Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Metro Weekly - 02-09-17 - Urooj Arshad
Metro Weekly - 02-09-17 - Urooj Arshad
Metro Weekly - 02-09-17 - Urooj Arshad
24
By John Riley
FACING FEAR
Queer, Muslim, an immigrant and female. Urooj Arshad
has every reason to fear the Trump Administration.
Shes not going down without a fight.
33 FORWARD MOVEMENT
Caroline, Or Change is bittersweet and beautiful, while
I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart is acerbically funny
By Andr Hereford
Metro Weekly 1775 I St. NW, Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 202-638-6830
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2017 Jansi LLC.
Piper Pearl
Opens Friday, Feb. 10. E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. Call 202-452-7672 or visit landmarktheatres.com. Make sure you play our
Landmark/Metro Weekly Oscar poll for a chance to win 10 passes to any Landmark Theatres, nationwide. Visit metroweekly.com.
JULY TALK
An increasingly popular, Juno Award-winning modern rock
band in Canada, July Talk hasnt quite taken off yet south of the
border. Which is why you can enjoy that rare, fleeting pleasure
of taking in an intimate show with a band that will likely soon
fill much larger venues here as well as at home. Vocalists Peter
Dreimanis and Leah Fay lead the five-piece group. Mona, an all-
boy band from Nashville, opens. Monday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. DC9,
1940 9th St. NW. Tickets are $13 in advance, or $15 day-of show.
Call 202-483-5000 or dcnine.com.
DAVID FRUM
Over the past generation, we have seen ominous indicators
of a breakdown of the American political system, says David
Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush.
Now a senior editor at The Atlantic, Frum shares his insights
in the magazines cover story How Trump Could Build an
Autocracy. The piece concludes by noting that if Trump
continues to chip away at democracy, it will be up to the
public and Congress to agitate and push back. Frum weighs
in on the topic in a conversation with The Atlantics Editor-
in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg. Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. Sixth
& I Historic Synagogue. 600 I St. NW. Tickets are $15. Call
202-408-3100 or visit sixthandi.org.
BURLESQUE-A-PADES: LOVELAND
New Yorks Angie Potani, billed as the International Queen of Burlesque, presents the 10th anniversary of a Valentines
Day-themed show mixing performances in the revived art of striptease with magic, music and comedy. Magician Albert
Cadabra hosts an evening featuring performances by Potani and her tap-dancing sister Helen, Baltimore performance artist
Cherie Nuit, boylesque artist Mister Gorgeous, LGBTQ burlesque artist The Maine Attraction, Gal Friday aka The Five
Alarm Fire of Burlesque, and as seen on Americas Got Talent, Philadelphias Peek-A-Boo Revue featuring Ginger Leigh,
Cherry Bomb and Sophie Sucre. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Tickets
are $29.50. Call 703-549-7500 or visit birchmere.com.
Compiled by Doug Rule 1926 romance that featured scintil- action. Opens Friday, Feb. 10. Area workers in Syria, and Watani: My
lating love scenes more erotic than theaters. Visit fandango.com. Homeland by Marcel Mettelsiefen,
anything Hollywood had produced which follows a Syrian refugee
FILM until then. They were so convincing OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT family attempting a new life in
they made real-life lovers out of FILMS 2017: DOCUMENTARY Germany. Opens Friday, Feb. 10.
FIFTY SHADES DARKER stars Greta Garbo and John Gilbert. With no documentary nominees West End Cinema, 2301 M St. NW.
More BDSM-lite on the big screen Clarence Browns melodrama is this year clocking in at under 20 Call 202-534-1907 or visit land-
in time for Valentines Day, with the credited with launching Garbo to minutes and two running nearly marktheatres.com.
