2 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 3 EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Randy Shulman DECEMBER 10, 2015 ART DIRECTOR Volume 22 / Issue 32 Todd Franson

MANAGING EDITOR Rhuaridh Marr NEWS 6 Rights Alliance SENIOR EDITOR by John Riley John Riley

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR 8 Blood Criminals Doug Rule by John Riley

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS 12 Ward Morrison, Julian Vankim Community Calendar

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Scott G. Brooks

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS FEATURES 16 First Lady Gordon Ashenhurst, Sean Bugg, Connor J. Hogan, With The Danish Girl, Tom Hooper Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield brings to life the story of WEBMASTER Lili Elbe, an oft-forgotten David Uy transgender pioneer by Rhuaridh Marr PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Julian Vankim

20 Gilded Lily SALES & MARKETING The Danish Girl Film Review PUBLISHER by Rhuaridh Marr Randy Shulman

BRAND STRATEGY & MARKETING 22 he von rapps perform with the Christopher Cunetto T T Cunetto Creative nso Pops and Stephanie J. Block by Doug Rule NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media Co. 212-242-6863

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER OUT ON THE TOWN 24 GMCW’s Santa, Jerry Lee Dennis Havrilla by Tim Rosenberger

STAGE 33 Sons of the Prophet PATRON SAINT by Doug Rule Holly Woodlawn

GAMES 35 Just Cause 3 by Rhuaridh Marr COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Focus Features

NIGHTLIFE 39 Trade Grand Opening photography by Ward Morrison

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4 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 5 Now online at MetroWeekly.com CDC says HIV diagnosis rates down NewsLGBT Gay imam says Trump evokes Third Reich WEEKLY

METRO Rights Alliance The fight for reproductive rights is more intertwined with the LGBT movement than many realize

by John Riley

HE ANIMUS AGAINST THOSE WHO SUPPORT LGBT students in religiously-affiliated educational institutions. LGBT rights and against those who believe we should But while such shows of solidarity have been fairly recent, have bodily autonomy and reproductive choice flows the two movements initially grew out of a similar background from the same poisonous tree,” says Kate Kendall, and context. Tthe executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights “In the 1970s, much of what LGBT people were talking about (NCLR). “It’s a sense that individuals are not entitled to their was sexual freedom and liberation, the idea that our choice of own autonomy, to their own authentic lives, if it runs afoul of a sexual partner should not subject us to harassment, discrimination certain code of how we should behave.” or stigma,” says Kendall. “In the same way, those seeking bodily As such there exists a “natural alliance” between the LGBT autonomy for women to make reproductive choices were also rights movement and the women’s/reproductive rights move- seeking some sexual freedom, so that if a woman chose to termi- ment. It’s a relationship that relies on mutual support — and, nate her pregnancy, that was between her and her conscience, her quite often, shares the same adversaries, such as those from the and her doctor, but it wasn’t something that government should cultural right. be involved in. To the extent there was any early sense that these That’s why several LGBT organizations helped pack a movements are separate, that lasted for five seconds.” Northwest D.C. church last Saturday as part of a rally to show Angela Ferrell-Zabala, director of African American lead- solidarity with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, ership and engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of in the wake of a Nov. 27 shooting at a Planned Parenthood America, also agrees that the alliance between the reproduc- clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo. And why earlier this summer, tive rights movement and the LGBT movement has been a Planned Parenthood issued a statement from its president, “natural fit.” Both movements seek to provide people with the Cecile Richards, praising the Supreme Court for legalizing information and access to services they need to make informed the right of same-sex couples across the nation to marry. Last decisions about their bodies and their health. And in addition spring, members of both movements fought against an attempt to facing staunch opponents, both movements also strongly by Congress to overturn two D.C. nondiscrimination laws, one counter attempts to stigmatize or shame people who seek to dealing with access to contraception and the other dealing with exert personal autonomy through their personal sexual or

6 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM METRO WEEKLY DECEMBER 10, 2015 10, METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 7 LGBTNews

health-related decisions. building blocks or paving stones in how each of our movements “Queer people have abortions. Sex education policy direct- and our rights have advanced.” ly affects LGBTQ youth. The reality is that butch women, Carey also warns that the fates of both movements often masculine women, bisexual people seek out contraceptives,” rise and fall together. For instance, the day after the Supreme says Kierra Johnson, executive director of URGE: Unite for Court decided the Hobby Lobby case — in which the court ruled Reproductive & Gender Equity, an organization focused on employers could refuse to pay for insurance coverage for con- reproductive and social justice in the South. “The reality is traception under the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act that what we’re fighting for, which is full access to health care (RFRA) — a group of pastors wrote to President Obama asking needs, is something that is important to all people. All women him to expand the religious exemption for his executive order and LGBTQ people. And, unfortunately, the opposition likes to barring federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT try to create a dichotomy or break us off from each other, but people. In addition, the Supreme Court’s decision in Hobby we’re all the same.” Lobby heavily influenced the Indiana legislature when it passed Johnson notes that URGE and other social justice organiza- its own version of a state-level RFRA that critics said effectively tions have often been involved in states where both reproduc- condoned anti-LGBT discrimination. tive rights and LGBT rights have come under attack. For exam- “Our fates are tied together,” she says. “It is not a long jump ple, in Florida, there have been battles not only over restricting from an employer, because of their religious beliefs, saying to an access to abortion, but over whether LGBT couples should be employee ‘I will not let you have birth control,’ to get to ‘You’re able to raise, foster or adopt children. a gay man, and because I don’t believe in that, I’m not going to “One of the things we don’t talk about as much in the repro- let you have PrEP.’” ductive rights movement — and probably not as much in the Carey says that many of the same strategies to limit access LGBT movement in a very big way — is that people also have to reproductive health services at the state level under RFRA the right to enjoy sex and their sexuality, free from coercion laws are also being used to advance “religious exemption” and violence,” Johnson adds. “Sex and sexuality are integral laws designed to undercut the LGBT rights movement, such as parts of who we are as human beings. We live in a society where attempts to allow clerks to refuse to marry or deny same-sex discrimination runs rampant based on how people think or feel couples marriage licenses. And she warns that those involved or judge based on sex and sexuality, which is a real impediment in the LGBT rights movement cannot be afford to be apathetic to people living healthy and happy lives. about attacks on reproductive rights, lest they find themselves “We have to work together,” she continues. “Long gone is the targeted in future. time where it’s strategic to be siloed in our activism, or siloed in “Looking back at our history, Bowers v. Hardwick, the ability our understanding of what justice is and should be. We can’t win to have sex with the person you want to have sex with in your policy change, we can’t win culture change, and we can’t win real own home, was dependent on the success of the reproductive victories for the people in our lives without coming together.” rights movement,” says Carey. “Not a lot of people know that. Rea Carey, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task We need to remind people of where we’ve come from, and that Force, says that not only are both movements intrinsically we have this shared sense around the decisions that each of us linked from a historical and modern-day perspective, but have gets to make about our own bodies, whether that’s who we have been “walking hand-in-hand” from a legal standpoint. sex with, or whether or not we’re ready to have a child at this “Legally, when you imagine a pathway towards both legal point in our life. equality and full acceptance in society, in some ways it’s as if “We need to continue to remind and often reeducate our- we kept putting down paving stones on that pathway for each selves about how tied our movements are, both legally and other,” she says. “Both of our respective movements’ legal politically,” she adds. “And if we don’t hold the line on who or victories have been dependent on the other movement’s legal what issue gets peeled off, soon enough, more and more of us victories. So whether we’re looking at Roe v. Wade, or Bowers will get peeled off until we no longer have the protections, as v. Hardwick, or Edie Windsor’s historic case, you can see those LGBTQ people, that we need.” l

advances made in HIV treatment and prevention. Unfortunately, for those who are HIV-positive, the legal Blood Criminals landscape doesn’t reflect the incredibly rapid progress made in treating HIV. The bulk of states’ laws have failed to keep pace Even with scientific advances in HIV treat- with the scientific field, resulting in a patchwork of laws across ment and prevention, U.S. laws on HIV remain the country — many of which still treat HIV as if it were a deadly woefully stuck in the 1980s disease and can be used to punish people with HIV. “The problem with these state laws is that they’re not really up-to-date with what we know about medical science related to by John Riley HIV transmission, related to the actual risks or routes or care of HIV,” says Pepis Rodriguez, Teen SENSE Project Coordinator ACH YEAR, DECEMBER OPENS ON WORLD AIDS for the Center for HIV Law and Policy (CHLP). His organization Day. It’s a time for mourning, as activists from some of has partnered with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation E the communities hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic — as and the National Center for Lesbian Rights to launch a public well as healthcare workers, researchers, HIV-related organiza- education campaign calling attention to the issue. tions and others — hold vigils memorializing those lost to the “A lot of this has to do with a lack of sexual health literacy, ravages of the disease. But it’s also a time for celebration, as and I see that broadly, as a problem for the general population, we recognize those who survived the epidemic, as well as the but also our elected officials,” says Rodriguez. “There tends to be

8 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM this overreaction to anything related to HIV, and it’s part of the stigma that comes along with that lack of education.” Scott Schoettes, HIV Project Director for Lambda Legal, notes that many current laws were adopted at the height of the AIDS epidemic. As written, people with HIV can be prosecuted just for exposing others to HIV, regardless of whether transmis- sion occurred or other steps — such as condom use or successful suppression of the virus through antiretrovirals — were taken to protect against transmission. Such was the case with Nick Rhoades, a gay Iowa man who was sentenced to 25 years in prison when, after receiving bad legal advice, he pleaded guilty to criminal transmission of HIV, even though he used a condom, had a low viral load, and his sexual partner never contracted the virus. Rhoades ended up serving more than a year in jail before his case made its way to the Iowa Supreme Court, which overturned his sentence. As a result of the publicity from Rhoades’ case, the Iowa legislature amended its statute on HIV transmission to take into account whether a person intended to expose a partner to the virus or took proper precautions to safeguard against that. “It’s a problem everywhere,” Schoettes says. “There are 34 states that have an HIV-specific criminal exposure nondisclo- sure statute. In those states, most of them result in a felony con- viction.... And they result in sentences of sometimes decades, as well as the consequences that flow from having a felony convic- tion, and then sex offender registration. “Then, there are an additional number of states where there are no actual HIV-specific laws on the books, but there have been prosecutions for the same conduct under the general crimi- nal laws, such as reckless endangerment laws, assault, assault

10 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM with a deadly weapon,” Schoettes continues. “They’ve tried attempted murder in places, and one case they brought under a bioterrorism law, in Michigan.... So you can imagine the environ- ment this creates for people living with HIV, where you know, really, in any state in the U.S., that it is possible that you will be prosecuted if you are sexually active and cannot prove that you disclosed your HIV status. And because we’re talking about the courts here, you’ve got to be able to prove you’ve disclosed.” CHLP’s Rodriguez says that because the HIV criminaliza- tion laws are so stigmatizing for those who know their HIV status, but do not hold people liable for not knowing their sta- tus, it can lead to bad public health outcomes by encouraging people not to get tested or get on treatment — which potentially increases the likelihood of transmission. To protect themselves legally, Schoettes advises HIV- positive people document their disclosure via a text message, email or recording where a potential sex partner acknowledges that they know about the person’s HIV status. He also advises that people who list their status in online profiles have a conver- sation where they specifically call attention to their HIV status so the other person cannot claim ignorance or lack of knowl- edge down the road. Some people also attempt to have potential partners sign a form or affidavit that acknowledges their partner’s HIV status, but Schoettes points out that such a move is often impractical in real life situations. As a last resort, Schoettes says potential part- ners can also hold the conversation about their status in front of a third-party witness or a medical provider who can answer questions about HIV and attest that the HIV-positive individual disclosed his or her status. l

METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 11 LGBTCommunityCalendar

The DC Center offers confidential and Metro Weekly’s Community Calendar highlights important events in the D.C.-area free HIV TESTING for all those inter- LGBT community, from alternative social events to volunteer opportunities. ested. Know your status; get tested. Event information should be sent by email to [email protected]. 4-7 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more information, visit thedc- Deadline for inclusion is noon of the Friday before Thursday’s publication. center.org. Questions about the calendar may be directed to the Metro Weekly office at 202-638-6830 or WEEKLY EVENTS the calendar email address. BET MISHPACHAH, founded by members of the LGBT community, holds Saturday morning Shabbat ser- vices, 10 a.m., followed by Kiddush luncheon. Services in DCJCC Community Room, 1529 16th St. NW. betmish.org.

BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, including METROHEALTH CENTER offers WEEKLY EVENTS others interested in Brazilian culture, THURSDAY free, rapid HIV testing. Appointment , DEC. 10 meets. For location/time, email brazil- needed. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700. ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL [email protected]. BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay vol- 202-638-0750. HEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5 unteer organization, volunteers today p.m., and HIV services (by appoint- DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice for Food & Friends. To participate, SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5 ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda- session at Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr., visit burgundycrescent.org. p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for transculturalhealth.org. SW. 8:30-10 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org. youth 21 and younger. 202-567-3155

The DC Center hosts SEX WORK or [email protected]. DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walk- AND THE DISTRICT, a forum featur- session at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. ing/social club welcomes all levels for ing various community advocates US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org. exercise in a fun and supportive envi- to discuss the human rights of sex Anonymous Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., ronment, socializing afterward. Meet workers, legalization and decriminal- 3636 Georgia Ave. NW. The group is HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker 9:30 a.m., 23rd & P Streets NW, for a ization of sex work, and the impact of independent of UHU. 202-446-1100. Health. At the Elizabeth Taylor walk; or 10 a.m. for fun run. dcfront- sex work on the LGBT community. Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW, runners.org. Moderated by Metro Weekly’s John WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson Riley. 6:30-8 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, for young LBTQ women, INSTITUTE Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 DC SENTINELS basketball team 2nd Floor Conference Room. For more 13-21, interested in leadership devel- a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment meets at Turkey Thicket Recreation information, visit thedccenter.org. opment. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL Youth call 202-745-7000. Visit whitman- Center, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE, 2-4 Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3163, walker.org. p.m. For players of all levels, gay or [email protected]. WEEKLY EVENTS straight. teamdcbasketball.org. METROHEALTH CENTER offers DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) free, rapid HIV testing. Appointment DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass for practice session at Takoma Aquatic FRIDAY, DEC. 11 needed. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700. LGBT community, family and friends. Center, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9 202-638-0750. 6:30 p.m., Immanuel Church-on-the- p.m. swimdcac.org. GAY MARRIED MEN’S Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria. PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT- ASSOCIATION (GAMMA) is a con- All welcome. For more info, visit dig- affirming social group for ages 11-24. DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay and les- fidential support group for men who nitynova.org. 4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road NW. bian square-dancing group features are gay, bisexual, questioning and Contact Tamara, 202-319-0422, layc- mainstream through advanced square who are married or involved with GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses dc.org. dancing at the National City Christian a woman, that meets on the second critical languages and foreign lan- Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW, 7-9:30 and fourth Fridays of the month in guages. 7 p.m. Nellie’s, 900 U St. NW. p.m. Casual dress. 301-257-0517, Dupont Circle at 7:30 p.m. GAMMA SMYAL’S REC NIGHT provides RVSP preferred. brendandarcy@ dclambdasquares.org. also offers additional meeting times a social atmosphere for GLBT and gmail.com. and places for men in Northern questioning youth, featuring dance The DULLES TRIANGLES Northern Virginia and Maryland. For more parties, vogue nights, movies and IDENTITY offers free and confidential Virginia social group meets for happy information: GAMMAinDC.org. games. More info, catherine.chu@ HIV testing in Takoma Park, 7676 hour at Sheraton in Reston, 11810 smyal.org. New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walk- Sunrise Valley Drive, second-floor LGB PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP for ins 12-3 p.m. For appointments other bar, 7-9 p.m. All welcome. dullestri- adults in Montgomery County offers SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-6 hours, call 301-422-2398. angles.com. a safe space to explore coming out p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for and issues of identity. 10-11:30 a.m. youth 21 and younger. Youth Center, HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker 16220 S. Frederick Rd., Suite 512, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, test- Health. At the Elizabeth Taylor Gaithersburg, Md. For more informa- [email protected]. SUNDAY, DEC. 13 Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW, tion, visit thedccenter.org. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay vol- unteer organization, volunteers today Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 , a WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES SATURDAY, DEC. 12 for DC Central Kitchen. To partici- a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment social discussion and activity group for pate, visit burgundycrescent.org. call 202-745-7000. Visit whitman- LBT women, meets at The DC Center walker.org. ADVENTURING outdoors group on the second and fourth Fridays of hikes 8.4 strenuous miles with 1370 each month. Group social activity to feet of elevation gain in Catoctin WEEKLY EVENTS IDENTITY offers free and confiden- follow the meeting. 8-9:30 p.m. 2000 Mountain Park, near Camp David, tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more Md. Bring beverages, lunch, sturdy LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULS 414 East Diamond Ave., and in information, visit thedccenter.org. boots, and about $12 for fees. MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Carpool at 8:30 a.m. from Grosvenor- celebrates Low Mass at 8:30 a.m., High Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m. Strathmore Metro Station. Jeff, 301- Mass at 11 a.m. 2300 Cathedral Ave. For appointments other hours, call 775-9660. adventuring.org. NW. 202-232-4244, allsoulsdc.org. Gaithersburg, 301-300-9978, or Takoma Park, 301-422-2398.

12 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST session at Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr., CHURCH OF SILVER SPRING SW. 9:30-11 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org. invites LGBTQ families and individu- als of all creeds and cultures to join DIGNITYUSA offers Roman Catholic the church. Services 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Mass for the LGBT community. 6 10309 New Hampshire Ave. uucss.org. p.m., St. Margaret’s Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave. NW. All welcome. Sign interpreted. For more info, visit dignitynova.org. MONDAY, DEC. 14 The DC Center hosts a monthly meet- FRIENDS MEETING OF ing of its YOUTH WORKING GROUP WASHINGTON meets for worship, for people who wish to get involved 10:30 a.m., 2111 Florida Ave. NW, with various initiatives and serve as Quaker House Living Room (next to mentors to LGBT youth. 6-7:30 p.m. Meeting House on Decatur Place), 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more 2nd floor. Special welcome to lesbians information, visit thedccenter.org. and gays. Handicapped accessible from Phelps Place gate. Hearing assistance. quakersdc.org. WEEKLY EVENTS

HSV-2 SOCIAL AND SUPPORT DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice GROUP for gay men living in the DC session at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. SW. metro area. This group will be meet- 7-8:30 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org. ing once a month. For information on location and time, email to not.the. DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds [email protected]. practice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Garrison Elementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscan- Join LINCOLN CONGREGATIONAL dals.wordpress.com. TEMPLE – UNITED CHURCH OF GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. at CHRIST for an inclusive, loving and Quaker House, 2111 Florida Ave. NW. progressive faith community every [email protected]. Sunday. 11 a.m. 1701 11th Street NW, near R in Shaw/Logan neighborhood. lincolntemple.org. HIV Testing at WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH. At the Elizabeth Taylor METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson CHURCH OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.- services at 11 a.m., led by Rev. Onetta 4:30 p.m. For an appointment call 202- Brooks. Children’s Sunday School, 11 745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org. a.m. 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax. 703-691-0930, mccnova.com. KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN (K.I.) SERVICES, 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free “rapid” HIV CHURCH, inclusive church with testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. GLBT fellowship, offers gospel wor- ship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional wor- 703-823-4401. ship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle NW. 202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org. METROHEALTH CENTER offers free, rapid HIV testing. No appoint- ST. STEPHEN AND THE ment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750. INCARNATION, an “interracial, multi-ethnic Christian Community” offers services in English, 8 a.m. and NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing. 10:30 a.m., and in Spanish at 5:15 p.m. 5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite 200, 1525 Newton St. NW. 202-232-0900, Arlington. Appointments: saintstephensdc.org. 703-789-4467.

METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 13 SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5 Alexandria Health Department, 4480 p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for King St. 703-746-4986 or text 571-214- youth 21 and younger. Youth Center, 9617. [email protected]. 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155 or test- [email protected]. THE HIV WORKING GROUP of THE DC CENTER hosts “Packing Party,” THE DC CENTER hosts Coffee Drop- where volunteers assemble safe-sex In for the Senior LGBT Community. kits of condoms and lube. 7 p.m., 10 a.m.-noon. 2000 14th St. NW. 202- Green Lantern, 1335 Green Court NW. 682-2245, thedccenter.org. thedccenter.org.

US HELPING US hosts a black gay IDENTITY offers free and confidential men’s evening affinity group. 3636 HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414 East Diamond Ave., and in Takoma Park, Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100. 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m. For appointments WASHINGTON WETSKINS WATER other hours, call Gaithersburg at POLO TEAM practices 7-9 p.m. 301-300-9978 or Takoma Park at 301- Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van 422-2398. Buren St. NW. Newcomers with at least basic swimming ability always welcome. Tom, 703-299-0504, secre- KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY [email protected], wetskins.org. (K.I.) SERVICES, at 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free “rapid” HIV testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. TUESDAY, DEC. 15 703-823-4401. METROHEALTH CENTER offers The DC Center hosts a CENTER BI free, rapid HIV testing. Appointment ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION, for needed. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700. people who wish to discuss bisexual- 202-638-0750. ity and issues of identity. 7-8 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS—LGBT information, visit thedccenter.org. focused meeting every Tuesday, 7 p.m. St. George’s Episcopal Church, WEEKLY EVENTS 915 Oakland Ave., Arlington, just steps from Virginia Square Metro. For more info. call Dick, 703-521-1999. ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly Handicapped accessible. Newcomers dinner in Dupont/Logan Circle area, welcome. [email protected]. 6:30 p.m. [email protected], afwash- ington.net. SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5 p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) youth 21 and younger. Youth Center, practice session at Takoma Aquatic 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, testing@ Center, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30- smyal.org. 9 p.m. swimdcac.org. SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ DC FRONT RUNNERS running/ walking/social club serving greater YOUTH ages 13-21 meets at SMYAL, 410 D.C.’s LGBT community and allies 7th St. SE, 5-6:30 p.m. Cathy Chu, 202- hosts an evening run/walk. dcfront- 567-3163, [email protected]. runners.org. US HELPING US hosts a support THE GAY MEN’S HEALTH group for black gay men 40 and older. 7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW. 202- COLLABORATIVE offers free HIV 446-1100. testing and STI screening and treat- ment every Tuesday. 5-6:30 p.m. Rainbow Tuesday LGBT Clinic,

14 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM Whitman-Walker Health’s GAY ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda- MEN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS/ transculturalhealth.org. STD CLINIC opens at 6 p.m., 1701 14th St. NW. Patients are seen on DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac- walk-in basis. No-cost screening for tice session at Hains Point, 927 Ohio HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chla- Dr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit swimdcac. mydia. Hepatitis and herpes testing org. available for fee. whitman-walker.org. DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds practice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Garrison Elementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscan- WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16 dals.wordpress.com.

BOOKMEN DC, an informal men’s gay- HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH literature group, discusses “Eminent offers Wednesday worship 7:15 a.m. Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who and 12:05 p.m. All welcome. 118 N. Changed America,” by Christopher Washington St., Alexandria. 703-549- Bram at 7:30 p.m. The DC Center, 2000 1450, historicchristchurch.org. 14th St. NW, Suite 105. All are wel- come. bookmendc.blogspot.com. HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health. At the Elizabeth Taylor The HIV PREVENTION WORKING Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW, GROUP of The DC Center holds its 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson monthly meeting to discuss upcoming Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.- initiatives. 6-7:30 p.m. 2000 14th St. 4:30 p.m. For an appointment call NW, Suite 105. For more information, 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker. visit thedccenter.org. org.

