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EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFRandy Shulman

ART DIRECTORTodd Franson

MANAGING EDITORRhuaridh Marr

SENIOR EDITORJohn Riley

CONTRIBUTING EDITORDoug Rule

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CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORSScott G. Brooks, Christopher Cunetto

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSGordon Ashenhurst, Sean Bugg, Connor J. Hogan,

Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield

WEBMASTERDavid Uy

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTJulian Vankim

SALES & MARKETING

PUBLISHERRandy Shulman

NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVERivendell Media Co.

212-242-6863

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Dennis Havrilla

PATRON SAINTLouise Nevelson

COVER PHOTOGRAPHYTodd Franson

METRO WEEKLY1775 I St. NW, Suite 1150Washington, DC 20006

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their agents. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles oradvertising in Metro Weekly is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of

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4

APRIL 21, 2016Volume 22 / Issue 50

NEWS 6

FAIRFAX’S STALLED POLICY by John Riley

9 MONUMENTAL BABY STEPS

by Rhuaridh Marr

SCENE 10 EQUALITY V IRGINIA’S 13TH ANNUAL

COMMONWEALTH DINNER

photography by Ward Morrison

12 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FEATURES 16 ONE Y EAR LATER

Interview by John Riley

22 THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO

DINING OUT FOR LIFE

OUT ON THE TOWN

26

NAKED

AND

MAGICAL

by Randy Shulman

FILM 32 J UNGLE B OOK

by Rhuaridh Marr

CRAFTS 34 PERFECTLY CRAFTED

by Doug Rule

NIGHTLIFE 37 COBALT


SCENE 44 DIK BAR


46 LAST WORD


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Fairfax’s Stalled Policy A legal victory for a trans Gloucester County high school student could have

profound implications

AMANDA MADDOX WAS HORRIFIED TO LEARN

that her daughter was using a utility closet to changefor gym class.

“I cried for hours before I wrote the school,”Maddox says. “I was just like, ‘How in 2015 is this happening?’”

Maddox’s daughter, J., a middle school student at FairfaxCounty Public School, came out as transgender earlier this

school year. After notifying administrators, it was decided that

J E E P

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J. should use a gender-neutral restroom on the first floor, for

going to the bathroom and changing for gym class. But the facil-ity is so far away from where gym classes are held that J. didn’t

want to risk being late. Thus, she resorted to using a nearby util-ity closet. After notifying the school of her daughter’s actions,

administrators attempted to provide other accommodations.“They’ve offered notes so that she can change in the gender-

neutral area, but she doesn’t want to be late every day,” says

L G B TNews Now online at MetroWeekly.comWhole Foods says “fag” cake decoration is fraudSponsor of Tennessee “bathroom bill” pulls legislation

by John Riley


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LGBTNews

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Maddox. “And I’m not sure if, at this point, she’d be comfort-

able using the girls’ locker room.... So for her, that’s the middleground she’s comfortable with. I just wish there was an area she

was comfortable in that wasn’t a closet. But right now, there’s

not really any other options from the school besides her beinglate each day.”

A pending court case could give parents like Maddox somedegree of hope for the future. In a Tuesday decision, the 4th

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals boosted a lawsuit brought byGavin Grimm, a transgender student in Gloucester County who

is challenging his school’s restroom policy. It currently forcesGrimm and other transgender students to use an “alternative,

private” facility if they opt not to use the restroom of their bio-

logical sex at birth.After the Gloucester County School Board adopted the

policy, Grimm and his legal team argued that it is discrimina-tory under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth

Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Title IX of theEducational Amendments Act of 1972, which prohibits dis-

crimination on the basis of sex. But U.S. District Judge Robert

Doumar refused to grant an injunction that would allow Grimmto continue using the boys’ restroom as he did last school year,

and threw out the part of the lawsuit claiming discriminationunder Title IX.

In a first-of-its-kind ruling, the court of appeals voted 2-1to vacate Doumar’s rejection of a preliminary injunction and

restore Grimm’s claim of discrimination under Title IX. In themajority opinion, the court deferred to the U.S. Department of

Education’s interpretation of Title IX. The department’s Office

of Civil Rights previously ruled in a separate case out of Illinoisthat barring a female transgender student from using the girls’

restroom constituted sex discrimination. Grimm’s case nowgoes back before Doumar, who will determine whether to issue

an injunction and decide Grimm’s case on its merits.Ilona Turner, legal director of the San Francisco-based

Transgender Law Center, says that, with respect to the injunc-tion, the 4th Circuit is “essentially pointing the district court toexactly what the district court better conclude, in light of the

undisputed facts of the case and what the Court of Appeals haslaid out about what the law is under Title IX.”

“The court has made very, very clear that the district courthas no choice but to strike down the school district’s policy,

and require the school to allow Gavin to use the restroom thatmatches his gender identity,” adds Turner. “Because this deci-

sion is so broad in its holding, it will apply to virtually any case

brought within the 4th Circuit about similar policies that dis-criminate against transgender people, prohibiting them from

using facilities that match who they are.“Schools everywhere in the states covered by the 4th Circuit,

or, frankly, anywhere in the country, should be able to see thewriting on the wall and have fair warning that these types of

policies are against the law,” says Turner.

In response to Tuesday’s ruling, Fairfax County’s pro-LGBTfaculty, staff and parent organization FCPS Pride released a

statement saying their members were “heartened” by the ruling,while noting that it was a shame that Grimm will have waited

more than a year for the courts to resolve his case before beingpermitted to use the boys’ restroom.

Robert Rigby, an FCPS teacher and spokesman for FCPSPride, says Fairfax currently has a “patchwork” of policies in

place, whereby individual schools make special arrangements

with transgender students and their parents. But he says the

members of FCPS Pride are looking forward to the publication

of an across-the-board policy on how best to accommodatetransgender students.

“Fairfax has been working for a long time on a generalizedpolicy and on trainings for staff, who desperately need train-

ing,” he says.

Anecdotally, Rigby says that there’s “an explosion of transkids coming forth in Fairfax,” who are slowly beginning to take

the first steps in the coming out process. In talking to staff at

other schools, Rigby estimates that the number of studentswho identify as transgender or outside of the gender binary isapproximately 3 in every 200 students, meaning a fair number

could be affected by a decision in Grimm’s favor.Chaiya Mohanty Ortiz, whose transgender son Kayden is a

high school senior in Fairfax County, has previously talked with

Superintendent Karen Garza about implementing a uniformpolicy across the school district, as exists elsewhere, including

the District of Columbia. Ortiz says Garza’s office told her thatthey had hired a consultant to review procedures and make rec-

ommendations. But she says she was also told the school districtis waiting to see how the Grimm case is resolved.

“If Gavin’s successful, I’m assuming they will begin imple-

menting the policies and procedures, and education of facultyand staff,” Ortiz says. “But I don’t know what implications that

holds if he is not successful.... That being said, all of the publicschools in Virginia that are receiving federal funding, and are

not inclusive of our transgender and gay students, they are inviolation of Title IX and at risk of losing their federal funding.”

One of the problems that Kayden faced in previous yearswas that he was forced to use the girls’ restroom and changing

facilities. He felt so uncomfortable using the women’s locker

room during his first two years of high school that when he gotthe chance to drop physical education in his junior year, he did.

“He doesn’t feel comfortable using the women’s room orlocker room. He’s had top surgery and he’s been taking tes-

tosterone for a year-and-a-half,” explains Ortiz. “He’s legallyconsidered a male, and he is changing and developing a lot of

male characteristics. So it’s very awkward for him. He doesn’t

look like a female, or sound like a female, or — I told him — evensmell like a female. He smells like a boy.

“And the problem for him is, up to this point, rather thanstoke any controversy, he would hold [urine] all day long,” Ortiz

says. “He’s had several UTIs because of it. So that’s not good forhis health. And I can’t imagine it’s easy to concentrate in school

when you’re dying to go to the bathroom.”This year, Kayden is finally able to use the men’s room, without

any trouble, but he says he knows other transgender kids who are

still forced to use the bathroom of their biological sex at birth,pointing to a need for a more consistent system-wide policy.

Asked what a victory by Grimm in his lawsuit would mean tohim, Kayden said it would represent a “huge win” for the trans-

gender community as a whole.“I know it would help Fairfax actually start doing stuff with

the person they hired to take care of the bathroom situation,”

he says. “I feel it will change a lot of people’s opinions in NorthCarolina, hopefully. It would make it so transgender people

could use the restroom of their actual gender. It would justmean a big deal for me.”

