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By Randy Shulman
MICHAEL J. BOBBITT’S
GREAT ADVENTURE
This year’s co-host of the Helen Hayes Awards is committed to
diversifying theater for both children and adults alike.
by André Hereford
Metro Weekly 1775 I St. NW, Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 202-638-6830
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JORDAN GRAHAM
Sandra Bernhard
I
LIKE MY WORK TO BE A PERSONAL INTRODUCTION just the sort of day-to-day small minded stupidity of how people
into the day-to-day life of Sandy, and weave [a] little journey treat each other.”
to take people away from being pummeled every day by the She points out, however, that “everybody has got to find a
obvious things in the news,” says Sandra Bernard, who brings way to settle back in and still be able to be flirtatious in the right
her latest show — complete with band — Sandemonium, to the settings, because that’s the nature of life. That’s different from
sparkling new City Winery this Saturday. “I’m bringing you grabbing or groping somebody or, god forbid, raping them.”
out of the mundane, into a new world. It’s everything that Bernhard, who recently revived her role of the groundbreak-
you expect from an evening of entertainment. It’s fun and it’s ing lesbian character Nancy Bartlett on ABC’s Roseanne reboot,
emotional and the music is rocking and it’s glamorous. Nobody won’t directly comment on Roseanne’s unabashed support of
wants a draggy night of boring political commentary. You want President Trump. “I know where I stand — I’m a liberal, I’m a
to be taken to the next level. And that’s what I do when I hit lefty,” she says. “I believe in social justice, and I believe in peo-
the stage.” ple having total autonomy over their lives and support from the
Bernhard, who identifies as bisexual, is forthright when government. The current water system should be replaced. The
asked about the #MeToo movement. “I never saw it coming the infrastructure should be replaced. We should stop talking about
way it did, and I think it’s fabulous because any woman who has all this divisive crap and go back to what matters, and that’s
been in this business has had to put up with that sort of behav- where I stand. How anybody else feels is not my problem. I just
ior, whether it’s as far as the Harvey Weinstein experiences or get on my pony and ride.” —Randy Shulman
Sandra Bernhard appears in Sandemonium at City Winery, 1350 Okie St. NE, on Saturday, May 12, at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $45 to $58. Visit citywinery.com or call 202-250-2531.
NATIONAL SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA
Music Director Gianandrea Noseda
takes to the NSO podium for his final
appearances this season, leading three
concerts featuring music composed or
influenced by J. S. Bach — including
Berio’s completion of Bach’s unfin-
ished Contrapunctus XIX, Berg’s Violin
Concerto featuring violinist James
Ehnes, and Brahms’s Symphony No.
4. Thursday, May 17, at 7 p.m., Friday,
May 18, at 9 p.m., and Saturday, May
19, at 8 p.m. Kennedy Center Concert
Hall. Tickets are $15 to $89. Call 202-
467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
AND CHOCOLATE
A flamboyant gay artist and a straight and
straight-laced communist become unlike-
ly friends in this Oscar-nominated Cuban
drama from 1994 also known by its Spanish
title Fresa y Chocolate. The film screens as
part of the Kennedy Center’s Artes de Cuba
festival, by virtue of being selected as one
of six chosen to highlight the history of the
Havana Film Festival, the celebrated show-
case of Latin American cinema celebrating its
40th anniversary this year. Sunday, May 13,
at 1 p.m. Family Theater. Tickets are $10. Call
202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
WALDEK ZELAZEWSKI
or visit kennedy-center.org.
Compiled by Doug Rule WILD COMBINATION: A and space to look at the impacts HOODED,
PORTRAIT OF ARTHUR RUSSELL disasters and corporate irresponsi- OR BEING BLACK FOR DUMMIES
FILM Matt Wolf offers a visually absorb- bility have on a community. Flood A nominee for the Charles
ing film that looks at the seminal City shines a light on the commu- MacArthur Award for Outstanding
avant-garde composer/musician/ nity’s resilience in the wake of the Original New Play at the upcoming
WASHINGTON JEWISH producer who died from AIDS- unimaginable. Jenna Duncan directs Helen Hayes Awards, this irrev-
FILM FESTIVAL related complications in 1992 and the Theater Alliance production. erent comedy is being remounted
In its final weekend, the festival only became known chiefly for his Opens Thursday, May 10. To June 17. by Mosaic Theater Company after
presents two films in the category experimental post-disco/new wave Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon its original sold-out run last year.
