Spotlight

Catie Curtis and Lori McKenna at The Birchmere

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:33:27 -0500

The charming Catie Curtis, part of Massachusetts thriving lesbian folk scene, is touring in support of her charming new album Sweet Life – not to mention the national election results. “Good voters, come celebrate all that’s right with the world,” announces her website in listing her upcoming gigs. She’s touring with fellow Mass. singer-songwriter McKenna. Friday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Tickets are $25. Call 202-397-7328 or visit www.birchmere.com.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:15:18 -0500

Laurel Mill Playhouse presents its family-fun holiday show written by Barbara Robinson and directed by Jeaneo Binney and Patti Knazik. The production begins Friday, Nov. 28, and runs every weekend until Sunday, Dec. 21. Laurel Mill Playhouse, 508 Main St., Laurel, Md. Tickets are $13. Call 301-617-9906 or visit www.laurelmillplayhouse.org.

Sarah Brightman at the Verizon Center

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:02:35 -0500

The former Mrs. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Phantom of the Opera star blends her classical background – and little girl belting voice – with pop-inspired instrumentation that’s certainly sacrilegious to some on either side of the classical-pop spectrum. She’s touring in support of a new holiday set, Winter Symphony, and her latest crossover album, Symphony, which features overly dramatic productions and duets with the likes of Andrea Bocelli and Paul Stanley of KISS. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. Tickets range from $55 to $225. Call 202-628-3200 or visit www.verizoncenter.com.

Our Future in Focus - Reception Tonight

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:16:51 -0500

Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care is celebrating its annual "For the Children" fall event with "Our Future in Focus: A photo exhibit by children living with HIV/AIDS." This fundraising event also marks 20th anniversary of this community-based nonprofit organization's work to preserve, assist and strengthen the well-being of metro-D.C. youth infected by HIV and affected by the disease's toll on their communities. The Trey Eley eXperience will offer live entertainment. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Historical Society of Washington, 801 K St. NW. General admission is $75. A VIP cocktail reception precedes the benefit at 6 p.m., offering opportunities to meet the photographers and artists in the exhibit. VIP tickets are $125. All tickets are available by calling 202-347-5366, ext. 11, or by visiting www.PediatricAIDSHIVCare.org.

Amanda Palmer at the 9:30 Club

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:32:42 -0500

The bisexual Palmer this fall released her debut solo set, as quirky and dramatic as the music she makes as lead singer of cabaret-punk band the Dresden Dolls, but also softer and more intimate – musically, it’s very charming. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. Nightclub 9:30, 815 V St. NW. Tickets are $20. Call 202-265-0930 or visit www.930.com.

Sarah Brightman at The Verizon Center

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:31:14 -0500

The former Mrs. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Phantom of the Opera star blends her classical background - and little girl belting voice - with pop-inspired instrumentation that's certainly sacrilegious to some on either side of the classical-pop spectrum. She's touring in support of a new holiday set, Winter Symphony, and her latest crossover album, Symphony, which features overly dramatic productions and duets with the likes of Andrea Bocelli and Paul Stanley of KISS. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. Tickets range from $55 to $225. Call 202-628-3200 or visit www.verizoncenter.com.

Puerto Rico, Mi Amor at The In Series

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:04:08 -0500

The In Series pays tribute to the “enchanted island” with Puerto Rico, Mi Amor, a bilingual cabaret of songs, poetry and tropical rhythms celebrating all things Borinquen, from musicians Bobby Capo, Robert Cole and Rafael Hernandez to poets Luis Llorens Torres and those part of the Nuyorican Poets Café. The show is directed by Abel Lopez. Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. At the GALA Hispanic Theatre at Tivoli Square, 3333 14th St. NW. Tickets are $33 to $36 general admission. Call 202-204-7763 or visit www.inseries.org.

Duncan Sheik at The Barns at Wolf Trap

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:29:44 -0500

Duncan Sheik will perform his pop hits as well as songs from his Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, Va. Tickets are $30. Call 703-255-1900 or visit www.wolf-trap.org.

