/2 half) blows in like a hot musical, made all the more so by the Conductor Markus Stenz and
of France, 4101 Reservoir Rd. NW. summer breeze, promising a purely all-star D.C. cast that director Peter capped off by Igor Stravinskys
Call 202-274-5782 or visit film- escapist good time. How escapist Flynn (The 25th Annual Putnam complete score for The Firebird. A
festdc.org for the full schedule and might depend on ones personal County Spelling Bee) managed to commission from Diaghilevs Ballet
information on the various venues. proximity to sensational stories of assemble, led by Kevin McAllister, Russes, it catapulted Stravinsky to
teen-aged criminal masterminds Tracy Lynn Olivera, Nova Y. Payton fame in pre-WWI Paris. Also on
THE CIRCLE who lure unsuspecting victims into and Jonathan Atkinson. Talk about the bill is Mendelssohns Calm Sea
Particularly timely, given the ongo- webs of deceit that result in kid- an American dream. To May 20. and Prosperous Voyage. Thursday,
ing battle between privacy rights napping, murder, or any number of Fords Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. May 4, at 8 p.m. Joseph Meyerhoff
and the need for everyone to appar- other felonies. As for the good time, Call 800-982-2787 or visit fords.org. Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St.,
ently overshare everything about the production tempts and teases, Baltimore. Also Sunday, May 7, at

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 13


3 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore,
5301 Tuckerman Lane, North
Bethesda. Tickets are $33 to $99.
Call 410-783-8000 or visit bsomu-
sic.org.

DC YOUTH ORCHESTRA,
AMERICAN POPS: CELEBRATING
ELLA FITZGERALD
Heralded as the First Lady of Song,
the late Fitzgerald gets another cen-
tennial toast with two free outdoor
concerts in a partnership between
the DC Youth Orchestra Program
and the American Pops Orchestra.
Moya Angela, a quarterfinalist last
year on NBCs Americas Got Talent,
Maddie Baillio, who starred as
Tracy Turnblad in NBCs Hairspray
Live!, Catholic University voice pro-
fessor and Renees sister Rachelle
Fleming, and local stage triple
ROSE CAMPIGLIA

threat Hilary Morrow are featured


vocalists at these concerts led by
Luke Frazier and hosted by Tamika
Smith of NPRs WAMU. Saturday,
April 29, at 6 p.m. Meridian Hill
Park, 2400 15th St. NW. Also
Sunday, April 30, at 3 p.m., Marvin

SPANISH REVOLUTION
Gaye Park, Division Ave. NE. Call
202-698-0123 or visit dcyop.org.

ERIC OWENS
& SUSANNA PHILLIPS
Luis Salgado takes charge of GALAs revolutionary The Notorious RBG better
Spanish language version of In the Heights known as Supreme Court Justice
Ruth Bader Ginsburg co-curat-

L
ed with Washington Performing
UIS SALGADO TOOK A SHOT AND SENT A TEXT TO THE UBER-FAMOUS Arts a concert featuring two of
todays greatest singers in opera.
Hamilton composer Lin-Manuel Miranda. Would he have a moment to hear the Eric Owens, the bass-baritone who
GALA Theatre cast performing from their groundbreaking, Spanish language version has recently performed in Porgy
of Mirandas first Broadway hit, In The Heights? and Bess and The Flying Dutchman
at Washington National Opera, is
Were in rehearsals right now, he wrote. Please FaceTime me if you have time. joined by soprano Susanna Phillips,
Moments later, Miranda responded. The guys went crazy. They were there singing for Lin. recipient of the Metropolitan
It was a very emotional moment. Operas 2010 Beverly Sills Artist
Salgado calls it the greatest opportunity to return to In the Heights, ten years after Award. The concert focuses on the
work of Schubert. Sunday, April 30,
originating the Broadway role of Jose as well as serving as the productions Latin Assistant at 4 p.m. UDC Theater of the Arts,
Choreographer. Directing and choreographing the U.S. premiere of a Spanish-language 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW. Tickets
version of the show is a heady experience for the New York-based Puerto Rican. are $45. Call 202-785-9727 or visit
washingtonperformingarts.org.
Its a fantastic reality, he says, to be living right now in this kind of hard time, where
the government is reprimanding being different or speaking a different language, giving a FOLGER CONSORT
sense of you dont belong to certain communities. The fact that we can celebrate the oppo- Closing out the early music ensem-
site in the little theater space, and inspire hundreds of people as we do that I just feel its bles Dramatic Musicke season
is a program offering an assort-
a fantastic reality. ment of passionate love songs from
In the Heights sizzles with the kind of urban energy you would expect from its setting 13th Century France. The Play
in Manhattans Washington Heights neighborhood. Based on a translation by Amaury of Love program features sopra-
no Emily Noel, bass-baritone Peter
Sanchez, Salgado says the shows Spanish-language feels different from the original. The Brucker, multi-instrumentalist Shira
skeleton of the show is the same, but...the world that we create is very, very different. Kammen, and consort co-artistic
Salgado singles out In the Heights as his favorite in a Broadway career thats included directors Robert Eisenstein on vio-
roles in Women on The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and the Gloria Estefan musical, On lin and Christopher Kendall on lute.
Friday, April 28, at 8 p.m., Saturday,
Your Feet! In The Heights will forever be that one thing that just gave so much validation April 29, at 3 and 7 p.m., and
to my culture, to my being, to my art, both creatively...and as a performer. Sunday, April 30, at 2 p.m. Folger
And, of course, In the Heights also made it possible for Salgado to summon Miranda Shakespeare Library, 201 East
Capitol St. SE. Tickets are $40. Call
on a whim. Asked if Miranda might show up to see the GALA production, Salgado laughs. 202-544-7077 or visit folger.edu.
Thats the million-dollar question. Last time I checked, he already had a commitment. But
knowing Lin, I wouldnt be surprised if one random day he would just show up and surprise LEANN RIMES WITH NSO POPS
everybody. Thats the kind of person he is. Doug Rule The country star, still the young-
est Grammy winner, has grown
up before our eyes and ears. She
In the Heights, performed in Spanish with English surtitles, runs to May 21, at GALA returns to the area to perform a con-
Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW. Tickets are $40 to $60. Call 202-234-7174 or visit galatheatre.org. cert featuring her greatest hits

14 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


including Blue, How Do I Live THE XX
and Cant Fight The Moonlight Jamie Smith, the electronic pro-
only this time with the lavish ducer extraordinaire, may be the
accompaniment of the National best-known member of the popular,
Symphony Orchestra, conducted by famously introverted British dream-
Emil de Cou. The Bumper Jacksons pop trio. Yet it is guitarist Romy
open the show with what the Madley Croft and bassist Oliver Sim
Washington Post calls old-timey who are the xxs heart and soul,
American roots with dashes of hot and the two friends, whove been
jazz and blues. Friday, April 28, singing and making music together
at 8 p.m. Kennedy Center Concert since childhood, are both gay. Their
Hall. Tickets are $39 to $109. Call latest album, I See You, retains
202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-cen- the sultry, nocturnal sound of
ter.org. the bands first two albums, wrote
Metro Weeklys Sean Maunier in
NANCY & BETH a four-star review, summing up
Megan Mullally Karen from Will the set as brighter, bolder and far
& Grace and Stephanie Hunt more energetic. The xxs Young
(Friday Night Lights) began singing Turks labelmate and fellow haunted
together six years ago, naming their electronic spirit Sampha, a rising
slyly humorous bluesy band Nancy British singer-songwriter known
& Beth for no reason in particular for featured work with Drake,
other than to be slyly humorous. Frank Ocean and Solange, opens.
The duo tours in support of its Saturday, May 6. Doors at 5:30 p.m.
debut album in a concert presented Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475
by the 9:30 Club. Monday, May 8. U Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia,
Street Music Hall, 1115A U St. NW. Md. Tickets are $40 to $55. Call
Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30. Call 800-551-SEAT or visit merriweath-
202-588-1880 or visit ustreetmusi- ermusic.com.
chall.com.
TONY BENNETT
RENE MARIE Last December, the legendary
The Virginia-raised singer-song- crooner offered Tony Bennett
writer swings with verve and often Celebrates 90, both an album and
sings in the spirit of the late, great an NBC special packed with yet
Eartha Kitt, who Marie celebrated more American Songbook covers
on her 2013 Grammy-nominated set and featuring guests artists includ-
of covers, I Wanna Be Evil...With ing Lady Gaga, Rufus Wainwright,
Love to Eartha Kitt. She returns Kevin Spacey, k.d. Lang and Billy
to Blues Alley for a weekend run Joel. None of those guests will
of shows in support of her latest appear when Bennett performs as

