2 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 3 Now online at MetroWeekly.com Poliglot: SCOTUS declines discrimination case NewsLGBT News: OHR launches #safebathroomsDC Courts Poised for Next Round on Marriage Latest chapter in marriage equality starting now in courtrooms coast to coast

by Justin Snow

or the first time since the challenge to California’s Proposition 8, numerous fed- eral appeals courts have just Fbegun to hear oral arguments in cases challenging same-sex marriage bans from states across the nation. The latest chapter in the marriage- equality movement comes after a flood of victories in every region of the United States, particularly after the Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act last June, with all roads of this latest phase leading to the Supreme Court once more. On April 10, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments in f r a n s on

Kitchen v. Herbert, challenging Utah’s to dd same-sex marriage ban. One week later, U.S. Supreme Court on April 17, the same appellate court Indeed, since the Supreme Court’s Dakota and South Dakota – have no cur- will hear arguments in a case challeng- sweeping 5-4 decision authored by Jus- rent lawsuits challenging their respec- ing Oklahoma’s same-sex ban, Bishop v. tice Anthony Kennedy declaring the fed- tive same-sex-marriage bans. Advocates Smith. On May 13, the 4th Circuit Court eral definition of marriage as between a believe that in the next few months even of Appeals will hear oral arguments in man and a woman in violation of the U.S. those states will face court challenges. Bostic v. Schaefer, which is challeng- Constitution, three state courts and eight According to the Human Rights Cam- ing Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban. federal courts have sided with same- paign, 90 percent of the cases filed have Oral arguments have yet to be scheduled sex-marriage proponents and universally followed the Supreme Court’s decisions for a number of cases as well. Sevcik v. quoted some aspect of the Windsor deci- on DOMA and Proposition 8 just 10 Sandoval of Nevada is before the 9th sion in their rulings. months ago. Circuit Court of Appeals and DeLeon v. “The federal courts are reflecting both “The next few months will bring Perry of Texas is before the 5th Circuit. that momentum in public opinion and another chapter where we’re going to Four cases — Tanco v. Haslam of Ten- the additional constitutional clarity that see federal appellate courts now hearing nessee, Bourke v. Beshear of Kentucky, came out of our win at the Supreme and ruling on the freedom to marry,” said Obergefell v. Kasich of Ohio and DeBoer v. Court in the DOMA case,” said Evan Wolfson. “It is another stage, another Snyder of Michigan — are before the 6th Wolfson, founder and president of Free- step in this build toward our goal of a suc- Circuit Court of Appeals. In each case dom to Marry. cessful return to the U.S. Supreme Court a federal judge has found either part or And more rulings are expected. There to finish the job.” all of state bans on same-sex marriage, are nearly 60 state and federal lawsuits The deluge of court challenges illus- or recognition of same-sex marriages filed in 28 states, plus Puerto Rico, with trates a shift of the marriage-equality legally performed in other jurisdictions, a total of about 250 plaintiffs. Only five movement. In 2013, same-sex marriage unconstitutional. states – Alaska, Georgia, Montana, North was legalized in Rhode Island, Delaware,

4 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 5 LGBTNews

Minnesota, New Jersey, Hawaii and Illi- marriage ban. Electoral battles are also getPoint and Greenberg Quinlan Ros- nois, following November 2012 wins for being waged in Oregon, which could see ner Research and released by Americans same-sex marriage at the ballot box in repeal of that state’s same-sex marriage for Marriage Equality, a coalition led Maine, Maryland, Washington and Min- ban on the ballot in November, as well by the HRC, found 55 percent of voters nesota. And same-sex nuptials resumed as potential 2016 ballot measures in Ari- support marriage equality, including 75 in California for the first time since 2008. zona, Nevada and Ohio. percent of millennials, and just 40 per- About 40 percent of the U.S. population “You very quickly see the evolution cent opposed. Moreover, the poll found now lives in one of the 17 states, plus of the LGBT movement has been one widespread acceptance of gay adoptions D.C., that permit same-sex marriage. But in which we have really constructively and gay parents. with 29 of the states that remain banning strategically looked at the map and seen “This is about much more than mar- same-sex marriage through a constitu- that from a legislative and an electoral riage — these numbers point toward a tional amendment and four through state perspective it is going to be increasingly wide spread and pervasive acceptance laws, there has been an uptick in empha- harder to win these marriage battles,” of gays and lesbians across a variety of sis on legal challenges. said Sainz. “And it has moved to the issues related to the family,” said Target “All of the low-hanging fruit is basi- courts largely as a result of our victories Point pollster Alex Lundry, who pre- cally gone in terms of marriage states,” in Perry and Windsor.” viously worked for Mitt Romney, in a said HRC Vice President Fred Sainz. As the question of the constitutional- statement. “And, when people imagine “You saw the greatest number of states ity of same-sex marriage bans return to a future with national marriage equal- that were possible become marriage federal appeals courts for the first time ity, the picture is far from calamitous: states in 2013. Legislatively we are down since the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Overwhelming majorities do not believe to basically two states” found California’s same-sex marriage that more kids will grow up gay, and do Those states are Indiana, where advo- ban unconstitutional in February 2012, not believe there will be more divorce cates successfully beat back a constitu- it coincides with a dramatic shift in pub- among straight couples. Moreover, they tional amendment prohibiting same-sex lic opinion. Polls continue to show sup- believe it will mean kids with gay parents marriage that would’ve gone on the ballot port for same-sex marriage, as well as will have more legal and social protec- this year; and Nevada, where lawmakers LGBT equality, on the rise among every tions and that these same kids will be less have passed once, and must pass again demographic, with opposition reaching likely to be bullied. They believe it will be next year, language that would go on the all-time lows. easier to grow up gay and that there will 2016 ballot repealing the state’s same-sex A bipartisan poll conducted by Tar- be less prejudice against gay people.” l Bowser Wins Nomination Stage set for mayoral race with Catania, while Graham loses to Nadeau in Ward 1

son’s plea deal, Gray’s chief rival, Coun- by John Riley a UCLA School of Law think tank con- cilmember Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) ducting research on sexual-orientation surged, consolidating the support of a and gender-identity laws and public pol- number of anti-Gray voters who had pre- icy, the 2010 Census shows tracts with istrict voters went to viously considered other candidates until more than 20 same-sex couples per 1,000 the polls last week to select polls showed Bowser breaking away from households overlapping all or parts of 43 nominees from each of the the pack of challengers. voting precincts in the District. Bowser city’s four major political par- Bowser triumphed over Gray by a won 36 of those 43 precincts, some by tiesD for various offices inN ovember’s gen- 12-point margin, 44 percent to 32 per- lopsided margins. eral election, turning incumbent Mayor cent, and won five of the city’s eight Gray won in Precinct 20, a Ledroit Vincent Gray and four-term Councilmem- wards, including her home base of Ward Park precinct, and at Precinct 18, in the ber Jim Graham (Ward 1) out of office in 4 and majority- or plurality-white wards city’s Shaw neighborhood. He also won their respective Democratic primaries. west of Rock Creek Park and in the city’s three precincts – 67, 69 and 70 – in Gray, who has been the target of a fed- downtown and U Street corridors, which the city’s Brookland and Michigan Park eral investigation looking into a shadow backed former Mayor Adrian Fenty (D) neighborhoods. Councilmember Tommy campaign during the 2010 mayoral elec- four years ago. Gray won three majority- Wells (D-Ward 6), who came in third tion, was frequently under attack and African-American wards – Wards 5, 7 and overall with 13 percent of the vote, won had flat-lined in polls following a plea 8 – largely on the east side of the Anacos- two other precincts, 90 and 90, located deal with businessman Jeffrey Thomp- tia River. Based on results from the D.C. near his Capitol Hill base. son, who pleaded guilty to directing ille- Board of Elections, Bowser also appears Overall voter turnout for the April 1 gal campaign contributions into a Gray to have won handily in wards with high primaries was sluggish at many locations. shadow campaign and claimed Gray had concentrations of LGBT voters. Fewer votes were cast this year than were known of the plan. Following Thomp- According to the Williams Institute, cast four years ago at every precinct in the

6 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 7 LGBTNews

city. Overall, voter turnout citywide was race, Nadeau gave a speech before sup- elected to the D.C. Council. estimated at 22.5 percent, with turnout porters at Solly’s U Street Tavern in the While some political observers have in some individual precincts dropping as early morning hours Wednesday, April 2, expressed dismay over the prospect low as 8 percent. in which she thanked Graham for his 15 of a D.C. Council without any openly Bowser now heads into the Novem- years of service on the Council, despite gay councilmembers, should Catania ber general election as the presumptive a tough and, at times, heated campaign continue with his mayoral run and favorite in a city where almost three- between the two. following Graham’s defeat, the hand- quarters of voters identify as Democrats. “Tonight we’re celebrating all the wringing may be premature, as Mor- She will face gay Councilmember David people of Ward 1, because we built this gan, a gay African-American and cur- Catania (I-At Large), who announced his campaign with their voices in mind,” rent ANC commissioner from Ward 1, candidacy earlier this month, as well as Nadeau said. “This campaign has never stands a good chance of getting elected Libertarian Party nominee Bruce Majors been about me. You’ve heard me say that if he is able to mobilize a small but and Statehood Green Party nominee before, and I mean it. This is about the dedicated base of voters who can get Faith Dane Crannitch, who appears on people of Ward 1. … And now what we’re him enough votes to come in among the the ballot as “Faith.” going to be able to do is take all these top two vote-getters. In the D.C. Council races, incumbent voices to the Wilson Building!” “Muriel Bowser didn’t defeat Mayor Chairman Phil Mendelson and Coun- Nadeau will face off against Indepen- Vincent Gray,” transgender activist Jeri cilmembers Anita Bonds (D-At-Large), dent Bryan Weaver, who dropped out of Hughes told Metro Weekly. “[U.S. Attor- Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), and Kenyan the Democratic primary in January. ney for the District of Columbia] Ron McDuffie (D-Ward 5) won their respec- Mendelson and McDuffie will run Machen defeated Mayor Vincent Gray. tive primaries, while Graham, one of only unchallenged in the general election, The real loser in this race is the District two out gay men to ever serve on the while Cheh faces Libertarian nominee of Columbia.” D.C. Council, lost his bid for re-election Ryan Sabot and Allen faces Libertar- “We have lost the best Mayor we ever to challenger Brianne Nadeau. In the ian nominee Pranav Badhwar in their had,” she continued, referring to Gray’s race for the Ward 6 seat being vacated respective races. Bonds, as an At-Large advocacy on behalf of the transgender by Wells, Wells’s former chief of staff, member, will face three challengers – community, such as launching a program Charles Allen, defeated former U.S. Sen- Republican Marc Morgan, Statehood to help transgender people receive job ate staffer Darrel Thompson in the Dem- Green nominee Eugene Puryear, and training." ocratic primary. Libertarian Frederick Steiner – in a con- An expanded version of this story is available online at Following her victory in the Ward 1 test where the top two vote-getters are MetroWeekly.com. l