Kayden would also like to dispel the myths, perpetuated bysome anti-LGBT opponents, that adopting pro-transgender pol-

icies will make more people identify as LGBT, or, even worse,that transgender people have ulterior motives for wanting to use

APRIL 21, 2016 METROWEEKLY.COM


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9

the bathroom that corresponds to their correct gender.“Coming out as transgender is a very difficult thing, espe-

cially at a young age, in high school,” says Kayden, who has lostfriends, received death threats, and even been threatened with

physical harm or corrective rape from fellow students since

coming out as transgender.“No one would purposely say they’re transgender just so

they could, for example, get in the other bathroom just to get a

chance to look at some girl or some guy changing or something,”he adds. “It’s a very real experience. The hate that we receive

hurts us more than you know. And I just hope that people wouldgrasp a better understanding of what it means to be transgender,

and how, with support from other people, it can completely

change people’s lives.” l

METROWEEKLY.COM APRIL 21, 2016

MonumentalBaby Steps

Two landmark cases are expanding the discussion on same-sex marriage andtransgender rights in China

By Rhuaridh Marr

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE ISfreedom and equality,” said Sun Wenlin, his

partner Hu Mingliang at his side. He was speak-ing to The Guardian outside a court in Changsha,

China, after learning that the couple’s landmark same-sex mar-riage case had been dismissed. “We will continue to appeal. I

think it is worthwhile,” he added. “It catches people’s attention

and it will help our opinions spread.”Sun and Hu started their lawsuit last year, on their first

anniversary, and in the process became China’s first legal caseregarding the recognition of same-sex marriage. The couple

brought suit against Hunan province’s civil affairs bureau, afterofficials there refused to recognize their relationship as a mar-

riage. A court agreed in January to hear the case, but after it

finally reached a judge last week, just three hours later it wasdismissed.

Outside the court, LGBT activists gathered in a show of sup-port for Sun and Hu. In March, China’s government banned any

gay people from being shown on television as part of an effort toremove “vulgar, immoral and unhealthy content.” It would have

been easy to view Sun and Hu’s loss as yet another blow for theLGBT movement, but despite the setback, the overall mood was

one of positivity.

“Even though the case was rejected by the court I still thinkit is a big step since it has already raised huge attention and

discussion, which was the case’s original goal,” said John Shen,program manager at the Beijing LGBT Centre. “It is a monu-

ment on the way to victory.”Homosexuality has been legal in China since 1997, but

the country’s authoritarian government refuses to recognize

same-sex relationships, instead placing emphasis on hetero-sexual marriage as the ideal norm — to that effect, same-sex

adoption is banned both for Chinese people and prospectiveoverseas same-sex couples. There are also no protections for

LGBT people enshrined in either China’s constitution or itsLabour Law, with nondiscrimination ordinances nonexistent

except for limited instances in Hong Kong and Macau. Thatlack of protection was highlight by another landmark case

last week.In the city of Guiyang, a transgender man known only as

Chen is suing his former employer — Ciming Health Checkup

Centre — after he was dismissed for wearing men’s clothes.According to Guiyang Evening News, Chen was let go after only

a week, with a manager stating that “Chen’s appearance reallydidn’t fit our standards.”

Chen is suing the company for 2,000 yuan (almost $310)— five weeks wages — and is demanding a written apology.

Campaigners say it’s the first time a Chinese court has accepted

a case dealing with transgender rights — currently, transgenderpeople can legally change their gender and have gender confir-

mation surgery if they’re at least 20 years old, but have no otherlegal protections.

If successful, Chen’s case would set a precedent in a countrywhere LGBT rights are still a relatively hostile issue. A ruling is

expected later this month, but activists are wary to anticipatesuccess after Sun and Hu’s case was dismissed. Chen, however,

is aware that having his case heard at all is a milestone in its

own right.“I wanted to defend my own rights and to receive the respect

that I deserve,” he told The Guardian. “I also want to use thiscase to teach LGBT people how to defend our own rights and

give ourselves a voice.... What we need is a harmonious andmutually respectful society.”

For Shi Fulong, a lawyer representing Sun and Hu, there’s

a simple solution for the lack of protections offered to China’sLGBT population.

“If the law is unable to provide people with equality and jus-tice, it means the law needs to be changed.” l


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10 SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE

sceneEquality Virginia’s13th AnnualCommonwealthDinner at theGreater RichmondConvention Center

Saturday, April 16

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WARD MORRISON

scan this tagwith your

smartphone

for bonus scene

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The DC Center holds its CENTERAGING MONTHLY LUNCH socialfor members of D.C.’s senior com-munity. 12-2 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,Suite 105. For more information, visitthedccenter.org or call 202-682-2245.

WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES, asocial discussion and activity group for

LBT women, meets at The DC Centeron the second and fourth Fridays ofeach month. Group social activity tofollow the meeting. 8-9:30 p.m. 200014th St. NW, Suite 105. For moreinformation, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda-transculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice

session at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr.SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. Appointmentneeded. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700.202-638-0750.

PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-affirming social group for ages 11-24.4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road NW.Contact Tamara, 202-319-0422, layc-dc.org.

SMYAL’S REC NIGHT providesa social atmosphere for GLBT andquestioning youth, featuring danceparties, vogue nights, movies andgames. More info, [email protected].

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-6p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, [email protected].

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg,414 East Diamond Ave., and inTakoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m.For appointments other hours, callGaithersburg, 301-300-9978, or

Takoma Park, 301-422-2398.


SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. 202-567-3155or [email protected].

US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.,3636 Georgia Ave. NW. The group isindependent of UHU. 202-446-1100.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

INSTITUTE for young LBTQ women,13-21, interested in leadership devel-opment. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL YouthCenter, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3163,[email protected].

FRIDAY, APRIL 22GAMMA, a confidential supportgroup for men who are gay, bisexual,questioning and who are married orinvolved with a woman, meets onthe second and fourth Fridays of themonth. GAMMA also offers addition-al meeting times and places for menin Northern Virginia and Maryland.

7:30-9:30 p.m. St. Thomas’ ParishEpiscopal Church, 1772 Church St.NW. For more information, visitGAMMAinDC.org.

LGB PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP foradults in Montgomery County offersa safe space to explore coming outand issues of identity. 10-11:30 a.m.16220 S. Frederick Rd., Suite 512,Gaithersburg, Md. For more informa-tion, visit thedccenter.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21GAY & LESBIAN ACTIVISTSALLIANCE holds its 45th Anniversary Reception and pres-ents Distinguished Service Awardsto Monica Palacio, Sterling A.Washington and June Crenshaw.

6:30-8:30 p.m. at Policy Restaurantand Lounge, 1901 14th Street NW@ T Street. Tickets $55 & up at thedoor. 202-328-6278. glaa.org.

The DC Center holds a meeting of

its POLY DISCUSSION GROUP, forpeople interested in polyamory, non-monogamy or other non-traditionalrelationships. 7-8 p.m. 2000 14th St.NW, Suite 105. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL

HEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). Call 202-291-4707, or visitandromedatransculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)practice session at Takoma AquaticCenter, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9p.m. swimdcac.org.

DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay and lesbian square-dancing group featuresmainstream through advanced squaredancing at the National City ChristianChurch, 5 Thomas Circle NW, 7-9:30p.m. Casual dress. 301-257-0517,dclambdasquares.org.

The DULLES TRIANGLES Northern Virginia social group meets for happyhour at Sheraton in Reston, 11810Sunrise Valley Drive, second-floor bar, 7-9 p.m. All welcome. dullestri-angles.com.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

Metro Weekly’s Community Calendar highlights important events in the D.C.-area

LGBT community, from alternative social events to volunteer opportunities.

Event information should be sent by email to [email protected].

Deadline for inclusion is noon of the Friday before Thursday’s publication.

Questions about the calendar may be directed to the

Metro Weekly office at 202-638-6830 or

the calendar email address.

LGBTCommunityCalendar

SATURDAY, APRIL 23ADVENTURING outdoors groupsponsors easy 5-mile hike throughNational Arboretum in NE DC at theheight of the azalea bloom. Bring beverages, lunch, sunscreen, bug sprayand a few dollars for fees. Carpool at9 a.m. from the Dupont Circle Metro

Station, 20th & Q Street entrance. Jeff,301-775-9660. adventuring.org.

BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay vol-unteer organization, volunteers todayfor Food & Friends. To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.

CHRYSALIS arts & culture group visits Maryland’s Eastern Shoreto see Chesapeake Bay MaritimeMuseum and other sights in historicSt. Michaels and Oxford. Carpool at9 a.m. from New Carrollton MetroStation. Drivers needed. More info,Craig, 202-462-0535. craighowell1@ verizon.net.

The DC Center hosts a DISCUSSIONABOUT CRYSTAL METH, HIV ANDGAY MEN. 3-5 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,Suite 105. For more information, visitthedccenter.org or contact [email protected].

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707 or andromeda-transculturalhealth.org.

BET MISHPACHAH, founded bymembers of the LGBT community,holds Saturday morning Shabbat services, 10 a.m., followed by Kiddushluncheon. Services in DCJCCCommunity Room, 1529 16th St. NW. betmish.org.

BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, includingothers interested in Brazilian culture,meets. For location/time, email [email protected].

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practicesession at Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr.,SW. 8:30-10 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walk-ing/social club welcomes all levels forexercise in a fun and supportive envi-ronment, socializing afterward. Meet9:30 a.m., 23rd & P Streets NW, for awalk; or 10 a.m. for fun run. dcfront-runners.org.

DC SENTINELS basketball teammeets at Turkey Thicket RecreationCenter, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE, 2-4p.m. For players of all levels, gay orstraight. teamdcbasketball.org.


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DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass forLGBT community, family and friends.6:30 p.m., Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria. All welcome. For moreinfo, visit dignitynova.org.

GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discussescritical languages and foreign lan-guages. 7 p.m. Nellie’s, 900 U St. NW.RVSP preferred. brendandarcy@

gmail.com.