AUSTIN HARGRAVE
Grammy-nominated set, Sounds of part of Strathmores 2017 Spring
Red, an album of original, sophisti- Gala but you can count on plenty
cated, sauntering jazz tunes, featur- of renditions of standards just the
ing largely autobiographical lyrics. same. Saturday, May 6, at 9 p.m.
Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May Music Center at Strathmore, 5301
7, at 8 and 10 p.m. Blues Alley, Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Tickets Tickets are $86 to $176. Call 301-
are $35 to $40, plus $12 minimum 581-5100 or visit strathmore.org.
purchase. Call 202-337-4141 or visit
bluesalley.com.
DANCE RITA MORENO
SPLIT SINGLE
David M. Rubenstein, the philanthropist responsi-
Youll hear a striking resemblance CITYDANCES DREAMSCAPE ble for so many new initiatives and developments
to Sugar, Bob Moulds 90s-era Emmy-winning dance icon at the Kennedy Center as well as elsewhere around
power-pop band, in the music Debbie Allen (Fame) is the host
of CityDances 2017 gala, proceeds town, launches a new series of sit-down conver-
of this Chicago band, and there
is a connection. Split Single was of which support the organiza- sations with notable figures from the arts and cul-
started a few years ago by Jason tions free after-school Dream pro- ture field starting with the legendary performer
Narducy, who spent the previous gram. In addition to performanc-
es by CityDance students, this
and 2015 Kennedy Center Honoree. Moreno will
decade touring as bassist in the Bob
Mould Band, in addition to other years lineup features Brooklyn discuss her career and life lessons as well as offer
touring work with Superchunk and Mack of the Washington Ballet, reflections on the arts in America today and rumina-
Telekinesis. Sasha Lord Presents a ballroom stars Denys Drozdyuk tions on contemporary social issues through ideals
show with R. Ring, featuring Kelley & Antonina Skobina, tap dancer
Cartier Williams, Cervilio Miguel courage, freedom, justice, service and gratitude
Deal of the Breeders and Mike
Montgomery of Ampline, and the Amador and Chisako Oga of the often ascribed to the centers namesake. Inspired
D.C. post-punk band Flasher. But Cincinnati Ballet, the Bruce Wood by the centers namesake and part of the year-
hows this for unfortunate irony: Dance Project, Cloud Movement,
Step Afrika! and, from Complexions
long JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F.
The two regular bandmates are
now playing opposite each other, Contemporary Ballet, guest artists Kennedy, the discussion also builds on the recent
with Mould at the Black Cat the Kelly Sneddon, Andrew Brader, Bloomberg TV series The David Rubenstein Show:
very same night and time (see sep- Greg Blackmon and Timothy Peer-to-Peer Conversations that featured everyone
arate entry). Drats! Friday, April Stickney. Saturday, May 6, at 8 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. from Bill Gates to Oprah Winfrey. Saturday, April
28, at 10 p.m. Comet Ping Pong,
5037 Connecticut Ave. NW. Tickets Tickets are $25 to $38. Call 202- 29, at 7:30 p.m. Kennedy Center Family Theater.
are $12. Call 202-364-0404 or visit 328-6000 or visit citydance.net. Tickets are $30 to $75. Call 202-467-4600 or visit
cometpingpong.com. kennedy-center.org.

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 15


REACTIONARY ROCKER
One of the revered scions of the 80s post-punk music scene, Bob
Mould returns to D.C. with a solo tour

T
HIS IS WORSE THAN ANYTHING IVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE-
time, Bob Mould says of the current administration. I think the 80s
were pretty brutal, and the aughts werent particularly good. I dont
think any of this is going to end well.
Younger fans often ask Mould for his assessment of President Trump as
compared to late 80s conservative titan Ronald Reagan.
At least [Reagan] had an understanding of politics because he was governor
before he was president, Mould says. During the Reagan era, Mould and his
band Husker Du, helped give form to the edgy, often politically charged genres
of post-punk and alternative rock. The Trump era has not inspired him to do
anything similar. I dont think I could safely say, Yes, Ill write a protest record.
Im protesting every day. Its part of the fabric of our lives now. I dont know if
its special anymore. When at home in San Francisco, Mould attends community
board meetings and visits elected officials at City Hall to share particular con-
cerns. I would suggest everybody do the same for the rest of their lives.
Mould has devised a small, politically inspired gesture that factors into his
current solo electric tour in support of his 2016 release, Patch the Sky. The
ALICIA J. ROSE

tour stops at The Black Cat this Friday, April 28. Ive worked with a graphic
designer to put together a tour poster, with all of the proceeds from sales going
to Planned Parenthood.
More than a decade ago, the former D.C. resident launched Blowoff with his friend and fellow musician, Rich Morel. The alter-
native gay dance party was, in part, a reaction to President George W. Bushs Republican era of the time. To have a party like that
was sort of against the [conservative] notion, he says. It was nice for people to have a place to congregate and be safe and have a
lot of fun. The party, which eventually toured nationally, is often heralded as the original bear dance party. And it helped propel
bear culture into the mainstream.
We pushed the right people, Mould says of Blowoff, which he and Mould shuttered in 2014. The bear community has gotten
so big, I dont know what to make of that, but its great. It was always supposed to be inclusive. Its definitely including more people
now. Doug Rule

Bob Mould appears Friday, April 28, at 10 p.m., with an opening and closing DJ set from former Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty.
The Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. Tickets are $20. Call 202-667-4490 or visit blackcatdc.com.

READINGS est peer-juried literary prize honors


the best works of fiction published
and shops that have sprung up in
this distant part of Prince Georges
Grill Room is offering a discounted
price on Tlgramme by Domaine
in the past year. Imbolo Mbue County. Over 150 wines, spirits and du Vieux Tlgraphe, a standout
JOHN WATERS
is the 2017 recipient; Viet Dinh, beers will be on tap as part of this wine from Chateauneuf du Pape.
Politics & Prose teams up with
Louise Erdrich, Garth Greenwell, all-you-care-to-taste affair, which This Southern Rhone region has
Septime Webres Halcyon Stage to
and Sunil Yapa are the other final- also features a Cooking Stage with a unique history of taxation that
present a discussion with every-
ists. All will read from their works, appearances by Scott Drewno of helped set the standard of wine-
bodys favorite cult film director,
and judges Chris Abani, Chantel The Source by Wolfgang Puck, making throughout France, lead-
who in recent years has turned
Acevedo and Sigrid Nunez will Marjorie Meeks-Bradley of Smoke ing to the Appellation dorigine
to life as a quirky author. In his
share their citations. Washington and Stacked, and Seng Luangrath Contrle, or AOC. Normally priced
new book, Making Trouble, the
Post book critic Ron Charles serves of Thip Khao on Saturday, and at $25 a glass and $98 a bottle, the
Baltimore native advices college
as emcee. Saturday, May 6, at 7 Victor Albisu of Del Campo and Tlgramme, with notes of fresh
graduates and millennials more
p.m. Folger Shakespeare Library, Taco Bamba and Rock Harper of red and black cherries, strawberry,
generally to see the value in
201 East Capitol St. SE. Tickets are Rock Solid Creative Food Group on black pepper, black raspberry and
embracing chaos and weirdness.
$100, including a full buffet dinner Sunday. There will be beer tastings, spice, will be discounted to $15 a
Fans of Pink Flamingos or Serial
with open bar and beer provided by hands-on demonstrations and wine glass and $60 a bottle during the
Mom to name two of his more
Bluejacket Brewery. Call 202-544- pairings, and live music. Saturday, special promotion. That makes it
eccentric classics couldnt agree
7077 or visit folger.edu. April 29, and Sunday, April 30, from a perfect complement to the Grill
more. Friday, April 28, at 7 p.m.,
12 to 6 p.m. The Waterfront, 137 Rooms hand-cut, bone-in, artisanal
followed by a Meet-the-Author
FOOD AND DRINK
National Plaza, National Harbor, meats and locally sourced seasonal
Reception. Halcyon House, 3400
Md. Tickets are $39 in advance or produce particularly for any foodie
Prospect St. NW. Tickets are $30
$45 on-site. Call 800-830-3975 or and red wine enthusiast with a tax
including one book. Call 202-298- NATIONAL HARBOR WINE & visit wineandfoodnh.com. refund to spend. Available during
5956 or visit halcyonhouse.org. FOOD FESTIVAL lunch and dinner through the end
This weekend ushers in the 11th THE GRILL ROOM: TAX RELIEF of April. The Grill Room, 1050 31st
PEN/FAULKNER annual edition of a festival set on the WINE SPECIAL St. NW. Call 202-617-2424 or visit
AWARD FOR FICTION banks of the Potomac River and sur- Facing the C&0 Canal in the luxury rosewoodhotels.com/en/washing-
Now in its 37th year, Americas larg- rounded by the hotels, restaurants Georgetown hotel Rosewood, the ton-dc. l