8 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 9 marketplace

10 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com Chamber Connections BusineLGBT ss Invitation to Indulgence The Chamber readies its annual awards dinner with an emphasis on entertainment and opulence

master of ceremonies, magician Max by Robert E. McLean Major. Twice voted D.C.’s “Best Perfor- mance Artist” by readers of the Washing- ton City Paper and voted “DC’s Hottest hink you know what Bachelor” by Inside Edition, Major will to expect at a typical awards use a combination of magic, psychology dinner? Great, but that’s not and charm to entertain attendees while what you’ll find when the he pulls the award winners “out of the CTapital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber hat” of nominees in each category. of Commerce (aka the Chamber) cel- Entertainment will also be provided ebrates its 24th anniversary and honors by the Rorschach Theatre, acclaimed for a diverse group of local business and its fierce performance style and its bold community leaders at its Annual Awards use of theatrical space. The company will Dinner and Gala on Friday, April 25, at delight guests with its interactive, roco- the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel. co-themed, in-costume and in-character Chamber Vice President Katie McEl- performances throughout the evening. roy, owner of the event-planning compa- “We are very grateful to have been ny Katie Rose LLC, says this year’s event part of such a warm and supportive com- has been redesigned with more enter- munity in Washington for the last 14 tainment under a new theme: Indulge in years, so we always love the opportunity Business Excellence. to give back,” says Rorschach’s co-artis- co u rte sy m a x m aj or “We are really excited to be the orga- tic director, Jenny McConnell Frederick. Major nization that acknowledges and com- “Collaborations like these are essential in mends businesses and leaders within the ensuring a really vibrant commerce ecol- Auction, the value in attending the gala local LGBTA community, and we are ogy of our city – and we know it’s going is the opportunity for networking. As honored and humbled by this respon- to be a blast!” described by Silvia Tergas, dinner co- sibility,” says McElroy. “The Chamber Also performing will be singer Darsha chair and Chamber board member: “You has created this event to break the mold Davis, who will treat attendees to an inti- can make new connections, meet a lot of and elevate the Annual Awards Dinner mate set of soulful contemporary classics. decision makers, and build relationships. beyond the typical D.C. gala that can feel “The opportunity to celebrate this year’s This is a fantastic business opportunity, sterile and routine. We want to treat our award candidates and ‘movers and shak- wrapped in an evening of fun.” nominees and the community to an eve- ers’ in our area is awesome,” says Davis. ning of opulence and grandeur that will The event will also feature the Royal The Chamber’s Annual Awards Dinner indulge all your senses.” Auction, sponsored by Malvin, Riggins and Gala is Friday, April 25, at the May- Guests will be charmed, delighted, and Company P.C. The auction consists flower Renaissance Hotel, 1127 Connecti- wooed and astounded by the entertainers of luxury items ranging from high-end cut Ave. NW, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tick- participating in this year’s gala, where clothing and accessories to special edi- ets, starting at $210, and sponsorships are awards are given out in several catego- tion artwork. Some of this year’s auc- available on the Chamber’s website. ries: Excellence in Business, Business tion items include a TAG Heuer men’s Leadership, Emerging Entrepreneur, watch, donated by Tiny Jewel Box, and The Chamber Means Business. For more Corporate Partner, and the Volunteer a DeLonghi Nespresso espresso maker, information visit caglcc.org or of the Year Award. More information donated by Bloomingdale’s. This year, facebook.com/CAGLCC. On Twitter, is available about this year’s nominees the Chamber offers the opportunity to follow @DCLGBTBIZ online at caglcc.org. bid online prior to the dinner, including As part of this year’s exciting changes “Buy Now” prices. For more information Robert E. McLean, a CAGLCC member, to the event’s programming, honorees about the auction, visit the Chamber’s owns REM Association Services, a full- will be announced at the dinner during a website. service association management company special awards presentation by this year’s Beyond the entertainment and Royal in Arlington. l

METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 11 LGBTCommunityCalendar

Metro Weekly’s Community Calendar highlights important events in Adventuring outdoors group hikes 10 miles for monuments and cherry blossoms. Bring lunch, the D.C.-area LGBT community, from alternative social events to beverages, bug spray, $2. Meet 9 a.m., Rosslyn volunteer opportunities. Event information should be sent by email to Metro, attendant’s kiosk. John, 703-914-1439. [email protected]. Deadline for inclusion is noon adventuring.org. of the Friday before Thursday’s publication. Questions about the calendar may be directed to the Metro Weekly office at Weekly Events 202-638-6830 or the calendar email address. LGBT-inclusive All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church celebrates Low Mass at 8:30 a.m., High Mass at 11 a.m. 2300 Cathedral Ave. NW. 202-232-4244, allsoulsdc.org.

Dignity Washington offers Roman Catholic Mass for the LGBT community. 6 p.m., St. Margaret’s Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave. NW. All welcome. Sign interpreted. dignitynova.org. SMYAL’s Rec Night provides a social Thursday, April 10 atmosphere for GLBT and questioning youth, Lutheran Church of Reformation invites featuring dance parties, vogue nights, movies and all to Sunday worship at 8:30 or 11 a.m. Childcare is Team DC presents SportsFest with representatives games. [email protected]. available at both services. Welcoming LGBT people for from 30 sports clubs. No cover. $10 for two drink 25 years. 212 East Capitol St. NE. reformationdc.org tickets, $20 for open bar. 6-8:30 p.m. Room & Board, 1480 14th St. NW. teamdc.org. Saturday, April 12 Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C. services at 9 a.m. (ASL Burgundy Crescent gay volunteer Latino GLBT History holds meeting for DC interpreted) and 11 a.m. Children’s Sunday School at organization helps at Team DC SportsFest and at 11 a.m. 474 Ridge St. NW. 202-638-7373, mccdc.com. Food & Friends. burgundycrescent.org. Latino Pride volunteers. 12:30-3 p.m. The DC Center, 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. RSVP: Jesus, [email protected], 202-670-5547. Riverside Baptist Church, a Christ-centered, Weekly Events interracial, welcoming-and-affirming church, offers service at 10 a.m. 680 I St. SW. 202-554-4330, Adventuring outdoors group hikes moderate DC Lambda Squares gay and lesbian square- riverside-dc.org. 8.5 miles. 1,000 feet elevation gain on Appalachian dancing group features mainstream through Trail, Shenandoah National Park. Ice cream follows. advanced square dancing at the National City St. Stephen and the Incarnation, an Bring beverages, lunch, bug spray, sunscreen, about Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW, 7-9:30 p.m. “interracial, multi-ethnic Christian Community” $20/fees. Carpool 9 a.m., East Falls Church Metro, Casual dress. 301-257-0517, dclambdasquares.org. offers services in English, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and Kiss & Ride lot. Jeff, 301-775-9660. adventuring.org. in Spanish at 5:15 p.m. 1525 Newton St. NW. 202- The Dulles Triangles Northern Virginia social 232-0900, saintstephensdc.org. group meets for happy hour at Sheraton in Reston, Weekly Events 11810 Sunrise Valley Drive, second-floor bar, 7-9 Unitarian Church of Arlington, an p.m. All welcome. dullestriangles.com. Andromeda Transcultural Health LGBTQ welcoming-and-affirming congregation, offers free HIV testing, 9-5 p.m., and HIV offers services at 10 a.m. Virginia Rainbow UU Identity offers free and confidential HIV testing services (by appointment). 202-291-4707 or Ministry. 4444 Arlington Blvd. uucava.org. in Gaithersburg, 414 East Diamond Ave., and in andromedatransculturalhealth.org. Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m. For appointments other hours, Bet Mishpachah, founded by members of the call Gaithersburg, 301-300-9978, or Takoma Park, LGBT community, holds Saturday morning Shabbat Monday, April 14 301-422-2398. services, 10 a.m., followed by kiddush luncheon. Adventuring outdoors group hikes 4 easy miles Services in DCJCC Community Room, 1529 16th St. for twilight cherry blossoms. Bring beverages, Women’s Leadership Institute for young NW. betmish.org. snack, $2 fee. Meet 6 p.m., Waterfront Metro LBTQ women, 13-21, interested in leadership escalators, street level. Brett, 202-236-9968. development. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL Youth Center, 410 DC Aquatics Club (DCAC) practice session at adventuring.org. 7th St. SE. 202-567-3163, [email protected]. Marie Reed Aquatic Center, 2200 Champlain St. NW. 8-9:30 a.m. swimdcac.org. Us Helping Us hosts a Narcotics Anonymous Weekly Events Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW. DC Front Runners running/walking/social The group is independent of UHU. 202-446-1100. NovaSalud offers free HIV testing. 5-7 p.m. 2049 club welcomes all levels for exercise in a fun and N. 15th St., Suite 200, Arlington. Appointments: supportive environment, socializing afterward. 703-789-4467. Meet 9:30 a.m., 23rd & P Streets NW, for a walk; or Friday, April 11 10 a.m. for fun run. dcfrontrunners.org. The DC Center hosts Coffee Drop-In for the HIPS, DC Trans Coalition and other rally to Senior LGBT Community. 10 a.m.-noon. 2000 support Monica Jones and to repeal “prostitution 14th St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedccenter.org. free zones.” Noon-1:30 p.m. 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. Sunday, April 13 NW. dctranscoalition.org. Karing with Individuality (K.I.) Services, Burgundy Crescent gay volunteer 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free “rapid” HIV organization helps at DC Central Kitchen and at testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 703-823-4401. Weekly Events Lost Dog & Cat Foundation in Potomac Yards. burgundycrescent.org. Whitman-Walker Health HIV/AIDS Support HIV Testing at Whitman-Walker Health, Group for newly diagnosed individuals, meets Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW, Chrysalis arts & culture group visits 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 202-745-7000, whitman-walker.org. 7 p.m. Registration required. 202-939-7671, Smithsonian exhibits on American dance and [email protected]. modern American realism at Old Patent Office Building. Free. Lunch follows. Meet 11:45 a.m., 8th and G Streets NW lobby. Kevin, 703-464-9040, ext. 1; [email protected]. 12 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com marketplace

METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 13 Tuesday, April 15

DC Center’s Center Global holds Middle East and North Africa Community LGBT Town Hall Discussion. 6:30-8 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. thedccenter.org.

Weekly Events

Whitman-Walker Health’s Gay Men’s Health and Wellness/STD Clinic opens at 6 p.m., 1701 14th St. NW. Patients are seen on walk-in basis. No-cost screening for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Hepatitis and herpes testing available for fee. whitman-walker.org.

Support group for LGBTQ youth ages 13-21 meets at SMYAL, 410 7th St. SE, 5-6:30 p.m. Cathy Chu, 202-567-3163, [email protected]. Wednesday, April 16

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets for Social Bridge. No reservations or partner needed. 7:30 p.m. Dignity Center, 721 8th St. SE. 301-345-1571.

Weekly Events

Prime Timers of DC, social club for mature gay men, hosts weekly happy hour/dinner. 6:30 p.m., Windows Bar above Dupont Italian Kitchen, 1637 17th St. NW. Carl, 703-573-8316. l

For more calendar listings please visit www.metroweekly.com

14 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com marketplace

METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 15 16 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com scene

Equality Virginia’s 25th Anniversary Commonwealth Dinner Saturday, April 5 Greater Richmond Convention Center

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

Photography by Ward Morrison

PURCHASE YOUR photo AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE/ 17 18 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com LGBTOpinion