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Takoma Park,7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411.Walk-ins 12-3 p.m. For appointmentsother hours, call 301-422-2398.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24ADVENTURING outdoors group holdsits Spring Potluck Social in a privatehome in Alexandria, Va. All welcome.Bring a substantial dish to share. 4-8p.m. For more information, call Brett,

202-236-9968. adventuring.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

LGBT-inclusiveALL SOULSMEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH celebrates Low Mass at 8:30 a.m., HighMass at 11 a.m. 2300 Cathedral Ave.NW. 202-232-4244, allsoulsdc.org.

BETHEL CHURCH-DC progressiveand radically inclusive church holdsservices at 11:30 a.m. 2217 Minnesota Ave. SE. 202-248-1895, betheldc.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice

session at Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr.,SW. 9:30-11 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

DIGNITYUSA offers Roman CatholicMass for the LGBT community. 6p.m., St. Margaret’s Church, 1820Connecticut Ave. NW. All welcome.Sign interpreted. For more info, visitdignitynova.org.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITEDCHURCH OF CHRIST welcomes allto 10:30 a.m. service, 945 G St. NW.firstuccdc.org or 202-628-4317.

FRIENDS MEETING OFWASHINGTON meets for worship,10:30 a.m., 2111 Florida Ave. NW,Quaker House Living Room (next toMeeting House on Decatur Place),2nd floor. Special welcome to lesbiansand gays. Handicapped accessiblefrom Phelps Place gate. Hearingassistance. quakersdc.org.

HOPE UNITED CHURCH OFCHRIST welcomes GLBT commu-nity for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130Old Telegraph Road, Alexandria.hopeucc.org.

HSV-2 SOCIAL AND SUPPORTGROUP for gay men living in the DCmetro area. This group will be meet-ing once a month. For information onlocation and time, visit H2gether.com.

INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUALDEVELOPMENT, God-centered newage church & learning center. SundayServices and Workshops event. 5419Sherier Place NW. isd-dc.org.

Join LINCOLN CONGREGATIONALTEMPLE – UNITED CHURCH OFCHRIST for an inclusive, loving andprogressive faith community everySunday. 11 a.m. 1701 11th Street NW,near R in Shaw/Logan neighborhood.lincolntemple.org.

LUTHERAN CHURCH OFREFORMATION invites all to Sundayworship at 8:30 or 11 a.m. Childcare isavailable at both services. WelcomingLGBT people for 25 years. 212 EastCapitol St. NE. reformationdc.org.

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITYCHURCH OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led by Rev. EmmaChattin. Children’s Sunday School, 11a.m. 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax.703-691-0930, mccnova.com.

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITYCHURCH OF WASHINGTON, D.C. services at 9 a.m. (ASL interpreted)and 11 a.m. Children’s Sunday Schoolat 11 a.m. 474 Ridge St. NW. 202-638-7373, mccdc.com.

NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIANCHURCH, inclusive church withGLBT fellowship, offers gospel wor-ship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional wor-ship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle NW.202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org.

RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH,a Christ-centered, interracial, wel-coming-and-affirming church, offersservice at 10 a.m. 680 I St. SW. 202-554-4330, riversidedc.org.

ST. STEPHEN AND THEINCARNATION, an “interracial,multi-ethnic Christian Community”offers services in English, 8 a.m. and10:30 a.m., and in Spanish at 5:15 p.m.1525 Newton St. NW. 202-232-0900,

saintstephensdc.org.

UNITARIAN CHURCH OFARLINGTON, an LGBTQ welcoming-and-affirming congregation, offersservices at 10 a.m. Virginia RainbowUU Ministry. 4444 Arlington Blvd.uucava.org.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTCHURCH OF SILVER SPRING invites LGBTQ families and individu-als of all creeds and cultures to jointhe church. Services 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.10309 New Hampshire Ave. uucss.org.


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UNIVERSALIST NATIONALMEMORIAL CHURCH, a welcom-ing and inclusive church. GLBTInterweave social/service groupmeets monthly. Services at 11 a.m.,Romanesque sanctuary. 1810 16th St.NW. 202-387-3411, universalist.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 25

WEEKLY EVENTS

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 927 OhioDr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

DC SCANDALS RUGBY holdspractice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. GarrisonElementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscan-dals.wordpress.com.

GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. atQuaker House, 2111 Florida Ave. [email protected].

HIV Testing at WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH. At the ElizabethTaylor Medical Center, 1701 14thSt. NW, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the MaxRobinson Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave.SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appoint-ment call 202-745-7000. Visit whit-man-walker.org.

KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY(K.I.) SERVICES, 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free “rapid” HIVtesting and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

703-823-4401.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. No appoint-

ment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14thSt. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

NOVASALUD offers free HIV test-ing. 5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite200, Arlington. Appointments:

703-789-4467.

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155 or test-

[email protected].

THE DC CENTER hosts Coffee Drop-In for the Senior LGBT Community.

10 a.m.-noon. 2000 14th St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedccenter.org.

US HELPING US hosts a black gaymen’s evening affinity group. 3636

Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.

WASHINGTON WETSKINS WATERPOLO TEAM practices 7-9 p.m.Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 VanBuren St. NW. Newcomers with atleast basic swimming ability alwayswelcome. Tom, 703-299-0504, [email protected], wetskins.org.

WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTHHIV/AIDS Support Group for newlydiagnosed individuals, meets 7 p.m.Registration required. 202-939-7671,[email protected].

TUESDAY, APRIL 26The DC Center’s GENDERQUEER DCsupport and discussion group for peo-ple who identify outside the gender binary, meets on the fourth Tuesdayof every month. 7-8:30 p.m. 2000 14thSt. NW, Suite 105. For more informa-tion, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS


ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly din-ner in Dupont/Logan Circle area, 6:30

p.m. [email protected], afwashington.net.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)practice session at Takoma AquaticCenter, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9p.m. swimdcac.org.

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walk-ing/social club serving greater D.C.’sLGBT community and allies hosts anevening run/walk. dcfrontrunners.org.

THE GAY MEN’S HEALTHCOLLABORATIVE offers free HIVtesting and STI screening and treat-

ment every Tuesday. 5-6:30 p.m.Rainbow Tuesday LGBT Clinic, Alexandria Health Department, 4480King St. 703-746-4986 or text 571-214-9617. [email protected].

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment call 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

THE HIV WORKING GROUP of THEDC CENTER hosts “Packing Party,”where volunteers assemble safe-sex

kits of condoms and lube. 7 p.m.,Green Lantern, 1335 Green Court NW.thedccenter.org.

IDENTITY offers free and confidentialHIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414 EastDiamond Ave., and in Takoma Park,7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411.Walk-ins 2-6 p.m. For appointmentsother hours, call Gaithersburg at301-300-9978 or Takoma Park at 301-

422-2398.

KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY(K.I.) SERVICES, at 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free “rapid” HIVtesting and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.703-823-4401.


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OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS—LGBT focused meeting everyTuesday, 7 p.m. St. George’sEpiscopal Church, 915 Oakland Ave., Arlington, just steps from VirginiaSquare Metro. For more info. call

Dick, 703-521-1999. Handicappedaccessible. Newcomers [email protected].

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, [email protected].

SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ YOUTH ages 13-21 meets at SMYAL,410 7th St. SE, 5-6:30 p.m. CathyChu, 202-567-3163, [email protected].

US HELPING US hosts a supportgroup for black gay men 40 and older.7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.

Whitman-Walker Health’s GAYMEN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS/STD CLINIC opens at 6 p.m., 170114th St. NW. Patients are seen onwalk-in basis. No-cost screening forHIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chla-mydia. Hepatitis and herpes testingavailable for fee. whitman-walker.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27The DC Center hosts a monthly

meeting of its HIV PREVENTIONWORKING GROUP. 6-8 p.m. 200014th St. NW, Suite 105. For moreinformation, visit thedccenter.org.

THE LAMBDA BRIDGE CLUB meets for Duplicate Bridge. 7:30 p.m.Dignity Center, 721 8th St SE (acrossfrom Marine Barracks). No reserva-tions needed. All welcome. 202-841-0279 if you need a partner.

WEEKLY EVENTS

AD LIB, a group for freestyle con- versation, meets about 6:30-6 p.m.,Steam, 17th and R NW. All welcome.For more information, call FaustoFernandez, 703-732-5174.


DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 927 OhioDr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

DC SCANDALS RUGBY holdspractice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. GarrisonElementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscan-dals.wordpress.com.

HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH offers Wednesday worship 7:15 a.m.and 12:05 p.m. All welcome. 118 N.Washington St., Alexandria. 703-549-

1450, historicchristchurch.org.

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414East Diamond Ave. Walk-ins 2-7 p.m.For appointments other hours, callGaithersburg at 301-300-9978.

JOB CLUB, a weekly support pro-gram for job entrants and seekers,meets at The DC Center. 6-7:30 p.m.2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more

info, www.centercareers.org.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. No appoint-ment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14th

St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing.11 a.m.-2 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite200, Arlington. Appointments: 703-789-4467.