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METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 15 IXTY-THREE YEARS AGO, CHRISTINE Jorgensen introduced herself to the world. The front page of the New York Daily News shouted “Ex-GI Becomes Blonde Beauty” as Jorgensen First Lady — clad in fur and red lipstick — landed in New York, following months spent in her ancestral home in Denmark. Despite the Korean War, With The Danish Girl, Tom Hooper the death of an Italian premier, the recent testing of the first brings to life the story of Lili Elbe, an hydrogenS bomb, and the election of President Eisenhower, Christine Jorgensen commanded headlines across the country, oft-forgotten transgender pioneer as a nation marveled at the young, slim man who had returned home a confident, witty, beautiful woman. by Rhuaridh Marr Jorgensen’s overnight celebrity status enabled her to become an advocate and an icon for the gender identity revolution. She was unashamedly open about her experience, which pioneered the use of a combination of hormone therapy and gender reas- signment surgery. Or, as Jorgensen put it in a letter to her par- ents, “Nature made a mistake which I have had corrected, and now I am your daughter.” However, Jorgensen wasn’t the first to undertake such an immense transition, despite what media claimed at the time — far from it, in fact. Twenty years before FEATURES Jorgensen would fly to Denmark for her groundbreaking trans-

formation, another woman was already making history. FOCUS

16 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM Lili Elbe’s story isn’t as widely known as Jorgensen’s. Hooper, the Academy Award-winning director of The King’s Decades before the word transgender would even be uttered, Speech and Les Miserables, is sitting in a comfortable suite in The Elbe had transitioned, living and presenting as a woman and Hay Adams Hotel. In person, he’s handsome, affable, and speaks undertaking surgery that wasn’t so much risky as potentially with the assured intelligence of a man who’s both Oxford- fatal. But limited medical knowledge and immensely high risks educated and incredibly knowledgable of his latest project. He of complications couldn’t dissuade her from seeking the body was first introduced to the story of Lili Elbe while working on she deserved. Societal pressures couldn’t impede her desires to The King’s Speech. During a conversation with casting director live openly as a woman. Lili Elbe was a lone warrior, fighting a Nina Gold — a longtime collaborator — he complained about the battle that wouldn’t enter the public consciousness for another lack of good scripts available in Hollywood. twenty years. “I do know of one great unmade script,” Gold replied. “And Elbe isn’t a household name in the same vein as Jorgensen, or it’s called The Danish Girl.” Caitlyn Jenner or Laverne Cox — but her struggle, her fight to be herself, is no less deserving of recognition. Without legislation or support groups, and with a medical establishment that believed Developmental Hell she required curing of her symptoms, she fearlessly declared her gender identity to any and all who cared to know. Finally, after T THAT POINT, The Danish Girl was languishing in years languishing in the shadows, her legacy will be commemo- development hell. Three directors had been attached rated in The Danish Girl, a film adaptation of her life. It’s telling to the project. All had left. Financing had been found, of Elbe’s relative obscurity in history, however, that even the then fell through. Nicole Kidman had once signed on film’s director had no idea who she was. toA play Lili Elbe. Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion “I’d thought Christine Jorgensen was the first recipient of Cotillard and Rachel Weisz were all variously considered for gender-confirmation surgery,” says Tom Hooper. “I had no idea the part of Lili’s wife, Gerda Wegener. Before Lucinda Coxon’s it had happened as early as 1930.” screenplay reached Hooper, it seemed the film would never see

METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 17 the light of day — or the dark of a theater. That all changed once books and magazines. It wasn’t until a series of portraits depict- he read it. ing a beautiful woman with almond eyes, soft features, and a “I literally cried when I read the script, I think twice — or graceful femininity, arranged in a series of elegant poses, that no, even three times — and I can’t tell you how unusual that is,” Gerda would get the recognition she desired. Her work was Hooper says. “It’s very hard to find scripts that are moving. Most being appreciated in ways she hadn’t experienced before, but scripts are hard to even finish, let alone get moved by.” there was a secret to her success: The beautiful woman in her The script piqued his interest, but Hooper had questions. portraits was her husband, Einar. Who was Lili Elbe? Why was he unaware of her story? Turning When a friend ran late for a portrait sitting, Gerda asked to the internet, he was “kind of amazed” to discover a paucity Einar to model for her, complete with stockings and heels. The of in-depth information. What’s more, the minimal content that experience would transform Einar, who felt immeasurably documented Elbe’s comfortable in the clothes. When life was at least the model eventually arrived, she partially inaccu- christened Einar “Lili” after the rate. As he contin- flowers she was carrying and ued to research and the name stuck. Lili would start discuss her story, to dress in women’s clothing at Hooper learned he home, becoming more sure of wasn’t alone. Most herself before eventually pre- people he spoke to senting to society as Einar’s sis- were ignorant of ter. When the public learned that Elbe’s life — some- the woman in Gerda’s paintings thing Hooper was was Einar, now Lili, there was empowered to shock — but the seed had already resolve. been planted. Lili was a woman, “I felt that there and she was determined to see was an injustice in her transformation through to its that, and I do feel end. And, perhaps more incred- like history has a ibly, Gerda stayed at her side. tendency to hard- “I think what moved me bake in prejudices was this incredible love story,” of the day,” he says. Hooper says. “I felt like Lili, in “Is it any surprise a way, had no choice. Lili had to that this extraordi- go on that journey, and the script nary story of this portrayed that very well. Gerda trans pioneer and Hooper does have a choice. She could her wife had been have walked away or stepped marginalized? away or left [Einar]. I do think it Possibly not, given that there’s been such prejudices against was in part because of the love that they shared, it created a kind these stories. But there was a part of me that was fired up by that of space where Lili could be truly seen. Gerda had that ability to sense of injustice. I wanted to shed light through this film on the look at her husband in a radical way or a new way and see the real people and put them back in a place in our culture where femininity.” that would never be forgotten again.” If audiences beyond the LGBT community were to take to It was here that another potential roadblock reared its head. The Danish Girl, it would be for the universality of its themes, Brokeback Mountain had proven that mainstream audiences and that required leads who could convincingly portray the love would accept LGBT content, while Transamerica had garnered between Lili and Gerda that the script demanded. For Lili, there an Academy Award-winning nomination for Felicity Huffman as was no contest. Hooper had his heart set on Eddie Redmayne, a transgender woman. Society, however, still languished behind. who he’d worked with on HBO’s Elizabeth I. With a copy of the In 2008, when Hooper first read the script, America was a coun- script in hand, Hooper walked up to Redmayne while filming Les try that still couldn’t get over gay people, let alone the transgen- Misérables in 2012. der community. Could Lili’s story resonate? The solution lay, as “I was at the Les Misérables barricades,” Redmayne recalls it so often does, in love. The most universal of emotions could in press materials for the film, “and Tom said, ‘I would like you anchor the story — Lili’s transition is the momentous change of to read something.’ [He] then got me the script and I sat down the narrative, but it’s the love shared between Elbe and her wife, to read it, knowing nothing about it. I was profoundly moved, it Gerda, that powers it. blew my mind. I found it extraordinarily passionate and deeply felt. I told Tom I wanted to be part of telling this story.” Redmayne, who gave an Oscar-winning performance as FEATURES

Love Story Stephen Hawking in Theory of Everything last year, was a contro- FOCUS

versial choice. Some, upon learning of the casting of a cisgender /

ERDA AND EINAR WEGENER were Danish paint- man in the lead role, were upset that Hollywood had once again ers, married in 1904 and living in both Copenhagen seemingly ignored the transgender community, despite The NITECKA

A. and Paris. Einar was the more successful of the two, Danish Girl employing numerous transgender actors and extras. specializing in landscapes. Gerda favored portraits, However, if there were echoes of Roland Emmerich’s dread- butG couldn’t find success with her work beyond illustrations in ful Stonewall, which was slammed for whitewashing history, AGATHA

18 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM Hooper wasn’t concerned. He was confident that Redmayne was husband, with the innate love she feels for Lili and her desire to right for the part — even more so after casting the role of Gerda. aid in her transition. She is a good character, something Hooper believes is hard for an actor to truly accomplish. “We often quite like the villainous or the naughty charac- Rising Star ters,” he says. “Gerda is a truly good character and yet [Vikander] makes goodness mesmeric to watch.” LICIA VIKANDER IS one of Hollywood’s rising stars. The Swedish actress has starred in Anna Karenina, the Academy Award-nominated Danish film A Royal Fictionalized Reality Affair, and received acclaim for her performance inA Ex Machina earlier this year. On paper, she had everything F COURSE, IT’S NOT quite the reality of Hooper wanted for his vision of Gerda. Gerda Wegener, stuck as The Danish Girl “There was a purist part of me that thought it would be lovely is between the worlds of fiction and fact. to have a Scandinavian actor at the center of the movie, so it’s not David Ebershoff’s original novel carries the Anglo-American or British without getting that quality,” he says. disclaimer that it is “highly fictionalized” — But that’s not all, as his choice for Gerda would have to match Gerda is Californian, for instance — but while Redmayne’s talent — no mean feat. “It’s quite intimidating when Lucinda Coxon’s script attempts to get closer to the truth of Lili you’ve got Eddie Redmayne, working out who is the actress who Oand Gerda’s lives, it still glosses over the cracks for the sake of can go one-on-one with Eddie at his level, or maybe even at a their tale as a love story for the ages. Gerda, for instance, has level that will push him to up his game.” long been discussed as being at least bisexual, if not a lesbian, but Vikander was more than up to the task. Hooper received an such explorations of her sexuality are missing from The Danish advanced copy of Ex Machina (“which I loved, and was on the Girl. She and Lili were certainly in love, but their relationship edge of my seat watching”), and when she came for her audition didn’t last in quite the manner Hooper and Coxon have cap- with Redmayne she told Hooper and the film’s producers some- tured. Asked about the potential for his audience to Google Lili thing that seemed certain to seal her fate: her father had a new Elbe and learn that the reality is somewhat removed from the job, one in which he worked with transgender people. “I’m like, close-knit romance depicted onscreen, Hooper isn’t dissuaded. ‘This is getting intimidatingly perfect, so let’s hope the acting is “Gerda married an Italian diplomat and went to live in good,’” Hooper recalls. Morocco. The marriage failed after three years — he basically But it was better than good. As Redmayne and Vikander cleaned her out financially — and she had to go back to Copenhagen finished their scene, where Gerda confronts Lili after she kisses and live out the rest of her life alone,” Hooper easily recalls. a man at a ball, they turned to look at “And so, when I look Hooper. He was in tears. at the whole story, I “Not a lot of suspense about who you’re feel like there is no going to cast now, Hooper!” Redmayne doubt that Lili was the roared. “I literally cried when love of her life. There’s “No, no! I’m totally objective, let’s go no contest there.” again!” Hooper retorted. I read the script. It helps that But the truth was evident. Vikander’s I can’t tell you how Gerda and Lili’s love openness, Hooper admits, sealed her role enables Hooper to bet- as Gerda. “I feel that there’s a Scandinavian unusual that is. ter frame the latter’s energy that’s very open, very free, very pro- story. With an abun- gressive, very emotionally open, quite dif- MOST SCRIPTS ARE dance of LGBT cinema ferent from the British emotional reserve,” containing tragic story he states. He felt lucky to have found HARD TO EVEN arcs for transgender Vikander, particularly when they began characters, Hooper discussing Gerda and their vision for the FINISH, LET ALONE was determined that character. his film “make the “Gerda is a woman in the 1920s saying GET MOVED BY.” portrayal of the trans ‘I’m a professional, I’m an artist, I have a narrative as positive right to be driven to be passionately pursu- — The Danish Girl director Tom Hooper as I could within the ing my subject.’ All of which were quite context.” That context radical things for a woman in the twenties is the medical risk of to say about herself,” Hooper says. “And the surgeries Lili was both Alicia and I talked about how for centuries men had defined electing to have performed to aid in her transition. Coupled with women’s gender identity, and the beginning of the twentieth her strong desire for motherhood, the limited scope of science at century was an amazing phase when women started to reclaim the time would eventually lead to her death in her late forties, FEATURES the construction of their own gender identity for themselves. after a failed surgery to craft the necessary anatomy to enable FOCUS

/ Gerda’s one of these magnificent women who was doing that her to have a child. Rather than dwell on her bittersweet end- and is definitely an early feminist. And so we wanted to capture ing, Hooper wanted to “find as much optimism and joy, given the strength of her.” where the story is going, as I could. I felt that love was the way NITECKA

A. Hooper equates Vikander’s talent with Laura Linney, who he of doing that.” worked with on the HBO miniseries John Adams. Vikander was That’s not to say that Hooper has watered down Lili’s tran-

AGATHA able to deftly balance the pain Gerda experiences as she loses her sition in favor of her relationship with Gerda. One scene in

METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 19 particular depicts Lili exploring her body — completely naked — and it’s a masterfully shot sequence, with Hooper and Redmayne Affecting Change working in sync to bring a transformation in Lili’s perspective of herself. ITH ALL THE EFFORT Hooper put into cap- “The scene was Lili discovering her smile for the first time, turing Lili’s transformation — her movements, and Lili seeing Lili for the first time and recognizing her smile mannerisms, fashion sense, relationships and for the first time in the mirror,” Hooper says. “That was one of surgeries — has he considered the wider impact the most breathtaking moments for me as a director, and Eddie Whis film could have on someone who hasn’t come to terms with was in an extraordinary space when we shot that. I’ve never seen their own gender identity, or to someone living in a country him quite go to such — I don’t know where he went, but it was a where being transgender is illegal? He pauses for a moment very deep place to do that.” while considering his answer. That exploration of Lili’s personal journey came from numer- “I look at it just in that seven year window I’ve been involved, ous meetings with transgender people to discuss their experi- where I’ve gone from the movie being considered too risky to do, ences with transitioning. Redmayne wanted to accurately cap- hard to finance, hard to cast, hard to get distribution,” he says. ture the actions, the explorations, the mannerisms required to “Now, it’s considered an obvious film to make, or a timely film convey Lili’s acceptance of her womanhood. to make. So the culture is capable of incredibly rapid change.” “That was most important of all for me, meeting people Hooper isn’t satisfied with just a cultural shift in studios from the trans community and hearing about their lives, their approving films like The Danish Girl, however. He wants it to strengths, their realities,” Redmayne previously stated. “Many build into real change — the kind of change that affects legisla- of the trans women I spoke to described how, before transition- tive agendas. ing, in order to survive in society, they created ways in which to “I think it’s something like thirty, thirty-one states where you live life in their assigned gender. That could involve putting a can be fired for being transgender,” he says, “which is absurd. framework up.” Will [the film] help in the fight against transgender hate crimes Einar’s framework, and its dissolution over the course of and acts of violence, which have been pretty horrific, particu- the film as Lili moves to the fore, were an important part of the larly against trans women of color, this year? I really hope that process. it might take the general audience on a journey to open their “Physicality is always something I like to get into with a hearts and minds up to people who’ve been marginalized for too character because it’s a massive part of who we are,” Redmayne long, and that would be wonderful.” continued. “Use of hands always interests me. I knew I wanted It helps that The Danish Girl has already made history. to show moments of Lili’s true gender, even when she was living Alongside Amazon’s Transparent, the Emmy- and Golden Globe- as Einar. Was it the way in which she slept? I looked into that.” winning drama which stars Jeffrey Tambor as a transgender Gilded Lily Eddie Redmayne is brilliant as trans pioneer Lili Elbe, but it’s Alicia Vikander who truly shines in The Danish Girl

ASHIONING THE TALE OF TRANSGENDER PIONEER there, Lili is born, with the film following the couple as they Lili Elbe into a mainstream-friendly love story may navigate Lili’s exploration of her new gender identity and seem like shrewd packaging by a Hollywood market- Gerda deals with her love for Lili and the loss of her husband. ing department, but the result is a film that succeeds If I’ve rushed my description of the film’s narrative, it’s above all else because that central love story is so because the film itself seems to consider the actual circum- well crafted. stances and plotlines of the story as unimportant. Tearing at David Ebershoff’s eponymous novel loosely breakneck speed through Lili’s transition, before reaching its depicted Elbe’s life, but The Danish Girl (HHHHH) conclusion at her pioneering gender reassignment surgeries, sticks closer to the facts. It follows Einar Wegener, a Danish it bounces through the years of Lili and Gerda’s relationship FEATURES Fpainter, who slowly comes to realize that he is transgender without pausing to reflect, instead preferring to focus on the

after modelling women’s clothes for his wife, Gerda. From film’s two central performances. FOCUS

20 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM woman, The Danish Girl was screened at the White House last that, even a year ago, might have lacked interest. But Hooper month as part of a Champions of Change event, which honored isn’t concerned about the potentially narrow focus some may nine LGBT artists and activists for their work. The Danish Girl apply to his film. He’s confident enough in its central themes and Transparent are the first transgender-centric media to be that everyone will be able to take away something beyond Lili’s screened at the White House, and for Hooper and the film’s incredible, pioneering efforts to be herself. production team, it was a momentous occasion — not least “I had an incredibly moving experience at the premiere,” he given the project’s lengthy and troubled production history. recalls. “A friend of mine in L.A. had been paralyzed two years Hooper recalls standing next to producer Gail Mutrux, who first ago from the neck down, and his then girlfriend chose to stay optioned the film in 2000 and has suffered through every stum- with him and to nurse him and to love him. He said he was very ble until Hooper came on board. “We’re in Washington at the moved, because she had the choice to go and she stayed, and so White House, and I’m like, ‘Now do you believe that the film’s he was very moved by the act of caregiving, the fact that Gerda being made?’” he laughs. “‘We’re at the White House, invited by chose to stay. Everyone has their own route in, but that’s what Obama to talk about the film, you must feel safe.’ And she’s like, fascinating about film, because you can make a very specific ‘Yeah I feel safe.’” story and then the echoes can be very wide.” For Hooper, The Danish Girl couldn’t be more perfectly Speaking with Hooper, who talks so eloquently about trans- timed. President Obama may be the first president to ever gender issues and his hopes for future change, there is undoubt- use the word transgender, but there was one other event this edly a current of passion that many in the LGBT community year that cemented 2015 as the year transgender rights finally will resonate with. Asked why he prefers to film period pieces, received the attention they deserve. Two weeks after shooting Hooper responds that he prefers being in a dialogue with things wrapped on The Danish Girl, Bruce Jenner sat down with Diane that are electric in current culture. That transgender rights are Sawyer to confirm that he was transgender (at the time, Jenner so important right now, that we’re so embroiled in legislation was still using male pronouns). Then, this summer, an even more and discrimination and a slow, steady stumble towards greater momentous reveal on the cover of Vanity Fair. equality isn’t lost on Hooper. With The Danish Girl, he’s keenly “It’s very funny because I was on a shoot with Annie aware of how current its subject matter is — for better or worse. Leibovitz,” Hooper says, his speech animated, “and Annie was “I think this is another example where, even though the story shooting Alicia and Eddie and she took me aside and said ‘Don’t is almost 100 years old, it’s extraordinary how topical it is,” he tell anyone, but I’m about to go and shoot Caitlyn Jenner!’ And so says. “And actually, it should not be topical at all, because in I got a kind of heads-up that this was all about to hit the world.” theory, we should have moved way beyond it being topical.” l The result is that audiences are perhaps better prepared than ever before for a film with a transgender lead character. Lili The Danish Girl opens December 11 at area theaters. For ticket Elbe’s story may finally be heard and appreciated by an audience information, visit fandango.com.

As Lili, Eddie Redmayne is astonishing. A year after deliv- will recognize his hallmarks — wide shots, off-center fram- ering an Oscar-winning performance as Stephen Hawking ing, sumptuous close-ups on eyes, lips, hands. If it seems in Theory of Everything, he has produced another masterful paint-by-numbers, it’s only because Hooper has his craft so transformation. His transition from meek, malleable Einar well-honed that he’s more than welcome to keep repeating it. to radiant, confident Lili is stunning to behold. Redmayne’s One scene in particular, as Lili explores her body completely study of transgender women reaps its rewards onscreen, in nude, is mesmerizingly captured — the framing, the direction his hand movements, voice, posture, expressions. It helps of Eddie Redmayne, the synchronicity of the scene, makes it that Redmayne himself is so utterly striking — androgynous a shocking, emotional, revelatory experience. enough to be handsome as Einar and beautiful as Lili. But it’s The entire film has been crafted with the utmost care. in the film’s quieter moments where he truly shines. When Alexandre Desplat’s score, though occasionally overbearing, Lili first presents as a woman in public, at a ball with Gerda, reminds us why he collected the Oscar last year, the costum- she meets a man, Henrik (Ben Wishaw, wonderful as ever). ing and hair and makeup departments have made the most of As she wrestles with her emotions, she trembles, hands their presumably large budgets, and the supporting cast, includ- shaking, eyes darting, breathing quickened. Redmayne per- ing Matthias Schoenaerts as Einar’s childhood friend Hans and forms with such natural ease, melting so convincingly into the Amber Heard as Gerda’s friend Oola, are uniformly strong. role, that any concerns of a cisgender man playing Elbe are Of course, that only makes the film’s weaker points stand quickly forgotten. out more. The script, for the most part, is buoyed by the Arguably, though, The Danish Girl belongs to Alicia Vikander. performances of the two leads, but includes some incred- As Gerda, she is the perfect counterpart to Redmayne. As Lili ibly hokey lines. “You’re different from most girls,” Henrik explores her newfound identity, it is Gerda’s reactions that tells Lili upon meeting her. Do we laugh at the obviousness will resonate more with the audience. Vikander ignores any of the statement? It also places most of the focus on Gerda urges to be overblown in her emotions, instead relying on — Lili is depicted as arrogant and selfish more than once — her beautifully expressive eyes and subtle cues. Where other and though Lili’s transition is explored through Redmayne’s directors may have asked Vikander to cry more, or shout incredible body movements, it’s Vikander who reaps the best more, Tom Hooper revels in her restraint, which only adds lines. There’s also the egregiously cheesy ending, which feels extra weight to the moments when the emotion of losing as though it was tacked on by a focus group that demanded a Einar and dealing with Lili overcome Gerda. Vikander’s star more obviously sentimental conclusion. hasn’t yet fully risen, but after her performance here it seems Still, The Danish Girl is a flattering, beautifully captured, destined to be positively celestial. captivatingly performed retelling of the marriage between a FEATURES Hooper has once again crafted a beautiful period piece. trans pioneer and her wife — and one sure to do well this

FOCUS Anyone who has watched his output over the last few years awards season. — Rhuaridh Marr

METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 21 The Hall is Alive The von Trapps carry on the family tradition, this weekend performing with the National Symphony Orchestra Interview by Doug Rule MOON

BEN

E’RE HOPING FOR MAYBE METRO WEEKLY: Let’s start at the very beginning. Sufjan Stevens or Jim James,” SOFIA VON TRAPP: [Laughs.] It’s a very good place to start. There are four says Sofia von Trapp about of us — I’m 27. Melanie is 25, Amanda is 24 and August is 21. potential EP producers. “You MW: I understand it was something of a fluke that you started singing as know, shoot for the stars. Why a group. not right?” VON TRAPP: Yeah, it was never planned. Our parents don’t sing at all, and The von Trapps are themselves natural stars in the we were never pressured into doing this. But our grandfather would AmericanW music firmament, descendants of the real- always come visit us in Montana, and he would teach us little Austrian life singing family that inspired The Sound of Music. folk songs. And when he had a stroke, about 15 years ago, we recorded Specifically, the von Trapps are the children of Werner — those songs that he taught us. It just seemed like something fun to do. or Kurt, as he was named in the movie — the youngest boy. We never expected to be doing this for as long as we have, and singing Earlier this year, the harmonic folk-pop quartet in amazing halls like the Kennedy Center. released its first EP of all original material, Dancing In MW: When did you first sing professionally? Gold, produced by Israel Nebeker of Portland’s indie-folk VON TRAPP: We were asked to do a two-hour show at MusikFest in band Blind Pilot. And last year, the group worked with Bethlehem, Penn., and we started getting shows from that point on. It’s Pink Martini on the Portland chamber-pop act’s album been almost 15 years now that we’ve been doing this professionally. I Dream A Little Dream. In fact, it was Pink Martini’s was 13, August was 7. So we were young. gay leader Thomas Lauderdale who helped put the von MW: So your voices have changed in that time. Trapps on the map, connecting them with prominent VON TRAPP: August’s voice especially. [Laughs.] Once we started per- producers in both the pop and classical realms. forming professionally, we had a lot of really amazing mentors and vocal Sofia von Trapp gave some insight into the band’s ori- coaches. We started taking it really seriously. It’s such a beautiful way gins in advance of this weekend’s holiday shows with the to grow up. National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. MW: When did you move to Portland?