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 17


Community
THURSDAY, April 27 Us Helping Us hosts a
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
The DC ANTI-VIOLENCE MEETING. The group is inde-
PROJECT, a group dedicated pendent of UHU. 6:30-7:30
to combating anti-LGBT hate p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW.
crimes, holds its monthly meet- For more information, call 202-
ing at The DC Center. 7-8:30 446-1100.
p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite
105. For more information, visit WOMENS LEADERSHIP
thedccenter.org. INSTITUTE for young LBTQ
women, 13-21, interested in
Weekly Events leadership development. 5-6:30
p.m. SMYAL Youth Center, 410
ANDROMEDA 7th St. SE. For more informa-
TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH tion, call 202-567-3163, or email
offers free HIV testing and HIV catherine.chu@smyal.org.
FER GREGORY

services (by appointment). 9


a.m.-5 p.m. Decatur Center, FRIDAY, April 28
1400 Decatur St. NW. To
arrange an appointment, call The DC Center holds its
202-291-4707, or visit androm- CENTER AGING MONTHLY

CASINO ROYALE
edatransculturalhealth.org. LUNCH social for members of
D.C.s senior community. 12-2
DC AQUATICS CLUB practice p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite
session at Takoma Aquatic 105. For more information, visit
Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 300 Van thedccenter.org or call 202-
Buren St. NW. For more infor-
Team DCs Casino Night helps support local 682-2245.
mation, visit swimdcac.org. LGBTQ sports teams

C
GAMMA is a peer support
DC FRONT RUNNERS run- ASINO NIGHT GIVES YOU ALL OF THE PLEA- group for gay or bi men who
ning/walking/social club are now or who have been in
welcomes runners of all ability
sure and none of the harsh debt that comes with a relationship with a woman.
levels for exercise in a fun and gambling, laughs Team DCs Brent Minor. Theres Luther Place Memorial Church,
supportive environment, with something fun about taking a risk without losing any real 1226 Vermont Ave, NW. 7:30-
socializing afterward. Route money. So you have the fun of gambling, but the knowl- 9:30 p.m. Meetings are also
distance is 3-6 miles. Meet at held in Vienna, Va and in
7 p.m. at 23rd & P Streets NW. edge that youre not really throwing down a $20 bill. Frederick, Md. For more info,
For more information, visit The organization holds Casino Night fundraising visit gammaindc.org.
dcfrontrunners.org. events three to four times a year, each featuring nine local
WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES
DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay
sports teams on a rotating schedule, with athletes from (AND THIRTIES), a social
and lesbian square-dancing those teams serving as croupiers at tables offering poker, discussion and activity group
group features mainstream blackjack, and craps. Patrons pay $10 to $20 to buy $100 or for queer women, meets at The
through advanced square $250 in chips that can be used at the tables, with the pro- DC Center on the second and
dancing at the National City fourth Friday of each month.
Christian Church, 5 Thomas ceeds from the evening split between that evenings teams. Group social activity to follow
Circle NW, 7-9:30 p.m. Casual At the end of the night, gamblers turn in their remain- the meeting. 8-9:30 p.m. 2000
dress. 301-257-0517, dclamb- ing chip for chances to win raffle prizes, including tickets 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For
dasquares.org. more information, visit thedc-
to the theater or sporting events and gift cards. center.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds Minor notes that gambling is not required to attend.
practice. The team is always Theres no cover, so you can just come in and watch, Weekly Events
looking for new members. All he says. Some people just like to watch other people play
welcome. 7:30-9:30 p.m. King BET MISHPACHAH, founded
Greenleaf Recreation Center, poker. John Riley by members of the LGBT com-
201 N St. SW. For more infor- munity, holds Friday evening
mation, visit scandalsrfc.org or Team DCs Spring Casino Night will be held on Saturday, Shabbat services in the DC
dcscandals@gmail.com. Jewish Community Centers
April 29, from 8 p.m. to midnight at Buffalo Billiards,
Community Room. 8 p.m. 1529
The DULLES TRIANGLES 1330 19th St. NW. Visit teamdc.org. 16th St. NW. For more informa-
Northern Virginia social tion, visit betmish.org.
group meets for happy hour at
Sheraton in Reston. All wel- PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-
come. 7-9 p.m. 11810 Sunrise IDENTITY offers free and METROHEALTH CENTER affirming social group for ages
Valley Drive, second-floor bar. confidential HIV testing at offers free, rapid HIV testing. 11-24. 4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia
For more information, visit two separate locations. Walk- Appointment needed. 1012 14th Road NW. Contact Tamara, 202-
dullestriangles.com. ins accepted from 2-6 p.m., St. NW, Suite 700. To arrange 319-0422, layc-dc.org.
by appointment for all other an appointment, call 202-638-
HIV TESTING at Whitman- hours. 414 East Diamond Ave., 0750. SATURDAY, April 29
Walker Health. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at Gaithersburg, Md. or 7676
1525 14th St. NW, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. New Hampshire Ave., Suite SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, Weekly Events
at the Elizabeth Taylor Medical 411, Takoma Park, Md. To set 3-5 p.m., by appointment and
Center, 1701 14th St. NW, and 8 up an appointment or for more walk-in, for youth 21 and BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP,
a.m-5 p.m. at the Max Robinson information, call Gaithersburg, younger. Youth Center, 410 7th including others interested in
Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. 301-300-9978, or Takoma Park, St. SE. 202-567-3155 or test- Brazilian culture, meets. For
SE. For an appointment call 301-422-2398. ing@smyal.org. location/time, email brazilian-
202-745-7000 or visit whit-
gaygroup@yahoo.com.
man-walker.org.

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 19


DC AQUATICS CLUB holds a prac- ST. STEPHEN AND THE
tice session at Montgomery College INCARNATION, an interra-
Aquatics Club. 8:30-10 a.m. 7600 cial, multi-ethnic Christian
Takoma Ave., Takoma, Md. For more Community offers services in
information, visit swimdcac.org. English, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and
in Spanish at 5:15 p.m. 1525 Newton
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/ St. NW. 202-232-0900, saintste-
walking/social club welcomes run- phensdc.org.
ners of all ability levels for exercise
in a fun and supportive environ- UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
ment, with socializing afterward. CHURCH OF SILVER SPRING
Route distance will be 3-6 miles. invites LGBTQ families and indi-
Walker meet at 9:30 a.m. and run- viduals of all creeds and cultures to
ners at 10 a.m. at 23rd & P Streets join the church. Services 9:15 and
NW. For more information, visit 11:15 a.m. 10309 New Hampshire
dcfrontrunners.org. Ave. uucss.org.

GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses MONDAY, May 1


critical languages and foreign lan-
guages. 7 p.m. Nellies, 900 U St. The DC Center hosts a
RANDY SHULMAN

NW. RSVP preferred. Email bren- VOLUNTEER NIGHT for commu-


dandarcy@gmail.com. nity members to lend a hand with
various duties, including cleaning,
SUNDAY, April 30 keeping safe-sex kit inventory, and
sorting through book donations.
Weekly Events Pizza provided. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For

ANIMAL PLANET
LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULS more information, visit thedccen-
MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH ter.org.
celebrates Low Mass at 8:30
a.m., High Mass at 11 a.m. 2300 Weekly Events
Cathedral Ave. NW. 202-232-4244,
Gay Day at the Zoo brings animal lovers allsoulsdc.org. GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. at
together for a day of fun and community spirit Quaker House, 2111 Florida Ave.
DIGNITYUSA offers Roman NW. For more information, email