PRIME TIMERS OF DC, socialclub for mature gay men, hostsweekly happy hour/dinner. 6:30 p.m.,Windows Bar above Dupont ItalianKitchen, 1637 17th St. NW. Carl, 703-573-8316.l


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u r p l

e

P a

s s i o n

Freddie Lutz gives 110% to everything he does —

including donating to Dining Out for Life

nterview by John Riley

Photography by Todd Franson STROLL INTO FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR ON A RANDOMday and you’re likely to find owner Freddie Lutz and staff

preparing for that night’s festivities, moving furniture,putting up decorations, congenially cracking jokes. Taking

in Freddie’s renowed royal purple-hued interior, displays crammed

with Barbie dolls and flamingoes, it’s abundantly clear that this is abar where people can let their hair down. And true to form, Freddie’s,

the only gay bar in Northern Virginia, is always bustling.“I think that is the biggest selling point about Freddie’s is that it’s

a fun, friendly place,” says Lutz. “A lot of the gay bars can be stuffyand snooty, and Freddie’s is definitely not that. I had a woman from

New York come in, and she wrote this rather snooty review on Yelp.

She said, ‘Oh my god. I just hate the place, it’s so overdone.’ So Iwrote back and said, ‘If you think it’s overdone now, come back at

Christmas.’ Just when you think I couldn’t fit anymore stuff aroundhere, Christmas comes along.”

An Arlington native and son of an Army colonel, Lutz takes pridein his bar’s widespread appeal, noting that it attracts everyone from

military personnel to a significant transgender population to straightallies. Freddie’s has been the meeting place for several long-term

couples, and even the backdrop for a first-of-its-kind gay wedding in

February.

It’s also home to Freddie’s Follies, a Saturday night drag show andWednesday Drag Bingo nights. Lutz has even taken a turn on the dragstage, though his Tina Turner tribute was slightly marred by a fall

from six-inch spiked heels.Another aspect of Lutz’s business involves partnering with local

community or workplace groups to host monthly or annual events,


17/48

designed to bring members of the local LGBT community and their allies

together. For instance, Freddie’s plays host to a monthly brunch and anannual Christmas Party for the Arlington Gay & Lesbian Alliance, with Lutz

planning to host the group’s annual ice cream social at his house this summer.

The bar also attracts a military presence on the third Thursday of each month,when it hosts a happy hour for military and civilian employees who work at the

Pentagon, a few miles away. And Lutz holds a “Gayborhood Night” on the lastSunday of each month, meant to serve as a neighborhood social for the residents of

Crystal City.Freddie’s is one among more than 100 restaurants contributing a portion of their

proceeds to Food & Friends’ 20th Annual Dining Out for Life, held Thursday, April 28.


18/48


The event raises money to help continue home-delivered gro-cery services and nutrition counseling for low-income people

suffering from HIV and AIDS. Lutz goes above and beyond the

call of duty, donating 110% of the day’s revenue.“I started that a few years ago, and part of the thinking was

that we thought other restaurants would jump on board withthat,” Lutz says. “Nobody else seems to have done it. But it’s a

nice thing to do and the extra 10 percent helps give the event anextra boost.”

Freddie’s will offer a buffet to patrons who come as part of

Dining Out for Life. But in typical Freddie’s fashion, dinner oftenturns into a communal event.

“In the beginning, we were doing specific seatings duringthe night,” says Lutz. “And we found that, since it’s a weekday,

people would rather just come whenever they can. So we’vedone open seating for the past couple of years, just like we do for

our Sunday brunch. That’s worked out well for us.”Lutz was recently honored as one of Equality Virginia’s

OUTstanding Virginians, an award bestowed upon LGBT

Virginians who have made significant contributions to theLGBT community. In addition to his work with AGLA and his

contributions to both Capital and NOVA Prides,Lutz has successfully made Freddie’s a safe space

for the LGBT community in which to congregate.Bringing together the often disparate segments of

a sometimes fractured community is an accom-

plishment Lutz is proud of.“One thing about Freddie’s that I think is

magical is everyone gets along in here,” Lutz says.“Whether they’re straight or gay or bisexual or

transgender, or black or green, it doesn’t matter.Everybody gets along. I’ve had tons of people tell

me that’s what they really love about this place.”

METRO WEEKLY: Tell me about your childhood.

FREDDIE LUTZ: I live in the house I grew up in, since

I was three years old, right up the hill from the restaurant. Mydad was military. I was born in New York City. We moved to St.Louis for a short period, and then to here, in Arlington. I went

to school locally, Oakridge Elementary, right around the cornerfrom my house, Gunston, and then Wakefield for high school.

MW: Were you an only child?

LUTZ: No, I have one brother. He’s a professor at RutgersUniversity in marine biology.MW: When did you first realize you were gay?

LUTZ: Pretty early on. I kind of had a little boyfriend in third

grade. [ Laughs. ] But I also experimented with dating women upuntil college, and just decided that it wasn’t my cup of tea. I used

to play with Barbie dolls when I was a kid. My friend Marilyn,who’s a lesbian, and I joke, because as a kid, she was always play-

ing cowboys and indians, and I was playing with my Barbie dolls.MW: When did you officially come out to your family?

LUTZ: In college. My mother was washing dishes at the kitchen

sink. And I had just hung up with a former girlfriend, and I wasall exasperated, and I let out this big sigh. And my mother said,

“I know.” And I said, “What do you mean, you know? I’m talkingabout the fact that—” and I was going to say “I’m a homosexual,”

and she turns around and says, “Gay?” So my mother was very

understanding.Dad was military. We didn’t really discuss it. But I knew that

he knew, and he was very supportive of me in every way, includ-ing the whole arts school thing, and protesting the Vietnam War.

Both my parents were terrific.

MW: Where did you go to college?

LUTZ: I went to the Rhode Island School of Design. And when I

graduated, I wasn’t a famous artist, so I came back home and my

mother said, “Why don’t you get a job at Portofino Restaurant?”I applied for a waiter job and ended up as stockroom manager at

the beginning, and later became a waiter at Cafe Italia when theyopened it across the street. I was maitre’d and waiter there for 25

years, before I lost my mind and opened Freddie’s.MW: What prompted you to open Freddie’s?

LUTZ: I said to my boss at Cafe Italia, “After 25 years I’m starting

to get a little bored.” And we had talked about opening a gay bartogether, and I said, “I just want to try this on my own.” And he

was actually very helpful to me in this venture. That was 2001.We’ve been here 16 years.MW: Virginia has historically not had a very good reputation whenit comes to LGBT rights. Why set up a gay bar in Arlington?

LUTZ: It’s my home. And I think that if we’re going to makechange, it’s the perfect place to be. I had somebody say to me

at Pride one year, “Why would you want to have a gay bar in

Arlington? They’re so terrible over there in Virginia.” And I saidthe same thing, that if we’re going to make change, that’s what

we need to do. And I think Freddie’s has helped change the waypeople look at the LGBT community in Virginia.MW: Was there any resistance from the local community when you

opened?

LUTZ: Well, I often say to people that if I had tried to open

Freddie’s 10 years prior to when we did, I think I would have

had more difficulty doing it. The timing of when we opened waspretty good, because at the time, the Arlington Police were doing

diversity training and we were pretty well received. It also helpsthat I was well connected to the neighborhood. I grew up here,

people knew me, they knew my reputation. I knew everyone onthe civic associations. I was familiar with ABC [alcoholic bever-

age control] and they knew me from Cafe Italia. Cafe Italia waspretty gay-friendly already, they had drag shows at Halloween,

so it was an easy, smooth transition. And once we did open,

people recognized that the crowd coming in here was very well-behaved and rather classy. And I think it did a good job in shin-

ing a light on gays and lesbians. We were also straight-friendly,which helped project that.MW: So there hasn’t been any issues?

LUTZ: I can count on one hand, maybe going to two hands now,

the amount of trouble we’ve had in here. It’s really very minor.

I love to tell this story: These two redneck guys came in, say-ing some anti-gay profanities while they were walking around

the bar. Sometimes, it’s easier for me to call down to the sportsbar if I need police, because they’re always hanging out there,

either undercover or on duty as uniformed police. So that’s

“Whether they’re straight or gay orbisexual or transgender, it doesn’t

matter. Everybody gets along. THAT’S

WHAT PEOPLE REALLY LOVE ABOUT

THIS PLACE.”


19/48



20/48


what I did. And Billy Bayne, who owns the sports bar and is verystraight, who also owns the topless bar down the street, a former

football player but also a good friend, asks me, “Are you having

trouble, Freddie?” And I said “I’m anticipating trouble.” And hecame up with about five of his football buddies and just escorted

those guys right out of here. And I thought that was amazingsupport.MW: What changes have you seen in the clientele who come to

Freddie’s?

LUTZ: It’s been an interesting evolution. But there’s been some

surprises, even for me. The whole “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” thingwith the military, given our proximity to the Pentagon — we

have a large gay military clientele that comes over. We also havea very large transgender clientele.MW: You were open for nine years before DADT was repealed. Did

you see an increase after repeal?

LUTZ: Once DADT was repealed, it greatly increased the numberof military people who came in here. On the occasion of the

repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” they were passing around two

napkins that were signed by a whole bunch of generals, and soforth. They had been in the military, but had not been able to

come out.In addition to those generals who were signing the napkins,

one of our regulars was the first-ever out brigadier general inthe Army, and her partner. They actually presented me with a

flag that she had flown over Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan on

the occasion of repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in my honor forproviding a safe place for the people from the Pentagon to hang

out at. She gave me a flag that she had framed in a little box withrainbow stars and a plaque.MW: You were recently honored by Equality Virginia as anOUTstanding Virginian. How did you feel when you learned of

the honor?