Rated LGBTQ, co-presented by Reel work in the past decade. The AFI Place SE. Call 202-241-2539 or visit All but one of the cast members as
Affirmations and GLOE: Saving Neta, Silver Theatre offers a 10th anni- theateralliance.com. well as all of the designers return
acclaimed Israeli filmmaker Nir versary screening of this visual tone to the show, a deft examination of
Bergman’s evocative, richly imag- poem as part of its two-month-long GIRLFRIEND two young black teens from vast-
ined ode to femininity, parenthood, Rock Doc series. Tuesday, May 15, In 1993, Matthew Sweet toured as ly different circumstances. Metro
and human connection (Sunday, at 9:30 p.m. 8633 Colesville Road, an opening act for newly out lesbian Weekly’s André Hereford praised
May 13, at 2:15 p.m., at the DCJCC) Silver Spring. Tickets are $13 gener- rocker Melissa Etheridge. Sweet’s the voice of playwright Tearrance
and The Cakemaker, a drama about al admission. Call 301-495-6720 or power-pop tunes — including 1991 Arvelle Chisholm as “authentic and
a gay German baker who travels to visit afi.com/Silver. alt-rock album Girlfriend — contin- original,” further noting the “smart,
Jerusalem to secretly connect with ue their LGBTQ appeal and connec- funny staging” of director Serge
the female widow of his Israeli lover tion, soundtracking a gay coming-
(Saturday, May 12, at 4:30 p.m., at STAGE of-age theatrical tale set in ’90s-era
Seiden. But he heaped the most
praise on lead actor Jeremy Keith
AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville small-town Nebraska. Lukas James Hunter as “the engine that keeps
Rd.) The Invisibles, German director FLOOD CITY Miller and Jimmy Mavrikes star the show humming along.” To June
Claus Räfle’s rendering of Jews who Set amid the Great Flood of as a college-bound jock and his 3. The Sprenger Theatre in the Atlas
survived the Nazis while in hiding in Pennsylvania in 1889 as well as the first boyfriend. Directed by Matt Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St.
Berlin closes the festival on Sunday, drying up of the state’s steel industry Gardiner. Pride Night is Friday, NE. Tickets are $20 to $65. Call
May 13, at 7 p.m. Call 202-777-3210 a century later, Gabrielle Reisman’s May 11. To June 10. The Ark, 4200 202-399-7993 or visit mosaicthe-
or visit wjff.org. hopeful dark comedy traverses time Campbell Ave., Arlington. Call 703- ater.org.
820-9771 or visit sigtheatre.org.
OPTIMISM
in our social toolbox. “It doesn’t answer questions,” he con-
cedes. “And I don’t think music can, in most cases, affect spe-
cific change around specific issues. But it can help people come
together as a community, and it can give them a kind of solace
DURING WARTIME
David Byrne finds “reasons to be cheerful” in an
that allows them to go on.”
Despite the current political climes of the country — indeed,
the world — Byrne remains a staunch optimist, evident to any-
one who visits davidbyrne.com, where they are immediately
increasingly somber, cheerless world. confronted by a bright orange banner linking to reasonstobe-
D
cheerful.world.