APRIL 10, 2014 Volume 20 / Issue 49

The “Sore Winners” Fallacy Publisher Those who call gay people intolerant for defending ourselves are twisting Randy Shulman the concept beyond recognition Editorial Editor-in-Chief He is not denied access to a loved one Randy Shulman by Richard J. Rosendall during a hospital visit because his mar- Art Director riage is not recognized in the state he Todd Franson is passing through. He is not forced to Managing Editor Several prom- wonder whether a court will allow for- Will O’Bryan inent gay writers profit companies at whim to bar him Political Editor deplored the fu- from buying products and services like Justin Snow ror that brought other people. He is not being smeared Staff Writer down Brendan as a traitor in a Senate hearing room, John Riley Eich as CEO of as so many of Sen. McCarthy’s victims Contributing Editors Mozilla Corp. last were in the 1950s. That cheap compari- Rhuaridh Marr, Doug Rule week for support- son dishonors those who make it. Senior Photographer ing California’s Portraying a gay left as intolerant as Ward Morrison anti-gay Proposition 8. Andrew Sullivan its persecutors is hyperbolic and rein- forces the right wing lie that anti-gay Contributing Photographers blogged against “a fanaticism more like Christopher Cunetto, Julian Vankim the religious right than anyone else.” discriminators are the true victims. They are not. There is no movement Contributing Illustrators Jonathan Rauch tweeted, “I agree with Scott G. Brooks, Christopher Cunetto @RameshPonnuru: trying to punish to deny recognition to straight peo- ple’s marriages. People attracted to Contributing Writers dissenters like Brendan Eich is no way Daniel Burnett, Christian Gerard, to advance civil rights.” Frank Bruni the opposite sex are not targeted for Brandon Harrison, Chris Heller, Troy Petenbrink, wrote in the Grey Lady, “Such vilifica- hate crimes. Richard Rosendall, Kate Wingfield tion won’t accelerate the timetable of LGBTQ Nation recently reported an Editor Emeritus victory, which is certain. And it doesn’t Alabama case in which a mother who Sean Bugg reflect well on the victors.” disapproved of her son’s same-sex mar- Webmaster I have no wish to embrace what riage is fighting to exclude his widower David Uy Sullivan calls “McCarthyism applied by from his estate. Thank goodness the Multimedia civil actors,” but I disagree. Eich’s resig- widower has the Southern Poverty Law Aram Vartian nation exemplified the operation of the Center on his side. Brendan Eich sup- Administrative / Production Assistant free market that conservatives usually ported a law like Alabama’s denying Julian Vankim celebrate. recognition to gay people’s marriages. Fox News reporter Todd Starnes Such disgraceful treatment of loving Advertising & Sales made Sullivan look restrained: “Why couples is still happening, thanks to Director of Sales not demand that those who oppose gay people like Brendan Eich. (And spare Randy Shulman marriage relinquish the right to own me the facile jibes; Barack Obama National Advertising Representative property? Why not take away their right opposed Prop. 8.) Rivendell Media Co. 212-242-6863 to vote? Why not take away their chil- This is not about speech. It is about dren? Why not just throw them in jail? our lives. To the extent speech is Distribution Manager Dennis Havrilla Why not force them to work in chain involved, Eich is not the only one with gangs? Why not call for public floggings? the right to his own views. The devel- Or better yet, let’s just strap them down opers who balked at creating apps for Patron Saint on gurneys, stick a needle in their arm Mozilla Firefox were seriously troubled Justin Jaymes and rid the world of these intolerant over it. I am on the side of those who anti-gay bigots once and for all.” fight for equal protection for our fami- Cover Photography Julian Vankim Actually, I oppose such traditional lies, a fight that is not over. America did conservative measures. If vilifying those not disarm in the Pacific after its victory who disagree with you is wrong, Sul- at Midway; it fought on to the end. Metro Weekly livan and Starnes might consider toning Those who call gay people intolerant 1425 K St. NW, Suite 350 it down themselves. No major LGBT for defending ourselves are twisting the Washington, DC 20005 concept beyond recognition. Civility is a 202-638-6830 group even weighed in on the con- MetroWeekly.com troversy before Eich resigned, unless virtue; but tolerance does not require us All material appearing in Metro Weekly is protected by federal copyright law and may not be to treat a relentless assault against our reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Metro Weekly assumes no you’re somehow counting the OkCupid responsibility for unsolicited materials submitted for publication. All such submissions are subject to editing and will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. dating site. To agree with Ponnuru, rights as citizens like a disagreement at Metro Weekly is supported by many fine advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for materials provided by advertisers or Rauch had to overlook his denial that the dinner table. their agents. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles or advertising in Metro Weekly is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of marriage equality has anything to do such person or organization. with civil rights. Richard J. Rosendall is a writer and © 2014 Jansi LLC. The victim mongering is preposter- activist. He can be reached at ous. Eich is not being publicly flogged. [email protected]. l METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 19 Tour METRO WEEKLY: Wait seems “poppier” to me than your previous work. TOM GOSS: Oh, yeah! I’ve always considered myself a pop writer. I love pop music. Not like ‘N Sync or Backstreet Boys or Britney Spears or Lady Gaga, but I’ve always been trying to produce pop music. You think of The Beatles and that era of pop music, which is of super-succinct writing, really fast changes, really hook-y melo- dies. A lot of the music we hear day to day is pop music, whether you’re talking about country music or rock music or whatever. our I’ve always thought of myself as someone who wants to write T really concise, well-written pop songs. MW: But compared to your previous albums, Wait feels less senti- mental, more toe-tapping. GOSS: Totally. I agree. I wanted to have a lot of fun on this record. People see me live and connect with me. They connect with me uty as a storyteller, somebody who can evoke emotions, because DWith a new album about to launch, when they hear the songs live they’re stripped. When I go into the studio to record with a band, the vision is a little different. Tom Goss hits the road to share MW: The first couple of tracks, particularly – “It Only Takes Once” and “Take a Chance” – I think will have people up, out of their his authentic truth seats, wanting to dance. GOSS: That’s what I want! In a lot of ways, that’s always what I’ve Interview by Will O’Bryan wanted. I had a couple big numbers like that on Turn It Around, Photography by Julian Vankim as well, but I never want to do the same thing I’ve already done. I never want to just be creating the same sounds. I could spit out 50 love songs by the end of the day and they’d all be good and passable and evocative and all that kind of stuff, but I don’t want to do that for the rest of my life. I want to do stuff that’s different. It’s super easy to write a soft, romantic, heart-wrenching song. That’s nothing. But to write something that’s going to get people to move? To write something that’s om Goss is not bashful. going to incorporate a lot of different sounds? That’s difficult. Nor is he pushy. Put simply, he has a message to share and he’ll MW: I’m sort of reminded of your “That’s Not My Name” cover. It Tdo what he needs to express it. Often, that means touring. Goss seemed you were being dismissive, but it’s a really fun cover. has the miles to show for his career, still moving in an upward GOSS: People loved that. I really started playing it because I hated trajectory. the song. I was hearing it on the radio all the time. I thought, This month, Goss is making a bold move to dedicate himself “There’s nothing redeeming about this song.” I just had all this full time to this mission. He’s leaving the job of nearly a decade negative energy about why I hated this song. And I thought, he’s held with Charlie’s Place, a D.C. program to end homeless- “Why don’t I just make it my own and shed that negative ener- ness run out of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. His first Euro- gy?” Then, at the same time, people just really enjoyed it. I’d play pean tour, with dates in Iceland and the U.K. begins later this it at shows and get the whole crowd to sing. I used to close shows month, and his new album, Wait, releases May 13. with it, have whole rooms of people singing, and we’d do rounds. Even with a new album, the song remains the same. People loved it. Then, if The Ting Tings were on Letterman, I “When I write, I’m the least guarded that I ever am,” says the would get emails and phone calls about these people who stole singer-songwriter. “So I think that my longing and my search for my song. It was really, really funny. that really shines through. That’s what people hear.” People love that song because it’s fun and it’s got attitude. At That’s the search that took him to Catholic seminary, and the the same time, there’s really not a redemptive message when you search that got him to leave that behind, as well. dig into it. For me, the challenge is always creating something “A lot of people self-identify as spiritual, not religious,” he that has that energy, that makes you happy and want to bop your says, speaking about his message and pointing to “Rise,” a song head, but also has a redemptive message to it. There are very of his from 2008. “I’m not talking about ‘Christ the redeemer few people who do that effectively. That’s the biggest challenge rose on the third day.’ That’s not the lyric. But if the lyric is, for me. ‘Now it’s time to say goodbye, and to leave our skins behind. Let MW: People want candy. the dusk, drain the sun and rise,’ that says a very similar thing. GOSS: People do want candy. If you give them candy that they You could put that in a Christian context. Or you could put that can break down and realize, “Wow, I have candy and I have a in a spiritual context. I think the message is the same. It’s about redemptive message,” or, “and I’m talking about social justice,” rebirth and renewal and reconciliation. I think a lot of my songs or, “and I’m talking about something greater than me,” then reflect that. I may not be doing the sign of the cross, but there’s a that’s an accomplishment. wisdom and an authenticity that I’m sharing.” MW: So, you’re like Gummy Vitamins. It’s something of what he shares with his husband, Mike, and GOSS: [Laughs.] Yeah! I’ve got a whole bunch of ’em in the other with so many other artists with whom Goss revels in creating room! community. If you like, he’ll certainly share it with you, too. MW: Seriously?

METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 21 GOSS: Yes! I love vitamin Gummys because they make me take ward. A lot of that’s been tempered as I’ve gotten older, but I was my vitamins, but it’s hard because I want to eat them all day. MW: pretty angry then, too. I was getting into a lot of fights. How would you feel if a DJ got hold of one of the bouncier tracks off MW: At what age? Wait? You could be in Provincetown doing your shows, and maybe GOSS: All of them. [Laughs.] I got expelled from school in ninth walk into the Crown & Anchor and hear a Tom Goss remix. grade. GOSS: I think there are going to be a lot of remixes off this record. MW: For fighting? I’m already working on one. GOSS: Yeah. I got into a fight with my football coach. One of the things I learned a lot from working with Rich MW: You didn’t hit him, did you? Morel, and just from being such an admirer of his work, and GOSS: That’s up for debate. I say I didn’t hit him, but other people from seeing how people responded to “Bears,” and everybody’s disagree. It was stupid. I was 14. really into EDM right now, and that’s something that’s just going MW: It’s hard for me to imagine Tom Goss with anger-manage- to grow and boom, when – ment issues. MW: EDM? GOSS: Remember The Jenny Jones Show? Like, “My kid’s out of GOSS: Electronic dance music. control!” Or Cartman: “Mm-hmm, I do what I want.” That was MW: Ah, sorry. I’m 44. kind of me. GOSS: That’s okay! When you think of yourself as a “singer- MW: Could you handle a kid like you? songwriter,” what do you think of? You think Joni Mitchell. Or GOSS: If I had a kid and my kid was like me? I don’t know if I James Taylor. They’re kind of like the models. That’s what it is could or couldn’t – but I would. in its purest form. To be brutally honest, when I think about it, it makes me So, when people are like, “Hey, why don’t we put this beat sad. I feel bad for the fear that I caused my family. I feel bad for behind it?” they’re really tense. Like, they really don’t want to some of the things that I did. I feel bad for the tension I created, do that. I spent the past couple years trying to understand what especially between me and my mom and the rest of my family. it means to be an artist and embrace what’s good and fun about MW: After puberty, after adolescence, did your hormones calm that. That means being open to different opportunities. Instead down? of being closed and having a singular vision and saying, “This is GOSS: I essentially went from fighting, to fighting as a sport. I the way it has to be,” it’s being open to say, “Wow, that’s really went to college to fight. If you’re doing a sport in college, espe- interesting. That’s really resonating with people. How can I cially wrestling, it’s all consuming. I used to envy people in other learn from that?” sports, because you could go to practice and then come home MW: Your style of collaboration must be pretty agreeable, in that and have a life. Wrestling’s different. It’s the time when you’re collaborators keep coming back. not at practice that’s the hardest. You can’t eat meals for days on GOSS: Don’t get me wrong: I have strong opinions. But, at the end. Or you can’t drink water. You’re running three times a day end of the day, my loyalties lie with what is best for the project. in between practice. And you’re doing it all because you want There’s a certain kind of humility that has to come with being a to want to beat somebody else physically. You want to literally good collaborative artist – or a good artist at all – who is open to beat them up. listening and open to learning and open to hearing that your idea It just got really old for me. The idea of moving back to isn’t the best idea in this specific moment.I think that’s hard. Wisconsin and teaching social studies to be a wrestling coach – MW: Are those values you were raised with? Something you learned because that was really the track – it just felt horrible. The idea later? of it felt like the most horrible trap I could ever have been part of. GOSS: I think it’s both. It’s an evolution. My last record, which MW: How do you feed that competitiveness now? I’m very proud of, I played every single note on the record, GOSS: I guess I was saying all that because, for me, the idea of every single instrument. That was really important. Before that, being an artist is so different. It’s not who “wins” at the art. I even though I was making these quality projects, doing amazing have very little musical competition. I don’t feel like that has any things and bringing a lot of people together, I’m not sure that I place in this business. I do feel like sometimes that gets stirred thought much of myself as an artist or believed in my own artis- up, but I push it back down. The music business is different tic vision as much. I don’t want to say it came from a lack of self- because it’s so up and down. Somebody loves you. Somebody confidence. I’ve always been able to say, “This is what I want.” hates you. MW: You’ve got that competitive background, as a wrestling MW: So, that’s sort of where the feeling of failure comes in? Because champ. But entering seminary shows your humility. It’s an inter- there’s no referee to hold your arm up and tell you that you’re the esting mix. champion? GOSS: That’s a good insight, because I do think, all my life, I’ve GOSS: My point is that I’m so competitive that if this is my bar, always believed that I’ve failed at everything I did. as soon as I get close the bar rises. My competitiveness in this MW: When did that change? industry is to always want to do better. It’s not to compete GOSS: I don’t know if that ever has really completely changed. I against a thing or a person. Being successful in art, to connect think it’s because I grew up being so competitive, doing things with people in art, is to be as authentic as you can possibly be that had very clear winners and losers, very much black-and- to yourself. If you’re authentic and you can speak authentically, white things. people will connect with that. The competition is not, “I want MW: Beyond the wrestling? to beat this person down.” The competition is, “I want to be the GOSS: Sure. Life! You’re talking about sports. You’re talking most authentic and fully integrated self that I can be.” Which is about school. I find competition really fun.I t’s my whole family. a totally different mindset. If you hung out with my family for 20 minutes, you would be MW: That’s difficult to quantify, a lot harder to “win.” part of 20 competitions. I grew up in a big gymnastics family. I GOSS: You can’t. You quantify it by how much money you make. was competing in gymnastics since I was two. My parents owned You quantify it by how many Facebook “Likes” you get. You a gym. I’m pretty aggressive, in general. I’m pretty straightfor- quantify it by the stupidest shit.