LUTZ: I was extremely honored, obviously. So much of my suc-

cess has come from my customers. It’s the people that come in

here that have supported me through all these years who have

really enabled me to get an award like that.In the beginning when I first opened up, I just came in andstarted painting everything purple. I never closed the doors, I

just took over the next day and started painting everything. Therednecks at the bar were like, “What the hell is he doing?” And I

said, “Just bear with me, it’s a work in progress.”

You know, we weren’t perfect in the beginning. The foodwasn’t all that great. I was trying to get the place together. I had

so many people say to me, “Freddie, you know, the food wasn’tthat great tonight, but we know what you’re trying to do here,

and we’re going to stick with you and support you.” And that’swhat’s happened for the most part, even to this day. If I’ve had

any bumps in the road, the gay community has really supportedme and helped me get to where I am today. So when I get named

an OUTstanding Virginian, I really have to attribute that to my

client base.MW: What was the bar before it became Freddie’s?

LUTZ: It was called the Foxhole. Originally, they were here for 10years, and everything was painted hunter green, with fox hunt-

ing pictures on the wall. But they sort of morphed into a sportspub kind of thing.

MW: When you started painting everything purple, did that drive

out some clientele?

LUTZ: Well, those were some of my favorite times back then,

because it was such an incredible mix in here of redneck peoplewho liked to sing karaoke, which we kept, and then all the gay

people.

MW: Some of the trademark characteristics of Freddie’s are its purple hue, the flamingos, the Barbie dolls, the various decorations

on the wall. How did that start?

LUTZ: Well, having gone to art school, there’s a little thing called“artistic license.” I’ve stolen ideas from other places. And one of

the ideas that I stole was from Key West. That was the purplecolor. There was a little diner called Diner Shores that I stole the

purple idea from, and these tablecloths, actually.MW: How tough were those first few years?

LUTZ: The first three years were the most difficult, as they are for

anybody trying to run a business. Of course, I thought I kneweverything, coming from managing Cafe Italia for 25 years, but

all of a sudden, when you own a place, you’re getting involved inpayroll, and taxes, and permits. It’s a lot of work. I put in a lot of

long hours. That was probably the most challenging time.MW: Was there ever a concept or special or event that you tried that

didn’t work or that you rolled back?

LUTZ: Comedy night, maybe. But we didn’t really stop that

because it wasn’t working. It was okay. I can think of things we

started that did work. I can’t really think of anything we’ve donethat hasn’t worked in here.

We did have issues with the food-to-alcohol ratio. Virginiahas a law that sets a 50% ratio between alcohol and food ser-

vice. It doesn’t apply to beer or wine, but it does apply to mixedbeverages. And the gay kids have the drinking part down really

well, but it’s hard to keep the food ratio part of it up. So that’s

when we started our Sunday champagne buffet brunch. Becausechampagne, being a wine, doesn’t affect the ratio. So it was a way

for us to sell more food. That was a huge success, and continuesto be to this day.MW: You mentioned the food wasn’t the best when you first opened.What did you change to make the menu better?

LUTZ: I would say the food and the atmosphere wasn’t all it couldbe when we first opened up, because we were trying to get it

together and get things organized. The food part was finding

a great chef. I’ve got a chef now who everybody loves. And the

atmosphere just morphed over time. It takes a while to get theplace to look this kitschy-tacky. [ Laughs. ]MW: What are some of your better memories from your 16 years?

LUTZ: The drag queens did a “Big Girls Show” one time. KristinaKelly was here, and some of the larger girls. And for props, they

had brought pizzas and a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken,

and stuff like that. About five minutes before the show came on,the power went out. I encouraged everyone to stay put, because

I was sure the power would come back on. And when the lightscame back on, all the fried chicken was gone. They ate all the

props.MW: What was your first experience in a gay bar?

LUTZ: It was either Mr. P’s on P Street in D.C., or The Other Sidein Boston, which was a big club. I probably went to both of those

around the same time period.MW: What was your impression of those bars?

LUTZ: Well, the club, The Other Side, in Boston, as we were walk-

ing up, these drag queens were passing us, and I was just sort ofin awe and a little bit of shock, maybe. I think that was actually

the first bar I went to, and then Mr. P’s.MW: Did you borrow ideas from your first clubbing experiences as

well?

LUTZ: Well, the walls in here, which are a collage of “foundobjects.” My boyfriend calls me Fred Sanford, because I’m

always going through people’s trash piles. There was an artistI studied in art school named Louise Nevelson, and that was

what she did. It was collages out of found objects, but she would


21/48


normally paint the entire thing black or charcoalbrown or white. So, again, artistic license, I stole

her idea, but I put a little color in the picture. I

did the four-color scheme: purple, lavender, aquaand blue.MW: In terms of the found objects, is the trash where

you found most of these things?

LUTZ: Yes.MW: Ever go to yard sales as well?

LUTZ: No, trash. [ Laughs. ] Different things, but

a lot of it is just out of trash. We were drivingthrough Georgetown one day with the convert-

ible, and I screeched on the brakes, and Johnnysaid, “What?” And I said, “A futon!” In the back,

that sunburst thing, my neighbor in the back wasreplacing the railings on his deck and threw eight

of those out, and I took them all.MW: How long have you been with your current

boyfriend?

LUTZ: Going on 18.MW: How did you meet?

LUTZ: We met at JR.’s. I love JR.’s. [Owner] EricLittle is a good friend. But we were meeting there

to go to Trumpets to celebrate my birthday and the birthday ofmy friend, Dylan. And Johnny was sitting at the far end of the

table, and he was trying to pick up my friend, Terry, who worked

with me at Cafe Italia, and vice versa. So he said he was going tocome and see Terry at Cafe Italia. Terry was a flight attendant,

and the times that Johnny came to see him, Terry wasn’t work-ing. So I sort of swooped in. The rest is history.

We’re going for the Guinness Book of World Records’ longestengagement. We’re thinking about getting married in the near

future, possibly this year or next.MW: What would you like your legacy to be?

LUTZ: Just bringing people together, not only in the community,

but bridging the gap between the gay and the straight communi-

ty. It’s an honor to be recieve the OUTstanding Virginian award,and it’s nice to receive it while I’m still alive, rather than havingto die before getting recognition.MW: One of the things about bars and restaurants is owners oftendon’t like to be political. But this is D.C. Does some politics invari-

ably bleed into the bar scene?

LUTZ: Yes, definitely. And I’ve gotten in trouble over the years.I try to stay out of politics as much as I can, but I’ve supported

a couple of candidates over the years. In one case in particular,I was supporting a friend of mine who was running for local

school board, I guess. And her opponent was a gay candidate,and I didn’t realize I was getting into that whole can of worms.

So that was a little awkward.MW: Did your friend win?

LUTZ: No, I don’t think she did, actually. [ Laughs. ]MW: But no hurt feelings?

LUTZ: None. I have had people ask if they can do fundraisers

here, and so forth, and I’m pretty open to doing that for anybody,Democrat, Republican. That’s the way I get around that. People

say, “Oh, how could you do a fundraiser for so-and-so?” And Isay, “Well, I would do it for the other candidate as well.”

MW: Obviously, this cycle has been the gift that keeps on giving for

political news coverage.

LUTZ: Very entertaining.MW: Without getting yourself in trouble, is there anything you’veseen that disturbs you?

LUTZ: Well, most recently, what’s going on in North Carolina

and Mississippi. Ellen came out against them. Did you see that?I loved the way she kept her sense of humor throughout it, but

made some very poignant points.MW: On that note, we are in Virginia. There was a bathroom bill

here as well, and another bill that passed that would have alloweddiscrimination against LGBT people. Is there ever some concern

that something like that could, down the road, pass and affect youor your clients?

LUTZ: Of course. But again, I think we just have to keep pushing.

Adam Ebbin represents us in Richmond very well. People likehim and myself just have to keep pushing for our rights.MW: What would your message be to delegates in Virginia’sGeneral Assembly who, in the future, get a bill placed in front of

them that’s being pushed by conservative anti-gay groups?LUTZ: Hopefully, it won’t get to that point. But if it did, like I said,

I protested the Vietnam War when I was in school, and I couldprotest something like that as well. I think we would find ways to

actively show our disapproval, whether through signage or some

sort of rally. We’d come up with something.MW: When the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in

Virginia was on the ballot in 2006, did you campaign against theamendment?

LUTZ: Yeah, we had signs up in here, and almost sort of a partyatmosphere.

MW: After the amendment passed, how did you pick everybody’s

spirits up?

LUTZ: [ Laughs. ] Well, my clientele drinks a lot. I think when

things like that happen, you just have to keep plugging along, anddo what you can to make change and keep trying.MW: Give them somewhere to laugh, cry and feel at home?

LUTZ: The gay Cheers. l

Freddie’s Beach Bar is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays

and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends. It’s located at 555 23rd St. S, in

Arlington, Va. For more information, call 703-685-0555 or email [email protected].

Dining Out for Life is Thursday, April 28. See page 22 for a com-

plete list of participating restaurants and donation amounts. Visit foodandfriends.org/dol or call 202-269-2826.

“I think Freddie’s hashelped change theway people look at the LGBT community in

Virginia.”