22 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM beautiful. I mean, having Julie Andrews play your great grand- mother is pretty amazing. MW: Have you met Julie Andrews? VON TRAPP: Yes! We met her on the Oprah show, actually. It was five years ago — the 45th anniversary. We were on the Oprah The Hall is Alive show and we sang “Edelweiss” with Christopher Plummer The von Trapps carry on the family tradition, this weekend performing and Julie Andrews and the rest of the cast. Which was quite an with the ational ymphony rchestra amazing experience. N S O MW: You were able to sing and not be too starstruck? Interview by Doug Rule VON TRAPP: Yeah, I know! It was difficult, but we managed through it. MW: So the von Trapp family took up residence in Vermont after Austria? VON TRAPP: Yeah, when they escaped Austria, the only reason why they could was because they had a visa for one show in the U.S. So they were able to escape. And they ended up eventually finding a home in Stowe, Vermont — where they made this beau- tiful, beautiful lodge, which is still there to this day. MW: How many times have you seen The Sound of Music, the movie? VON TRAPP: So many times! And in as many different circum- stances — everything from sing-alongs to by chance, our friends having The Sound of Music being played. MW: You’ve performed in the musical version before? VON TRAPP: That was the first year — it was before we start- ed touring internationally. We did a show in Raleigh, North Carolina. August, he played our grandfather Werner, the young- est boy of the seven children. MW: Are there other singers or singing acts from the family? VON TRAPP: There’s our aunt, our dad’s sister. She’s a professional singer. Really lovely. Beautiful singer-songwriter. We’re the only siblings that sing together out of the family, but everyone is very musical. MW: Do you like musicals? VON TRAPP: Oh, of course, I adore musicals. MW: Is there a favorite — apart from the obvious, of course? VON TRAPP: That’s really difficult — I love The Sound of Music, but there are so many good ones. Like My Fair Lady is one of my favorites. Mary Poppins. There are so many beautiful musicals out there! VON TRAPP: We’re originally from Montana but we moved here MW: Are you looking forward to your holiday show with the NSO because of Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini. It’s our four- at the Kennedy Center? year anniversary with Thomas. We met him at a Christmas tree VON TRAPP: Yeah. We’ll be doing traditional carols. We love to lighting in downtown Portland, and we immediately fell in love sing in different languages — that’s why we fit so well with Pink with each other. So he said, “Oh yeah, come to Portland for two Martini. It was a tradition of our grandparents, and then we took weeks. We’ll record an album, it’ll be done in two weeks. And be on this tradition as well. Whenever we would go to a different so much fun.” And two weeks go by, and two months go by. And country, we would learn a song in their language. And so, when finally two years later we finished this album, Dream A Little we were in France, we learned “Noel Nouvelet,” which is this Dream — and it’s the most beautiful album I’ve ever been a part beautiful, old French carol. So we’ll be doing that a cappella. And of. We ended up just staying in Portland, and making so many a Spanish carol. And some more traditional, like “Carols of the great friends. Bells,” but we’ll be doing it in Ukrainian — the original composi- MW: How familiar were you with The Sound of Music before you tion, which is really cool. started the group? MW: Do you speak other languages? VON TRAPP: Well, I didn’t understand the impact The Sound of VON TRAPP: We speak German. We’ll be singing in 10, 11 differ- Music had on the world until we started traveling and singing ent languages, but we learned them phonetically, or we learned “Edelweiss,” and everyone just bursting into tears. Or sing- them by the phrase. I wish I spoke 10 languages, that would be ing along. It’s really incredible. There are two sides of the pretty great. l story — there’s our grandfather telling us stories of, after they escaped Austria, what they did to survive. And moving to Stowe, The von Trapps perform with the NSO Pops and Stephanie J. Vermont, and living their lives. And traveling and singing for 20 Block Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m., and years. But then there’s also everyone’s memories and these feel- Saturday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., at the Kennedy Center ings of nostalgia through The Sound of Music, the musical, which Concert Hall. Tickets are $20 to $99. Call 202-467-4600 or visit is about our family before they escaped Austria. And that’s also kennedy-center.org.

METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 23 Compiled by Doug Rule DECEMBER 10 - 17, 2015 Santa, Baby Jerry Lee has turned playing Santa into an annual career

HEN WE NEED SANTA, I GET A PHONE CALL,” says Jerry Lee. W Since first donning St. Nick’s suit nearly two decades ago, the calls have come in almost every year. First per- forming as part of a Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington holiday show in the ’90s, Lee has now diversified his venues for spread- ing merriment. “Why me?” was his initial response when asked to play Santa. Standing six feet and six inches high, he was told that having a taller Santa made the elves with whom he appeared on stage “more elegant.” Once the suit was made, there weren’t many people up to filling it, and so Lee’s role as Santa was set — particularly after a friend on Capitol Hill asked him to be Santa at a Christmas party. Even with a custom-made suit, becoming Santa is no easy feat. To complete his transformation, Lee adds a wig, a beard, a hat, and a large amount of rubber padding, though, as he observes, he “needs less padding every year.” What of Santa’s inevitable duties, though? Not all children — or their parents — are equal, it seems. “One time, I had a very tech savvy 7-year-old who asked for a very specific ipad with accessories,” Lee recalls. “I looked at his parents for a sign as to yes or no, but they just stared. “Most parents wink and nod,” he continues. “Some look pan- icked, ‘No, she can’t get a dog!’ So I’ll say something like, ‘I don’t know if I can get a dog on my sleigh.’” At this year’s GMCW show, Rewrapped, Lee is performing a parody of Adele’s “Hello” entitled “Ho Ho,” as well as appear- ing in the finale, “Christmas on Broadway.” This year is actually the most Santa-heavy GMCW show Lee has performed, but he’s VANKIM excited and happy to see everyone who comes out for the per- formance. “After the show I’ll be in the lobby to meet people and

take pictures,” he says. JULIAN However, Lee will be happy to avoid a repeat of perhaps his most nerve-racking moment as Santa when a young girl, asked what she wanted for Christmas, “stared incredulously and said, ‘Didn’t you get my letter?’” — Tim Rosenberger

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performs Rewrapped on Saturday Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. and Sunday Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St NW. Tickets are $25 to $63. Call 202-293-1548 or visit gmcw.org.

day concert by the American Pops the National Broadway Chorus earlier AN ACT OF LOVE SPOTLIGHT Orchestra. “A Broadway Christmas” this year with a mission of developing Landmark’s E Street Cinema hosts a will also feature Matt Doyle (The groundbreaking concepts and artistic D.C. premiere screening of this docu- Book of Mormon, Spring Awakening), partnerships to develop and inspire mentary telling the stories of those AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA Julia Goodwin of America’s Got a new audience of orchestral music who have fought for LGBT inclusion WITH ELAINE PAIGE Talent and a mass choir of singers in the 21st century. Wednesday, Dec. in the United Methodist Church, from The Broadway and West End super- from around the D.C. area. Frazier, 16, at 8 p.m. GW Lisner, The George the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy star, dubbed the “First Lady of Musical the Principal Pops Conductor of the Washington University, 730 21st St. to officiating same-sex wedding cere- Theatre,” headlines a show by Luke Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, found- NW. Tickets are $35 to $65. Call 202- monies. The Reverend Frank Schaefer Frazier, leading the inaugural holi- ed the American Pops Orchestra and 994-6851 or visit lisner.org. is the main subject Scott Sheppard’s 24 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM Holiday Gift Guide

Visit the Holiday Gift Guide Online at metroweekly.com/giftguide film, focusing on his work in advanc- Charlie Puth, Hailee Steinfeld, R. City, of ease and natural rapport that only Theatre, 14th & P Streets NW. Tickets ing same-sex marriage within the Alessia Cara and Natalie La Rose. The seasoned actors can convey. Closes are $44 to $88. Call 202-332-3300 or church. Schaefer had his ministerial Jingle Ball is presented by Capital this Sunday, Dec. 13. Studio Theatre, visit studiotheatre.org. credentials revoked two years ago One as a benefit for the Ryan Seacrest 14th & P Streets NW. Tickets are $49 after officiating his son’s same-sex Foundation. Monday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. to $96 each show. Call 202-332-3300 BLACK NATIVITY wedding. Civitas Public Affairs pres- Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. Tickets or visit studiotheatre.org. (Doug Rule) Another year, another production by ents this screening. Thursday, Dec. 17, are $20 to $200. evCall 202-628-3200 Theater Alliance of Langston Hughes’s at 7 p.m. Landmark’s E Street Cinema, or visit verizoncenter.com. THE WASHINGTON REVELS retelling of the Biblical Christmas 555 11th St. NW. Call 202-452-7672 or The 75-plus members of this group story from an Afrocentric perspective, visit anactoflovefilm.com. MATILDA THE MUSICAL perform the annual Christmas Revels, incorporating gospel, blues, funk, jazz A Tony Award-winning fantasy this year billed as “A Medieval and dance, with griot-style storytelling AN IRISH CAROL based on Roald Dahl’s novel, about Celebration of the Winter Solstice in from an ensemble cast. Black Nativity For the fourth year, and the first in an extraordinary girl who dares to Music, Dance and Drama.” Audience was one of the first plays written by its newly renovated space, Keegan make her dreams of a better life a participation is a hallmark, whether an African American to appear on Theatre offers company member reality. Opens Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 7 singing, dancing or becoming part Broadway 51 years ago. The winner Matthew Keenan’s homage to the p.m. Kennedy Center Opera House. of the drama. Remaining shows are of three Helen Hayes Awards this Dickens classic — albeit with bit- Tickets are $30 to $204. Call 202-467- Friday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, year, the Theater Alliance produc- ing humor and incisive candor. The 4600 or visit kennedy-center.org. Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and tion is directed by Eric Ruffin, who show runs in repertory with How To Sunday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. is joined by music director e’Marcus Catch a Leprechaun. Mark A. Rhea MICHAEL FEINSTEIN GW Lisner, The George Washington Harper-Short and choreographer directs a cast featuring Jon Townson, WITH BIG BAND University, 730 21st St. NW. Tickets Princess Mhoon. To Jan. 3. Anacostia David Jourdan, Susan Marie Rhea, “Sinatra Centennial” is a toast to the are $12 to $60. Call 202-994-6851 or Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Place SE. Josh Sticklin, Timothy Lynch, Daniel legendary crooner on the eve of the visit lisner.gwu.edu. Tickets are $35 to $50. Call 202-241- Lyons, Mike Kozemchak and Kevin 100th anniversary of his birth, led by 2539 or visit theateralliance.com. Adams. Opens Saturday, Dec. 12, at the man known as the Ambassador 8 p.m. To Dec. 31. Keegan Theatre, of the Great American Songbook. STAGE BRIGHT STAR 1742 Church St. NW. Tickets are $30 Feinstein will be supported by a big The Kennedy Center offers the limited to $40. Call 703-892-0202 or visit pre-Broadway engagement of the new band as he channels the spirit, swag- A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS CAROL keegantheatre.com. ger and sensation of Frank Sinatra, musical by an unlikely pair: Comedian Kathy Feininger’s A Broadway something the gay musician con- and bluegrass musician Steve Martin Christmas Show tells the famous GAY MEN’S CHORUS firmed he’s more than capable of with and folk/pop singer-songwriter Edie Charles Dickens classic by altering the Grammy-nominated album The Brickell. Bright Star is a sweeping tale OF WASHINGTON the lyrics to familiar Broadway tunes, Rewrapped is a concert of familiar Sinatra Project. “Everybody’s been of love and redemption set against the 30 or so in all, from The Music Man holiday songs reworked with the Gay influenced by Frank Sinatra whether rich backdrop of the American South to Sweeney Todd to Annie. The result Men’s Chorus’ usual twist, from “Do they know it or not,” Feinstein told between the World Wars. Broadway is a pretty gay show, especially with You Hear What I Hear” to “Christmas Metro Weekly when he last performed veteran Walter Bobbie directs a large gay Helen Hayes Award-winning on Broadway” to “The Nutcracker...In a Sinatra tribute at Strathmore. cast including Carmen Cusack, Paul actor Michael Sharp at the helm as About Three Minutes.” John Moran Sinatra “made classic songs not only Alexander Nolan, Michael Mulheren, director and choreographer. In years directs the concert and Thea Kano contemporary for current audiences, A.J. Shively, Hannah Elless, Stephen past, Sharp has played Scrooge, but leads the chorus, with choreography but also he was a male singer who Bogardus, Dee Hoty, Stephen Lee Peter Boyer has now assumed the bah- by Maria Watson. Paul Heins will con- was not afraid to be vulnerable. He Anderson, Emily Padgett and Jeff humbugging duties. Sharp will play duct the 21-member GenOUT Chorus, made it acceptable for male singers Blumenkrantz. To Jan. 2. Kennedy The Man Who Isn’t Scrooge, Tracey started earlier to be sensitive.” Friday, Dec. 11, at 8 Center Eisenhower Theater. Tickets Stephens also returns as The Woman this year by GMCW as the area’s first p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 are $45 to $175. Call 202-467-4600 or Who Isn’t Scrooge and Howard LGBT youth ensemble. Remaining Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. visit kennedy-center.org. Breitbart as music director — aka The performances are Saturday, Dec. 12, Tickets are $55 to $125. Call 301-581- Man Behind The Piano. “I always at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3 5100 or visit strathmore.org. think of it like the Carol Burnett ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANE p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Show,” Sharp told Metro Weekly a The Edge of the Universe Players pres- Tickets are $25 to $63. Call 202-328- NOVA Y. PAYTON AND FRIENDS few seasons ago. “[Three] people ents a production of British playwright 6000 or visit thelincolndc.com. Signature’s youngest powerhouse playing a million different characters. Joe Orton’s darkly comic tale, set in performer, star of Dreamgirls and Sometimes we crack each other up. the swinging ‘60s, of people search- HILLWOOD’S HAUTE HOLIDAYS Hairspray, performs a cabaret of her You never know what’s going to hap- ing desperately for love — only to find AND RUSSIAN WINTER FESTIVAL holiday favorites, accompanied by a pen.” To Dec. 27. MetroStage, 1201 lust, deceit and violence. The sexually The most stylish eras of the 20th chorus and a band. Now to Dec. 24. North Royal St., Alexandria. Tickets ambiguous title character is played by century, as seen in the special exhi- The Ark at Signature Theatre, 4200 are $35 to $50. Call 800-494-8497 or Matthew McGee, known from his work bition Ingenue to Icon: 70 Years of Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets are visit metrostage.org. with Constellation Theatre Company Fashion from the Collection of Marjorie $35. Call 703-820-9771 or visit signa- both as a Helen Hayes Award-winning actor (Taking Steps) and a puppet mas- Merriweather Post, are the inspiration ture-theatre.org. A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST ter (Avenue Q). Stephen Jarrett directs for glamorous Christmas trees and fes- STORY OF CHRISTMAS tive décor across Hillwood. And this a cast also including David Brown THE APPLE FAMILY CYCLE: Olney Theatre Center presents anoth- Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. Jackson, Jim Jorgensen and Claire SORRY, REGULAR SINGING er seasonal run of the one-man por- 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hillwood Schoonover. Closes this Sunday, Dec. HHHHH trayal of the Dickens classic by Paul presents its annual Russian Winter 13. The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh Studio Theatre presents the final Morella, who bases his adaptation on Festival, with characters includ- St. Bethesda. Tickets are $22 to $25. two installments of Richard Nelson’s Dickens’ original novella and reading ing Grandfather Frost and the Snow Call 202-355-6330 or visit universe- four-play Apple Family Cycle in reper- tour. To Dec. 27. The Mulitz-Gudelsky Maiden enacting the old Russian win- players2.org. tory just as it did the first two — with Theatre Lab at Olney Theatre Center, ter custom of mumming, or dressing the same cast and the same director, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, up in costume and visiting friends. GUYS AND DOLLS Serge Seiden, who offers sharp focus Md. Call 301-924-3400 or visit olney- To Dec. 31. Hillwood Estate, 4155 At Olney Theatre Center, Jerry on the words and action. You can theatre.org. Linnean Ave. NW. Suggested dona- Whiddon directs this classic musical jump in at any point and won’t lose tion is $12, or $18 during the Russian comedy about gambling and gang- much if you only see one play, or see Winter Festival. Call 202-686-5807 or BAD JEWS sters, starring Jessica Lauren Ball as them out of order. In fact, Nelson Already the best-selling play in its visit HillwoodMuseum.org. one lucky lady. Michael J. Bobbitt has intentionally left some familial history, Studio Theatre reprises handles the choreography for this aspects and details out, which only Joshua Harmon’s acerbic dramedy production of composer and lyricist HOT 99.5 JINGLE BALL WITH encourages a theatergoer to speculate Bad Jews for another holiday run only Frank Loesser’s tale, with a book by DEMI LOVATO, ZEDD, TOVE LO and extrapolate. Here, as in real life, a year after its debut. Serge Seiden Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. To Dec. A whole host of performers are on tap it can be fascinating to try to make once again directs, this year featur- 27. Mainstage at Olney Theatre Center, for this stop on the annual iHeartRa- sense of things, particularly the com- ing a cast including Laura Lapidus, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, dio Jingle Ball Tour, also including 5 plicated, contradictory characters we Rowan Vickers, Noah Averbach-Katz Md. Call 301-924-3400 or visit olney- Seconds of Summer, Shawn Mendes, encounter. The ensemble has the kind and Maggie Wilder. To Jan. 3. Studio theatre.org. 26 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM Holiday Gift Guide