second in the trilogy based on E.L. superstardom. Composer and pia- 40 minutes, Landmark split the
Jamess popular series of books, nist Andrew Earle Simpson per- films into two programs. Program OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT
Fifty Shades of Grey. The sequel forms original live music accom- A includes Joes Violin, Kahane FILMS 2017: LIVE ACTION
is said to be more a thriller than a paniment. Sunday, Feb. 12, at 4 Coopermans tale connecting a Its an all-international affair among
romance. Jamie Dornan returns as p.m. Lab Theatre II, 1333 H St. NE. 91-year-old Holocaust survivor the five live action nominees at this
Christian Grey, whose on-again/off- Tickets are $20 and include free and a 12-year-old American girl, years Oscars. They include Kristof
again relationship with Anastasia popcorn. Call 202-399-7993 or visit Extremis, Dan Krausss examination Deaks Sing (Hungary), Aske Bangs
Steele (Dakota Johnson) is threat- atlasarts.org. of harrowing end-of-life decisions, Silent Nights (Denmark), Juanjo
ened by his past. Kim Basinger joins and Daphne Matziarakis 4.1 Miles, Gimenez Penas Timecode (Spain),
in the fun to play Greys business JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 a profile of a coast guard captain Selim Aazzazis Ennemis Interieurs
partner and former lover the one Keanu Reeves reprises his role as a credited with saving thousands of (France) and Timo von Guntens
who introduced him to kink in the hitman who must go on on the run lives during the European migrant La Femme et la TGV (Switzerland).
first place. Opens Friday, Feb. 10. after a bounty is placed on his head. crisis. Program B offers two time- Opens Friday, Feb. 10. Landmarks
Area theaters. Visit fandango.com. Common, Laurence Fishburne and ly views of a woeful world, both E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW.
John Leguizamo also star in the from the still ongoing Syrian Civil Call 202-452-7672 or visit land-
FLESH AND THE DEVIL sequel to the 2014 thriller, part of War. Theres The White Helmets marktheatres.com.
The Valentines Day-themed offer- yet another blockbuster film trilogy. by Orlando von Einsiedel, focused
ing in Atlas Silent Film Series is a Some people just cant get enough on the work of volunteer rescue
urgent and pressing play in Season a West Texas man who goes to great
in their preferred visual arts medium, of the Valentines Day Two. To Feb. 19. Atlas Performing lengths to achieve fatherhood. Katy
theme affectionate pairings, defined broadly to allow for Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets Brown directs. Saturday, Feb. 11,
some less-than-affectionate depictions of broken hearts and are $20 to $60. Call 202-399-7993 at 4 p.m. Castleton Theatre House,
or visit mosaictheater.org. 664 Castleton View Rd. Tickets are
lovers longing. The exhibit is on display to Feb. 26, with a $20 to $40. Call 703-489-8704 or
free Sweet Treat and Poetry event of patrons reading from I TOO SPEAK OF THE ROSE visit castletonfestival.org.
poems while enjoying desserts, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 6 Written by gay Mexican playwright
Emilio Carballido, Yo Tambin SWEENEY TODD
to 8 p.m. Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Hablo de la Rosa is set in Mexico The brilliant E. Faye Butler plays
Alexandria. Call 703-731-8802 or visit thedelrayartisans.org. City in the 1960s and focuses on Mrs. Lovett and David Benoit takes
teenagers Toa and Polo, who acci- on the role of the Demon Barber in
dentally derail a train while playing Olney Theatres production of the
hooky from school. Hugo Medrano chilling Sondheim classic. He slits
directs this searing look at pov- their throats, she makes meat pies
THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE duo. Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Packard Campus Theater, 19053 erty and societys response to it. out of them. Jason Loewith directs.
A spin-off of the 2014 action-com-
Mount Pony Rd. Culpeper, Va. Free. Performed in Spanish with English In previews. To March 5. Olney
edy that transported everyones
Call 202-707-9994 or visit loc.gov/ surtitles. To Feb. 26. GALA Theatre Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy
favorite interlocking toys from
avconservation. at Tivoli Square, 3333 14th St. NW. Spring Road, Olney, Md. Call 301-
childhood to the big screen. The
Call 202-234-7174 or visit galathe- 924-3400 or visit olneytheatre.org.
focus is on the characters from
atre.org.
Gotham City, led by Batman (Will
Arnett) and Robin (Michael Cera), STAGE THE HARD PROBLEM
and featuring Batgirl (Rosario
KING CHARLES III Tom Stoppards latest explores the
Dawson) and The Joker (Zach BABY SCREAMS MIRACLE Three years after giving us Cock, complexities of defining conscious-
A zealous family and their prodi- British playwright Mike Bartlett ness, the nature of belief, and how
Galifianakis). Opens Friday, Feb. 10.
gal daughter try to pray their way returns with his latest theatrical to reconcile hard science with lived
Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.