22/48


LIFE

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

DININGOUT FOR

T

O D D F R A N S O N

A complete guide to all participatingrestaurants as of press time, byneighborhood, including meals andwhat percentage of each bill will bedonated to Food & Friends. This year’sDining Out for Life takes place onTHURSDAY, APRIL 28TH. Please note

that RESERVATIONS ARE SUGGESTEDat most restaurants. Please callahead or visit OpenTable.com. Foran up-to-date list of restaurants visitfoodandfriends.org/dol.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

ADAMS MORGAN

MINTWOOD PLACE1813 Columbia Rd. NW

202-234-6732

Dinner, 25%

PERRY’S1811 Columbia Rd. NW

202-234-6218Dinner, 25%

ATLAS/H STREET

LE GRENIER502 H St. NE202-544-4999

Dinner, 25%

REDROCKSNEAPOLITAN BISTRO

1348 H St. NE202-261-7300Dinner, 25%


23/48


MARYLAND

BLOOMINGDALE

THE PUB AND THEPEOPLE

1648 North Capitol St. NW202-234-1800Dinner, 25%

BRENTWOOD

SALA THAIRESTAURANT2300 Washington Place NE

202-808-2189Lunch & Dinner, 25%

BROOKLAND

BROOKLAND’S FINESTBAR & KITCHEN3126 12th St. NE

202-636-0050Lunch & Dinner, 50%

CAPITOL HILL

CAFÉ BERLIN322 Massachusetts Ave.

NE202-543-7656

Lunch & Dinner, 25%

HANK’S OYSTER BARON THE HILL

633 Pennsylvania Ave. SE202-733-1971Dinner, 25%

CENTRALNORTHEAST

SALA THAI

RESTAURANT4020 Minnesota Ave. NE202-399-7999

Lunch & Dinner, 25%

CHEVY CHASE

ARUCOLA OSTERIA5534 Connecticut Ave. NW

202-244-1555Dinner, 25%

BLUE 44 DC5507 Connecticut Ave. NW

202-362-2583Dinner, 25%

BUCK’S FISHING &CAMPING

5031 Connecticut Ave. NW202-364-0777Dinner, 50%

COMET PING PONG5037 Connecticut Ave. NW

202-364-0404Dinner, 50%

CLEVELANDPARK

ALERO

3500 Connecticut Ave. NW202-966-2530

Lunch & Dinner, 25%

CACTUS CANTINA3300 Wisconsin Ave. NW

202-362-0776Lunch & Dinner, 25%

COLUMBIAHEIGHTS

ACRE 1211400 Irving St. NW

202-328-0121Dinner, 25%

THE HEIGHTS3115 14th St. NW

202-797-7227Dinner, 25%

DOWNTOWN

RURAL SOCIETY1177 15th St. NW

202-587-2629Dinner, 25%

DUPONT CIRCLE

ANNIE’S PARAMOUNTSTEAKHOUSE

1609 17th St. NW202-667-9148

Dinner,

DUPONT ITALIANKITCHEN

1637 17th St. NW202-328-3222Dinner, 25%

GRILLFISH1200 New Hampshire

Ave. NW202-331-7310Dinner, 25%

HANK’S OYSTER BAR1624 Q St. NW202-462-4265Dinner, 25%

LA TOMATE

1701 Connecticut Ave. NW202-667-5505Dinner, 25%

LAURIOL PLAZA1835 18th St. NW

202-387-0035Lunch & Dinner, 25%

PESCE RESTAURANT2002 P St. NW202-466-3474Dinner, 35%

FRIENDSHIPHEIGHTS

LE CHAT NOIR4907 Wisconsin Ave. NW

202-244-2044Dinner, 35%

LOGAN CIRCLE

COMMISSARY1443 P St. NW202-299-0018

Lunch & Dinner, 25%

LE DIPLOMATE1601 14th St. NW

202-332-3333

Dinner, 25%

LOGAN TAVERN1423 P St. NW202-332-3710

Lunch & Dinner, 25%

NAGE BISTRO1608 Rhode Island Ave.

NW202-448-8005Dinner, 25%

PEARL DIVE OYSTERPALACE

1612 14th St. NW202-319-1612Dinner, 25%

THE PIG1320 14th St. NW

202-290-2821Dinner, 25%

MOUNTPLEASANT

BEAU THAI3162 Mount Pleasant

St. NW202-450-5317Dinner, 25%

PURPLE PATCH3155 Mt Pleasant St. NW

202-299-0022Dinner, 25%

MT. VERNON

TEXAS DE BRAZIL455 Massachusetts Ave.

NW202-898-1413Dinner, 25%

THE PALISADES

BLACKSALTFISH MARKET &

RESTAURANT4883 MacArthur Blvd. NW

202-342-9101Dinner, 25%

PENN QUARTER

RISTORANTE TOSCA1112 F St. NW202-367-1990

Dinner,

PETWORTH

SALA THAIRESTAURANT

3716 Georgia Ave. NW202-629-1643

Lunch & Dinner, 25%

SHAW

BEAU THAI1550 7th St. NW

205-536-5636Dinner, 25%

DINO’S GROTTO1914 9th St. NW

202-686-2966Dinner, 25%

SHAW’S TAVERN520 Florida Ave. NW

202-518-4092Dinner, 25%

THALLY1316 9th St. NW

202-733-3849Dinner, 25%

U ST.

COMPASS ROSE BAR &KITCHEN

1346 T St. NW202-506-4765Dinner, 35%

SALA THAIRESTAURANT

1301 U St. NW202-462-1333Lunch & Dinner, 25%

BETHESDA

BLACK’S BAR &KITCHEN

7750 Woodmont Ave.301-652-5525Dinner, 25%

SALA THAIRESTAURANT

4828 Cordell Ave.301-654-4676

Lunch & Dinner, 25%

TRATTORIA SORRENTO4930 Cordell Ave.

301-718-0344Dinner, 25%

GARRETT PARK

BLACK MARKETBISTRO

4600 Waverly Ave.301-933-3000Dinner, 25%

POTOMAC

AMICI MIEI1093 Seven Locks Rd.

301-545-0966Dinner, 25%

ROCKVILLE

IL PIZZICO15209 Frederick Rd.

301-309-0610Dinner, 35%

MOSAIC BISTRO186 Halpine Rd.301-468-0682Dinner, 25%

SILVER SPRING

ALL SET RESTAURANT& BAR

8630 Fenton St.301-495-8800Dinner, 75%

CUBANO’S1201 Fidler Ln.301-563-4020Dinner, 35%

TAKOMA PARK

MARK’S KITCHEN7006 Carroll Ave.

301-270-1884Lunch & Dinner, 25%

REPUBLIC6939 Laurel Ave.

301-270-3000Dinner, 25%

T O D D F R A N S O N


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VIRGINIA

CLARENDON

DELHI CLUB1135 N Highland St.

703-527-5666Dinner, 50%

CRYSTAL CITY

FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR555 23rd St. S.703-685-0555

Dinner,

DEL RAY

BOMBAY CURRYCOMPANY

2607 Mt Vernon Ave.703-836-6363

Lunch & Dinner, 35%

FALLS CHURCH

CLARE AND DON’SBEACH SHACK

130 N. Washington St.703-532-9283

Lunch & Dinner, 35%

MERRIFIELD

SEA PEARL8191 Strawberry Lane #2

703-372-5161Dinner, 25%

OLD TOWNALEXANDRIA

CHADWICKS203 The Strand703-836-4442Dinner, 25%

HANK’S OYSTER BAROLD TOWN1026 King St.703-739-4265Dinner, 25%

PINECREST

FOXFIRE6550 Little River Tpk.

703-914-9280Dinner, 25%

SHIRLINGTON

GUAPOS RESTAURANT4028 Campbell Ave.

703-671-1701Dinner, 25%

PING BY CHARLIECHIANG’S

4060 Campbell Ave.703-671-4900

Dinner, 25% l

VIRGINIA


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26/48


APRIL 21 - 28, 2016Compiled by Doug Rule

Naked and MagicalTwo Aussies offer up a magic show that’s as hilariously rude

as it is inevitably nude

WE PROMISE THREE THINGS,” SAYS MIKE TYLER. “WE PROMISEthat it will be one of the most incredible magic shows you’ve ever seen. Wepromise we’ll be one of the funniest comedy shows you’ll ever see. And we

promise full frontal illusions.”He’s not kidding about that last part. The 31-year-old is half of the Australian conjur-

ing duo who perform The Naked Magic Show, which “strips away all the magic stereo-

types — the top hats, the capes, the magic wands” allowing for “the funniest, cheekiestand naughtiest magic show ever.”

Don’t expect the pair to be fully naked throughout, though. It’s a magic show witha stripper’s sensibility, a slow, tantalizing build to the full, climactic reveal. Still, notes

Tyler, who sports a shock of dark hair and a swimmer’s musculature, there will beplenty to ogle at over the course of the evening.

Both Tyler and his partner-in-prestidigitation, Christopher Wayne, also 31, were per-

forming close-up gigs in their native

country when Simon Painter, a co-producer of the Broadway hit The

Illusionists, urged them to developa magic show in the buff. Tyler and

Wayne based the general concept

on the popular stripper flick, Magic Mike. They have since toured the

show to 35 cities Down Under and“sold out every one.” A brief, five-

city tour of America last fall — “atest,” Tyler calls it — also sold out.