22 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com MW: Does your husband help you temper that edge? GOSS: No. I’ll be going over to Europe, playing Iceland and the GOSS: My husband’s way crazier than I am. [Laughs.] That’s one U.K. The record doesn’t release till May 13, but it will be great of the few things we’ll actually get in fights about. to get a first European tour under my belt and to just play these The other thing about this is you can’t take anything personally. songs a lot more. If somebody doesn’t book you for a gig or somebody doesn’t call MW: And you’re the one on the phone arranging all this? you back – and these can be people you have relationships with, or GOSS: Yeah. It’s always kind of a delicate process. I’ve been not – Mike takes that stuff, if he finds out about it, very personally. getting pokes from Europe a lot the past year or so. I’ve been MW: Mike is very protective? really afraid of it. I love touring. Touring is where the bulk of my GOSS: Super protective. He’s protective of me and he’s very income comes from. But the idea of putting a big, upfront chunk protective of the things that I do and the talent that he believes of change down is a little nerve-wracking. that I have. It’s hard. When he sees other people doing well, he MW: It’s not the sort of thing a banks want to give you a loan for? wonders why I didn’t get that specific thing. GOSS: Nah. Well, I’ve never asked – maybe they do. [Laughs.] It’s hard, because I feel like it’s that way in the community, Essentially, I had this period of time where I could do it. I was as well. I feel like a lot of musicians get stuff and hold it, and having conversations with some folks and their dates were they don’t want to share and they don’t want to collaborate and matching my date. Really, to be honest, I spent the money on the they don’t want to create community. How many CDs do you plane tickets so I had to do it. [Laughs.] That’s what I did! It’s own? You don’t buy one CD. It’s not like you win if you sell this been great. I really like the idea of it, and I’m excited to see what

“I could spit out 50 love songs by the end of the day. It’s super easy to write a soft, romantic, heart-wrenching song. But to write something that’s going to get people to move? That’s difficult.”

CD. You win if you create this community of people that is sup- comes of it. It’s a whole new monster. Everybody says Europe is portive. It’s not one or the other. It’s about, how do we create way better than the states in terms of touring, for making money, something that people want? How do we create this whole com- for reception. munity of goodness? MW: One of the venues you’re playing, London’s Manbar, hosts If you think about – especially indie artists – artists that get quite a few fundraising gigs. Are there particular social causes you big, it’s because they created this community, because a bunch get behind? of people got together and collaborated and helped bring more GOSS: Besides the fact that I’ve spent the past eight years running people into the message they had to offer. a meal program for the homeless? For the most part, anybody MW: What is your message? who’s asked me to do an event for them, I pretty much always GOSS: It’s funny. If you asked someone else, I think they’d say my say yes. message is love. I believe that my message is truth. I think that Obviously, most of my experience, my knowledge base, is in my message, especially on this record, is authenticity. I’m always the homeless community. I’m going to plug my organization, searching for truth. I’m searching for that thing that is good and Charlie’s Place, because I’m leaving there in a week. that is true and that is right. And that is bigger than me. A lot of MW: You’re leaving to dedicate yourself full time to your music me believes there’s not much beyond this. career? MW: Having left seminary, what is it that you do believe? GOSS: Yeah. I’ve been at Charlie’s Place for eight years, started GOSS: I don’t think there’s anything else. And that scares me: as the program director. I was there every morning at 6, when the idea that we live, we do our thing, and then we die. Maybe we feed 50 to 80 clients. I was the only employee there. About someone remembers us for 10 years or 20 years. But – be hon- a year and a half later, I had a really great opportunity to start est – 50 years later? Do you know who these statues are around going on the road full time. I also understood my limitations of D.C.? These people have statues in circles! And most people are being one person who does all the development, who does the like, “Enh, it’s a guy on a horse.” You know what I mean? A big volunteer coordination – who does everything. That’s kind of piece of me doesn’t want to believe that. why I pitched a development role. “Look, you need somebody I always want to believe that there’s something bigger and in there whose sole focus is the clients, in a capacity that helps there’s something greater. I’m always searching. So far, the them transition off the streets. They shouldn’t have to worry only thing in my life that speaks, like it just is what it is and about money. I can do this, and I can do this part time, and I can cuts through the shit, is love. When I see people acting out of do this telecommuting.” love, whether that’s with their husbands or wives or children Of course, I also said, “I’m going on the road. I have to take or friends, when they’re acting selflessly, that’s truly seeing who this opportunity first. I love you guys, I don’t want to leave, they are and what is good about the world. That’s what I always but….” And they said it was a great idea, so I’ve spent the past six want to be representing: The one thing that’s biggest and best years doing solely development. I do a lot of that from home, a and all encompassing and that draws us all together. lot of it from the road. It’s kind of gotten to the point, just to be MW: Has the tour for Wait already begun? really honest, it’s too much to juggle. That’s been happening for

METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 23 years. There have been times when I’ve had to turn down gigs the boundaries. If I’m standing there and somebody comes up because of work. That’s life. Whatever. But, yeah, over the past and decides they like my ass and want to touch it, I’m more than year or so, as things continue to just be more hectic – I shot this happy to grab their hand and take it off my ass and tell them to movie, Out To Kill, that’ll release in the summertime. stop. I don’t have any problems with that. I’m not a super-timid, MW: I don’t know about this. shy person. GOSS: I will tell you about it. It’s a film by Rob Williams, who’s MW: I’d be worried, like, Mike’s not home, it’s 1 a.m., and I think I done a lot of movies. He’s had some of my music in his movies, just heard someone in the bushes. so we know each other. Out To Kill shot in November in Tampa. GOSS: Oh, no, I’ve never had anything like that. I feel like I’m a It’s a really fun murder-mystery/comedy-type thing. There’s a little bit of a broken record, keep speaking about authenticity, character named Justin Jaymes. He’s a really bad, gay pop star. but I think something that draws people to what I do is I’m open Really hyper-sexual, really manipulative. That’s the role I play. and honest about me and my life and my love. If you come to my It was an interesting opportunity to do some acting that was – I shows, you’re going to hear stories about Mike. You’re not going believe – really different from myself. And to have an opportu- to come out of my show thinking, “Oh, Tom’s available.” You’re nity to write songs for a movie in a whole different context. I did going to come out of the show loving Mike as much as I love a music video for one. It’s probably one of the worst things you’ll Mike, because you’re seeing Mike through the eyes of me, who ever see, but it’s hilarious. loves him so much. MW: What’s the song? It’s funny. I think people like Mike more than they like me. GOSS: It’s called, “You Don’t Know How Hard.” It’s all about, That’s fine –I love Mike! I hope everybody loves Mike. But when “You don’t know how hard it is to be this hot.” It’s really funny. I pass through towns – and he’s been to a lot of the places I’ve I’ve been getting some pokes on and off for acting the past toured – people inevitably ask me if Mike is coming. I know that couple years. I’m not an actor, I’ve never really done that, so if Mike is coming, more people are going to show up to my show.

“If you asked someone else, I think they’d say my message is love. I believe that my message is truth. I think that my message, especially on this record, is authenticity. I’m always searching for truth.”

I didn’t really think much about it. But when this opportunity It’s hilarious. People see Mike as this really amazing, great guy. came along, it seemed like a really good fit. He’s huggable. That really helps people when they approach me MW: Does Mike go on tour with you? to see me as someone they respect as having a great thing going GOSS: Mike obviously has to work, like a normal person, but on. And I do. I don’t have any interest in messing with that bal- comes sometimes. He’ll take a week off and he’ll do Portland to ance. It’s a really great balance. Los Angeles with me, or something like that. I can show you a MW: Is there a part of you that would like to just keep his head map, it’s really cute, with different lines to all the places we’ve down, stick with a job like Charlie’s Place full time and not having driven together. to worry about the touring, promoting your work, all of that? MW: You must be putting a lot of miles on your car. GOSS: I really like my career and I think I’ve done a lot of really GOSS: We got a new car this week. There are 242,000 miles on great things. my car. It’s done. So we bought a new car this week. But it’s so The thinking about Charlie’s Place, I really had to ask myself, nice that we’re afraid to drive it and it’s just been sitting in our “Is this it?” Because if this is it, I can balance it for another garage. We got a Ford C-Max. It’s a hybrid. It’s big and it gets 10 years, where my career is now and Charlie’s Place. But the good gas mileage. As soon as we got it, Mike was like, “Oh, no, answer was, “This is not. This is not the apex for me. I can do this is too nice. You can’t take this car on the road!” I tend to more. I can do better. I can create new, beautiful things – and I agree with him, but I have to. really want to.” The only way to do that is to let Charlie’s Place MW: With your star rising, being out there more, you lose some go. Part of me feels like an idiot for leaving, because it’s been so privacy. And fans can be pushy. good to me. But I see so many more possibilities, so many beauti- GOSS: I’m pretty lucky. But, yeah, sometimes people are pushy ful things I want to create, so many people I want to meet. and weird. With the exception of being away from Mike, which is always MW: But no restraining orders? hard, I feel happiest when I’m on the road. Every day, I’m in a GOSS: No, that was more the seminary days. [Laughs.] Pre-semi- new place. I’m meeting new people. I do all this because I want nary and seminary, I had a lot of stalkers. As horrible as it was, it to connect with people. I want to meet people and hear their taught me a lot about boundaries. stories. And I want to tell mine. That’s when I’m happiest. Mike and I are monogamous, which I think is different in this community. That’s fine. ButI don’t think people necessarily Tom Goss’s next Washington date is Saturday, May 31, at Sixth expect that, especially in the bear community. I think, a lot of the & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. Tickets are $15 to $20. For time, people assume something else. For the most part, people tickets, visit tomgossmusic.net. Wait, releasing May 13, will also be know and they’re super-respectful, but some people like to push available at tomgossmusic.net. l

24 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 25 Compiled by Doug Rule APRIL 10 - 17, 2014