I
Catholic Mass for the LGBT getequal.wdc@gmail.com.
community. All welcome. Sign
HAVE KIND OF A PANDA OBSESSION, ADMITS interpreted. 6 p.m. St. Margarets NOVASALUD offers free HIV test-
Jonathan Gilad. I actually love all kinds of furry Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave. ing. 5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite
animals, so I love to visit the Furry Rodent House. NW. For more info, visit dignity- 200, Arlington. Appointments: 703-
Simmer down. Gilad isnt referring to a new gay night at a washington.org. 789-4467.
bar, but rather to time spent at the Smithsonians National FIRST CONGREGATIONAL The DC Center hosts COFFEE
Zoo. It makes sense when you learn hes the co-chair of the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST DROP-IN FOR THE SENIOR LGBT
DC Centers 5th Annual Gay Day at the Zoo. welcomes all to 10:30 a.m. service, COMMUNITY. 10 a.m.-noon. 2000
945 G St. NW. firstuccdc.org or 14th St. NW. For more information,
In the run-up to the event, scheduled for Saturday, 202-628-4317. call 202-682-2245 or visit thedc-
May 7, Gilad and co-chair, Elijah Bair, are selling $20 center.org.
turtle-green T-shirts at Trade, Number Nine, and Town HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF
Danceboutique. (The shirts are also available for pur- CHRIST welcomes GLBT commu- US HELPING US hosts a black gay
nity for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130 mens evening affinity group for
chase online.) Old Telegraph Road, Alexandria. GBT black men. Light refreshments
The T-shirts distinguish whos there for the event, hopeucc.org. provided. 7-9 p.m. 3636 Georgia
says Bair, adding that sales have shot up as the date nears. Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.
Join LINCOLN
Its just a nice event to get people outside and show CONGREGATIONAL TEMPLE WASHINGTON WETSKINS
some pride. UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST for WATER POLO TEAM practices 7-9
Because this years Gay Day at the Zoo coincides with an inclusive, loving and progressive p.m. Newcomers with at least basic
International Family Equality Day, Gilad and Bair have faith community every Sunday. 11 swimming ability always welcome.
a.m. 1701 11th Street NW, near R in Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van
tried to make the event more family-friendly by organizing Shaw/Logan neighborhood. lincol- Buren St. NW. For more informa-
a scavenger hunt with prizes. ntemple.org. tion, contact Tom, 703-299-0504
For many, Gay Day at the Zoo is their first LGBT or secretary@wetskins.org, or visit
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY wetskins.org.
event, says Bair. And its more comfortable to go with a CHURCH OF NORTHERN
group of people. To that end, various Center-sponsored VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH
groups have planned Meetups, a schedule of which will by Rev. Emma Chattin. Childrens HIV/AIDS Support Group for
be posted on organizations website in advance. Its just an Sunday School, 11 a.m. 10383 newly diagnosed individuals,
Democracy Lane, Fairfax. 703-691- meets 7 p.m. Registration required.
enjoyable experience to be surrounded by people who love 0930, mccnova.com. 202-939-7671, hivsupport@whit-
you and arent judgmental of you. John Riley man-walker.org.
NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN
CHURCH, inclusive church with TUESDAY, May 2
GLBT fellowship, offers gospel wor-
Gay Day at the Zoo is Sunday, May 7, from Noon to 5 p.m. ship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional wor- Queer-identifying women who
at the Smithsonian National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. ship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle NW. have survived violent or traumatic
NW. Free. For more information, or to purchase T-shirts, 202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org. experiences and are looking for
visit gaydayatthezoo.com. support are invited to take part
in a bi-weekly QUEER WOMEN

20 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


WORKING THROUGH TRAUMA WEDNESDAY, May 3
GROUP at The DC Center.
Participants are encouraged to BOOKMEN DC, an informal
do an intake assessment with mens gay-literature group, dis-
moderator and social worker Sam cusses Mordaunt Shairps 1933
Goodwin. 6-7 p.m. 2000 14th St. play, The Green Bay Tree. 7:30
NW, Suite 105. For more infor- p.m. Tenleytown Library, 4450
mation, email Sam at samantha@ Wisconsin Ave. NW. All welcome.
thedccenter.org. bookmendc.blogspot.com.

THE HIV WORKING GROUP of THE TOM DAVOREN SOCIAL


The DC Center hosts a Packing BRIDGE CLUB meet for Social
Party, where volunteers assemble Bridge. No partners needed, all
safe-sex kits of condoms and lube. welcome. 7:30 p.m. Dignity Center,
7-9 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 721 8th St., SE (across from Marine
105. For more information, visit Barracks). Call 301-345-1571 for
thedccenter.org. more information.

Weekly Events Weekly Events


ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly AD LIB, a group for freestyle con-
dinner in Dupont/Logan Circle versation, meets about 6-6:30 p.m.,
area, 6:30 p.m. For more informa- Steam, 17th and R NW. All wel-
tion, email afwash@aol.com, or come. For more information, call
visit afwashington.net. Fausto Fernandez, 703-732-5174.

DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds prac- DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)


tice. The team is always looking holds a practice session at Dunbar
for new members. All welcome. Aquatic Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 101 N
7:30-9:30 p.m. King Greenleaf St. NW. For more information, visit
Recreation Center, 201 N St. SW. swimdcac.org.
For more information, visit scan-
dalsrfc.org or dcscandals@gmail. FREEDOM FROM SMOKING, a
com. group for LGBT people looking
to quit cigarettes and tobacco use,
THE GAY MENS HEALTH holds a weekly support meeting at
COLLABORATIVE offers free The DC Center. 7-8 p.m. 2000 14th
HIV testing and STI screening St. NW, Suite 105. For more infor-
and treatment every Tuesday. mation, visit thedccenter.org.
5-6:30 p.m. Rainbow Tuesday
LGBT Clinic, Alexandria Health HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH
Department, 4480 King St. 703- offers Wednesday worship 7:15 a.m.
746-4986 or text 571-214-9617. and 12:05 p.m. All welcome. 118 N.
james.leslie@inova.org. Washington St., Alexandria. 703-
549-1450, historicchristchurch.org.
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS
LGBT focused meeting every JOB CLUB, a weekly support pro-
Tuesday, 7 p.m. St. Georges gram for job entrants and seekers,
Episcopal Church, 915 Oakland meets at The DC Center. 6-7:30 p.m.
Ave., Arlington, just steps from 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For
Virginia Square Metro. For more info, www.centercareers.org.
more info. call Dick, 703-521-
1999. Handicapped accessible. NOVASALUD offers free HIV
Newcomers welcome. liveandletli- testing. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 2049 N.
veoa@gmail.com. 15th St., Suite 200, Arlington.
Appointments: 703-789-4467.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ
YOUTH ages 13-21 meets at PRIME TIMERS OF DC, social club
SMYAL. 5-6:30 p.m. 410 7th St. for mature gay men, hosts weekly
SE. For more information, contact happy hour/dinner. 6:30 p.m.,
Cathy Chu, 202-567-3163, or cath- Windows Bar above Dupont Italian
erine.chu@smyal.org. Kitchen, 1637 17th St. NW. More
info, contact Carl, 703-573-8316.
US HELPING US hosts a support
group for black gay men 40 and WASHINGTON WETSKINS
older. 7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. WATER POLO TEAM practices 7-9
NW. 202-446-1100. p.m. Newcomers with at least basic
swimming ability always welcome.
Whitman-Walker Health holds its Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van
weekly GAY MENS HEALTH AND Buren St. NW. For more informa-
WELLNESS/STD CLINIC. Patients tion, contact Tom, 703-299-0504
are seen on walk-in basis. No-cost or secretary@wetskins.org, or visit
screening for HIV, syphilis, gon- wetskins.org. l
orrhea and chlamydia. Hepatitis
and herpes testing available for fee. Submit your community event for
Testing starts at 6 p.m, but should consideration at least 10 days prior
arrive early to ensure a spot. 1701 to the Thursday publication you
14th St. NW. For more information, would like it to appear. Email to cal-
visit whitman-walker.org. endar@metroweekly.com.

22 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


Thirty years ago, Jeremiah Tower forged the
celebrity chef culture that pervades todays
society. A new documentary celebrates the life
of the playful, irascible perfectionist.
Exclusive Interview by John Riley
Photos Courtesy of The Orchard

Chef
de
Rsista
J
EREMIAH TOWER HAS ALWAYS CONSIDERED
himself an outlaw. Its hard to imagine, in New York
now, if youre 22, no one gives a shit what youre doing
sexually, says the man credited for starting the celebrity chef
movement. But when I was growing up, you could be put in
If youre going to make your own way and make your own
point, its probably going to cause a little bit of trouble, says
Tower, whose reputation as a brash, opinionated, and unabashed
perfectionist has rubbed many in his industry the wrong way.
His workplace personality, fluctuating between moments of
jail, for Gods sakes. I knew I was an outlaw, but also because I charm and abrasiveness, his refusal to suffer fools, and his do-it-
was an American in Australia and an American in England. I was alone approach are all examined in Jeremiah Tower: The Last
different. And people told you so all the time. Magnificent, opening Friday, April 28, at the Landmark E Street
Shaped by a tumultuous childhood divided between traveling Cinema. Acting as a partial biography, the documentary chroni-
the world with his absentee parents and military-style boarding cles Towers journey from a childhood spent in first-class dining
schools abroad, Tower quickly learned self-sufficiency and devel- rooms to his present-day retirement on the beaches of Mexico,
oped a take-charge attitude that carried over into his work life. where he spends his free time swimming with sharks.