“It’s a very unique concept, a high

energy party atmosphere,” saysTyler. “It’s like no magic show you

have ever seen before. It’s an orgyof magic, comedy and nudity.”

The magic is legit — and whilesome of the tricks may seem famil-

iar, most have an adult twist. “Wedon’t do the grand illusions,” says

Tyler. “It’s more comedy magic

with all the tricks aimed aroundthose topics that you talk about

with friends behind closed doors

after a couple of wines.” Tyler iscareful not to reveal too much, buthints that the traditional magi-

cian’s assistant may be of the blow-

up variety.For all the fun, Tyler takes his

magic seriously.“As a kid, I was always inter-

ested in superheroes like NinjaTurtles and Superman — they had

abilities that nobody else had,” hesays. “Magic is the closest thing to

having a special ability. That’s what

really attracted me to magic. To dosomething that no one else can do.”

— Randy Shulman

The Naked Magic Show is Sunday, April 24, at The Lincoln Theatre,

1215 U St. NW, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets

are $20 to $75. VIP Meet & Greettickets also available. (Yes, they’re

naked when you meet them and yes, they’ll take a photo with you.)

Call 877-987-6487 or visit thelin-colndc.com.


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28

Washington, the series closes with per-formances by local short opera compa-ny UrbanArias, featuring soloists per-forming the comedic Craigslist Cabaret on Friday, April 22, at 8 p.m. It’s fol-lowed by a closing concert by D.C.- based jazz/samba acoustic quartet Veronneau, led by festival co-curatorLynn Veronneau, on Saturday, April23, at 7:30 p.m. Visit creativecauldron.org for more information. ArtSpaceFalls Church, 410 South Maple Ave. inFalls Church. Tickets are $20 per per-formance. Call 703-436-9948 or visitcreativecauldron.org.

SPOTLIGHT

CREATIVE CAULDRON’SPASSPORT TO THE WORLDMUSIC SERIES Virginia’s fledgling theater troupeoffers its sixth annual festival cele- brating the music and dance of cul-tures around the world, with perfor-mances throughout much of April by artists representing a broad spec-trum of genres: jazz to Latin, operato klezmer. Presented in collaborationwith the Folklore Society of Greater

DEMO: PLACE: DAMIANWOETZEL, LIL BUCK, RON ‘PRIMETYME’ MYLESDamian Woetzel brings together anadventurous, international collabora-tion among Memphis Jookin’ dancepioneers Lil Buck and Ron “PrimeTyme” Myles and musicians includ-ing tabla player Sandeep Das, violin-ist Johnny Gandelsman, gaita playerCristina Pato, sheng player Wu Tong,cellist David Tele, and multi-instru-mentalist and singer Kate Davis. It’sall to explore and share the worldsthey came from — and then mix it

APRIL 21, 2016 METROWEEKLY.COM

up to reinvent the theme of “place.”Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April23, at 7 p.m. Kennedy Center TerraceTheater. Tickets are $49. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.

EXPLORING YELLOWSTONE’SGREAT ANIMAL MIGRATIONSPart of the National Park Service’scentennial celebration. This Invisible Boundaries exhibition, in conjunc-tion with the May issue of National

Geographic, uses stunning photo-graphs, immersive video, interac-tive migration maps, cultural objects,and original artwork to explore thecompelling story behind some of themost amazing animal migrations onthe planet. Now to Sept. 30. NationalGeographic Museum, 1145 17th St.NW. Free. Call 202-857-7588 or visitngmuseum.org.

I AM ANNE HUTCHINSON/I AMHARVEY MILK A world premiere concept opera, com- bining song, movement and powerfulstorytelling to focus on two reluctantprophets who each stood up for equal-

ity and changed the world. KristinChenoweth portrays the little-known17th century women’s rights pioneerin the first act, while Andrew Lippais the ‘70s gay rights pioneer and slainSan Francisco mayor in the secondact. Noah Himmelstein directs thisStrathmore production along withmusic director Joel Fram leadingthe National Philharmonic and the Alexandria Harmonizers. Saturday, April 23, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 24, at 4 p.m. Music Center atStrathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,North Bethesda. Tickets are $39 to$99. Call 301-581-5100 or visit strath-more.org.

MADE IN ARLINGTONPOP-UP SHOPThis one-day pop-up is geared towardfinding locally made gifts — beautiful,wearable or edible items from innova-tors and artisans, with a focus on thingsappropriate for Mother’s Day, Father’sDay, graduations, weddings and sum-mer celebrations. The showcase takesplace amid the local photo exhibit Living Diversity at the Arlington MillCommunity Center. Saturday, April23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ArlingtonMill Community Center Gallery, 909S. Dinwiddie St. Arlington. Call 703-228-1850 or visit facebook.com/arts.

arlington for more information.

MIRANDA SINGSComedian Colleen Evans created thequirky, talentless and tuneless, nar-cissistic character Miranda Sings in2008 as a satire of the aspiring but badperformers everywhere who take tothe Internet in the hopes of a break-through. You know, like Justin Bieber. And Miranda Sings has been a break-through for Evans, whose parody hassurpassed 900 million views and sixmillion subscribers on YouTube. It’seven inspired tour after tour of Evansperforming live — as both Sings andherself — to crowds around the world.

A L I C I A J . R O S E

BOB MOULDLegendary gay punk rocker and former D.C. resident Bob Mould is nothing if not prolific. In March,the 55-year-old released his 12th solo set — the latest in a 33-year career that also includes releasesas part of three bands. Patch The Sky also completes what Mould calls an unofficial trilogy on MergeRecords, with bassist Jason Narducy and drummer Jon Wurster as his core support on record andtour. The new set is darker in tone than 2012’s Silver Age and 2014’s Beauty & Ruin — which werehardly light affairs — reflecting the death of his mother as well as other “relationships ending,” and adegree of angst and despair over the current political zeitgeist. It’s a Husker Du-styled album of blar-ing, guitar-driven rock that’s mostly furious and brittle, with a few tuneful, bittersweet and sorrowfulexceptions, most notably “Losing Sleep.” This all but lulling midtempo pop-punk tune coasts along,looking for answers but not finding much on the horizon. Mould performs Wednesday, April 27 at the9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. Call 202-265-0930 or visit 930.com.


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(Next up: A Netflix show built onSings’ signature line, Haters Back Off .)The Kennedy Center is the latest stopfor her show blending comedy, musicand magic tricks, as well as dramat-ic readings of hate mail and never- before-seen videos. Saturday, April 23,at 7 p.m. Kennedy Center ConcertHall. Tickets are $35 to $70. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.

SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHDAYOPEN HOUSEJugglers and jesters join other the-atrical performers and musicians incelebrating the bard’s big day, com-plete with cake. Celebrants can alsostroll around the building and theElizabethan garden. Sunday, April24, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. FolgerShakespeare Library, 201 East CapitolSt. SE. Free. Call 202-544-7077 or visitfolger.edu.

THE INSERIES: COSI FANTUTTE GOES HOLLYWOODIn Cosi Fan Tutte Goes Hollywood ,Nick Olcott offers a funny Englishretelling of Mozart/DaPonte’s master-

piece, turning it into a tale about twosisters from Sandusky, Ohio, who ven-ture to Hollywood in search of moviestardom and escorted by their fian-cés, a vaudeville duo. Shirley Serotskydirects this InSeries production withmaestro Stanley Thurston and a castincluding Melissa Chavez, SamuelKeeler, Sasha Olinick, Erin Passmore,Sean Pflueger and Randa Rouweyha.Performances are Saturday, April


23, at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 24, at 4p.m., Saturday, April 30, at 8 p.m., andSunday, May 1, at 4 p.m. Lang Theaterin the Atlas Performing Arts Center,1333 H St. NE. Tickets are $22 to $45.Call 202-399-7993 or visit atlasarts.org.

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURESHOW AT THE EAGLEThe DC Eagle is getting into the busi-ness of screening films. The leatherand fetish complex plans to screen The Rocky Horror Picture Show the lastSaturday in April, when local perform-ers The Sonic Transducers shadow-cast the iconic cult film with propsand lighting effects — just as they’vedone the second weekend of everymonth for more than seven years atLandmark’s E Street Cinema. Patronsare encouraged to dress up in costume— and not just the usual leather orgear. Saturday, April 30, at midnight,preceded by social hour starting at10 p.m. The Exile in DC Eagle, 3701Benning Rd. NE. Tickets are $10, or$15 for guaranteed seating, $40 for a VIP Frank N Furter Package includingpremium seating, a prop goodie bag,and wristband for open bar. Call 202-

347-6025 or visit dceagle.com.

ZIGGY STARDUST AND THESPIDERS FROM MARS As part of a special David BowieTribute, the American Film Institute’sSilver Theatre has been presenting afew of the movies featuring the ThinWhite Duke. The final film in the seriesis, naturally, Ziggy Stardust and the


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29. Runs to May 8. Signature Theatre,4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Call703-820-9771 or visit signature-the-atre.org.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S LONGLOST FIRST PLAY (ABRIDGED)The Reduced Shakespeare Companyreturns to Folger Theatre with thisworld premiere written and directed by two of the world’s most famousShakespearean comedians, Austin

Tichenor and Reed Martin, whothrow themselves into a funny, punnyphysical frenzy. Joining Tichenorand Martin to perform the work as acomedic trio is Teddy Spencer. Opensin previews Thursday, April 21, at7:30 p.m. To May 8. Folger Theatre,201 East Capitol St. SE. Tickets are$35 to $75. Call 202-544-7077 or visitfolger.edu.