ID WE HAVE A FOLLOWING?” WONDERS DAVID “A couple years ago, I started collecting news of things that I
Byrne. “I was not aware.” But, of course, you don’t get felt were hopeful,” he says. “I eventually called it ‘Reasons to Be
to be one of the most influential bands in modern musical Cheerful.’ These are things happening around the world, often
history without some kind of an LGBTQ fan base. Still, the iconic in local places — in a city here, or a small country there — where
former frontman of the Talking Heads seems genuinely unaware. they have managed to find a solution to something that seems to
“I mean, I was aware of friends and colleagues and collabora- be intractable in other places. Somebody has found a way to fix
tors and everything else, but I was not aware of a gay following,” it. And if they can do it, then anybody can do it. So, I find little
says the 65-year-old, his once jet-black mane now blazing, bril- pockets of hope around the world. And I’m kind of clinging to
liant white, his demeanor surprisingly cheerful and gentle. “But that at the moment.” —Randy Shulman
there were other acts that I knew had a huge gay following that
were part of my world.” (The B-52s, anyone?) David Byrne’s American Utopia Tour comes to The Anthem on
“These days, I have to say, despite everything, it’s really Saturday, May 12. The show is sold out, but tickets are still avail-
refreshing how much society has changed,” he continues. able for the Merriweather Post Pavilion appearance on Saturday,
“We’ve got a long ways to go, but when you think of the idea of July 28. Tickets are $60 to $130. Visit merriweathermusic.com or
gay marriage — it just was inconceivable decades ago. It’s really call 877-435-9849.
SOUL THE STAX MUSICAL featuring a huge 21-member cast. atrical experience — “no curtain, no the early 1990s, when grunge was
Kwame Kwei-Armah concludes Choreography by Chase Brock. back wall, no proscenium” — pro- popular but DJs and electronic/
his tenure as artistic director of To June 10. 700 North Calvert St., pelled by an original rock-inspired dance music were ascending,
Baltimore Center Stage with a Baltimore. Tickets are $20 to $79. score by Brian Lotter and Matthew Keegan’s production stars Chris
world-premiere musical about Call 410-332-0033 or visit center- Schleigh. To May 13. Source Stezin, Susan Marie Rhea, Josh
the storied Memphis-based label stage.org. Theatre, 1835 14th St. NW. Tickets Sticklin, and Ryan Sellers. To May
Stax Records, which created the are $25 to $45. Call 202-204-7741 or 27. 1742 Church St. NW. Tickets
very foundation of American THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE visit constellationtheatre.org. are $35 to $45. Call 202-265-3768
Soul Music through its star ros- A woman saves an abandoned baby or visit keegantheatre.com.
ter. Stax launched the careers of put on trial during a time of corrup- THE UNDENIABLE SOUND
Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, tion and violence in the Caucasus OF RIGHT NOW TITUS ANDRONICUS
Isaac Hayes, Wilson Pickett, and Mountains in Bertolt Brecht’s A hilarious and heartbreaking work Synetic founder Paata Tsikurishvili
Booker T & the MG’s. Matthew drama. Allison Arkell Stockman by Laura Eason, the focus is on a tackles the revenge-driven tragedy
Benjamin wrote the book for what directs 14 actors playing more than Chicago man trying to keep his leg- as the 13th entry in the company’s
is essentially a jukebox musical 60 characters in a 360-degree the- endary rock club afloat. Set during celebrated “Silent Shakespeare”
READINGS
THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS PROJECT CAROL BURNETT: AN EVENING
Solas Nua, billed as the nation’s only organization exclusively dedicated to contempo- OF LAUGHTER AND REFLECTION
rary Irish arts, commissioned this site-specific production to commemorate Douglass’s The comedy pioneer and dynamic
1845 voyage to Ireland as well as the bicentennial of his birth. To be staged on a wharf in entertainer puts herself on the spot,
taking questions from the audience,
Southeast, just a stone’s throw from his historic home at Cedar Hill, the project includes just as she did in the intro to every
live music and dancing in a blend of African-American and Irish culture. It consists of two episode of The Carol Burnett Show.
short plays offering a dual perspective on the trip to Ireland: An Eloquent Fugitive Slave The focus of the 90-minute “Laughter
and Reflection” program is on the
Flees to Ireland by budding local theater artist Psalmayene 24, and Wild Notes by Irish
85-year-old’s performing career,
playwright Deirdre Kinahan. To May 24. The Yards Marina, 1492 4th St. SE. Tickets are which was launched into superstar-
$35. Call 202-484-0309 or visit solasnua.org. dom with a 1959 Tony-nominated
role in Once Upon A Mattress. More
recently she’s been heralded not once
but twice by the Kennedy Center,
series — meaning no words, all Weekends to May 19. Theatre Two loveliest and cheekiest songs com- as an Honoree in 2003 and as the
fiery action, energy, and violence, in Gunston Arts Center, 2700 South posed and written by legendary gay 2013 recipient of the Mark Twain
with choreography led by Irina Lang St. Arlington. Tickets are $25. composer Cole Porter (“Anything Prize for Humor. Friday, May 11, at
Tsikurishvili, who also portrays Call 571-DS-SHOWS or visit domin- Goes”). The concert also features 8 p.m. Concert Hall. Tickets are $59
Tamora. Philip Fletcher is Titus in ionstage.org. musical luminaries Liz Callaway, to $149. Call 202-467-4600 or visit
the large ensemble show including Ali Ewoldt, Bobby Smith, Vishal kennedy-center.org.