24 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


ance
what Jeremiah brought to the table, certainly at Chez Panisse
and later at Stars, was that he was very much borrowing from the
past. He had been to Paris, he had seen all these incredible bis-
tros, and he was borrowing from that sensibility and that ambi-
ence. Of course, he put a very American overlay on it, but it was
something that he was deeply borrowing from from the past.
He was also an incredibly knowledgeable guy, she continues.
He had read every culinary tomb by every famous writer and chef.
So he had a strong understanding of what came before him. I think
its wonderful to see a young demographic of chefs come up, be
experimental, break the rules, try new things, but I think its very
One of several chefs credited with the creation of California important to understand, in any medium, what came before you.
cuisine utilizing fresh, locally-grown ingredients Tower Because when you have that, then you know how to play with it,
helped redefine the culinary industry during a stint as chef de and you know how to reinvent it and to break the rules.
cuisine at Alice Waters Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., in 1972. Tower is obsessed with hospitality, manners, and social nice-
Years later, after a very public split with Waters, he opened his ties, which he finds lacking in a digital age that has come to be
own restaurant, Stars, in San Francisco, where he made his mark epitomized by that enabler of narcissism, the smartphone.
as the first-of-a-kind chef who wooed socialites and rubbed Recently, I saw somebody reach up to take a selfie and knock
elbows with celebrities in between courses. a platter out of the waiters hand, he says. It was just that per-
He brought his own sense of glamor and was a fantastic son thinking, Im the only person in the universe, Im going to
central master of ceremonies in that whole arena, says Last do whatever I want. Its not about you. Really great manners is
Magnificent director Lydia Tenaglia, but I think its important, thinking about other people, not about yourself.
in any artistic endeavor, to know what came before you.... And Tower offers similar hints around issues like dinner attire,

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 25


punctuality, and the use of utensils in his first of three books, your own, influenced your work ethic?
Table Manners: How to Behave in the Modern World and Why TOWER: Being left to do what I wanted to, and therefore having
Bother. Civility is crucial to the prep school-educated chef, to figure out how to do what I wanted to, obviously meant thats
whether hes explaining the importance of customer service to what I did. But also, [it] obviously created a [sense of] Im on
CEOs on the modern-day lecture circuit, or when he sparked my own, Im going to do what I want, Ill find a way, no matter
a mini-scandal among the staff at Chez Panisse by shaking the whats going on. From that point of view, the way the film looks
hand of H.R. Haldeman, President Nixons chief of staff and a at it, theyre probably right. Ive never seen it like that until I saw
key figure in the Watergate Affair. the film and was questioned about it like this. I just thought, Ive
According to legend, Haldeman was dining with a large got the run of the abandoned hotel by myself. How much fun is
group, including his daughter. The staff, made up largely of that? First class is still first class. Its always enjoyable.
liberals, beatniks and Bohemian types, refused to wait on him. MW: When did you first realize you were gay?
Tower demanded that Haldeman be served. TOWER: I knew very early, but the point is I could never tell
Itd be like having a restaurant today and Trump and his anybody or share that. In English public school, everyone was in
chief advisor would come in and wed turn them away, Tower each others trousers, but that wasnt gay. The word gay and
says. I said, No, you cant turn them away, its hospitality. I all that didnt exist there. You were 14 years old, and thats what
dont approve of him, he doesnt approve of me. But if he came you did. Later on, by the time I got to the United States and got to
into my restaurant and behaved himself and enjoyed his meal, Harvard, it was definitely something you had to hide, something
then youd give him the bill and thats that. you couldnt share, something you couldnt tell anybody. The
The film shines a spotlight on Tower, who, after two decades 22-year-old these days in New York couldnt possibly under-
of seclusion, reemerged in 2014 to help turn around the flailing stand. Theres nothing furtive about it now. But I realized that I
New York behemoth, Tavern on the Green. It proved an impos- was interested in boys and men from a very early age.
sible, thankless task (Anthony Bordain calls Tavern a chef kill- MW: Did you ever have a coming out moment?
er), and the great chefs perfectionism led to his undoing at the TOWER: No, because I never thought it was relevant to tell
hands of two inexperienced owners. somebody else about my sexuality unless I was trying to get
A rolling stone gathers no moss, says Tenaglia. And them into bed.
Jeremiah is a rolling stone. I think hes been a rolling stone since MW: But you were known as gay, professionally speaking?
he was a child. Hes a bit of a wanderer. I
dont think he likes to stay in one place for
too long. I think he likes to create something, In English public school, EVERYONE WAS
burn it down, and then move on.
If you look at his career, he did that
IN EACH OTHERS TROUSERS, BUT THAT
every step of the way. He created something WASNT GAY. You were 14 years old,
really fantastic at Chez Panisse with Alice
Waters and then his incredibly strong ego
and thats what you did.
burned it down. Hes almost like and per-
haps Im speaking about it too romantically but there is this TOWER: I was known as gay, for sure. I never put it out there,
romantic aspect to his character thats Garbo-like. He just wants because I just think it was nobodys business. But if asked,
to be left alone, and his best chance to do that is to build some- I didnt deny it. The gay community thought I was a trai-
thing and then burn it down and walk away. tor because I hadnt come out and said, Onward, Christian
Still, she concedes, I think that there is a part of Jeremiah Soldiers! But certainly the profession, while I was working in
that looks at Mario Batali and Wolfgang Puck Wolfgang was the United States was 95 percent straight, and I know that many
his contemporary, they came up around the same time and of them couldnt understand how a gay man could be so famous,
looks at those soup cans on the shelves, and theres always that so successful, and resented it. It didnt prevent them from offer-
thought kicking in the back of Jeremiahs mind, My brand was ing me champagne when I was in their restaurants.
just as strong. What if I had stuck it out? Could I have built an MW: Is it still largely a straight-dominated profession?
equal empire? TOWER: Well, I dont know how straight it is, its just that I think
Indeed, with The Last Magnificent, the empire that might now nobody cares. Its sort of taken for granted that people are
have been not only strikes back, it has the final say. switching sides. I mean there are gay straights. Friday Im gay,
Saturday Im straight, and by the way nobody cares, in the young
METRO WEEKLY: Do you think the documentary portrayed your community. I mean there are now, what, fifteen different words
childhood accurately? for what you are sexually? Who can keep track? I wont ask what
JEREMIAH TOWER: Well, its a very psychoanalytical look at you are.
things. Everyone said a childhood like that is definitely child MW: Im gay. Just simply gay.
abuse. But, at the time, I didnt see it as that. After talking to TOWER: Youre gay. But which kind of gay? Which one of the fif-
Tony Bourdain for a couple of weeks about this, I can see that it teen labels are you willing to accept, or do you have five different
seems a very strange childhood. He says abandoned, I say, No, ones? Dont answer that....
left to do what I want. It depends how you look at it. Tonys MW: What about food engages and inspires you?
point of view was, Oh my God, how could they neglect you like TOWER: First of all, its ingredients, all of the ingredients,
that? Im not quite sure. Maybe Ive just forgotten how painful because thats what turns on this bachelor, gets me excited. I
it was if it was and then turned all that pain into creative think the best thing people can do is get around the table and
energy. share a meal. The most human thing you can do, the most civi-
MW: The documentary touches on how your travel as a child led to lized thing you can do, is to show your appreciation of each other
your love of food. Do you think being left to do what you want, on over a roast chicken and a bottle of Maranges.