to safety during an apocalyptic effort. An Olivier-winning play that experience. Matt Torney directs
storm threatening their home in nods to Shakespeare, King Charles Studios 10-member cast, includ-
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
Clare Barrons new play, touted as II explores how Prince Charles ing Tessa Klein, Nancy Robinette,
Carrie Fisher doesnt likely spring
a Rorschach test for the faithful might rule were he to finally ascend Martin Giles, Kyle Cameron, and
to mind when thinking of Rob
and the faithless alike. Howard to the British throne. The New York Joy Jones. To Feb. 19. Studio
Reiners 1989 rom-com written
Shalwitz directs Kate Eastwood Times called it an intellectual- Theatre, 14th & P Streets NW. Call
by the late Nora Ephron. Instead,
Norris, Sarah Marshall and Cody ly and emotionally gripping study 202-332-3300 or visit studiothe-
you probably think of Meg Ryans
Nickell in a harrowing tale of sur- of the strangely enduring anach- atre.org.
legendary dinner scene, in which
vival and forgiveness. To Feb. 26. ronism that is the British monar-
she demonstrates to Billy Crystal
her ability to fake an orgasm. (Fun 641 D St. NW. Call 202-393-3939 or chy. Directed by David Muse. In THE RIVER
visit woollymammoth.net. previews. Opens Sunday, Feb. 12. A man and woman find love and
fact: Reiner let his mother speak the
To March 12. Sidney Harman Hall, mystery at a secluded fishing cabin
films most famous line, Ill have
what shes having.) Fisher plays BLUES IN THE NIGHT Harman Center for the Arts, 610 F in Jez Butterworths drama. Jeff
Virginias Creative Cauldron pres- St. NW. Call 202-547-1122 or visit Allin, Emma Jackson and Karen
one of the pairs best friends and her
ents a scorching, Tony-nominated shakespearetheatre.org. Novack star in a Spooky Action
supporting role is the only reason
musical revue interweaving clas- Theater production directed by
the Library of Congress needed to
justify screening When Harry Met sic blues and American Songbook LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC Rebecca Holderness. To Feb. 26.
standards by Bessie Smith, Duke Arlene Huttons charming World Universalist National Memorial
Sally as part of a limited series of
Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Harold War II-era play focuses on a fated Church, 1810 16th St. NW. Tickets
films starring either Fisher or her
Arlen, Jimmy Cox, Ida Cox and couple who meet on a train car- are $30 to $40. Call 202-248-0301
mother Debbie Reynolds, in a low-
more. Matt Conner directs a show rying F. Scott Fitzgeralds coffin or visit spookyaction.org.
key tribute to the recently departed
WHOS AFRAID OF
VIRGINIA WOOLF?
Holly Twyford takes on the tow-
ering role of Martha in Edward
Albees acid-laced masterpiece
about a warring couple who bare
their fangs during cocktails with
a younger version of themselves.
Gregory Linington, Maggie Wilder
ALEXANDER MOROZOV
and Danny Gavigan round out the
strong, all-local cast of this admit-
tedly long play the runtime is
over three hours with two intermis-
sions that chances are youll find
ultimately worth every minute for
the wildly funny, heart-wrenching
and insightful things Albee says and
reveals about the human condition
and relationships. Aaron Posner
MODERN ROMANCE
directs. To Feb. 19. Fords Theatre,
511 10th St. NW. Tickets are $15
to $62. Call 800-982-2787 or visit
fords.org.
The eight storytellers in Sucker for Love celebrate lamour
MUSIC in all its forms
S
ALYSON CAMBRIDGE
After a decade of performances
on many leading opera and con-
TEPHANIE GARIBALDI HAS LONG THOUGHT OF HERSELF AS THE
cert stages, the sultry, sophisticated Charlie Brown of Valentines Day. [It] used to be my least favorite holiday
jazz/cabaret artist makes her debut in general, Garibaldi says. I thought it was very communist to order people
at the Barns. The Washington Post to be romantic on a specific day. And it works against the nature of romance, which
touted Cambridge, now touring
in support of the 2016 set of cov- is inherently spontaneous. So I just thought, its no wonder that this never works out
ers Until Now, as radiant, vocally well. It was always a huge disappointment.
assured, dramatically subtle and Garibaldis disdain lasted until 2009, when she took matters into her own hands
compelling and artistically imagi-
native. Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m.
and produced Sucker for Love, an annual Valentines Day-themed showcase from
The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Story District. I was just tired of not having a date on Valentines Day, so I thought
Road, Vienna. Tickets are $25 to wed do a show so I wouldnt have to feel bad about that.