Irina Kavsadze, Audrey Tchoukoua, PRISCILLA QUEEN Vaidya, and Luke Hawkins. Kelly
Dallas Tolentino, and Alex Mills. OF THE DESERT Crandall D’Amboise directs the MICHAEL POLLAN: HOW TO
To May 27. 1800 South Bell St., It’s not the Outback, but Kensington, show, which also includes dramatic CHANGE YOUR MIND
Arlington. Tickets are $15 to $55. the leafy Maryland suburb, is a pret- readings from over-the-top online After a decade spent focused on the
Call 800-494-8497 or visit synet- ty unexpected place to find drag dating profiles. Saturday, May 19, at way we eat now that started with
ictheater.org. queens all the same. Yet that’s 8 p.m. Fichandler Stage in the Mead his critically acclaimed best-sell-
exactly what you’ll find on stage at Center for American Theater, 1101 er The Omnivore’s Dilemma, this
the Kensington Arts Theatre this 6th St. SW. Tickets are $20 to $110. author and journalist sets out in a
COMMUNITY month, starring Larry Munsey as
Bernadette, Gregory Wilczynski as
Call 202-488-3300 or visit theamer-
icanpops.org.
new direction with a focus on drugs.
How to Change Your Mind: What
the New Science of Psychedelics
STAGE
Tick, and Jon Simmons as Adam
in the community-based compa- CAPITAL CITY SYMPHONY: FROM Teaches Us About Consciousness,
ny’s production, directed by John SEA TO SHINING SEA Dying, Addiction, Depression, and
HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE Nunemaker, of the hit Broadway The orchestra concludes its 50th Transcendence reviews the science
The metaphor of driving is used musical — based of course on season with a global exploration into mind-altering medicine and
by noted playwright Paula Vogel the hilarious cult Australian film of national identity expressed what it reveals about the human
in her Pulitzer Prize-winning from 1994. Opens Friday, May 11. through music, a program led by mind, the self, and our connec-
drama focused on an adolescent Weekends to May 26. 3710 Mitchell Artistic Director Victoria Gau and tion to the natural world and to
girl and her struggles to get past a St., Kensington, Md. Tickets are $19 including Shostakovich’s power- each other. Pollan will discuss his
strained, sexual relationship with to $27. Call 206-888-6642 or visit ful Symphony No. 5, Russell Peck’s new book with NPR’s Alix Spiegel.
her step-uncle. The play has lighter katonline.org. tone poem Peace Overture, Arturo Thursday, May 17, at 7 p.m. Sixth
moments, but due to its tackling of Marquez’s Danzón No. 2, and Joan & I Historic Synagogue. 600 I St.
serious issues — from pedophilia
MUSIC Tower’s Made in America, a work NW. Tickets are $15, or $33 with
and incest to manipulation and con- centered around the melodic theme one book. Call 202-408-3100 or visit
trol — it’s ultimately best for only of “America the Beautiful.” Sunday, sixthandi.org.
those aged 17 and up, and hardly AMERICAN POPS: May 13, at 5 p.m. Atlas Performing
typical fare for a community the- COLE PORTER AFTER DARK Arts Center, Lang Theatre, 1333 H
ater company, even one with the Betty Who will make her orchestral St. NE. Tickets are $25. Call 202-
tagline “Anything But Predictable.” debut with a tribute to some of the 399-7993 or visit atlasarts.org.
MARK SELIGER
cembassychefchallenge.com.