26 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


MW: How do you see your influence in shaping the celebrity chef TOWER: Well, its only coming to my senses. Why would I do
movement and the branding of restaurants? that, you know? Hello?
TOWER: Whatever influence Ive had, the worst one, which I MW: Maybe because you love it.
regret, is that now everybody wants to be on TV and they think TOWER: Ive been doing it for 35 years with some success. Why
they can do it without having gone through Anthony Bourdains would I attempt it now? But, you know, if there was a beach and
life and written Kitchen Confidential. They want to be a star chef then if somebody said, Lets do a bar on a beach in Phuket.
without having spent 25 years doing it. Absolutely. Somebody just said to me, Lets do a caf, a little
Of course, you can go to Top Chef right away on TV and get tiny bistro in Sevilla, in Spain, where I was last week. Fine. Im
$125,000, and be someone employed in various entities for the thinking about that. If Mario Batali said to me, as he did, Lets
rest of your life. Thats not the point. If you want to be a real do a restaurant on the Amalfi coast. Absolutely. It would have
chef, put in your work, look around you, read from the past, to be that special. That small. That whimsical. That blank board.
make yourself really interesting or educated, and
then shape the future. Thats what you should do. I was obsessive about my career, so THE
MW: How do you feel about the explosion of cooking
competitions on TV? PEOPLE WHO WERE VERY IMPORTANT IN
TOWER: Gordon Ramsay is Satan. Any young chef
that looks at Gordon Ramsay and thinks, Thats
MY LIFE, I TOOK FOR GRANTED.
what I should be doing is really on the wrong That was a huge mistake.
path, because thats not what the industry of hos-
pitality, of restaurants and chefs, thats not what my industry We cook whatever we find in the market and whatever we want
was all about. It was much kinder, much more about teaching to do. We find whoever we want, chuck out whoever we want,
and bringing to the front the best talents youve got. that kind of restaurant.
Youre not going to get your team together, youre not going MW: Would you ever consider going on TV for a cooking show? And
to teach people who are going to inherit the future by decimating not a reality cooking show, but more of a Julia Child type show?
them. Youre going to show people how to be great by showing TOWER: Oh, yes. Im fairly decent at doing that, so if somebody
them great things. Taste, and behavior, and benchmarks, and that had the same kind of ideas I do for a cooking show, yes, I would
kind of thing. So, the Gordon Ramsay reality show, No youre consider that. Right now Im much more concentrating on act
out, youre out, and kicking you, and tantrums like that, thats not three, which is public speaking. I just gave a speech in front of a
the point. Its like, gently, and over time, here are the wonderful hundred CEOs in the hospitality business in Las Vegas and got a
things that you can see. Here are the wonderful things you can do. standing ovation. I did one in Key West, and it was hugely suc-
Heres how to do it and this is how you can be great. cessful, so I thought maybe thats what I should be doing.
MW: Theres a scene in the movie where you criticize a Tavern on MW: What advice do you give these CEOs?
the Green line chef. You tell him, You burned that, you dont know TOWER: I talk to them about how to have successful hospitality.
what youre doing. I told them, for instance, I can go into a restaurant or hotel and
TOWER: What the film doesnt show is that I took him aside. The in 10 minutes I know if theres an owner present or not. And I
film shows me taking him over to his station and then it cuts to dont mean the owner actually is in the building. What I meant
something else. What it doesnt show is that I spent the rest of was, Is his culture or her culture alive and well and living in that
the night just with him, cooking with him and showing him how place, so that the managers think like, act like, want to be like,
to do the dishes, and never leaving his side. Because he was a you know...are they in love with the same culture as the owner
very sweet guy who said to me, Well, you know I dont know was originally? Because unless you have that, you can walk
how to cook. I burst out laughing. I couldnt help but think, Oh into a hotel, everybodys on their phone, nobody pays attention,
my God, heres somebody on the line whos hired to do this job, nobody gives a shit. Youre paying $500 a night, and the place
whos admitting he doesnt know how to do it. And I thought, smells and its no good, and nobody cares. But if the owner has a
I love that sort of bravery and sense of humor, and I stayed culture that is completely the opposite of that, and all the manag-
with him for the rest of the night. But I did go over to the chef de ers share the same culture, then that never happens and youve
cuisine and say, Are you out of your mind? How could you do got a great hospitality property.
that to that guy? How could you abandon him? MW: Have you ever thought of becoming a critic?
It was my responsibility, too, but there were fifteen guys in TOWER: No, I havent. I think I would be a very good hotel and
the kitchen. So I missed the fact that hed been put on a station restaurant reviewer, because I hate reviewers that talk about
and didnt know what to do. But then after I castigated him, I themselves. You know, I dont like pink restaurants, I dont like
went over and rescued him. the chef at that place, so I dont like the restaurant. You know,
MW: Why did you choose to come out of retirement for a place like its not about you. I think its a challenge for a reviewer to talk
Tavern on the Green, which so many in the industry thought of as about what the customer wants to hear, or what the client of
a hopeless cause? the review wants to hear. Because its not about them, but about
TOWER: Well, as Ive said to a couple of people in the last few the experience they had going here three times and objectively
days, I have a fatal attraction for the slim chance. And I just reviewing it.
couldnt resist. I thought this was a chance that, as Proust said, MW: When you go into the market now, you see these Endorsed by
Work while the lights still on. And I wanted to see if my light Chef so-and-so, or So-and-sos brand chicken stock. Have you
was still on. That and many reasons. But it was just the chal- ever thought about your own commercial brand of food?
lenge. I just couldnt resist, and it was time to get my ass off the TOWER: I would love to be as rich as Wolfgang Puck. Ive had the
beach, too. opportunities, Ive flirted with fame, but at the last minute, Im
MW: Whats keeping you from opening up your own restaurant the one who left the altar. Just couldnt do it.
again, right now? MW: Why?

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 27


TOWER: The compromise is too big. I mean how can you be no time for that. And I think thats the point theyre making.
called a great chef, and then put your Im not talking about If you dont have the right work ethic, and you dont want to
Wolfgang, he is great chef and a great guy and I like him, hes a achieve the best all the time, then theres no place for you in that
good friend. But Im saying, in general, how can you be a great team. If youre sick or miserable or depressed or something at
chef and then be Chef Boyardee? any given moment, then the team picks you up and carries you
MW: What are some of your favorite restaurants? along with them. Theres a big difference there.
TOWER: I was at Le Bernardin, Eric Riperts restaurant, which is MW: Have you been able to mend fences with people that you
a place I go to every time Im in New York, and today I was there have been on the outs with, like Alice Waters, or is there still some
for lunch. And it was even more brilliant than usual. And [owner] anger?
Maguy Le Coze was there. The dining room was brilliant. The TOWER: No, I mean.... When we were first making the film, they
food was amazing. I mean, Im just in awe of Le Bernardin, of asked, How do you feel about Alice saying that she did every-
how beautifully the team because it is complete teamwork thing? I said, You know, whatever. Its all in the past.
there, which was a success at start, the teamwork. And how they Then they said, No, no, no, this movie is about how you were
can get it all right, every minute of the time youre there. pissed off. And I said, Oh really? No, I dont feel that way.
MW: Are there any up-and-coming chefs that youre watching, to Im old enough to have figured out all this, you know its fine,
see if they make a splash right now? you need to make peace with all of that. And they said, No,
TOWER: Well, Im living on a beach in Mexico. So I havent got Jeremiah, this is what this movies about. So I looked to the
my eye very closely on anything going on in the United States. camera and said, Okay, Im pissed. Im officially pissed. Does
So I really cant answer that question. Im not in the business that make you happy? I mean, what can I say? Ive made peace
of hiring anybody, but if I were, I would hire anybody on Mario with just about everything in my life. Except fools.
Batalis staff or Eric Riperts staff. Thats where Id go. I couldnt MW: Do you have any regrets?
because theyre my friends, but if Im recommending anyone to TOWER: Oh, my God, I mean who doesnt? Im lucky that Ive
look to perfect staff, thats where Id go. been 51 percent ahead of my mistakes. But that doesnt mean I
MW: You once remarked that for your last meal on earth youd havent done 49 mistakes along the way. Im lucky. Of course,
have Beluga caviar, because its great to eat with a spoon. If you when one is a massive success, one has also been a massive bore.
could only be limited to one protein for the rest of your life, what MW: In what way?
would it be? TOWER: Bloody hell, you know, I was obsessive about my career,
TOWER: One protein for the rest of my life. How long is the rest so the people who were very important in my life, I took for
of my life? granted. That was a huge mistake. Absolutely wonderful, bril-
MW: Ten to twenty years? liant amazing people that I adored and am in love with, were
TOWER: Oh, probably a beautiful young man. [Laughs.] No, it victims of my just saying, Career comes first. All that stuff. All
would have to be fish. It would probably be something called the human stuff. Ive made all those mistakes.
hogfish, from the Gulf of Mexico. Its a white fish that feeds only MW: What are you doing now to occupy your time, or that gives
on clams. So thats what it tastes like clam. Its the most perfect you pleasure?
fish I know at the moment in Mexico. Something like lobster, TOWER: Well my new book came out last November, Table
you would get tired of because its just too rich. So I would say Manners, and Start The Fire just came out this week. And Ive
hogfish, on the Gulf of Mexico. got another book thatll be out in a few months called Savor The
MW: What motivates you to be as gung-ho and take-charge as you Taste. Im starting my public speaking career, Im still diving
are? with sharks, and doing this, and the film. It took two and a half
TOWER: Well, I hate mediocrity. Especially in the hospitality years to do that. So my life is full, completely.
business. Ive been there for so long that I just know how MW: Whats it like diving with sharks?
easy it is for somebody to take charge and make it right. It TOWER: When I left Stars, I realized I was like all obsessive
just takes a really good manager to make something from chefs. I was an adrenaline junkie and I thought, If I just stop
mediocre to absolutely brilliant and working. What makes me now, Ill have either a stroke or Ill become an alcoholic, so Id
think that and do that? Well, if you believe the film, it was a better figure out what Ill do next.
miserable childhood. And I made a list, What are all the things that I always
MW: Many of the people interviewed in the movie remark that your wanted to do and [have] never done, and what are the things
personality tended to make you enemies. Do you feel youve still got that excite me the most? Putting human beings on that list was
a lot of enemies out there? so obvious, I didnt do it. So I put sharks, because I was terrified
TOWER: Well not so much, but Anthony Bourdain, in the movie, of sharks, because of my experience in Australia as a kid. So I
makes the point that I was an inconvenient person. Because decided, Okay, Im going to go scuba diving and Im going to go
I did speak my mind. I was trying to achieve something, and diving with sharks, and thats what I did.
Mark Franz said, If you werent up to snuff on something in MW: Are there any other death defying things youd like to do that
Jeremiahs eyes, then just move aside and get out of the way. you havent done yet?
But, of course, he was my chief executive, he was the one getting TOWER: Well, skydiving for sure. Parachute, Im going to try that.
them out of the way, he understood completely. I mean, Mark Death-defying? Probably more interviews, perhaps. l
suffers fools with less patience than I do.
But when youre obsessively all of us, the whole team at Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent opens Friday, April 28 at
Stars, for example achieving something, doing a thousand Landmarks E Street Cinema and Alexandrias Hoffman Center
meals, cooked to order, every day, with the menu changing every 22. For more information, visit landmarktheatres.com.
day, there is no time for somebody having the wrong attitude. If
you make a mistake then the team picks you up, and we go along Start the Fire ($17.99) and Table Manners ($20) are available at
together, fine. But if somebodys got the wrong attitude, theres Amazon.com and at area bookstores.