MOTH SPOTLIGHT Studio Theatre’s experimental-focused 2nd Stage FILM presents the U.S. premiere of Moth, Australian ANTHONY ROMERO playwright Declan Greene’s story about two teen FILMFEST DC One of Time’s “Most Influential Hispanics in outcasts who escape the horrors of high school Filmfest DC, otherwise known as the Washington, America,” the gay Romero, head of the American through their friendship and obsessions with anime DC International Film Festival, returns for a 28th Civil Liberties Union, stops by for a talk as part and emo. Tom Story directs Allie Villareal and David year with a program of 80 features, documentaries of the Arts & Humanities Dean’s Lecture Series. Nate Goldman in this show exploring the intimate, and shorts from all over the world to be screened Romero is the first Latino and openly gay man to devastating betrayals of adolescence. Now to May 4. over 11 days. The festival opens Thursday, April 17, serve as head of the nation’s premier defender of Studio Theatre, 14th & P Streets NW. Tickets are $30 with The Grand Seduction, Canadian Don McKellar’s civil and human rights, and also the first member of to $35. Call 202-332-3300 or visit studiotheatre.org. comedy about a down-on-its-luck Newfoundland his family to graduate from high school. Wednesday, town and its attempts to lure a doctor. Thursday, April 16, at 5:30 p.m. Clarice Smith Performing RUFUS WAINWRIGHT April 17, at 7 p.m. AMC Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Arts Center’s Gildenhorn Recital Hall, University of Another year, another tour for gay orchestral-popper Wisconsin Ave. NW. Festival runs at various venues Maryland, University Boulevard and Stadium Drive. Rufus Wainwright and his sweet-folkie half-sister around town to April 27. Tickets are $12 for most College Park. Tickets are free but limited to two per Lucy Wainwright Roche. This year’s show promises screenings, $40 for opening night. Call 202-234-3456 person and do not guarantee seats, filled on a first- “The Best of Rufus Wainwright,” so expect another or visit filmfestdc.org. come, first-serve basis. Call 301-405-ARTS or visit wide-ranging romp through all corners of the artist’s claricesmithcenter.umd.edu. career, from his covers of Judy Garland to his most THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW recent Mark Ronson-produced pop set Out Of The Every Friday and Saturday night, Landmark’s E COUNTDOWN TO YURI’S NIGHT Game to maybe even snippets from his opera, Prima Street Cinema shows films at midnight that are Intended as a “holiday for space,” this annual event Donna. Thursday, April 17. Doors at 7 p.m. Lincoln more risqué or campy than the usual fare. And, no celebrates the world’s first manned space flight Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets are $45. Call 202- surprise, once a month brings screenings of a certain by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in the most 328-6000 or visit thelincolndc.com. cult classic. Each screening is accompanied by the non-scientific of ways: A zany night of visual art, “shadow cast” Sonic Transducers, who act out the performance and music. Among the festivities S.J. EWING & DANCERS film in front of the screen with props and costumes. this year at the new Anacostia Arts Center and CityDance & CulturalDC presents Trapped Happiness, Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, at midnight. neighboring Honfleur Gallery: Three performances a full-length dance theater duet by Australian Landmark’s E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. Call of a burlesque show riffing on Return of the Jedi choreographer Sarah J. Ewing and Anthony Barbir 202-452-7672 or visit landmarktheatres.com. as the crew of the S.S.S. Gagarin — Kittie Glitter, that explores humans’ complicated relationship with Matt Grant and Andrew Wodzianski — encounter happiness, comparing it to people’s affair — and for a burlesque show featuring Mr. Gorgeous, Candy some obsession — with chocolate. Wednesday, April Del Rio, Gigi Holliday, Maria Bella, Maki Roll and 16, and Thursday, April 17, at 8 p.m. CityDance Studio STAGE Patrick M. Doneghy as Hansel-O; music by surf- Theater at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North rockers Atomic Mosquitos and the funk/rock/soul Bethesda. Tickets are $20. Call 301-581-5100 or visit ARGUENDO band James Terrell The Color of Sound; and two strathmore.org. or citydance.net. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company presents a exhibitions, Space Truckin’, featuring space-oriented production from the innovative company Elevator artworks by local artists including Chris Bishop, THE ALL-AMERICAN GENDERFUCK CABARET Repair Service, applying its unique theatrical style to Scott G. Brooks, Dana Ellyn, Linas Garsys, Dana the Supreme Court. Arguendo tackles the 1991 First Baltimore’s interactive-oriented Glass Mind Theatre Maier, Sarah Noble and Matt Sesow, and The Art Amendment case Barnes v. Glen Theatre, in which a presents a show by Mariah MacCarthy pushing of the Airstream in the arts center’s DC Modern group of go-go dancers petitioned for their right to the boundaries of theater and exploring audience Design+Build Gallery. The event concludes with a perform completely naked. John Collins directs the members’ gender and sexual stereotypes and celestial costume contest at midnight followed by a ensemble performing using verbatim oral arguments identity. Susan Stroupe directs this show featuring Lunar Dance Party with DJ Adrian Loving and the while visual artist Ben Rubin offers breathtaking an androgynous emcee and combining humor, drama, display of his ‘80s-themed androgyny exhibition projections. Extended to April 27. Woolly Mammoth, raunchy jokes and dancing. Opens Friday, April 11, at Fade2Grey. Saturday, April 12, starting at 8 p.m. 641 D St. NW. Tickets range from $35 to $72.50. Call 8 p.m. To April 19. Gallery 788, 3602 Hickory Ave., Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Hope Road S.E. Tickets 202-393-3939 or visit woollymammoth.net. Baltimore. Tickets are $10 to $15. Call 443-475-0223 are $30 at the door, or $12 for the party only. Call or visit glassmindtheatre.com. 703-875-1100 or visit artisphere.com and c2yn.com. CAMP DAVID THE SOUNDS Arena Stage presents a world premiere from Pulitzer GOLDA’S BALCONY Prize-winning New Yorker writer Lawrence Wright Led by bisexual, striking, sweet-voiced singer Maja Tovah Feldshuh reprises the role that earned her (My Trip to Al-Qaeda, the new scientology exposé Ivarsson, the Swedish quintet the Sounds offers a Tony nomination a decade ago, portraying Golda Going Clear). Camp David is Wright’s dramatization unobjectionable, straightforward, radio-aspiring Meir in a show that set the record for the longest- about the historical multiday meeting in 1978 among pop-rock in the new wave mold of Blondie, The Cars, running one-woman show in Broadway history. a few key world leaders, held in the show’s namesake even Tegan & Sara. The Sounds has previously toured William Gibson’s Golda’s Balcony presents the story Maryland retreat, attempting to forge peace in the with No Doubt and is said to put on quite a live show. of the state of Israel in the 20th century and is Middle East. The meeting resulted in really the only Its new tour comes in support of last year’s Weekend, presented as part of Theater J’s Voices From A treaty, the Camp David Accords, establishing peace the band’s fifth album. Saturday, April 12. Doors at 5 Changing Middle East Festival. Opens Thursday, between Israel and Egypt, to yet stand the test of time p.m. Nightclub 9:30, 815 V St. NW. Tickets are $20. April 10, at 7:30 p.m. To April 27. The Aaron & in the modern-day Middle East. Molly Smith directs Call 202-265-0930 or visit 930.com. Also visit 930. Cecile Goldman Theater, Washington, D.C.’s a cast that includes Richard “John Boy” Thomas com/friends to sign up for the club’s Friends With Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. as President Jimmy Carter, Ron Rifkin as Israeli Benefits rewards program offering exclusive deals Tickets are $30 to $55. Call 202-518-9400 or visit Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Khaled Nabawy as washingtondcjcc.org. and discounts on tickets, drinks and merchandise. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Hallie Foote as first lady Rosalynn Carter. To May 5. Kreeger Theater

26 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 27 28 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 29 marketplace

30 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com the at Mead Center for American Theater, 1101 6th St. SW. Tickets are $75 to $120. Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenastage.org.

HAIR The Keegan Theatre presents a production of the pioneering rock musical Hair, both a joyous celebration of youth and a poignant journey through tumultuous 1960s America. The company’s leaders and husband-and-wife team Susan Marie Rhea and Mark A. Rhea direct the show whose book and lyrics were written by Gerome Ragni and James Rado with music by Galt MacDermot. In addition to the classic songs such as “Aquarius,” “Let the Sunshine In” and “Sodomy,” Keegan’s production features choreography by Rachel Leigh Dolan and a large ensemble cast led by Paul Scanlon and Josh Stricklin. Extended to April 27. Andrew Keegan Theatre (formerly Church Street Theater), 1742 Church St. NW. Tickets are $35. Call 703-892-0202 or visit keegantheatre.com.

LOVELAND Arena Stage presents a special, extended presentation of Ann Randolph’s one- woman comedy, playing multiple characters but centered on the role of Frannie Potts, as an irreverent oddball trapped on a plane traveling from California to Ohio for her mother’s funeral. Some critics have compared Randolph to Gilda Radner, with the SF Bay Guardian calling it “riotously demented and brilliantly humane [and] not to be missed.” Closes this Sunday, April 13. Kogod Cradle at Mead Center for American Theater, 1101 6th St. SW. Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenastage.org.

MORNING, MIRANDA Doorway Arts Ensemble presents a world premiere from local playwright Stephen Spotswood, the 2009 winner of the Mark Twain Prize for Comic Playwriting and the 2012 Capital Fringe Festival audience favorite drama We, Tiresias. Morning, Miranda is said to be a trippy, twisted take on the American road story between a woman and her dead mother’s ghost — her mother’s last request. The company’s producing artistic director Matt Ripa directs the real and surreal happenings on this journey with a cast that includes David Dubov, Sarah Holt, Ally Jenkins, Jon Jon Johnson and Richard Owens. Saturday, April 12. The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda. Tickets are $20. Call 301-654-8664 or visit dorwayarts.org or writer.org.

OH DAD, POOR DAD, MAMA’S HUNG… The full title to this antic, absurdist black comedy by Arthur Kopit? Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feeling So Sad. American Center Theatre presents a revival of this comedy about an incredibly dysfunctional family, which is said to be as funny and shocking now as 50 years ago when it premiered. Directed by Tyler Herman, the production “contains bright lights, loud noises and, possibly, strobe lights.” Closes this Sunday, April 12. Gunston Theater Two, 2700 South Lang St., Arlington. Tickets are $35 to $40. Call 703- 998-4555 or visit americancentury.org.

SLEEPING BEAUTY: A PUPPET BALLET In 2010 Pointless Theatre won a prize from the Capital Fringe Festival for its experimental show Sleeping Beauty, a puppet take on the fairy-tale classic set to Tchaikovsky and inspired by the Ballet Russe. The company restages the show for a regular run. Now to May 4. Flashpoint, 916 G St. NW. Tickets are $20 to $25. Call 202-315-1310 or visit flashpointdc.org.

TENDER NAPALM Signature Theatre presents the Washington premiere of an edgy, new battle- of-the-sexes drama by Philip Ridley, whom the New York Times’ Ben Brantley shouted about in a review as “one of the most linguistically vivid dramatists on the planet!” Signature’s associate artistic director Matthew Gardiner directs this story about a man and a woman, played by Elan Zafir and Laura C. Harris, at a crucial

METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 31 point in their relationship in the aftermath of an extraordinary loss. To May 11. Ark Theatre at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Call 703-820- 9771 or visit signature-theatre.org.

THE ADMISSION Theater J took a lot of heat from conservatives and Israeli hardliners last year when it announced a production of Motti Lerner’s play about a contested attack by Israeli soldiers on Arab civilians early in the country’s history. In response, the DC Jewish Community Center’s theater company downgraded the production to a “workshop presentation” — which translates to less theatrical showmanship and fewer performances. Even so, the theater is bracing itself for protests during the show, which is intriguingly billed as an Israeli homage to All My Sons and set in Haifa during the first Intifada. Sinai Peter directs a strong cast including Danny Gavigan, Kimberly Schraf, Michael Tolaydo and Pomme Koch. To April 27. The Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater, Washington, D.C.’s Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. Tickets are $30 to $55. Call 202-518-9400 or visit washingtondcjcc.org.

TWELfTH NIGHT Baltimore’s Center Stage has extended the run of its production of Shakespeare’s beloved romantic romp starring Caroline Hewitt and Buddy Haardt as the shipwreck-separated twins Viola and Sebastian search for each other in a new, mysterious land. Closes this Sunday, April 13. Center Stage, 700 North Calvert St., Baltimore. Tickets are $19 to $62. Call 410-986-4000 or visit centerstage.org.

WATER BY THE SPOONFUL Studio Theatre offers a Washington production of Quiara Alegria Hudes’s 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winner, about four addicts who collide with an ex-Marine in North Philly. KJ Sanchez directs a cast headed by Arturo Soria, Gisela Chipe and Gabriela Fernandez-Coffey. Closes this Sunday, April 13. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. Call 202-332-3300 or visit studiotheatre.org. COMMUNITY THEATER

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES The D.C.-based nonprofit The Survivant Organization stages a production of Eve Ensler’s show as a fundraiser to cover operating expenses for this organization

32 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 33 offering direct services to young female victims of domestic and sexual violence. Saturday, April 12, at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Andrew Keegan Theatre (formerly Church Street Theater), 1742 Church St. NW. Tickets are $10. Call 703-892-0202 or visit keegantheatre.com.

MUSIC

ANGIE HEAD, ELI CONLEY AND BE STEADWELL Local singer-songwriters Angie Head and Be Steadwell share the stage with Bay Area folkie Eli Conley for a night of queer music at the Electric Maid, Takoma Park’s community arts space and performance venue. Friday, April 18, at 8 p.m. The Electric Maid, 268 Carroll St. NW. Suggested donation $10. Visit electricmaid.org.

BOHEMIAN CAVERNS JAZZ ORCHESTRA Every Monday night the 17-piece jazz orchestra performs a variety of music from the big band repertoire — including pieces by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billy Strayhorn and Maria Schneider, plus originals from band members — at its namesake venue. Founded by baritone saxophonist Brad Linde and club owner Omrao Brown, features some of D.C.’s best jazz musicians, including Linde and trumpeter Joe Herrera, who co-direct. Performances at 8 and 10 p.m. every Monday night. Bohemian Caverns, 2001 11th St. NW. Tickets are $10. Call 202- 299-0800 or visit bohemiancaverns.com.

DISAPPEAR FEAR Baltimore’s Sonia Rutstein, who records using just her first name, stylized as SONiA, tours to promote the new album Broken Film with her band disappear fear. This summer she anticipates hitting a couple U.S. Pride events as well as international festivals including Hamburg Pride in Germany, where the Jewish folkie has recently spent a lot of time and gotten an overwhelmingly positive response. “There’s been absolutely, just complete open-arms welcoming to me,” she tells Metro Weekly. “I feel completely embraced.” She can expect an equally warm welcome when she stops at her almost- hometown venue Jammin Java. Saturday, April 12, at 7 p.m. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E. Vienna. Tickets are $20 at the door. Call 703-255-3747 or visit jamminjava.com.

FOLGER CONSORT The Folger Consort finishes its season with the program “A Polish Renaissance: Music of Poland’s Golden Age.” The vocal ensemble the Western Wind joins to perform the rarely heard, extraordinary musical art from what was in its time Europe’s largest kingdom. Friday, April 11, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 12, at 5 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m. Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Tickets are $37. Call 202-544-7077 or visit folger.edu.

GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF WASHINGTON, D.C. The 14-member a cappella group Potomac Fever and the 32-voice Rock Creek Singers, this gay chorus’s two stellar select vocal ensembles, showcase their skills in a wide-ranging program titled “Forte.” Friday, April 11, at 8 p.m. New York Presbyterian Church, 1313 New York Ave. NW. Also Saturday, April 19, at 5 and 8 p.m. The Kogod Cradle in Arena Stage’s Mead Center for American Theater, 1101 6th St. SW. Tickets are $35 to $40. Call 202-293-1548 or visit gmcw.org. l

For more out on the town listings please visit www.metroweekly.com

34 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com film randy shulman by s t ud io m a r v e l Unshielded

a carefully constructed delivery mechanism – built for maximum Captain America magnificently impact and designed to appeal to all, from casual moviegoer to ardent fanboy. It’s in the details. And what filmmakers inevitably do with the boilerplate is what separates crap like Daredevil from mixes action with intrigue truly magnificent fare like Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The first Captain America was a fairly enjoyable origins flick, made memorable chiefly by Hugo Weaving’s scene-chewing turn as Nazi nemesis Red Skull, as well as the formidable chest of Chris Evans. Evans and his puffed-up pectorals return for ave you noticed how incredibly the sequel, and while that’s a very good thing, even better is the boilerplate superhero movies have become? fact that the movie they’re appearing in is a sly, slick stunner. Everything is interchangeable – from the hero and I’m loathe to spoil anything, but I will note that there’s a strong, H his or her specific degree of angst, to the villain unexpected emotional depth to The Winter Soldier that I don’t and his or her grandiose designs for world domination; from recall surfacing in any of the other Marvel films, save perhaps the artfully positioned action sequences, introduced at what Spider-Man. This Captain America benefits from honesty and seem to be precisely timed intervals to jolt the audience out of gravitas, interspersed with a swift, sparky lightness of tone. any encroaching slumber, to the inevitable climactic showdown, There’s much speculation that Joss Whedon had a hand in the with its massive explosions and big-action face-off between the screenplay – and I wouldn’t doubt it for a bit. The film is not only hero and villain. It may be pointless to complain about, as some perfectly structured and modulated in the way Whedon’s projects of the most beloved movie franchises – think James Bond – have tend to be, but it features dialogue that’s simultaneously snappy, adhered to a tried-and-true formula for decades and are none heartfelt and authentic. The relationships are carefully drawn the worse for it. And, really, when a comic book is your source and expanded upon; there’s at least one case of an unspoken material, there’s only so much you can do. Ang Lee, with the first yearning between characters that doesn’t just fill the screen, it Hulk, showed that when you break the mold, you shatter the engulfs the auditorium. There’s also a sizzling narrative thread, underlying structure that gives audiences a sense of comfort, but you also suck out all of the enjoyment. The boilerplate is, in fact, FILM continues on page 40 METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 35 stage kate wingfield by w oo d

(L_R) Rifkin, Thomas and Nabawy tere sa Unhappy Campers

and a generous dose of the personal histories of the key players. Camp David offers a subject Of course some hearing this will rightly wonder whether this ambition invites preachiness or over-simplification. Well, the well worthy of a revisit answer falls somewhere between, “You can’t please all of the people all of the time,” and “Yes.” There is no doubt that for some audience members – the grey-haired, news-junkie, jaded Beltway-insider types in par- ticular – Lawrence’s potted takes on the posturing and negotia- n ideal evening at the theater for tions will all seem a little too contrived and sanitized. These are precocious high schoolers and the politically curi- the same folk who may find the frequent injections of personal ous, Lawrence Wright’s Camp David is a primer anecdote – each with a painfully obvious subtext – tiresome, if A on President Jimmy Carter’s brokering of an necessary. Thus, although Lawrence works hard to mitigate the uneasy peace in the Mideast conflict as it stood in 1978. Written simplifications by inserting contradictions, and somewhat tem- with mild humor, a certain passion and a storyteller’s talent, this pers the educational narrative with humor, his goal won’t work lesson in the vital and complex problems of this political and for everyone. Especially not for those who like their theatrical religious morass slips down with the ease of a geopolitical gel cap. politics to operate on the plane of, say, Frost/Nixon. Though it may not be overflowing with edge or insight, it’s But for anyone who wants a very palatable and reasonably still no mean feat considering Lawrence covers not only the cri- frank discussion of the barriers to compromise in the Mideast sis as it stood then (both for the Mideast and Carter’s presiden- (still very much in existence today) or simply a trip down a cy), but also the contemporary and ancient history that led to it particularly interesting memory lane, this piece will serve

36 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com and compel. educated young, if not the politically initiated. And however you view the vehicle, the cast makes a strong Still, as Begin, Ron Rifkin confirms his theater chops with go of it with Richard Thomas delivering a Jimmy Carter that a nicely pitched interpretation of Lawrence’s not overly subtle smartly never goes overboard into a political impression. Sport- characterization. Rifkin starts with a credible accent and goes ing an accent that only nods toward Carter’s thick Georgian on to layer his Begin with a passion, fear and defiance that goes drawl, Thomas avoids caricature by trying instead to describe a a long way to color the intractable man Lawrence offers. It is more universal man; one with a lot of power but few answers. Rifkin’s consistent and well-drawn picture of the person behind He is confident, tortured, driven, proud and very human. If his Begin’s immovable position that makes his 11th-hour compro- dissimilarity to Carter distracts, think of him as less of a por- mise all the more affecting. Who knows if it really went down trait of the man and more as Lawrence’s take on what it took. that way? It captures the impossible distance between sovereign Although some will want more, most will agree that the archi- necessity and human frailty, whatever the nation, whomever the tecture is intact. victims of conflict. Matters are a little more complex when it comes to Law- A charismatic presence, Khaled Nabawy’s Sadat exudes rence’s rendering of Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat, the statesmanship and a kind of quirky self-possession. It would two leaders who come to the seclusion of the presidential have given him an even more enduring and intriguing authen- retreat (Camp David), to consider negotiating a peace. Since ticity if director Molly Smith had opted for a lower volume and any student of political history will know how the story ends, Lawrence had injected a bit more complexity. this is really about what may or may not have happened as these Rounding out the quartet is Jimmy Carter’s wife, Rosalynn, great men collided and wrangled on behalf of their people. Both who comes and goes like a wry commentator on the proceedings. had much to gain and much to lose. But with no media allowed, Though she delivers some of the better comedy and Hallie Foote their negotiations were off-stage – at least until any agreement gives her an utterly memorable demeanor, her smug positioning was reached. as an unassailably all-American, all-wise wife and peace-broker Unfortunately, in the writing of these two, Lawrence’s urge is a toe-curler. It makes a play that might have been global, local, to educate looms large and thus, by necessity, the characters and turns a profound conundrum into an afterschool special. become far too obvious. In ways that are less than subtle, we Still, it’s a subject well worthy of a revisit and so consider learn that both men were the products of difficult lives and compromising your own expectations and negotiate your way to deep cultural traditions that informed their attitudes toward an evening of history and politics. compromise with one another. Though the racism is delivered in careful (often humorous) context and the personal anecdotes Camp David (HHHHH) runs to May 4 in Arena Stage’s Kreeger are sometimes informative, it is all a bit too color-by-numbers. Theater, 1101 6th St. SW. Tickets are $65 to $110. Hence the initial thought that this play will work well for the Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenastage.org. l

METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 37 games RHUARIDH MARR by