NIGHTLIFE
DC LEATHER PRIDE 2018
Originally organized during Capital
Pride, this locally focused leather
weekend event successfully moved
last year to the month prior, a pat-
tern followed with this year’s line-
up, which kicks off Thursday, May
11, with the popular weekly pro-
BRITT OLSEN-ECKER
S
cluding with the monthly DistrktC
O MANY [LGBTQ] PEOPLE WE MET TOLD US THAT FROM CHILDHOOD PETER PAN Dance Party in the Exile upstairs
is the one fairytale they have connected with,” says Single Carrot Theatre’s Ben Kleymeyer. from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Kristina Kelly
kickstarts the final day, returning
“To be able to give it back to the community in a way that more specifically reflects their lives as emcee for the Drag Out Your
and their stories is really powerful.” Leather event, this time offered
Kleymeyer is the community liaison for the Baltimore theater troupe, as well as a member of its over brunch with fellow drag enter-
acting ensemble. He’s starring as Peter Pan in its latest production. tainers including Tula, Moka Loka
Latte, Ashley Madison Kuter, and
“In many ways it’s the same Peter Pan story that people know,” says director Tristan Powell. Pam d’Ammonia, and served with
“The difference is that we’ve incorporated a bunch of different queer narratives for the characters bottomless mimosas and food pro-
so that, for example, Tink is a character who pines after Peter and desperately wants to be with vided by Mason Dixie Biscuit Co.
Sunday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 2:30
Peter — is in love with Peter, wants to sleep with Peter, but can’t because her body is too small. p.m. Cobalt, 1639 R St. NW. Later
Hook and Smee [also] have a relationship.” comes the Closing Beer Blast fea-
Los Angeles-based playwright Joshua Conkel developed his queer adaptation — which he titled turing $10 pitchers of Trade Lager
Wendy, Peter. Peter, Wendy — through the community engagement initiative of Single Carrot. and XL Happy Hour drinks, from
3 to 8 p.m. Trade, 1410 14th St.
Conkel and the company held meetings and workshops with LGBTQ service organizations, busi- NW. A Weekend Pass is $70. Visit
nesses, and community members. “Their stories became the source material for what’s onstage,” facebook.com/DCLeatherPride for
says Kleymeyer. more information.
Some of those same community members auditioned and now perform in the work. “This is
a really unique project for a number of reasons,” says Powell, a New York-based theater artist.
ABOVE
“Definitely that we’re queering the canon, and also that several of the performers have no experi-
ence whatsoever... That was a little new on my end as a director.” AND BEYOND
“There’s a lot more flexibility about who you can be in Neverland — and how you can change
and how people will relate to you once you’ve changed,” Powell continues. “There are tensions RAYCEEN, FIX ME UP! SINGLES’
MIXER
between the different groups of Neverland, just as there are tensions within the queer community Rayceen Pendarvis hosts an evening
between different populations.” of ice-breaker games as he attempts
Finally, there’s the relationship at the heart of the tale, that between Peter and Wendy, two kids to play matchmaker between eligi-
“questioning and navigating who they are.” ble singles. The free event is pre-
sented by Team Rayceen and We
Says Powell, “Where they go and what happens to them in their journey, flying to Neverland and the People, as one event in the com-
coming home, changes them. The tail end of our story is radically different from the original and munity photo project’s “May Is?
offers a completely new interpretation of the characters.” —Doug Rule All About Trans” series. Thursday,
March 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. Lower
Level Meeting Room, Shaw
Neighborhood Library, 1630 7th St.
Wendy, Peter. Peter, Wendy runs to May 20 at Single Carrot Theatre, 2600 N Howard St., NW. Free, including light refresh-
in Baltimore. Tickets are $25 to $29. Call 443-844-9253 or visit singlecarrot.com. ments. Call 202-727-1288 or visit
teamrayceen.eventbrite.com. l
MILITARY MANEUVER
Na’amen Tilahun, Ruthanna
Emrys, and Rashid Darden.
Moderated by Marianne
Kirby. 6:30-8:30 p.m. East City
Bookshop, 645 Pennsylvania
The American Military Partner Association wants to help familiarize Ave. SE. RSVP via Facebook at
the American public with LGBTQ-led military families facebook.com/outwritedc or
W
visit thedccenter.org for more
information.