28 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


Gallery

JS ADAMS
GHOST EXCURSIONS :
ERNST HERZFELDS PERSEPOLIS DECONSTRUCTED _ GROUND TO DUST [ TRANSPARENT ]
INK JET PRINT ON MANILA PAPER / TAR / TRANSPARENCY / CELLOPHANE TAPE
7-3/4 X 7-3/4 INCHES

Upcoming shows:
Art Hop, Takoma - MD to DC, April 29 - 30 at Artful Framing & Gallery - 6960 Maple St NW, B - www.mainstreettakoma.org/featured-events/art-hop-takoma/
CAMP Rehoboth 12x12xHeART show / auction, May 7 - 27 - www.camprehoboth.com/events/12x12xheart-exhibition-and-auction
CAMP Rehoboth / Peninsula Gallery (Lewes) artists exchange Art for the Community, June 3 - 25 - www.peninsula-gallery.com/future-exhibitions

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 31


Stage
JOAN MARCUS

forges a more uneasy connection.

Drawn Apart
Of Bruces double life, Small Alison
and her younger brothers, Christian
(Pierson Salvador) and John (Lennon
Nate Hammond) are blissfully unaware,
Fun Home hits deep with a tender score and a smart, despite witnessing Bruces many friend-
sincere coming out story By Andr Hereford ships with good-looking young men and
teens around town (all played, in various

T
guises, by Robert Hager). Its only when
HE WARM AND WONDERFUL FUN HOME (HHHHH) PULLS OFF THE shes dealing with her own sexual confu-
remarkable feat of capturing a childs-eye view of the world, framed by a decid- sion, and a prospective girlfriend (Karen
edly adult understanding of that kids upbringing. The shows knowing voice Eilbacher), that Allison learns her fathers
originates at the source cartoonist Alison Bechdels best-selling 2006 graphic mem- secret. The revelation alters her percep-
oir of the same name. Adapted for the stage by playwright Lisa Kron (Well) and com- tion of her familys entire life up to that
poser Jeanine Tesori (Caroline, Or Change), Bechdels piercing tale of her own coming moment, an awakening summed up in one
out, which coincided with her beloved (and closeted) dads suicide, marries poignantly haunting refrain: When the sunlight hits
with Tesoris arresting melodies. the parlor wall....
The in-the-round Broadway production, which earned five Tony Awards, including The music is expressive throughout,
one for director Sam Gold, as well for Krons book, Tesoris score, and Best Musical has but its not always matched in its trans-
been perfectly reimagined for a proscenium-style tour. Voluminous sets transform with porting quality by the conversational style
the fluidity of an artists fertile imagination, as the action moves from the Bechdel fami- of the lyrics. Fun Home isnt a show for
lys giant, old Victorian fixer-upper in small-town Pennsylvania, to Alisons dorm room traditionalist fans of discretely structured
at Oberlin College, and her drawing studio as a flourishing chronicler of lesbian lives. songs. And, as adult Alison, Shindle, a
At each step of her journey, shes represented onstage: as a precocious prepubes- former Miss America, is a credible actress,
cent artist, Small Alison (Alessandra Baldacchino); as a shy, but endearing baby dyke at with snappy comic delivery. But shes not
college, Medium Alison (Abby Corrigan); and, as the wistful, keenly aware adult Alison the strongest singer ever to wear that pag-
(Kate Shindle). At each age, she must grapple with her sometimes overwhelming need eants crown. Corrigan, as Medium Alison,
to win the approval of her severely repressed yet open and loving dad, Bruce (Robert slays every moment, inhabiting the char-
Petkoff). With her equally (but differently) repressed mom, Helen (Susan Moniz), she acter distinctly, from her lustrous voice to

32 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


her smallest gesture.
As college freshman Alison
begins to truly understand her
dad, its somewhat disappointing
that the show doesnt explore
how her knowledge of the truth
might ripple through her relation-
ships with her younger brothers.
It would be a welcome payoff to
the great rapport established early
on between Baldacchinos Small
Alison and her siblings. Both boys
are featured prominently and
adorably in the first act, but their
third of the family disappears
from the second act, where the
corrosive dynamic between par-

JOAN MARCUS
ents Bruce and Helen reaches its
boiling point.
As Bruce, Petkoff masters the
brittle funeral home directors testy dance between joviality ing them all. Its up to Alison to at least try to make sense of their
and frailty, one minute playing with his kids, the next seducing collective past. As she watches herself watching herself figure
an ex-student upstairs while the kids watch TV in the parlor. out the world, Fun Home manifests the wisdom that at any given
Petkoff and Moniz build in surging waves to the raw emotion moment, every version and age of the girl and the woman bears
that finally punctures the Bechdels aura of WASP-ish reserve, witness to the events that will shape her future. Like any of us,
Moniz particularly so with Helens aching ode, Days and Days. shes traveling the constant journey of becoming herself. Its a
By the time Bruces secret is out, its too late for a loving journey full of fun and sadness, rendered with touching depth
embrace to prevent the fateful decision that winds up devastat- and clarity. l

Fun Home runs to May 13 at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $48 to $98.
Call 202-628-6161, or visit thenationaldc.org.

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 33


Stage
GRACE TOULOTTE

possessed by a woman in her era. But the

Poets and
play strains to cover the emotional and
atmospheric distance between the high-
er-energy shenanigans and the lower-ebb
drama. Behn has better luck juggling her

Paramours
Round House revs up an intermittently jolly farce that runs smoothest
many lovers.
And, as juggling goes, Twyfords
costars, Linington and Weaver, each per-
form splendidly, shuttling between no
when it races By Andr Hereford less than three characters apiece from
Englands formerly exiled King Charles

R
II to a quick-thinking housemaid to Nell
OUND HOUSE HAS STOCKED ITS STABLE WITH A TRIO OF THOROUGH- Gwynne, one of the most celebrated
bred stage performers for a new production of Liz Duffy Adams madcap come- actresses of her age. They execute the
dy Or, (HHHHH). A ribald chronicle of one eventful night in the life of bisexual farces required physical business with
female Restoration Era poet and playwright Aphra Behn, the bawdy period farce is finesse, and Weaver especially has an
hauled at breakneck speed by Holly Twyford, Gregory Linington, and Erin Weaver, infectiously good time with the broad-
who summon a collective rhythm and effervescence that is beautiful to behold. ly humorous characterizations of Behns
Director Aaron Posner puts his cast through split-second exits and entrances maid Maria and the amusingly self-im-
and Houdini-level quick-changes, all performed with enough generous enthusiasm portant Lady Davenant, a potential spon-
to warmly include the audience in the actors roundelay of doffed wigs and hastily sor for Behns plays.
switched accents. As with any good farce, Or, coaxes complicity from the crowd to keep The plays wit, not always rapier sharp,
the tempo bubbling along for all the political intrigue and sexual antics that occupy the at least is delivered with a wink and a
six characters tromping in and out of Behns apartment. nudge that compensates for the hit-or-
But when the narrative pace flags, the energy sharply sags. Whiplash shifts, marked miss quality of the wordplay. Adams char-
by over-expressive lighting, maneuver the action from the door-slamming frivolity of acters unload torrents of salty language
Behn entertaining three secret lovers, to quietly contemplative moments trying to rec- and glaring anachronisms, like It Girl,
oncile her past as a royal spy and her desired future as a royal bard. with all the self-conscious shock value of a
Twyford excels in essaying both moods, and all the shades in between, of an artist cool mom who gets her jollies by talking
driven by a thirst for glory and freedoms like financial independence, not easily a wee bit naughty. Her command of the