Super Powered

introduction to him is one typical of many superheroes. Delsin is Infamous offers gamers the a member of the Akomish, a Native American tribe who live in Washington State. A graffiti artist, Delsin is something of a waster, tagging buildings and being repeatedly arrested by his brother, first real reason to buy a PS4 Reggie, the local sheriff. When a bus transporting a group of Con- duits — those imbued with special powers or abilities — crashes next to Delsin’s town, an interaction with one of the escapees activates his own powers. Delsin is, as he describes himself, a “sponge,” able to draw a Conduit’s power and use it for himself. here’s a reason we’re so infatuated The first ability gained is control over smoke. Delsin can with superheroes: power. Flight, fire, invulnerability, absorb smoke into his body, using it to fire burning projectiles, invisibility — whatever the special ability, we’re envi- dash through gates and fences, drop sulfur bombs, float between T ous of and enthralled by it. The idea of rising above buildings and use vents to quickly climb buildings. The game’s our banal normality into the strata of demigod is an elixir too in- opening acts slowly introduce both the player and Delsin to his toxicating to ignore. Given our lack of actual superheroes (mili- new powers, as well as the game’s protagonists, the Department tary and emergency services personnel not included — you guys of Unified Protection, or D.U.P., and its head Brooke Augustine. rock), the closest we can get to feeling like a true comic-book star Augustine manages a prison designed to keep Conduits under is through games. The problem? The number of good superhe- guard and prevent them from using their powers to harm or com- ro games is relatively small. Adaptations of the most renowned mit crimes, and is intent on bringing the escaped prisoners back stars — Batman, Superman, Spiderman — vary greatly in quality, to her detention facility. She is a Conduit herself, and, when she which can be infuriating for those who want to take control of an suspects that Delsin may be a Conduit, uses her control of con- honest-to-goodness, all-conquering badass. crete to torture the Akomish people. Enter, then, Sony’s Infamous franchise, developed by Sucker This sets the wheels in motion for the main setting of the Punch. Its first two iterations on PS3 gave players control ofC ole game, the city of Seattle. Augustine takes her D.U.P. forces there McGrath, a normal person imbued with supernatural powers: he to capture the remaining Conduits, and Delsin and his brother could manipulate electricity, wielding it as a weapon, form of trans- quickly follow. Delsin’s plan is simple: absorb Augustine’s pow- port and healing tool. It also offered a moral quandary to players, in er and heal the members of his tribe afflicted with the concrete the form of a binary choice — be good, and save your failing city, or barbs she left embedded in their bodies. be evil, and have its citizens tremble at your electrified knees. Seattle is where Infamous: Second Son starts to pick up steam. This third installment, Second Son, takes the franchise to a new My first couple of hours in the city were spent removing D.U.P. setting and introduces us to a new protagonist, Delsin Rowe. Our forces from certain areas, seeking out energy cores to drain and unlock new powers, scaling buildings with Delsin’s parkour skills 38 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com and otherwise marveling in the fictional world of Seattle. though, which is a testament to the fresh nature of Second Son’s And what a world. Infamous is the first game to truly showcase new setting, cast and powers. It does, however, have pacing is- the power of the new generation of home consoles. Every aspect sues. The opening of the game, leading up to entering Seattle for of its world feels like a huge step up from everything that’s come the first time is great, but once you’re there and have gained the before. Seattle itself is utterly gorgeous. The game dynamically core smoke powers, it’s a slightly awkward time. Traversing the switches between day, dusk and night depending on the mission environment feels laborious, with the parkour system not work- at hand, and regardless of time of day Seattle will blow you away. ing as fluidly as Assassin’s Creed and smoke powers not offering Every texture, detail, shaft of light, puddle of rain, pedestrian, car, enough speed or power to leap between buildings in the manner bush, tree, billowing piece of trash and flashing neon sign isbeau - you may be expecting. Similarly, the D.U.P. enemies initially feel tiful. Standing atop the Space Needle, gazing across Infamous’ rather brutal and overpowering, which offers an intense chal- cityscape, watching the sun bloom and flare across the camera lenge to initial skirmishes that makes completing a given task a lens, seeing dust particles catch in the light, marveling at the rain satisfying delight. Once new powers are unlocked, though, these hitting the camera and splashing in the puddles that form on the two elements flip. Neon and video powers allow Deslin to move ground: Infamous is the game you want to sit someone in front of around Seattle at breakneck pace, letting him leap, soar and navi- to show the power of the PS4. gate the environment with appropriate gusto. Battles, however, That’s all before you use Delsin’s powers. Delsin himself, as become slightly routine. The enemies faced will adapt to Deslin’s well as the major supporting characters, are animated well, with new powers, but it’s too easy to adopt the same tactic for each realistic facial animations and pleasantly smooth movements, but encounter. Staying in the distance and picking off the snipers, it’s when Delsin fires up his abilities thatInfamous will leave you sweeping in and destroying the brute soldiers then dispatching breathless. Delsin gains three main powers across the game’s span the rest with a karma bomb. Rinse and repeat. and each offers its own visual delight. Smoke is your first entry It shouldn’t detract from your purchase, however, as battles and deftly displays the PS4’s physics processing. Throw a blast of — even if they can feel a little same-y — are always a visual and smoke at an enemy soldier and it will curl and rip its way through aural treat. Besides the side missions are more than enough to the air, burning embers blasting out from the black smoke, before balance having to fight through waves of D.U.P. soldiers. Bust smacking into the soldier, billowing and exploding around them. drug dealers, take down groups protesting Conduits, find hid- The trails and wisps that linger in the air, slowly dissipating, are den D.U.P. agents, disable D.U.P. cameras, tag graffiti art on walls wonderful to behold. Deslin’s second power is neon — and argu- and buildings — which uses the DualShock 4’s motion sensors to ably the game’s standout showcase. Absorbing neon straight from nice effect — and destroy drones monitoring Seattle’s civilians. the bright lights lining many of the buildings in Seattle, Deslin can Or, climb the Space Needle and just stare at the gorgeous scen- direct bursts of bright, colored light at enemies, or use his pow- ery. Perhaps you’d rather weave beautiful light trails with your ers to run at light speed over cars, obstacles and even buildings. neon powers? If you’ve chosen to be evil, you can wander out One of his special powers, called the radiant sweep, sees Deslin into streets and blow up everything in sight, just for fun. Seattle slam into the ground, sending a neon shockwave at surrounding is a big, open playground, waiting for you to use your arsenal of enemies, lifting the into the air and trapping them in luminescent weapons and powers. stasis bubbles. He then rises into the air and directs thunderous Which brings me to Infamous’s notorious feature: Karma. rounds of piercing neon light at any and all trapped enemies. As Gamers have more than enough reason to play through Infamous a final blow, giant neon bubbles start exploding all around Des- multiple times. Pick a difficulty and go through as good.T hen, go lin. It’s insane, stunning, magnificent. I spent so many minutes back through as evil. Then, bump things up to hard and go through of gameplay just slack-jawed in awe at the particle effects and it again. Choosing between good and evil offers its own rewards lighting engine that Infamous uses. Last up is video, which again and sacrifices. Good Deslin is beloved by citizens, but he has to be showcases incredible particle effects, surrounding Deslin in blue, cautious in battles — kill a civilian and you’ll be punished for it. pixelated squares, sprouting giant angel wings to swoop over Evil Deslin? Seattle’s locals will hate him, but he can just go hell buildings or producing a giant sword to slice through enemies. It’s for leather and kill anyone — soldier or streetwalker — without dramatic and different, but neon really is the standout here. remorse. Other characters can be manipulated, too, brought onto Infamous lives and breathes through its sound, too. Explo- the evil track or shown the light, impacting the story Infamous sions, bursts of neon, streaks of smoke, screaming pedestrians, tells. As for the ending, there’s two variations depending on the clattering gunfire — the streets of Seattle are never quiet as you morality Deslin has portrayed during his time in Seattle. I played romp through encounters with D.U.P. soldiers, drug dealers, through as good, which is always my preference for such games, protesters and other such citizens waiting to start a fight. The but the moment I saw that evil Deslin could one-shot enemies by ambient sounds of the city pale in comparison to the voice act- disintegrating them I knew another playthrough was in order. ing, however. What really sets this installment of the Infamous Ultimately, Infamous can be summed up as such: do you own franchise apart from the others, as well as many other games in a PS4? If you answered yes to that question, then buy a copy of the genre, is its tone. It’s dramatic, but has a constant current of Infamous. Right now. If you want to showcase what your con- comedy running through it. Deslin and his brother have witty, sole can do, it’s perfect. If you want a genuinely good superhero humorous exchanges that almost belies the deep emotional game, it’s perfect. If you want a thoroughly enjoyable open- bond the two share. Deslin himself comments on his actions as world game to romp around in, it’s perfect. If you’ve tried ei- you play, offering a funny slight or appropriately awed reaction ther of the franchise’s other installments and didn’t enjoy the to a new power or particularly cool takedown. Other supporting gameplay, I’m not sure you’ll find much to love here — except for characters engage in banter, and even Deslin’s exchanges with the graphics, sound and story. It’s a beautiful, amusing, utterly antagonist Augustine are — though tense and dramatic — filled enjoyable experience that offers the first real reason to go out with sarcasm and dry humor. It’s a refreshing change from the and buy a PlayStation 4. Infamous significantly raises the bar for constantly dark, dramatic, overbearing tone of many games to- what we should be expecting from our brand new consoles. The day — the humanity of the characters as they make light of an moment you step into Deslin’s shoes and shoot a bright stream of otherwise pretty depressing situation stops the story from drying neon at your enemies, you’ll wonder why you wasted your time up or overstaying its course. on all of those other superhero games. It’s a power as intoxicat- The same, unfortunately, can’t quite be said of the gameplay. ing as it is beautiful. If you liked Infamous and its sequel, you’ll feel right at home with what’s on offer here. The third person shooting, the par- Infamous: Second Son (HHHHH) is $59.99 and available at kour, the battle sequences, the side quests and exploration and Amazon.com. l zoned areas. Everything feels familiar. It doesn’t feel tired yet, METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 39 film continued from page 35 and Emily VanKamp do fine jobs with rather small, thankless one that shreds the interconnected tissue of the Marvel-verse of roles. The cinematically alert will enjoy the appearance of Jenny the Avengers to the point where you can’t help but think, “How Agutter, best known for her work in genre-defining films like are they going to resolve this mess?” Indeed, it will be interesting American Werewolf in London and Logan’s Run. to see how the action of Winter Soldier folds into not just another The real scene-stealer here is the handsome and rugged Captain America sequel (there’s a crafty little hint in one of the Anthony Mackie, whose good-natured, loose-limbed portrayal of two post-credit sequences), but Joss Whedon’s Avengers: Age of paratrooper Sam Wilson makes a nice counterbalance to Evans’s Ultron, due out summer 2015. Rogers, who is a bit too starchy at times. Mackie’s character has a There is little point in a detailed plot summation, largely purpose beyond that of a mere foil. He becomes…. Well, that’d be because to offer one would be to ruin the film’s more enjoyable something of a spoiler. Similarly, I won’t ruin the identity of the twists. The basics, however, are this: Someone has compromised vicious überassassin, the Winter Soldier, though comics lovers the U.S. intelligence operation, S.H.I.E.L.D., and the organization’s will know who he is and why an entire movie was built around head, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), is determined to find out him, despite the paucity of his screen time. who. After a rather long, torpid setup, the film makes an engaging, Early on, I had my doubts about The Winter Soldier. The swift U-turn, with Steve Rogers (Captain America) and Black opening action sequence – a rescue of S.H.I.E.L.D. hostages from Widow (Scarlett Johansson, a welcome addition who brings with a hijacked ship – is a chaotic clutter. Thankfully, subsequent her just the right amount of snark and sexy) targeted as fugitives action sequences, including a breathtaking car chase as Nick Fury from S.H.I.E.L.D. At this point, the movie fires up the pistons and attempts to outrun a fleet of police vehicles, are choreographed floors it until it slams headlong into a climax that is as brilliant and with superb muscle and clarity. Things continue to improve as the blazing and spectacular as it is deft and sure-footed, with directors Russos raise the stakes on each successive action sequence until Joe and Anthony Russo expertly juggling three narrative set- they arrive at that thundering, brutal, intensely suspenseful climax. pieces. Considering the Russos are best known for their intricate, It’s kick-ass material that leaves you gobsmacked in an era where finely honed work in intimate TV comedies – Community and it’s increasingly difficult to stun audiences who’ve seen it all. Arrested Development, among others – the fact that they’re able to A recommendation: Skip The Winter Soldier in 3D. There’s so perfectly pull off a complicated, massive action sequence isn’t no need for the extra dimension, which only serves to confound merely miraculous, it’s revelatory. Just hand everything else over the action sequences. Additionally, the first 30-or-so minutes are to them now, Marvel. They’ve more than earned it. dimly lit and bereft of much color (everything seems to be hued The cast is perfect. In addition to Evans, Jackson and in deep black). Once you’ve donned those miserable glasses, it’s Johannson, we get Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce, the impossible to pick out details. You might as well be watching firm but even-headed overlord of S.H.I.E.L.D. Redford, clearly the movie with your eyes closed, but this is one movie where, relishing his recent resurgence in movies, offers a perfectly inevitably, you won’t want to so much as blink. pitched, understated performance, even if the actor looks a bit grandmotherly these days. Toby Jones pops up in the oddest of Captain America: The Winter Soldier (HHHHH) is rated PG-13. means as a Nazi cohort of the Red Skull, and both Cobie Smulders Now playing at area theaters. l

40 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com pets by Zack rosen F ly _Dr ag on fly The Fur Flies

MAL weekend. It’s easier than ever to travel with “[Dogs] are a part of peoples’ family. We can’t ask them to leave their children at home and we won’t expect them to leave their pets at home either,” says Thomas, who becomes quite your four-legged friend enthusiastic on the subject of animal companions. “Who is not pet-friendly? Pets are just like people.” The Hotel Mark Twain accepts dogs under 35 pounds for a one-time, non-refundable fee. This reflects a growing consid- eration — mirrored in the policies of major hotel chains such as Kimpton and Marriott, and the proliferation of full-service pet evin Thomas, of San Francisco’s Hotel travel sites like BringFido.com — toward travelers who would Mark Twain, describes himself as “a bear of a sooner leave their toothbrush at home than their terrier. sales director.” Ursine men do receive a discount A sweep of the top gay destination cities on BringFido digs up K at his storied Union Square inn, but their most a bow-wow buffet of hotels that will allow you to wake up with beloved furry friend is one you’d never find sniffing around at your mastiff or Manx. As a sampling, San Francisco features 112

METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 41 pet-friendly hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals. New York fea- site of the singer’s 1940s arrest. Additionally, many cast members tures 138 and Atlanta 86. of RuPaul’s Drag Race have been known to take advantage of the Of course, all but the least humane pet owners will consider hotel’s drag-queen discounts. While it might seem extravagant the animal’s comfort and safety above all other concerns. Bring- to pay extra so your pooch can rub paws with Sharon Needles, Fido serves as an exhaustive resource on all manners of pet Thomas points out that many customers find it to be economical travel. The site features international directories of pet-friendly in the long run. accommodations and services like vets and dog walkers, next “People spend a lot of money to board their pets or have to informative lists like “Airline Pet Policies” and “10 Tips for someone stay in their home,” he says. “This is a great savings for Traveling with Fido.” them. They’re going to stay a few more days because they won’t The latter is full of trauma-saving hints like “Fly Direct” and have to go back and care for their dog.” “Eat. Drink. Poop. Play” before the flight. For issues not covered, the concerned owner can call 877-411-FIDO to speak live with a For more from BringFrido, visit BringFido.com or call pet expert. 877-411-FIDO. For more from International Cat Care, visit Dogs are the animals most widely accepted — Thomas says ICatCare.com. l that cats are harder on a room and that exotics like snakes impact the comfort of the other guests — but the International Cat Care website has additional resources for those that want Tabby to join them in Tampa. Unlike dogs, cats are generally most comfortable in their “home territory” and don’t find excitement in new smells and sights like a dog. A cat is best off confined to a familiar carrier or box, with a towel or sweater that smells like home, and could take as long to adjust to its new surroundings as the vacation lasts. Most outgoing and city-trained dogs, however, will take to the sensory overloads of an unfamiliar hotel room and city like a vegetarian’s first taste of San Francisco’s Millennium Restau- rant. While Rover might be content to spend three hours sniffing an old towel under the bed, Rover’s owner can also delight in sharing a historical hotel room with their furry buddy. The Mark Twain’s dog-friendly Billie Holiday Suite was the

42 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com PetPetUpload yours atPix PixMetroWeekly.com/pets

Lilli Bruce Greenberg’s 3-year-old spaniel mix “Lilli is my spouse and my second dog; our first, a wire fox terrier, having passed from old age. Lilli was also our first Internet dog, hav- ing been purchased solely for her photo on a breeder website. On a cold January evening in 2011, she arrived on an American Airlines flight at National Airport, a wee 9 weeks old. She is the most gentle of dogs; shy, but eager to please, and an expert at getting her way.”

METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 43 night life listings

Thurs., 04.10.14

9 1/2 Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm • Multiple TVs showing movies, shows, sports • Expanded craft beer selection • No cover

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

Freddie’s Beach Bar Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • Karaoke, 9pm

Green Lantern Shirtless Men Drink Free, 10-11pm

JR.’s $3 Rail Vodka Highballs, $2 JR.’s drafts, 8pm to close • Top Pop Night

Nellie’s Sports Bar Beat The Clock Happy Hour — $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm) • Buckets of Beer $15 • Drag Bingo

Number Nine Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm • No Cover

Ziegfeld’s/Secrets All male, nude dancers • Shirtless Thursday • DJ Tim E in Secrets • 9pm • Cover 21+ t

METROWEEKLY.com 45

scene

Cherry Main Event Saturday, April 5 Town

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

Photography by Christopher Cunetto

Fri., 04.11.14 JR.’s Town Freddie’s Beach Bar PW’s Sports Bar Sun., 04.13.14 t Buy 1, Get 1, Drag Show starts at Diner Brunch, 10am-3pm 9855 Washington Blvd. N 9 1/2 11pm-midnight • Happy 10:30pm • Hosted by • Crazy Hour, 4-7pm Laurel, Md. 9 1/2 Open at 5pm • Happy Hour: 2-for-1, 4-9pm • $5 Lena Lett and featuring • Karaoke and/or live 301-498-4840 Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, Coronas, $8 Vodka Red Tatianna, Shi-Queeta- entertainment, 9pm Karaoke in the lounge • drink, 5-9pm • Multiple 5-9pm • Friday Night Bulls, 9pm-close Lee, Jessica Spaulding Charity Bingo with Cash TVs showing movies, Videos with resident Deverreoux and Banaka • JR.’s Prizes 3rd Sat. of Every shows, sports • Expanded DJ Shea Van Horn • VJ Nellie’s Sports Bar Doors open at 10pm • For $4 Coors, $5 Vodka Month craft beer selection • No • Expanded craft beer DJ Matt Bailer • Videos, those 21 and over, $5 from highballs, $7 Vodka Red cover selection • No cover Dancing • Beat The Clock 10-11pm and $10 after Bulls Town Happy Hour — $2 (5-6pm), 11pm • For those 18-20, Kelly Mantle from RuPaul’s Freddie’s Beach Bar Annie’s $3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm) • $10 all night • 18+ Nellie’s Drag Race • Drag Show Champagne Brunch 4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm • Buckets of Beer $15 Guest DJs • Zing Zang starts at 10:30pm • Buffet, 10am-3pm • $4 Small Plates, $4 Stella Ziegfeld’s/Secrets Bloody Marys, Nellie Beer, DJ Wess • Hosted by Crazy Hour, 4-8pm • Artois, $4 House Wines, Number Nine All male, nude dancers House Rail Drinks and Lena Lett and featuring Drag Show hosted by $4 Stolichnaya Cocktails, Open 5pm • Happy Hour: • Ladies of Illusion with Mimosas, $4, 11am-5pm • Tatianna, Shi-Queeta- Destiny B. Childs featuring $4 Manhattans and Vodka 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm host Kristina Kelly, 9pm • Buckets of Beer, $15 Lee, Jessica Spaulding performances by a rotating Martinis • Upstairs open • No Cover Cover 21+ Deverreoux and Banaka • cast, 9pm • No cover • 5-11pm Number Nine $8 from 10-11pm and $12 Karaoke follows show Phase 1 DILF, with guest DJ after 11pm • 21+ Sat., 04.12.14 DC Bear Crue DJ Styalo • Dancing • Tommy Cornelis • 9:30 JR.’s @Town • Bear Happy $5 cover pm • Doors 5pm • Happy Ziegfeld’s/Secrets Sunday Funday • Liquid 9 1/2 Hour, 6-11pm • $3 Rail, Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, All nude male dancers, Brunch • Doors open at Open at 5pm • Happy $3 Draft, $3 Bud Bottles • PW’s Sports Bar 5-9pm • No Cover 9pm • Ladies of Illusion 1pm • $2 Coors Lights & Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, Free Pizza, 7pm • Hosted 9855 Washington Blvd. N with host Ella Fitzgerald, $3 Skyy (all flavors), all 5-9pm • $5 Absolut & by Charger Stone • No Laurel, Md. Phase 1 9pm • DJ Steve day and night Tito’s, $3 Miller Lite after cover before 9:30pm • 21+ 301-498-4840 Dancing, 9pm-close Henderson in Secrets • DJ Drag Show in lounge • 9pm • Expanded craft Spyke in Ziegfelds • Doors beer selection • No cover Freddie’s Beach Bar Half-price burgers and 8pm • Cover • 21+ Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • fries Karaoke, 9pm

METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 47 Nellie’s Annie’s PW’s Sports Bar Drag Brunch, hosted by 4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm • 9855 Washington Blvd. N Shi-Queeta-Lee, 11am-3pm $4 Small Plates, $4 Stella Laurel, Md. • $20 Brunch Buffet • Artois, $4 House Wines, 301-498-4840 House Rail Drinks, Zing $4 Stolichnaya Cocktails, Buzztime Trivia Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie $4 Manhattans and Vodka competition • 75 cents off Beer and Mimosas, $4, Martinis bottles and drafts 11am-close • Buckets of Beer, $15 Freddie’s Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • Tues., 04.15.14 Number Nine Karaoke, 9pm Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any 9 1/2 drink, 5-9pm • No Cover JR.’s Open at 5pm • Happy Happy Hour: 2-for-1, 4-9pm Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, Ziegfeld’s/Secrets • Showtunes Songs & 5-9pm • Multiple TVs All male, nude dancers • Singalongs, 9pm-close • showing movies, shows, Decades of Dance • DJ DJ Jamez • $3 Drafts sports • Expanded craft Tim-e in Secrets • Doors beer selection • No cover 8pm • Cover 21+ Nellie’s Sports Bar Beat The Clock Happy Annie’s Hour — $2 (5-6pm), $3 Happy Hour, 4-7pm • $4 Mon., 04.14.14 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm) • Stella Artois, $4 House Buckets of Beer $15 • Wines, $4 Stolichnaya 9 1/2 Poker Texas Hold’em, 8pm Cocktails, $4 Manhattans Open at 5pm • Happy and Vodka Martinis Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, Number Nine 5-9pm • Multiple TVs Open 5pm • Happy Hour: Freddie’s Beach Bar showing movies, shows, 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • sports • Expanded craft • No Cover Karaoke, 9pm beer selection • No cover

48 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com JR.’s Wed., 04.16.14 JR.’s Underground (Indie Pop/ Trivia with MC Jay Alt/Brit Rock), 9pm-close 9 1/2 Ray, 8pm • The Queen, • DJ Wes Della Volla • Open at 5pm • Happy 10-11pm • $2 JR’s Drafts 2-for-1, all day and night Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, & $4 Vodka ($2 with 5-9pm • Multiple TVs College I.D./JR’s Team Nellie’s Sports Bar showing movies, shows, Shirt) Beat The Clock Happy sports • Expanded craft Hour — $2 (5-6pm), $3 beer selection • No cover Nellie’s Sports Bar (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm) • Beat The Clock Happy Buckets of Beer $15 • Annie’s Hour — $2 (5-6pm), $3 Karaoke Happy Hour, 4-7pm • $4 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm) • Stella Artois, $4 House Half-Price Burger Night Number Nine Wines, $4 Stolichnaya • Buckets of Beer $15 • Safe Word: A Gay Spelling Cocktails, $4 Manhattans SmartAss Trivia, 8pm Bee, starts at 8 pm, and Vodka Martinis register just prior • Open Number Nine 5pm • Happy Hour: 2 for Freddie’s Beach Bar Open 5pm • Happy Hour: 1 on any drink, 5-9pm • Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • Drag 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm No Cover Bingo, 8pm • Karaoke, • No Cover 10pm PW’s Sports Bar PW’s Sports Bar 9855 Washington Blvd. N Green Lantern 9855 Washington Blvd. N Laurel, Md. Happy Hour Prices, Laurel, Md. 301-498-4840 4pm-Close 301-498-4840 75 cents off bottles and Free Pool • 75 cents off drafts • Movie Night Bottles and Drafts

METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 49 Ziegfeld’s/Secrets Green Lantern Fri., 04.18.14 All male, nude dancers • Shirtless Men Drink Free, New Meat Wednesday DJ 10-11pm 9 1/2 Don T • 9pm • Cover 21+ Open at 5pm • Happy JR.’s Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink, $3 Rail Vodka Highballs, 5-9pm • Friday Night Thurs., 04.17.14 $2 JR.’s drafts, 8pm to Videos with resident close • Top Pop Night DJ Shea Van Horn • VJ 9 1/2 • Expanded craft beer Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Nellie’s Sports Bar selection • No cover drink, 5-9pm • Multiple Beat The Clock Happy TVs showing movies, Hour — $2 (5-6pm), $3 Annie’s shows, sports • Expanded (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm) • 4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm • craft beer selection • No Buckets of Beer $15 • $4 Small Plates, $4 Stella cover Drag Bingo Artois, $4 House Wines, $4 Stolichnaya Cocktails, Annie’s/Annie’s Number Nine $4 Manhattans and Vodka Upstairs Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any Martinis • Upstairs open 4@4 Happy Hour, drink, 5-9pm • No Cover 5-11pm 4pm-7pm • $4 Small Plates, $4 Stella Artois, Ziegfeld’s/Secrets DC Bear Crue $4 House Wines, $4 All male, nude dancers • @Town • Bear Happy Stolichnaya Cocktails, $4 Shirtless Thursday • DJ Hour, 6-11pm • $3 Rail, Manhattans and Vodka Tim E in Secrets • 9pm • $3 Draft, $3 Bud Bottles • Martinis Cover 21+ Free Pizza, 7pm • Hosted by Charger Stone • No Freddie’s Beach Bar cover before 9:30pm • 21+ Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • Karaoke, 9pm

50 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com PURCHASE YOUR Photo AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE/ 51 Freddie’s Beach Bar PW’s Sports Bar Crazy Hour, 4-7pm • 9855 Washington Blvd. N Karaoke, 9pm Laurel, Md. 301-498-4840 JR.’s Drag Show in lounge • Buy 1, Get 1, Half-price burgers and 11pm-midnight • Happy fries Hour: 2-for-1, 4-9pm • $5 Coronas, $8 Vodka Red Town Bulls, 9pm-close Drag Show starts at 10:30pm • Hosted by Nellie’s Sports Bar Lena Lett and featuring DJ Matt Bailer • Videos, Tatianna, Shi-Queeta- Dancing • Beat The Clock Lee, Jessica Spaulding Happy Hour — $2 (5-6pm), Deverreoux and Banaka • $3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm) • Doors open at 10pm • For Buckets of Beer $15 those 21 and over, $5 from 10-11pm and $10 after Number Nine 11pm • For those 18-20, Open 5pm • Happy Hour: $10 all night • 18+ 2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm • No Cover Ziegfeld’s/Secrets All male, nude dancers Phase 1 • Ladies of Illusion with DJ Styalo • Dancing • host Kristina Kelly, 9pm • $5 cover Cover 21+ l

52 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 53 “This is just the most open and blatant example of the new fascism, which says if you don’t agree with us 100 percent, we have the right to punish you.”

— Newt Gingrich, former Republican presidential candidate and contributor to CNN’s Crossfire, speaking on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Gingrich was commenting on Brendan Eich, who stepped down as CEO of Mozilla Corporation following intense backlash from LGBT people and Mozilla employees over donations to Proposition 8 by Eich in 2008. (Mediaite)

“I was infuriated with the explicit, homosexual display on stage because I had brought my teenage son to see the seemingly innocuous play.” — An excerpt from a complaint, sent by a mother to Pioneer Theatre Company at the University of Utah, regarding a staging of Deathtrap. The scene in question was a brief kiss between two characters in the play. The woman stated that she had “never been so disgusted and infuriated.” In his response, managing director Chris Lino wrote, “You object to the kissing, but not to the fact that they’re murderers?” (Pioneer Theatre Company)

“It’s just not normal and then you glorify, or it seems to me, that the promotion at USC Upstate is a glorification of same-sex orientation.”

— South Carolina state Sen. Mike Fair (R), in an interview with WYFF. Fair was criticizing the University of South Carolina Upstate’s LGBT Symposium, in particular a performance titled “How to Become a Lesbian in 10 days or Less.” The performance was later canceled due to the backlash over its satirical title. (WYFF)

“While many governments and well-meaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not.”

— Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a governing body in the Mormon Church. Anderson spoke with the Associated Press to clarify his church’s position on same-sex marriage. (Associated Press)

“No court has ever held that businesses have a First Amendment right to discriminate, and it is no surprise that the Supreme Court has denied this attempt to overturn settled law.” — Joshua Block, staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project, in a statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to refuse the appeal of Elaine Huguenin in Elane Photography v. Willock. When Huguenin refused to photograph a same-sex couple’s wedding ceremony on the grounds of religious beliefs, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that she had violated the state’s Human Rights Act. The act was amended in 2003 to add “sexual orientation” as a class protected from discrimination. (Metro Weekly)

54 APRIL 10, 2014 METROWEEKLY.com METROWEEKLY.com APRIL 10, 2014 55