E HAVE ABOUT 600 PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
coming to our fifth annual gala,” says Ashley Broadway-Mack, president Weekly Events
of the American Military Partners Association. “Not just members of
the LGBTQ community, but a great number of allies. Everything is focused on cel- ANDROMEDA
TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH
ebrating and honoring our service members and their spouses for their sacrifice, offers free HIV testing and HIV
while also focusing on the challenges we have ahead.” services (by appointment). 9
The nation’s largest LGBTQ military event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, a.m.-5 p.m. Decatur Center,
1400 Decatur St. NW. To
May 19 at the Washington Hilton with a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner arrange an appointment, call
program and after-party. For the second year in a row, AMPA will give out Military 202-291-4707, or visit androm-
Spouse Scholarships, which allow spouses of military members to pursue higher edatransculturalhealth.org.
education.
DC AQUATICS CLUB practice
To say that the past year-and-a-half has been trying for LGBTQ service mem- session at Takoma Aquatic
bers — particularly those who are transgender — would be a gross understatement. Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 300 Van
As President Trump attempts to limit transgender people from serving in the Buren St. NW. For more infor-
mation, visit swimdcac.org.
Armed Forces, AMPA has found itself partnering with Lambda Legal to sue the
administration and block them from carrying out the proposed ban. DC FRONT RUNNERS run-
While that lawsuit works its way through the courts, AMPA remains commit- ning/walking/social club
ted to its mission of providing support and resources to military members, veter- welcomes runners of all ability
levels for exercise in a fun and
ans, their spouses, and children, including LGBTQ children of straight military supportive environment, with
members. AMPA also partners with outside military and LGBTQ organizations to socializing afterward. Route
advocate on behalf of LGBTQ-led families, and familiarize the broader public with distance is 3-6 miles. Meet at
7 p.m. at 23rd & P Streets NW.
their existence. For more information, visit
“It’s extremely important for us as an organization to be able to highlight these dcfrontrunners.org.
families in a very positive manner so mainstream America can learn that these
families are just like any other military family,” says Broadway-Mack. “We saw DC LAMBDA SQUARES, D.C.’s
gay and lesbian square-dancing
that after the repeal of DADT, when families started coming out in the open. So I group, features mainstream
think it’s important that all of our community, no matter what they identify as, that through advanced square
they’re out and about and visible.” —John Riley dancing at the National City
Christian Church. Please dress
casually. 7-9:30 p.m. 5 Thomas
AMPA’s 5th Annual National Gala is Saturday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Circle NW. 202-930-1058,
dclambdasquares.org.
Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW. Black-tie formal.
Visit militarypartners.org/gala.
I
T’S ALWAYS THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR WHEN I Flynn is currently planning his fourth collaboration with
get to dwell in the Michael Bobbitt Experience,” says Peter Bobbitt: Into The Woods, set for next spring at Ford’s. “Michael
Flynn. “I’m healthier, I’m smarter, I’m better at my job when walks in tall, powerful, very gentle, and not just with a smile on
I’m working with him. his face, just this constant aura of goodwill and kindness,” he
“He starts outside of the box, and the box either becomes says. “And then he’s this font of imagination, and joy-filled inno-
prettier or a sports car,” says the director. “It’s either the best vation, really smart collaboration, and a good day.... I hope that
version of what we were going for, or something completely we continue to be collaborators for a very long time.”
unrecognizable that is even better.” Flynn cites their collabora- Bobbitt, the artistic director of Adventure Theatre-MTC, is
tion on Ragtime at Ford’s Theatre, nominated for seven awards gearing up to expand his imprint next season by directing and
at this year’s Helen Hayes ceremony. “Ragtime was really choreographing shows at several theaters around town. Currently,
Michael’s canvas of innovation.” however, his focus is on co-hosting the 2018 Helen Hayes Awards
Grace
Far removed from that joy, but just as
understandable, is the apparent pain and
catharsis felt when Jones and family dis-
Under Pressure
cuss the abusive nature of her grandfather,
the man everyone called “Mas P.”