Visit the Holiday Gift Guide Online at metroweekly.com/giftguide HOW TO CATCH A LEPRECHAUN and Dawn Ursula star as the He and conducted by Scott Tucker. And on HANDEL’S MESSIAH; NSO, In repertory with An Irish Carol, She in question, with a strong cast Monday, Dec. 14, the organization NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC Keegan Theatre offers its first main- complemented by Craig Wallace, will toast the 50th anniversary of Next weekend is Messiah weekend stage family production, a new chil- Michael Glenn, Todd Scofield, Tyasia the independence of the Republic of at the area’s two main concert halls. dren’s musical by local playwrights Velines and Rachel Zampelli. To Dec. Singapore at a gala with Singapore’s First up is the National Symphony Mario Baldessari and Ethan Slater, 27. Round House Theatre, 4545 East- ambassador Ashok Mirpuri and Mrs. Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, with based on a familiar Irish folktale. Jon West Highway, Bethesda. Tickets are Gouri Mirpuri. The SYC Ensemble Nathalie Stutzmann conducting four Townson directs a cast including $36 to $51. Call 240-644-1100 or visit Singers from Singapore will perform, singers and the University of Maryland Bradley Foster Smith, Josh Sticklin, roundhousetheatre.org. and Nina Totenberg of NPR will also Concert Choir. Meanwhile, Stan Sally Frakes Cusenza and Brian Doyle. appear at this black-tie event that Engebretson conducts Strathmore’s Opens Saturday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m. To includes a silent auction and reception resident orchestra, the National Dec. 31. Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church and ends with dinner and dancing on Philharmonic, in a performance fea- St. NW. Tickets are $12 to $15. Call 703- MUSIC the Roof Terrace. The gala is Monday, turing four soloists and the National 892-0202 or visit keegantheatre.com. Dec. 14, at 7 p.m., and the Christmas Philharmonic Chorale. NSO performs BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL WITH concert itself is presented Sunday, Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m., Friday, KISS ME, KATE BSO SUPERPOPS Dec. 13, at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20, at 8 Dec. 18, Saturday, Dec. 19, at 8 p.m., The latest musical to get the Alan “Tis The Season” for carols, classics p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 24, at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20, at 1:30 p.m. Paul treatment at the Shakespeare and other surprises when this Tony Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets Theatre Company is Cole Porter’s Award-winning star hosts and per- are $15 to $69. Call 202-467-4600 or are $15 to $89. Call 202-467-4600 or classic kiss to the Bard. Douglas Sills forms with the BSO SuperPops con- visit kennedy-center.org. visit kennedy-center.org. National and Christine Sherrill star in Kiss Me, ducted by Damon Gupton. Remaining Philharmonic performs Saturday, Dec. Kate, featuring a book by Samuel and performances Thursday, Dec. 10, at 8 DC DIFFERENT DRUMMERS’ 19, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 20, at 3 Bella Spewack, about the sparks that p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 A WINTER HOLIDAY PRISM p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 fly on and off stage as a troupe stages a Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Also Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, CONCERT musical version of Shakespeare’s The The DC Different Drummers present Tickets are $44 to $94. Call 301-581- Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Taming of the Shrew. To Jan. 3. Sidney their annual benefit concert featuring 5100 or visit strathmore.org. Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. Joseph Harman Hall, Harman Center for the seasonal music for small ensembles Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Arts, 610 F St. NW. Tickets are $20 to and symphonic band, including an THE INSERIES: BY GEORGE, BY Cathedral St., Baltimore. Tickets are $118. Call 202-547-1122 or visit shake- audience sing-along. Sunday, Dec. IRA, BY GERSHWIN $25 to $99. Call 410-783-8000 or visit spearetheatre.org. 13, at 3 p.m. Lutheran Church of the A concert-in-cabaret spanning the bsomusic.org. Reformation, 212 E. Capitol St. NE. music from Tin Pan Alley, Hollywood STAGE KISS Tickets are free, but donations to and opera, this InSeries program is Celebrated local director Aaron CHORAL ARTS SOCIETY’S 35TH DCDD and/or a food donation for focused on the output of one of the Posner helms a Round House Theatre HOLIDAY CONCERT AND GALA Food & Friends is recommended. Visit greatest sibling songwriting duos. production of Sarah Ruhl’s lively The Choral Arts Society presents its dcdd.org for more details. Abel Lopez directs a cast including comedy, mixing real-life romance 35th annual A Choral Arts Christmas Pam Ward, Detra Battle, Jase Parker, and backstage farce. Gregory Woodell concert, featuring the Choral Arts Kenneth Derby, Laura Fuentes and Chorus and Chamber Ensemble Bryan Jackson, who will move with choreography by Angelisa Gillyard

28 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 29 while singing standards (from “I Got the titular figure and King George DEL RAY ARTISANS’ 20TH TEAM RAYCEEN Rhythm” to “The Man I Love” to III as the Rat King. After two week- ANNUAL HOLIDAY MARKET During the free-art-for-all extrava- “They Can’t Take That Away From ends in the intimate THEARC space Alexandria’s quirky, members-only ganza known as Artomatic, Team Me”) accompanied by a jazz combo. in Southeast D.C. as part of the com- art gallery offers its 20th annual holi- Rayceen presents a variety show host- To Dec. 20. Source Theatre, 1835 14th pany’s efforts to spread and diversify day market, featuring unique hand- ed by namesake Rayceen Pendarvis St. NW. Tickets are $22 to $42. Call its audience, the production sets up made fine arts and fine crafts from and Curt Mariah, featuring perfor- 202-204-7741 or visit inseries.org. shop for nearly all of December at different local artists on a rotating mances by DJ Honey, #AskRayceen downtown’s Warner Theatre. To Dec. basis over the next three weekends. 2015 Talent Competition winner Peach 27. Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. The artists — working in pottery, pho- Jah and the competition’s runner-up DANCE Tickets are $35 to $126. Call 202-889- tography, jewelry, fiber, paper crafts Usagi. The rest of the lineup varies, 5901 or visit washingtonballet.org. and glass — will donate a percentage with performers this Saturday, Dec. 12, including: Angie Head, Chelsea THE MOSCOW BALLET of their sales to help support the gal- lery. Poinsettias, 2016 wall calendars Shorte, Chris Blaze, Quineice, Daniel Dubbed the “Great Russian and handmade ornaments will also be “The Girl Genius” Reed, Venus Thrash Nutcracker,” this version of the holi- ABOVE AND BEYOND on hand. Through Dec. 20. Del Ray and Pussy Noir, plus live painting by day ballet staple pays tribute to Marius Artisans in the Nicholas A. Colasanto Sekayi Fernandes. Saturday, Dec. 12, Petipa, who developed the Nutcracker 11TH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. starting at 9 p.m. Artomatic 2015, 8100 choreography — and, for good mea- HOLIDAY MARKET Alexandria. Call 703-731-8802 or visit Corporate Dr., Hyattsville, Md. Free. sure, that of Swan Lake — and is The DowntownDC Business thedelrayartisans.org. Visit facebook.com/TeamRayceen. credited as “The Father of Russian Improvement District and Diverse Ballet.” This great Russian company Markets Management stage this NATIONAL ZOO’S ZOOLIGHTS THE KILN CLUB’S has been touring its Nutcracker in the European-style outdoor holiday mar- Every year the Smithsonian’s National ORNAMENTATION OF United States for more than 20 years ket, featuring more than 150 area Zoo presents ZooLights, in which THE SEASON now. Monday, Dec. 21, and Tuesday, vendors selling a diverse range of art, more than 500,000 colorful Christmas Artists from the Kiln Club present Dec. 22, at 8 p.m. Music Center at handicrafts and usable products per- lights illuminate life-sized animal sil- works in clay at the cooperative art- Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, fect for gifting (or keeping). There’s houettes, dancing trees, buildings, ist-run Scope Gallery in Alexandria’s North Bethesda. Tickets are $48 to also live entertainment and seasonal and walkways, plus a light show set Torpedo Factory Art Center. Festive $88. Call 301-581-5100 or visit strath- food and beverage on tap. Now to Dec. to music. All that, plus select animal candleholders, vases, bowls and trays, more.org. 23, from noon to 8 p.m. everyday. F houses will be open and displaying handmade centerpieces and oodles of between 7th and 9th Streets NW. Free. nocturnal creatures, including the ornaments will be on display. Now THE WASHINGTON BALLET: THE Visit downtownholidaymarket.com. Small Mammal House, the Great Ape to Jan. 3. Scope Gallery in Torpedo NUTCRACKER House and Reptile Discovery Center. Factory Art Center, 105 North Union Every year for the past 12 years, Every night except Dec. 24, 25 and St. Alexandria. Free. Call 703-548- Washington Ballet’s artistic director 31, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., until Jan. 2. 6288 or visit scopegallery.org. l Septime Webre has offered his own National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. twist on the family favorite, setting it NW. Free, courtesy of Pepco. Call in D.C.’s historic Georgetown neigh- 202-633-4800 or visit nationalzoo. borhood with George Washington as si.edu.