Rebecca Luker at the Kennedy Center

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 09:10:50 -0500

Broadway and cabaret legend Barbara Cook’s Spotlight series serves up three-time Tony Award nominee Rebecca Luker, who most recently starred in Disney's Mary Poppins, but has also appeared in Broadway revivals of The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Show Boat and The Secret Garden. And the silken-voiced Luker also factored in the Kennedy Center’s Sondheim Celebration a couple years ago, starring as Clara in Passion. Saturday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Tickets are $45. Call 202-467-4600 or visit www.kennedy-center.org.

Trey McIntyre Project at the Olney Theatre Center

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:59:05 -0500

Olney Theatre Center presents a special, one-night-only engagement with Trey McIntyre, named a 2008 Taste Maker by Out magazine. Using classical ballet as the point of departure, McIntyre creates emotionally charged dances that defy convention, set to musical scores ranging from Beethoven to Beck. Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Md. Tickets are $35 to $65. Call 301-924-3400 or visit www.olneytheatre.org.

Deerhunter at the Black Cat

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:30:05 -0500

Atlanta’s popular indie-rock band Deerhunter’s just-released album Microcastle isn’t nearly as soft or creepy – or creative – as the set released earlier this year by its frontman Bradford Cox, reportedly a gay virgin, under the alias Atlas Sound. Deerhunter’s is what you might call stoner music for wounded souls: haunted, distorted, quietly shifting, with anger and rage mostly suppressed but boiling-under. It’s certainly music creepier than it needs to be for a concert after Halloween. But if the election returns aren’t going as well as advertised, this will be a perfect refuge. Tuesday, Nov. 4. Doors at 8 p.m. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. Tickets are $15. Call 202-667-4490 or visit www.blackcatdc.com.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Signature

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:08:31 -0500

A dark and disturbing comedy from the pen of Martin McDonagh, which includes torture, dismemberment and multiple cat-ricides. What is ultimately so interesting about The Lieutenant of Inishmore is that the heart of the play is actually inoffensive and simple and a fairly well-worn bit of humor at that. It is swathed, however, in some of the most brutal, gory and disturbing wrappings you’re likely to see onstage any time soon. After all, the play’s romantic lead is a man whose anger issues kept him from being accepted by the IRA. The play’s bloody and uneasy humor works thanks to the guidance of director Jeremy Skidmore and the cast, who manage to make the brutally uncommon seem almost common. To Nov. 16. At Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets are $44 to $71. Call 703-820-9771 or visit www.sig-online.org.

Read Tom Avila's full review here.

A Taste of Dupont

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:14:01 -0500

Many of Dupont’s best restaurants will be offering samples of their wares, including Mark & Orlando’s, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Pesce Bistro, Al Tiramisu and Urbana, at this annual event from the Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets organization. The event also offers a taste of the neighborhood’s art, courtesy of the Phillips Collection, the Textile Museum, Mid City Artists and others. And all just before the High Heels Race kicks off a couple blocks away. Tonight, Oct. 28, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Carlyle Suites Hotel, 1731 New Hampshire Avenue NW. Tickets are $65. Call 202-441-1474 or click here.

Rita Moreno at the DCJCC

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:53:03 -0500

Performing as a singer, dancer and actor, Rita Moreno is one of the only stars to win every major show-business award -- an Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy. A Puerto Rican New Yorker, Moreno is best known from the musical West Side Story as well as HBO’s Oz. This one-night-only concert is a 20th Anniversary benefit for the Morris Cafritz Center for the Arts. Monday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater at the DCJCC, 1529 16th Street NW. Tickets for concert and dessert reception with Moreno are $100. Call 202-777-3262 or visit washingtondcjcc.org.

Fall Festival of Indian Arts

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:47:49 -0500

Dakshina Dance Company's annual Fall Festival of Indian Arts closes on Sunday, Oct. 26. The first is the last chance to see celebrated dancers the Dhananjayans. As part of their swansong tour, the Dhananjayans will perform highlights of the age-old dance form Bharata Natyam with a live orchestra from India. On Sunday, one of India’s most celebrated dancers, Malika Sarabhai, known for resurrecting dying folk and traditional dance forms as well as for her social justice and women’s right advocacy, will take the stage in a piece exploring stereotypes of women in society. Featuring a performance by Aniruddhan Vasudevan. Sunday, Oct. 26, at 4 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets range from $15 to $55. Call 202-247-1292 or visit www.dakshina.tix.com.