34 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


language of Behns poetry and
inner life rings truer, with
Twyford poignantly animat-
ing Behns insights.
As a nation under a tyrant,
a woman in love, Behn
laments, uncertain of whether
she does actually love any of
her suitors. Of her passion for
free, artful expression, she not
is only certain, but determined
to see it gain her security in
life. She might no longer be
a spy, but arent writers like
spies, gathering secrets to
later ruthlessly exploit? Its
spying (and sex), as much as
her writing, that gained Behn
favor with the king.
So is Aphra Behn an agent
of espionage or a poet, a free
thinker or a kept woman, the

GRACE TOULOTTE
kings lover or his whore? This
funny, well-acted production
wrestles compellingly with
Behns, or any persons, capac-
ity to contain multitudes of opposite traits. For better or worse, antly arch comedy and darkly philosophical drama. The effect is
Or, also illustrates that very concept, swinging between buoy- exhilarating or disjointed. Or both. l

Or, runs until May 07 at Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda. Tickets are $50 to $61.
Call 240-644-1100, or visit RoundHouseTheatre.org.

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 35


NightLife Photography by
Ward Morrison

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 37


Scene
Cherry Royalty Main Event at Town- Saturday, April 22
Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

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40 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


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Photography and David NUMBER NINE Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any 4pm-close
Claypool Music and video COBALT/30 DEGREES Pop Goes the World with Monday Nights A Drag, drink, 5-9pm No Cover
by DJ Wess downstairs Happy Hour: Tops Down $6 Wes Della Volla at 9:30pm featuring Miss Kristina Kelly NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Drag Show starts at Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3 Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Doors open at 10pm SHAWS TAVERN Beat the Clock Happy Hour
10:30pm Hosted by Lena Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm drink, 2-9pm No Cover Showtime at 11:30pm $3 Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3 $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Lett and featuring Tatianna, Homowood Karaoke, hosted Skyy Cocktails, $8 Skyy and Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, $5 $4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Shi-Queeta-Lee, Riley Knoxx by Robert Bise, 10pm-close SHAWS TAVERN Red Bull $8 Long Islands Rails and House Wines and Beer $15 Karaoke and
and BaNaka Doors open 21+ Brunch with Bottomless No Cover, 18+ Half-Priced Pizzas Trivia Drag Bingo
at 10pm Cover $15 from Mimosas, 10am-3pm with Jeremy, 7:30pm
10pm-midnight and $12 after DC EAGLE Happy Hour, 5-7pm $3 DC EAGLE NUMBER NINE
midnight 21+ Doors open at 12pm Happy Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, Doors open at 8pm Happy TRADE Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
Hour, 12-6 pm $2 off $5 Rails and House Wines Hour, 8-10pm $2 off Doors open 5pm Huge drink, 5-9pm No Cover
TRADE everything $2 Bud and & Half-Priced Pizzas Love everything Endless Happy Happy Hour: Any drink After 9pm, $3 Absolut, Bulleit
Doors open 2pm Huge Bud Light Draughts all day to Sing DC Cabaret Show, Hour prices to anyone in a normally served in a cocktail & Stella
Happy Hour: Any drink and night The DC Eagle 7:30pm DC Eagle T-Shirt Industry glass served in a huge glass
normally served in a cocktail Pizza Party (no credit check) Mondays Free Pool All for the same price, 5-10pm SHAWS TAVERN
glass served in a huge glass Free slice of pizza with TRADE Night and Day $1 Bud and Beer and wine only $4 Half-Priced Burgers and
for the same price, 2-10pm every drink while supplies Doors open 2pm Huge Bud Light Draughts all night Pizzas, 5-10pm $5 House
Beer and wine only $4 last 21+ Happy Hour: Any drink No Cover 21+ Wines and $5 Sam Adams

ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS FREDDIES BEACH BAR


normally served in a cocktail
glass served in a huge glass FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Tuesday, TRADE
Men of Secrets, 9pm-4am Champagne Brunch Buffet, for the same price, 2-10pm
Beer and wine only $4
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm Singles May 2 Doors open 5pm Huge
Happy Hour: Any drink
Guest dancers Ladies 10am-3pm Crazy Hour, Night Karaoke, 8pm
of Illusion Drag Show with 4-7pm Karaoke, 8pm-1am 9 1/2 normally served in a cocktail
host Ella Fitzgerald Doors ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS GREEN LANTERN Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any glass served in a huge glass
at 9pm, Shows at 11:30pm All male, nude dancers Happy Hour all night long drink, 5-9pm Multiple TVs for the same price, 5-10pm
and 1:30am DJ Don T. Decades of Dance DJ Open Mic Night Karaoke with showing movies, shows, Beer and wine only $4
in Ziegfelds DJ Steve Tim-e in Secrets Doors Kevin, 9:30pm-close sports Expanded craft beer
9pm Cover 21+ selection No Cover

APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY 41


Wednesday, NELLIES SPORTS BAR
SmartAss Trivia Night, 8pm
May 3 and 9pm Prizes include bar
tabs and tickets to shows at
9 1/2 the 9:30 Club $15 Buckets
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any of Beer for SmartAss Teams
drink, 5-9pm Multiple TVs only Bring a new team
showing movies, shows, member and each get a free
sports Expanded craft beer $10 Dinner
selection No Cover
NUMBER NINE
COBALT/30 DEGREES Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
Happy Hour: Tops Down $6 drink, 5-9pm No Cover
Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm SHAWS TAVERN
$4 Stoli and Stoli Flavors Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3
and Miller Lite all night Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
Wednesday Night Karaoke, $5 Rails and House Wines
hosted by India Larelle and Half-Priced Pizzas
Houston, 10pm-close No Piano Bar with Jill, down-
Cover 21+ stairs, 8pm

FREDDIES BEACH BAR TRADE


Crazy Hour, 4-7pm $6 Doors open 5pm Huge
Burgers Drag Bingo Night, Happy Hour: Any drink
hosted by Ms. Regina Jozet normally served in a cocktail
Adams, 8pm Bingo prizes glass served in a huge glass
Karaoke, 10pm-1am for the same price, 5-10pm
Beer and wine only $4 l
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long,
4pm-close

42 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


Scene
Cherry Royalty Main Event at Town- Saturday, April 22
Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

44 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY


LastWord.
People say the queerest things

What relevance is there to the publicIf interest of who someone has sex with, particularly in prison?
thats of public interest,

why dont we start outing everybody?


CYD ZEIGLER, cofounder of OutSports.com, responding to speculation regarding the sexual orientation of former NFL player
Aaron Hernandez, who committed suicide while in prison for murder. Many speculated Hernandez was bisexual or gay,
even though theres no evidence his sexual orientation was related to his crimes.

I dont believe that gay sex is a sin.


I take the view that as a political leader, though, my job is not to pontificate on theological matters.

TIM FARRON, leader of the U.K. Liberal Democrats, responding to repeated questions about past comments implying homosexu-
ality was a sin. An evangelical Christian, Farron is viewed with suspicion by LGBTQ activists as he casts himself as the chief alter-
native to Tory Prime Minister Theresa May in the U.K.s upcoming election.

I dont know about elsewhere, but in D.C. transgender people are only seen as
good for sex and get no respect.
DESSAI SCOTT, a D.C. transgender woman, speaking to the Thomson Reuters Foundation about her experience as a victim
of sex trafficking at the hands of her boyfriend. Scott has since escaped that life and is studying to be a nurse.

I got sick and tired of waiting for change....


Why not run and take care of the issues that need to be taken care of?

BRIANNA WESTBROOK, an out transgender candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, to NBC News about her decision
to run. Westbrook is one of 16 transgender individuals from across the nation currently seeking political office.

All individuals should be treated with respect.... It is such a simple lesson


it is never permissible to hurt another.
U.S. Sen. MIKE ENZI (R-Wy.), in a statement clarifying comments made at a Wyoming high school that a man
who wears a tutu and keeps getting into fights kind of asks for it.

46 APRIL 27, 2017 METROWEEKLY

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