30 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 31 stage

Prophet and Loss

Dinolfo) and Timothy (Sam Ludwig), a reporter in hot pursuit Though focused on multi-generational of a story about Joseph’s family, the Douaihys. As it transpires, he’s not the only one: Sons of the Prophet centers on Joseph and suffering, the gay-centric Sons of the his boss Gloria (Brigid Cleary), a publishing agent who’s in des- perate need of a hit book to turn around her moribund career. Prophet is a delightful dramedy Perhaps one about the Douiahys? After all, they’re distant rela- tives of Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet. What a goldmine it could be to get Joseph to write a by DOUG RULE memoir revealing how his successors are faring, she reasons. Even if Joseph wasn’t an intensely private person to begin with, AINT RAFKA, REVERED AS A SAINT OF SUF- now would certainly not be a good time to air any dirty laundry, fering, looms over Luciana Stecconi’s set in Sons of as the Douiahys are still grieving the death of his father. the Prophet ( ). A promising playwright, Karam packs a lot into this 105-min- S Yet Stephen Karam’s barbed comedy, now in its ute, intermission-less play, which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in regional premiere at Theater J, is mostly joyous. Of particular 2012 and winner of several awards that year. There’s the con- delight is the way his play — focused on the multi-generational troversy over the father’s death, the fault of local star football sufferings of a Lebanese-American family — portrays a gay rela- player Vin (Jaysen Wright) — whose race only strains relations

tionship, from tentative first meeting to stripped-down, make- with Uncle Bill (Michael Willis), the aging Douiahy patriarch. WOOD out hookup. The whole town gets caught up when the school threatens to

That relationship is between lead character Joseph (Chris suspend Vin just before a pivotal game and the end of the season. TERESA

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SQUARE ENIX games

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(though it can occasionally struggle). The 400 square miles of Just Cause 3 is a beautiful, incredibly fictional Mediterranean islands that comprise Medici are ren- dered beautifully and load quickly. On Xbox One? Just Cause 3 fun game marred by serious performance rivals Assassin’s Creed Unity for the length of its load times — and its numerous performance issues. issues and bizarre gameplay choices It’s not uncommon to spend several minutes waiting for the game to boot up. Once it does, you’ll be treated to a frame rate by RHUARIDH MARR that just barely scrapes 30 fps — and that’s at a reduced 900p resolution on Xbox One — and which quickly plummets as soon UST CAUSE 3 IS ONE OF THE GAMES I WAS as you start doing anything. Signature gameplay elements such most excited to play this year. The original Just as blowing stuff up, driving, blowing more stuff up, shooting, Cause was one of my first “Wow” moments on Xbox blowing a few more things up, grappling up a building, and lob- J 360, with its incredible scale and beautiful color bing explosives at things to blow them up can reduce the game palette. I played it to completion and for many dozens of hours to a crawl. In areas where there are a lot of destructible items more, revelling in its massive sandbox, it’s action movie game- — and there are many of them, in towns, bases, castles and ports play, its parachutes and skydiving and gunplay and explosions. — the game enters what can only be described as slow motion, When Just Cause 2 came along, it was more of the same but as it tries to render the action, but can’t do so at the required with greater refinements. It was smoother, bigger, the action frame rate. It makes playing the game untenable for long periods flowed better, the explosions were grander. It was everything a of time — something made worse by the fact that performance sequel should be. Then came the announcement of Just Cause actually degrades further the longer you play it, suggesting seri- 3 — a game that promised to be bigger still, but with beautiful ous memory leaks. new graphics, a powerful new engine, and even more enjoyable All of this means that you can either enjoy Just Cause 3 in gameplay. I couldn’t wait to install it. short bursts, or you’ll have to adopt a style of gameplay that After many hours with Just Cause 3 (HHHHH) on Xbox One, runs in antithesis to the whole point of the experience. Rather I’m heartbroken. Avalanche Studios aimed for something bigger, than tether a mass of explosive barrels to a helicopter and drop better, bolder, but what they produced was something broken, them onto a moving target, you instead have to grapple onto the ENIX

frustrating and bizarrely halfhearted. car and steal it. Yay. Instead of slamming a cargo plane into the My biggest complaint with Just Cause 3 is that, at least on front of a base, as you parachute to safety and fire rockets into

SQUARE console, it simply doesn’t work. On PC it’s a fast, fluid experience the debris field, you instead have to stand on a hill and shoot a

METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 35 ENIX

SQUARE sniper rifle, or get up close and personal for the series’ trademark select a main weapon, a secondary weapon, a vehicle and some subpar gunplay. Yay. Whereas you’d previously do pretty much explosives. It’ll then be immediately dropped to wherever you anything that resulted in ginormous, Bond-style explosions, now throw the beacon. Great. Except you’re restricted in how many you’ll do anything to avoid them, lest you be rewarded with mas- beacons you can carry and there’s a respawn time limit on items sive performance degradation. Yay? I don’t know about you, but which only frustrates. More than once the game would drop in a Just Cause just isn’t very fun to play if I can’t live out my action helicopter or plane, only for it to explode on landing. Rather than movie fantasies. spend more in-game money and buy another, like in prior games, The gameplay itself has also seen several changes. New this I now need to use another beacon and then wait for a predeter- time around — and oft touted — is the wingsuit. Simply put, it’s mined amount of time — such as fifteen real minutes — to spawn a game changer. Rather than rely on pulling yourself along using another. Come on, Avalanche? Really? It’s my game, let me spam the tether and a parachute, you can now open up a wingsuit and in jets. Sure, you can unlock a mod that removes the time limit, fly through the sky. It’s almost too finicky, requiring incredibly but that will take a lot of playing to obtain. deft controls, but the thrill of skimming close to the ground, And that’s where the issue is with Just Cause 3, it demands tethering your way out of buildings or inclines at the last second, that you play it to get the most from it — something many won’t is arguably one of Just Cause 3’s biggest strengths. want to do thanks to its numerous performance issues. And So, too, is the new tethering system. You can now have mul- that’s not all. The narrative — never a strong point for prior tiple tethers, which can pull objects together and be detached games — is even more disjointed and has even more terrible as necessary. You want to carry six cars under your helicopter writing than before. If you die, it can take upwards of 90 seconds and drop them like bombs? Sure! You want to create your own to respawn. Challenges can take a minute to load — and just as slingshot, firing enemies out of their base? Sure! You’d like to long to reload if you retry them. Everything about Just Cause 3 attach a cow to a gas canister and send them both shooting into feels slowed down, lethargic, and as though Avalanche are pun- the sky? You’re a bit weird, but sure! The ways in which the ishing players for trying to enjoy their game. tether can now be used instead of guns or explosives makes for What makes it worse is that, when the game actually works, some of Just Cause 3’s best moments. Experimenting with new it’s glorious fun. Sure, the new controls take a bit of getting ways to pull down structures or defeat enemies or get rid of used to, including the wingsuit and the lack of a few quick vehicles makes for joyous fun. (Pro tip: during chase sequences, actions, such as jumping between vehicles. But the Just Cause attach a tether to the road and another to the hood of the vehicle hallmarks of ridiculous, over-the-top action movie-style stunts chasing you and prepare for physics-based hilarity as it flies off are here, the massive explosions have never looked better, the into the distance.) sound mixing on competent speakers is glorious, the island of Unfortunately, Avalanche Studios has also introduced a new Medici is a saturated beauty, and the vehicles have never felt upgrading system that’s more hassle than it’s worth. In theory, tighter to control. it’s great: you only complete challenges to upgrade the things In my time with Just Cause 3 I’ve had some of the most enjoy- you use. If you want better explosives, you only need do the able moments in gaming of this entire year. But I’ve also had explosive challenges. If you want more mods for cars, do the some of the most frustrating, the buggiest, and the slowest. If you racing challenges, etc. However, it locks away things that prior really want to experience a great Just Cause game on Xbox One, games gave players from the start. Why they thought preventing download Just Cause 2 through backwards compatibility. Unless gamers from zooming in with guns, for instance, was a good idea Avalanche can patch the issues, Just Cause 3 is a game that only is beyond me. those who can stomach having their play sessions severely neu- It also adds a couple of annoying quirks into cargo drops. The tered should buy. l actual system is much better: collect a beacon from liberated towns or bases and then whenever you want a drop, call it up and Just Cause 3 is available now on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

36 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 37 38 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM NIGHT LIFE LISTINGS

THURS., 12.10.15

9 1/2 Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm • Multiple TVs showing movies, shows, sports • Expanded craft beer selection • Music videos featuring DJ Wess

ANNIE’S/ANNIE’S UPSTAIRS 4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm • $4 Small Plates, $4 Stella Artois, $4 House Wines, $4 Stolichnaya Cocktails, $4 Manhattans and Vodka Martinis

COBALT/30 DEGREES Happy Hour: $6 Call Martini, $3 Miller Lite, $4 Rail, $5 Call, 4-9pm • $3 Rail Drinks, 10pm- midnight, $5 Red Bull, Gatorade and Frozen Virgin Drinks • Locker Room Thursday Nights • DJs Sean Morris and MadScience • Ripped Hot Body Contest at midnight, hosted by Miss Kristina Kelly and Ba’Naka • $200 Cash Prize • Doors open 10pm, 18+ • $5 Cover under 21 and free with college ID

DC9 1940 9th St. NW Happy Hour, 5-8pm • dcnine.com

DC EAGLE Doors open at 5pm • Happy Hour, 5-8pm • $2 Bud and Bud Light Draughts, $3 Domestic Bottles, $4 Rail and Import Bottle Beer, $6 Call • Highwaymen TNT presents Hot Jock Night • Men in jocks drink free rail and domestic, 8-10pm • Hot Jock Contest at 11:30pm • $100 in cash and prizes • Highwaymen TNT on Club

Bar • No Cover • 21+ t

METROWEEKLY.COM 39 40 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM scene

Trade Grand Opening Monday, December 7

scan this tag with your smartphone for bonus scene pics online!