$35. Call 877-WOLFTRAP or visit As Story Districts director of education, Garibaldi works with Mike Baireuther to
wolftrap.org.
hand pick eight Sucker for Love storytellers. This year, two identify as LGBTQ, and
JACK QUARTET few are professional performers or writers. They have all kinds of different jobs,
The go-to quartet for contempo- Garibaldi says, and we work to help them tell their story in the most compelling
rary music, wrote the Washington
Post about a group of straightfor-
way. Garibaldi and Baireuther coach each storyteller and direct them as a group in
ward, unpretentious and energet- a series of rehearsals leading up to the big night at the Lincoln Theatre. I wont let
ic musicians. The Clarice presents anyone get up there [and] bomb or not do well, she says. That helps no one. The
the string group in a program of goal is to whip the stories into a natural, not theatrical, shape, as if your smartest,
contemporary compositions by
Ruth Crawford Seeger, Iannis funniest friend were telling you a story.
Xenakis, Morton Feldman, and Garibaldi also coaches those who appear at Story Districts popular theme-driv-
Julia Wolfe. Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 en monthly shows at Town Danceboutique, including the Worst Date Ever Contest,
p.m. Gildenhorn Recital Hall at the
University of Maryland, University
which takes place this year on Valentines Day. But Sucker for Love is a more involved,
Boulevard and Stadium Drive. tightly organized show, one presenting a broader look at the entire spectrum of love.
College Park. Tickets are $25. Call We usually have at least a couple stories that end happily, says Garibaldi, adding, I
301-405-ARTS or visit theclarice. always tell people, If youre having a really hard time with love, there will be at least
umd.edu.
somebody up on that stage who has it worse. So that kind of makes you feel better
JAZZMEIA HORN about your own. Doug Rule
Originally from Dallas, the jazz
vocalist is quickly emerging as
one of the genres best new tal-
ents, winning prestigious titles in
Sucker for Love is Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW.
the process, including the 2013 Tickets are $25. Call 202-328-6000 or visit storydistrict.com.
Sarah Vaughan International
LAURA MVULA
LiveNation co-presents a
Valentines Day concert from a
30-year-old British R&B starlet. She
tours in support of her sophomore
set, The Dreaming Room. Tuesday,
Feb. 14, at 8 p.m. Sixth & I Historic
Synagogue. 600 I St. NW. Tickets
are $29.50 in advance, or $33.50
day-of show. Call 202-408-3100 or
visit sixthandi.org.
WICKED JEZABEL
Pauline Anson-Dross popular les-
bian all-covers party-rock band
TERESA WOOD
WEIGHING IN
up, is a Be My Wicked Valentine
show. Friday, Feb. 10, at 9:30 p.m.
JVs Restaurant, 6666 Arlington
Blvd., Falls Church. Tickets are $12
to $15. Call 703-241-9504 or visit
In her debut outing, playwright Morgan Gould spotlights the bond jvsrestaurant.com.
between a gay man and an overweight woman
DANCE
H
E PERSONIFIES SOMETHING SO MANY OF US HAVE KNOWN OUR ALVIN AILEY
whole lives, which is that part of our society hates us, Morgan Gould says of AMERICAN DANCE THEATER
President Donald Trump. They really genuinely wish we would die. They gen- The celebrated dance company
returns to the Kennedy Center for
uinely hope for that. And its scary. its annual week of performanc-
Gould takes some solace in a post-election statement made by Gloria Steinem: This is es. This years program features
what happens just as youre struggling to get free. The abuser grabs one more time. This a new work by company member
Hope Boykin, whose r-Evolution,
is that moment and we can decide, No, were done. Dream is a large ensemble work
Only time will tell if thats true, she says. Until then, I cling to my gay friends. inspired by Martin Luther King,
Goulds deep bonds with her gay friends are what inspired I Wanna Fucking Tear You Jr., with music by Ali Jackson and
Apart, currently in its world premiere at the Studio Theatre. The title comes from a narration recorded by Tony win-
ner Leslie Odom, Jr. (Hamilton).