The film dangles the thread that Jones
might see some of Mas P’s rage in herself.
Bloodlight and Bami garbles the biographical details but offers a prime “Don’t make me lose it!” she yells at one
glimpse of the legendary Grace Jones at work. By André Hereford member of her team. It doesn’t appear to
take much for her to lose it, at least when
G
the matter pertains to her work. On more
RACE JONES: BLOODLIGHT AND BAMI (HHHHH) IS NOT A PRIMER than one occasion, Fiennes captures that
on the singularly stylish and provocative Ms. Jones. Rather, the intimate Grace Jones’ patience runs eternally thin
documentary — directed, shot, and edited by Sophie Fiennes — immerses the when it comes to someone or something
audience in Jones’ world for a return visit to her native Jamaica, during the recording potentially compromising her artistic
of her 2008 album, Hurricane. The editing and chronology are fluid, and demand that vision or bottom line.
viewers just keep up. On the other hand, where family and
Kinetic concert footage, featured throughout, places viewers front-row for perfor- home are concerned, Jones exercis-
mances of the artist’s Hurricane World Tour, but the film unspools no helpful montage es a refreshing calmness and openness.
listing the lady’s accomplishments. There are no “Grace is...” testimonials from those Onstage, of course, she also exercises a cer-
who know her best. Fiennes doesn’t use captions to identify anyone on screen, which, tain grace. The starkly lit concert footage,
frankly, would be helpful, since context is everything. shot mostly at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre,
Watching Jones in conversation with one longtime collaborator, the sense of inti- looks and sounds great, with Jones still a
macy is powerful, but for those who don’t recognize photographer Jean-Paul Goude master of the rhythm, in an array of stun-
on sight (most people, that is), there would be no way to know she’s talking to perhaps ning Philip Treacy headpieces.
her most important collaborator, the father of her only child. Grace and Goude have One particularly illuminating sequence
produced other great work together as well, though that’s not specifically the topic of tracks the inception of her song “Love
their on screen conversation. You to Life,” from just a bass-line that
Fiennes keeps the audience in the room, but not necessarily in the know, as Jones a producer plays for Jones, to her later
treks around Jamaica visiting old friends and distant kin. Her family and associates recording the vocal, then finally delivering
toss around stories and first names willy-nilly. It’s easy to get lost trying to follow the a fiery performance of the finished song in
family history exchanges between Jones, her mother, and other relatives about who concert. What this film does well is cap-
went where and when. ture the artist at work.
Some family stories do come through loud and clear, however, even without clarifi- Bloodlight and Bami delivers a real rush
cation. Jones in Paris, happy to see her newborn granddaughter, needs no explanation. showing Jones being the boss in every
Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami is not rated, and opens at the Landmark E Street Cinema on Friday, May 11.
Visit landmarktheatres.com.
DrinksDragDJsEtc... Men in Underwear Drink tail glass served in a huge in the Code Bar, 9pm • $5 NUMBER NINE
Free, 12-12:30am • DJs glass for the same price, Cover • Elyx Vodka and Open 5pm • Happy Hour:
BacK2bACk 5-10pm • Beer and wine Any Red Bull Flavor for $7 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
only $4 • RuPaul’s Drag all day long • thebalti- • No Cover • Friday Night
Thursday, Nest • Underwear Night,
9pm-2am • For men in
NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR Race Viewing Party moreeagle.com Piano with Chris, 7:30pm
May 10 underwear, all well drinks
Beat the Clock Happy Hour
— $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS DC LEATHER PRIDE SHAW’S TAVERN
$2, 9pm-12am • Best
$4 (7-8pm) • Buckets of All male, nude dancers • @The Crucible Happy Hour, 4-7pm • $3
9 1/2 Underwear Contest at