DANCE

TRAJECTORY DANCE PROJECTThe Baltimore dance ensemble basedat Coppin State University presentsat Baltimore Theatre Project a perfor-mance of two works: Dancing Ophelia,a series of works inspired by theintriguing women of Shakespeare’splays, including Desdemona and Katein Taming of the Shrew, and The Jury,in which artists portray the attorneys,witnesses and defendants of a murdertrial, with the audience deciding whois guilty or not guilty. Sunday, April 24,at 7 p.m. Baltimore Theatre Project, 45West Preston St. Baltimore. Ticketsare $15. Call 410-752-8558 or visittheatreproject.org.

COMEDYLAURA KIGHTLINGER A series regular on HBO’s Lucky Louie, longtime TV comedy writer( Roseanne, Dennis Miller Live ) LauraKightlinger may also be rememberedfor a recurring role she had on oneof the shows she wrote for: NurseSheila on Will & Grace. Kightlingerstops by D.C. for a night of standupat the city’s newest comedy venue,Drafthouse Comedy, opened earlier this month by the folks behind the Arlington Drafthouse. Thursday, April21, at 7 p.m., Friday, April 22, at 7 p.m.and 9 p.m., and Saturday, April 23, at

7 p.m. Drafthouse Comedy Theater,1100 13th St. NW. Tickets are $25. Call202-750-6411 or visit drafthousecom-edy.com.

LEWIS BLACKKnown for crotchety delivery andacerbic satire from his former “Backin Black” segments on The Daily Showwith Jon Stewart, the Silver Springnative returns to the area for a run ofstand-up on his “The Emperor’s NewClothes: The Naked Truth Tour.”Thursday, April 28, through Saturday, April 30, at 8 p.m. Warner Theatre,513 13th St. NW. Call 202-783-4000 or visit warnertheatredc.com.l

aters. Visit fandango.com. (RhuaridhMarr)

STAGE

BLACK PEARL SINGS!Over 20 American folk and spiritu-al songs factor into Frank Higgins’story inspired by the real-life discov-ery of Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter by folklorist John Lomax. Sandra

Holloway directs this MetroStageproduction featuring Roz White as Alberta “Pearl” Johnson and TeresaCastracane as Susannah Mullally.Opens Thursday, April 21, at 8 p.m. ToMay 29. MetroStage, 1201 North RoyalSt., Alexandria. Tickets are $55. Call800-494-8497 or visit metrostage.org.

CHRONICLE OF ADEATH FORETOLDGabriel Garcia Marquez’s novella isthe source for another stage adapta-tion, though this time as a straight play,unlike the 1995 Tony-nominated musi-cal. Jose Zayas directs GALA Theatre’sproduction of the tale about a mur-derous mission of revenge by a bandof brothers in Colombia, adapted byJorge Triana and performed in Spanishwith English surtitles. To May 8. GALATheatre at Tivoli Square, 3333 14th St.NW. Tickets are $20 to $42. Call 202-234-7174 or visit galatheatre.org.

HUNTING AND GATHERINGRep Stage produces the regional pre-miere of Brooke Berman’s smart andsexy comedy about love, life and realestate. Kasi Campbell directs. Closesthis Sunday, April 24. The HorowitzCenter’s Studio Theatre at HowardCommunity College, 10901 LittlePatuxent Parkway, Columbia, Md.Tickets are $40. Call 443-518-1500 or visit www.repstage.org.

JOURNEY TO THE WESTConstellation Theatre Company’s Allison Arkell Stockman directs thefanciful global tale adapted by MaryZimmerman from an ancient Chinesenovel about a Buddhist monk who trav-els in search of sacred scriptures, meet-ing a monkey, a pig, a river monster anda monk along the way. Tom Teasleyreturns to Constellation to provide hispercussive-based world music style oflive accompaniment. Opens in a Pay-What-You-Can preview Thursday, April 21, at 8:30 p.m. To May 22. SourceTheatre, 1835 14th St. NW. Tickets are$35 to $45. Call 202-204-7741 or visitconstellationtheatre.org.

THE MYSTERY OF LOVE & SEXSignature Theatre offers this playfrom Bathsheba Doran, a writer bet-ter known for his work on premiumcable, from HBO’s Boardwalk Empireand Showtime’s Masters of Sex. The Mystery of Love & Sex is an unex-pected story of an evolving friendship between a man and a woman, whoaren’t quite straight and aren’t quite inlove with each other — but they con-sider romance anyway, for the sake ofthe parents. Pride Night is set for April

and directs this thriller, with PatrickStewart as a supremacist leader, Anton Yelchin as the band’s bassist, andImogen Poots as a friend of the murder victim. Opens Friday, April 22. Areatheaters. Visit fandango.com.

HOLLYWOOD ON TRIALThis season’s “Seeing Red Film Series”at the Hill Center, with hosts NewYorker staff writer Margaret Talbotand movie critic Nell Minow, kicks off

with the 1976 documentary about theHouse Un-American Committee hear-ings after World War II. Nominatedfor an Oscar as Best DocumentaryFeature, David Helpern’s film featuresrevealing interviews with both survi- vors and prosecutors of the Hollywoodred scare, from Zero Mostel to RonaldReagan. Sunday, April 24, at 4 p.m.Hill Center, Old Navy Hospital, 921Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Free. Call 202-549-4172 or visit HillCenterDC.org.

THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WARCharlize Theron returns to chew herway through as much scenery as pos-sible as the Evil Queen, in this pre-

quel to Snow White and the Huntsman.Here, she battles with her sister, theIce Queen, after destroying the lat-ter’s child — who threatened the EvilQueen’s stance as most beautiful in theland. Think of her as a hero for narcis-sists everywhere. Chris Hemsworthreturns as the Huntsman, with EmilyBlunt as Freya, the Ice Queen, andJessica Chastain as the Huntsman’swife. Opens Friday, April 22. Area the-

Spiders from Mars, which captured therock legend’s final electrifying perfor-mance in his Ziggy Stardust personaat London’s Hammersmith OdeonTheater. This 1973 film, directed byD.A. Pennebaker, pulses with the rawenergy of early glam rock, includingthe Bowie classics “Changes” and“Space Oddity.” Saturday, April 23,at 9:15 p.m. AFI Silver Theatre, 8633Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Ticketsare $12 general admission. Call 301-495-6720 or visit afi.com/Silver.

FILM

FEMALE TROUBLEIt doesn’t get much trashier or campierthan this, and if it’s not a perfect fit forthe Cine-Insomnia series of cult-pop-ular midnight movies at Landmark’sE Street Cinema, then I don’t knowwhat is. The “sublimely sordid saga”of Dawn Davenport (Divine), the 1974 Female Trouble is considered by someto be John Waters’s Citizen Kane.Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April30, at midnight. Landmark’s E Street

Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. Call 202-452-7672 or visit landmarktheatres.com.

GREEN ROOM After a punk band witnesses a murderat the venue where they’re playing,they must fight for survival against thewhite supremacist owners, who areintent on keeping the crime a secret.Jeremy Saulnier ( Blue Ruin ) writes


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Jungle Love

The Jungle Book threatens to bestthe animated original

WHEN DISNEY FIRST BEGAN TO REMAKEits animated classics as live action films, the

world collectively balked. Alice in Wonderland was visually dazzling, but couldn’t match the

charm of the original. Maleficent gave us a stunningly portrayedreimagining of Sleeping Beauty’s antagonist, but whenever star

Angelina Jolie wasn’t on screen it floundered. Cinderella was aperfectly fine piece of cinema, but offered little to warrant choos-

ing it over the superior animated film. In each instance, opting for

the animated version is an easy choice, and it seemed certain that

the same would apply to The Jungle Book. After all, how couldDisney and director Jon Favreau top that 1967 wonder?

As it transpires, by pulling off one of the most technically

and visually dazzling pieces of cinema in recent memory, witha voice cast stronger than many animated films and a rich emo-

tion that defies its CGI-heavy artistry. Disney has finally justifiedits live-action fetish beyond being the easiest of cash cows. The

Jungle Book ( ) offers viewers a reason to maybe, pos-sibly opt not to default to the animated original — and that’s a

pretty stunning achievement in its own right.Undoubtedly, it’s in the visual stakes that Jungle Book finds its

biggest successes. To call it live action is something of a misnomer,

if only because Neel Sethi as Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves inthe jungle, is the only living thing you’ll see on screen for 99% of

the film’s runtime. Everything else: the trees, the sunlight, thewater and the plethora of animals that fill each frame has been

digitally recreated. Aside from small sets and props to guide Sethithrough his blue-screen world, everything has been produced by

film

by RHUARIDH MARR


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a series of ones andzeros. That it looks

so convincingly

life-like is a testa-ment to just how

far we’ve comewith CGI.

Speaking of theanimals, there are

seventy species

represented in thefilm. Each moves,

breathes, fights,and yes, speaks, in

the most natural ofways. Only occa-

sionally — such asgiant tiger Shere

Khan leaping from

a rock and landingwith an odd lac

metro weekly - 04-21-16 - freddie lutz

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