synth-rock song by She Wants Revenge, the intensity of which reflects the deep, compli- Kyle Abrahams Untitled America is
cated platonic friendships Gould has long had with gay men. a haunting three-part work shining
The play, which explores the friendship between a fat woman, Samantha, and her a light on the impact of the prison
system on African-American fami-
best gay friend and roommate, Leo, draws on Goulds real-life experiences, but is not lies. Ailey Artistic Director Robert
strictly autobiographical. The pair are as close as a married couple, but their bond is Battle, Rennie Harris, Ronald K.
threatened when Leo makes a new friend. Brown, Christopher Wheeldon,
She is what I lovingly call a basic bitch, Gould laughs. Shes a thin, beautiful night- Mauro Bigonzetti, Johan Inger and
Billy Wilson are also represented
mare. Shes also someone who hasnt had to struggle in the same manner as gay guys in the seven mixed-repertory pro-
and overweight women. Fat people are not the weakest people in the room, Gould says. grams, all of which conclude with
Were the strongest, because weve had to suffer a lot more than regular people. Gould Revelations, the masterpiece by
Ailey, who died of AIDS-related
feels I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart sheds light on conditions not typically expressed complications in 1989. Tickets,
in mainstream entertainment, which tends to view gays as obsessed with sex and fat ranging from $39 to $125, remain
women as obsessed with food. for performances Thursday, Feb.
Im not some amazing political genius, says Gould. Im not some amazing com- 9, through Saturday, Feb. 11, at 7:30
p.m. Kennedy Center Opera House.
munity organizer. But I am a person who can create visibility for people who are often Call 202-467-4600 or visit kenne-
ignored. Doug Rule dy-center.org.
O
N THE DAY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP has not taken any actions. Period, says Gregory T.
took the oath of office, the official White House Angelo, president of the Log Cabin Republicans. Any
website got a makeover. It was a new look for a reservations or fears that are being discussed on the
new administration, with every trace of the Obamas exor- LGBT left are entirely the result of their own conjuring
cised. Unfortunately, the makeover also included removal of demons where there are none.
of a page on LGBTQ issues. In its place a number of Angelo says its too early to draw any conclusions
America First action plans and a section on First Lady about the Trump administrations record on LGBTQ
Melania Trumps jewelry line. rights, at least until the first 100 days are over. At
Soon after, LGBTQ issues were removed from the the present time, Log Cabin Republicans, interestingly
Small Business Administration website, while the web- enough, is taking Hillary Clintons words to heart, when
site for the Office of National AIDS Policy was archived she said Donald Trump deserves an open mind and a
before being removed completely amid reports that the chance to lead. Were paying him deference in both of
new administration had shuttered the office. Finally, a those regards.
statement from former Secretary of State John Kerry That deference and the suggestion of overreac-
apologizing for the State Departments persecution of tion is something author and political strategist David
LGBTQ employees vanished from their website. Mixner rejects.
Many LGBTQ groups expressed concerns over the This isnt the left going crazy, he says. This is a
erasure of the pages, though some argued it was nothing full-fledged attack on millions of Americans and our
to be concerned about, that it was just part of the tran- constitution. Ive been organizing for 56 years, and I can
sition process and not a slight against the community. honestly, without hesitation, say never have I been more
After all, it was just a few websites. concerned. From the LGBT communitys standpoint,
Then came rumors that the Trump administration everything we have worked for is at stake.
would rescind an order prohibiting LGBTQ discrimi- Mixner has little patience for LGBTQ people who
nation from federal contractors. Outcry was sharp and say its too early to judge President Trump, calling their
swift. The Human Rights Campaign called it deep- defense of him splendid denial.
ly troubling. LGBTQ organizations denounced any They remind me of the German Jews who say Hitler
attempt to rollback employment protections. Last week, would never take people to camps, he says. How can
the Trump administration announced it would be leav- anyone look at these appointments, with their history,
ing the protections untouched, leaving advocates in the and his willingness to sign the religious freedom act,
lurch, as the administration sought to portray itself as which gives people permission to deny us service in
pro-LGBTQ. public accommodations and business, or [his promise to]
Next came a leaked draft of a proposed religious appoint justices to the Supreme Court who dont support
freedom executive order, written as a license to dis- marriage equality, and think theres hope in that mes-
criminate against the LGBTQ community on the basis of sage? Give me a fucking break.
religion. Trumps administration rebuffed the expected Joe Murray, administrator of the Facebook group
outcry, with a spokesperson saying the president had no LGBTrump, believes liberals are vilifying Trump
plans to sign any such order at this time. White House because they fear theyre losing the political strangle-
Press Secretary Sean Spicer refused to comment on the hold theyve held on the LGBTQ community for years.