Photography by Ward Morrison

t FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR FRI., 12.11.15 DC9 JR.’S downstairs • GoGo Boys Level One, 11am-2pm and Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • 1940 9th St. NW Happy Hour: 2-for-1, after 11pm • Doors open 2-4pm • Featuring Kristina Karaoke, 8pm 9 1/2 Happy Hour, 5-8pm • 4-9pm • $2 Skyy Highballs at 10pm • For those 21 Kelly and the Ladies of Open at 5pm • Happy dcnine.com and $2 Drafts, 10pm- and over, $10 • For those Illusion • Bottomless GREEN LANTERN Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, midnight • Retro Friday • 18-20, $15 • 18+ Mimosas and Bloody Happy Hour, 4-9pm • 5-9pm • Friday Night DC EAGLE $5 Coronas, $8 Vodka Red Marys • Happy Hour: $3 Ladies Drink Free Power Videos with resident DJ Doors open at 5pm • Bulls, 9pm-close TOWN PATIO Miller Lite, $4 Rail, $5 Hour, 4-5pm • Shirtless Shea Van Horn • VJ • Happy Hour, 5-8pm • Open 6pm • No Cover Call, 4-9pm • Washington Thursday, 10-11pm • DJs Expanded craft beer selec- $2 Bud and Bud Light NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR before 10pm • Cover after Wetskins Holiday Party, BacK2bACk tion • No Cover Draughts, $3 Domestic DJ Matt Bailer • Videos, 10pm (entry through Town) 7-10pm • AFTERGLOW Bottles, $4 Rail and Import Dancing • Beat the Clock Dance Party, featuring DJ JR.’S ANNIE’S Bottle Beer, $6 Call • Happy Hour — $2 (5-6pm), ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS Sean Morris, 10pm-close All You Can Drink for $15, 4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm • Fetish Fridays — $2 off $3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm) • All male, nude dancers, • Drink specials all night 5-8pm • $3 Rail Vodka $4 Small Plates, $4 Stella all prices for guys in fetish Buckets of Beer $15 hosted by LaTroya Nicole • Doors open 10pm • $7 Highballs, $2 JR.’s drafts, Artois, $4 House Wines, gear, 8-10pm • No Cover • Ladies of Ziegfeld’s, cover before midnight, $10 8pm-close • Throwback $4 Stolichnaya Cocktails, • 21+ NUMBER NINE 9pm • Hosted by Miss cover after • 21+ Thursday featuring rock/ $4 Manhattans and Vodka Open 5pm • Happy Hour: Destiny B. Childs • DJ pop retro hits Martinis • Upstairs open, FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm Darryl Strickland in Secrets DC9 5-11pm Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • • No Cover • VJ Tre in Ziegfeld’s • 1940 9th St. NW NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke, 8pm Cover 21+ Happy Hour, 4-6pm • Beat the Clock Happy Hour COBALT/30 DEGREES TOWN dcnine.com — $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), All You Can Drink Happy GREEN LANTERN DC Bear Crue Happy SAT., 12.12.15 $4 (7-8pm) • Buckets of Hour • $15 Rail and Happy Hour, 4-9pm • $5 Hour, 6-11pm • $3 Rail, DC EAGLE Beer $15 • Drag Bingo Domestic, $21 Call & Smirnoff, all flavors, all $3 Draft, $3 Bud Bottles Doors open at 8pm • 9 1/2 Imports, 4-9pm • Team night long • Pup Invasion, • Free Pizza, 7pm • No Happy Hour, 8-10pm • Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any NUMBER NINE DC Holiday Party, 7-9pm • 9pm-close • Featuring DJ cover before 9:30pm • $2 Bud and Bud Light drink, 3-9pm • $5 Absolut Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Guys Night Out • Free Rail Brag and host Pup Indigo 21+ • Drag Show starts at Draughts, $3 Domestic & Tito’s, $3 Miller Lite drink, 5-9pm • No Cover Vodka, 11pm-Midnight, $6 • 50/50 Raffle • Jello 10:30pm • Hosted by Lena Bottles, $4 Rail and Import after 9pm • Expanded Belvedere Vodka Drinks all shots and Puppy Mosh • Lett and featuring Miss Bottle Beer, $6 Call • craft beer selection • No ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS night • DJ MadScience $5 Cover • 21+ Tatianna, Shi-Queeta- Highwaymen TNT on Club Cover • Music videos All male, nude dancers • upstairs • DJ Keenan Orr Lee, Epiphany B. Lee Bar — $ 2 Draughts on featuring various DJs Shirtless Thursday • DJ downstairs • $10 cover and Ba’Naka • DJ Wess Club Bar and Jello shots, Tim-e in Secrets • 9pm • 10pm-1am, $5 after 1am upstairs, DJs BacK2bACk 9pm-2am • No Cover COBALT/30 DEGREES Cover 21+ • 21+ • 21+ Drag Yourself to Brunch at

METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 41 FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR TOWN SUN., 12.13.15 Drag Queen Broadway DC Rawhides host Town Brunch, 10am-3pm & Country: Two-Step, 9 1/2 • Starring Freddie’s Line Dancing, Waltz and Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Broadway Babes • Crazy West Coast Swing, $5 drink, 3-9pm • Multiple Hour, 4-7pm • Freddie’s Cover to stay all night TVs showing movies, Follies Drag Show, • Doors open 6:45pm, shows, sports • Expanded 8-10pm, hosted by Miss Lessons 7-8pm, Open craft beer selection • No Destiny B. Childs • No dance 8-10:30pm • Best Cover Cover Songs of 2015, featuring DJs BacK2bACk • Music COBALT/30 DEGREES GREEN LANTERN and video downstairs by $4 Stoli, Stoli flavors Happy Hour, 4-9pm • $5 DJ Wess • Drag Show and Miller Lite all day Bacardi, all flavors, all starts at 10:30pm • • Homowood Karaoke, night long • JOX: The Featuring special guest 10pm-close • No Cover GL Underwear Party, Alaska Thunderfuck • • 21+ 9pm-close • Featuring DJ Hosted by Lena Lett and David Merrill • $5 Cover featuring Miss Tatianna, DC9 (includes clothes check) Shi-Queeta-Lee, Epiphany 1940 9th St. NW B. Lee and Ba’Naka • Happy Hour, 2-6pm • JR.’S Doors open 10pm • $12 dcnine.com $4 Coors, $5 Vodka Cover • 21+ Highballs, $7 Vodka Red DC EAGLE Bulls TOWN PATIO Doors open at 12pm • Open 10pm (entry through Happy Hour, 12-8pm • NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR Town) • $12 Cover $2 Bud and Bud Light Guest DJs • Zing Zang Draughts, $3 Domestic Bloody Marys, Nellie Beer, ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS Bottles, $4 Rail and Import House Rail Drinks and Men of Secrets, 9pm • Bottle Beer, $6 Call • Mimosas, $4, 11am-5pm • Guest dancers • Ladies Buffet, 2-7pm — “Like” on Buckets of Beer, $15 of Illusion with host Ella Facebook for menu options Fitzgerald • Doors at 9 • $2 Bud and Bud Light NUMBER NINE p.m., first show at 11:30 Draughts all day and night Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any p.m. % DJs • Doors open • No Cover • 21+ drink, 3-9pm • No Cover 8pm • Cover 21+

42 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM NUMBER NINE MON., 12.14.15 DC9 NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR COBALT/30 DEGREES FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR Pop Goes the World with 1940 9th St. NW Beat the Clock Happy Hour Happy Hour: $2 Rail, $3 Champagne Brunch Buffet, Wes Della Volla at 9:30pm 9 1/2 Happy Hour, 5-8pm • — $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), Miller Lite, $5 Call, 4-9pm 10am-3pm • Crazy Hour, • Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any dcnine.com $4 (7-8pm) • Buckets of • SIN Service Industry 4-7pm • Karaoke, 8pm- any drink, 3-9pm • No drink, 5-9pm • Multiple Beer $15 • Texas Hold’em Night • $1 Rail Drinks 1am Cover TVs showing movies, DC EAGLE Poker, 8pm • Dart Boards all night shows, sports • Expanded Doors open at 5pm • GREEN LANTERN ROCK HARD SUNDAYS craft beer selection • No Happy Hour, 5-8pm • NUMBER NINE DC9 Happy Hour, 4-9pm • @THE HOUSE Cover $1 Bud and Bud Light Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any 1940 9th St. NW Mama’s Trailer Park NIGHTCLUB Draughts, $3 Domestic drink, 5-9pm • No Cover Happy Hour, 5-8pm • Karaoke, 9:30pm-close 3530 Georgia Ave. NW ANNIE’S Bottles, $4 Rail and Import dcnine.com Diverse group of all male, 4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm • Bottle Beer, $6 Call • TUES., 12.15.15 JR.’S all nude dancers • Doors $4 Small Plates, $4 Stella Monday Night Football on FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR Sunday Funday • Liquid open 8pm • Shows all Artois, $4 House Wines, Big Screens • Men in jer- Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • 9 1/2 Brunch • Doors open at night until close, starting $4 Stolichnaya Cocktails, seys get Happy Hour, 8pm- Karaoke, 8pm Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any 1pm • $2 Coors Lights and at 8:30pm • $5 Domestic $4 Manhattans and Vodka close • No Cover • 21+ drink, 5-9pm • Multiple $3 Skyy (all flavors), all Beer, $6 Imports • Martinis GREEN LANTERN day and night $10 cover • For Table FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR TVs showing movies, Happy Hour all night long, shows, sports • Expanded Reservations, 202-487- COBALT/30 DEGREES Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • 4pm-close craft beer selection • No NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR 6646 • rockharddc.com Happy Hour: $2 Rail, $3 Karaoke, 8pm Cover Drag Brunch, hosted by Miller Lite, $5 Call, 4-9pm JR.’S Shi-Queeta-Lee, 11am- ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS • Monday Night’s A Drag GREEN LANTERN Birdie La Cage Show, ANNIE’S 3pm • $20 Brunch Buffet All male, nude dancers • drag show, hosted by Happy Hour all night long 10:30pm • Underground 4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm • • House Rail Drinks, Zing Decades of Dance • DJ Kristina Kelly • $50 Entry • Michael’s Open Mic (Indie Pop/Alt/Brit Rock), $4 Stella Artois, $4 House Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie Tim-e in Secrets • Doors Fee • $500 Cash Prize • Night Karaoke, 9:30pm- 9pm-close • DJ Wes Wines, $4 Stolichnaya Beer and Mimosas, $4, 9pm • Cover 21+ Doors open at 10pm • $3 close Della Volla • 2-for-1, 5pm- Cocktails, $4 Manhattans 11am-close • Buckets of Skyy Cocktails, $8 Skyy midnight and Vodka Martinis Beer, $15 and Red Bull • $8 Long JR.’S Islands • No Cover, 18+ Happy Hour: 2-for-1, NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR 4-9pm • Showtunes Songs Beat the Clock Happy Hour & Singalongs, 9pm-close — $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), • DJ James • $3 Draft $4 (7-8pm) • Buckets of Pints, 8pm-midnight Beer $15 • Karaoke and Drag Bingo

METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 43 NUMBER NINE COBALT/30 DEGREES NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Happy Hour: $2 Rail, $3 SmartAss Trivia Night, drink, 5-9pm • No Cover • Miller Lite, $5 Call, 4-9pm 8pm and 9pm • Prizes Safe Word: A Gay Spelling • Annual Cobalt Employee include bar tabs and tick- Bee, 8-11pm • Prizes to Talent Show, 10pm • $4 ets to shows at the 9:30 the top three spellers • Stoli and Stoli Flavors and Club • $15 Buckets of After 9pm, $3 Absolut, Miller Lite • No Cover Beer for SmartAss Teams Bulleit & Stella • 21+ only • Bring a new team members and each get a DC9 free $10 Dinner WED., 12.16.15 1940 9th St. NW Happy Hour, 5-8pm • NUMBER NINE 9 1/2 dcnine.com Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm • No Cover drink, 5-9pm • Multiple FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR • Habibi: A Gay Middle TVs showing movies, Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • $6 Eastern Party, 9pm • shows, sports • Expanded Burgers • Drag Bingo Featuring DJ IZ of Habibi craft beer selection • No Night, hosted by Ms. NYC Cover Regina Jozet Adams, 8pm • Bingo prizes • Karaoke, ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS ANNIE’S 10pm-1am All male, nude dancers • 4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm • Shirtless Night, 10-11pm, $4 Stella Artois, $4 House GREEN LANTERN 12-12:30am • Military Wines, $4 Stolichnaya Happy Hour all night long, Night, no cover with Cocktails, $4 Manhattans 4pm-close military ID • DJ Don T. in and Vodka Martinis Secrets • 9pm • Cover JR.’S 21+ l Buy 1, Get 1 Free, 4-9pm • Trivia with MC Jay Ray, 8pm • The Feud: Drag Trivia, hosted by Ba’Naka, 10-11pm, with a $200 prize • $2 JR.’s Drafts and $4 Vodka ($2 with College ID or JR.’s Team Shirt)

44 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE 45 “I would reverse the executive orders the President has made on things like gender equality in restrooms.” —MARCO RUBIO, speaking with the Christian Broadcasting Network.

“I don’t want my daughters taking showers with little boys.”

—TED CRUZ, speaking with EWTN. Cruz believes that extending equality protections to transgender children in schools will lead to his daughters having to shower with “boys.”

“It’s after the watershed. You cannot be a dickhead and win the Sports Personality of The Year Award.” —BBC News presenter CLIVE MYRIE, during a discussion of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury. Fury has been nominated for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award, something many have taken offense to after he previously stated that once homosexuality, pedophilia and abortion were legal, the world would end.

“I’d definitely be open to that but again, I’m not sure if they want to take the character in that direction.” —Actor SHAWN ASHMORE, who portrays Iceman in the X Men franchise, telling IGN that he would happily return to play the character — who recently came out in his comics series — if he was also gay in the films. “I think it’d probably be the most interesting thing that could happen to Bobby in the films,” he said.

“This wedding has given us a sense of freedom to be proud of what we have and who we are.” —Transgender model CARMEN CARRERA, who has become the first trans person to wed on a reality TV show after she married her partner Adrian Torres — which was filmed for an episode of Couple’s Therapy.

46 DECEMBER 10, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM METROWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 47