Beer $15 • All Leagues DJ • 9pm • Cover 21+ 412 V St. NE Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Midnight • Code enforced
Night “Under the Big Top” Play $5 House Wines, $5 Rail
drink, 5-9pm • Multiple in Code Bar after 9pm •
Party, 10pm-2am • Pre- Drinks • Half-Priced Pizzas
TVs showing movies, College Night Thursdays,
NUMBER NINE registration required at and Select Appetizers •
shows, sports • Expanded 9pm-2am • EDM Dance
craft beer selection • Party, 10pm-2am • Free
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm • No Cover
Friday, the-crucible.com The 19th Street Band, 9pm
• No Cover
Music videos featuring
DJ Wess
admission to the Tavern •
Admission to the Nest is
May 11 FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR
SHAW’S TAVERN Crazy Hour, 4-8pm • TOWN
free until 10:30pm • After
Happy Hour, 4-7pm • $3 9 1/2 Karaoke, 9pm Patio open 6pm • DC Bear
BALTIMORE EAGLE 10:30pm, $5 Cover for
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, Open at 5pm • Happy Crue Happy Hour, 6-11pm
Happy Hour, 3-9pm, all 21 and up, $10 Cover for
$5 House Wines, $5 Rail Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, GREEN LANTERN • $3 Rail, $3 Draft, $3 Bud
liquors, beers and wines up 18-20 • thebaltimoreea-
Drinks • Half-Priced Pizzas 5-9pm • Friday Night Happy Hour, 4-9pm • $5 Bottles • Free Pizza, 7pm
to 50% off • $5 Pitchers gle.com
and Select Appetizers Videos, 9:30pm • Rotating Svedka, all flavors, all • No cover before 9:30pm
of Miller Lite all night long
• All-You-Can-Eat Ribs, DJs • Expanded craft beer night long • 21+ • Jail and Bail
• $3 Well Drinks in Nest FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR
$24.95, 5-10pm • $4 selection • No Cover Fundraiser for LGBT Fallen
until 11pm, $3 in Tavern Crazy Hour, 4-8pm •
Heineken and Corona NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR Heroes Fund, hosted by DC
all day • RuPaul’s Drag Karaoke, 9pm
all night BALTIMORE EAGLE Open 3pm • Guest DJs • Leather Pride, Centaur MC,
Race Viewing, hosted
Doors open at noon • Beat the Clock Happy Hour and MAUL, 6-11p • Drag
by Washington Heights, GREEN LANTERN
TRADE Baltimore Bear Happy — $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), Show starts at 10:30pm •
Whimsy Thrift and Anita Happy Hour, 4-9pm • DC
Doors open 5pm • Huge Hour, 3-9pm, all liquors, $4 (7-8pm) • Buckets of Hosted by Lena Lett and
Minute, 7-10pm, in the Leather Pride Opening
Happy Hour: Any drink beers and wines up to 50% Beer $15 featuring Tatianna, Shi-
Party, 9pm-2am • Shirtless
normally served in a cock- off • Bad Bears After Dark
Thursday, 10-11pm •
“[Andrew Cuomo’s] history of cutthroat campaigns helped inspire my campaign’s new slogan:
‘Vote for the homo, not for Cuomo.’”
— CYNTHIA NIXON, who is running for governor of New York, joking about a potential new campaign slogan in a speech at the
Legislative Correspondents Association show in Albany. Nixon was referencing the infamous “Vote for Cuomo, not for the homo”
slogan that arose while Mario Cuomo, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s father, was running for NYC Mayor in 1977.
“There are other people in many other places who, yes, do still need to see this….
How many straight rom-coms do we need?
When is it ‘too late’ for them?”
— JIM PARSONS, speaking on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, rebutting critics who said that the gay rom-com Love, Simon’s
coming out story arrived “too late” were wrong. Parsons is currently starring in The Boys in the Band on Broadway alongside
other out gay actors, including Zachary Quinto and Matt Bomer. “To be in a room, filled with nothing but eight other gay actors,
it was tonally different immediately,” he told Colbert.
“Mr. Cross Coburn has publicly demonstrated actions unbecoming a Public Official,
compromising the integrity of his office.”
— WILLIAM HOWLETT, resident of Groves, Texas, in a petition asking that 19-year-old Councilmember Cross Coburn be removed
from office. Coburn’s “unbecoming” actions are presumably being gay and using Grindr. In March, someone sent
Coburn’s Grindr profile and private photos to City Hall with an anonymous note asking “Is this in any way proper behavior
of a councilman to represent himself online or a ‘dating’ app?”