leaked draft. There are political foes of Donald Trump who want
These events demonstrate a repetitive pattern of to use every opportunity to make his life harder as pres-
behavior: The administration takes an action, sets off a ident, says Murray. And then I think you have some
firestorm of criticism from LGBTQ people, and Trump LGBT folks who are reading and listening to some of this
then distances himself from the original controversy. coverage, and becoming genuinely concerned. And that
Those repeated rebuttals and the speed with which concern is not based upon what I would call reality, its
LGBTQ groups have rushed to denounce Trump have based upon a media narrative thats being cultivated.
left some asking if we are overreacting to the threat Murrays advice to liberals? You just have to take a
Trump poses? deep breath, recognize youre not going to agree with
Especially in regard to LGBT issues, Donald Trump this guy 100 percent of the time, and give him a chance
FLOUR POWER
confidential HIV testing at
two separate locations. Walk-
ins accepted from 2-6 p.m.,
by appointment for all other
With its elaborate and sometimes naughty cakes, Scarlets Bake hours. 414 East Diamond Ave.,
Gaithersburg, Md. or 7676
Sale is the weeks tastiest fundraiser New Hampshire Ave., Suite
W
411, Takoma Park, Md. To set
E DONT REALLY LIMIT WHAT CAN BE DONATED, AS LONG AS ITS up an appointment or for more
LEGAL, says Danie Meyer. Weve had people come and donate some information, call Gaithersburg,
301-300-9978, or Takoma Park,
cakes, baked goods, handmade items, stained glass, gift baskets, wine bas- 301-422-2398.
kets, play equipment, even clothing. Weve raised tens of thousands over the years.
And that tens of thousands is put to good use, with Scarlets Bake Sale and METROHEALTH CENTER
offers free, rapid HIV testing.
Auction, now in its 46th year, donating proceeds to assist local LGBTQ organizations. Appointment needed. 1012 14th
This years auction benefits the Rainbow History Project, and will help fund a new St. NW, Suite 700. To arrange
LGBTQ college scholarship program. an appointment, call 202-638-
The bake sale takes place at the DC Eagle, on Sunday, Feb. 12, and the bidding can 0750.
get downright competitive, with some winners even re-selling items to see if they can SMYAL offers free HIV Testing,
raise more money. One consistently popular item is a bacon-and-apple pie. 3-5 p.m., by appointment and
People really like the bacon-and-apple pie, says Meyer, a member of the Scarlets walk-in, for youth 21 and
younger. Youth Center, 410 7th
Foundation board. Two or three of those will go up each year, and theyre always St. SE. 202-567-3155 or test-
quite the hit. John Riley ing@smyal.org.
Scarlets Bake Sale and Auction will take place from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. Us Helping Us hosts a
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
12 at The DC Eagle, 3701 Benning Rd. NE. Judging begins at 3 p.m., with the auction MEETING. The group is inde-
commencing at 3:30 p.m. Visit facebook.com/ScarletsBakeSale. pendent of UHU. 6:30-7:30
p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW.
For more information, call 202-
446-1100.
THURSDAY, February 9 DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) For more information, visit
WOMENS LEADERSHIP
practice session at Takoma dcfrontrunners.org.
Aquatic Center. 7:30-9 p.m. INSTITUTE for young LBTQ
Weekly Events women, 13-21, interested in
300 Van Buren St. NW. For DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay
more information, visit swim- and lesbian square-dancing leadership development. 5-6:30
ANDROMEDA p.m. SMYAL Youth Center, 410
TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH dcac.org. group features mainstream
through advanced square 7th St. SE. For more informa-
offers free HIV testing and HIV tion, call 202-567-3163, or email
services (by appointment). 9 DC FRONT RUNNERS run- dancing at the National City
ning/walking/social club Christian Church, 5 Thomas catherine.chu@smyal.org.
a.m.-5 p.m. Decatur Center,
1400 Decatur St. NW. To welcomes runners of all ability Circle NW, 7-9:30 p.m. Casual
arrange an appointment, call levels for exercise in a fun and dress. 301-257-0517, dclamb- FRIDAY, February 10
202-291-4707, or visit androm- supportive environment, with dasquares.org.
socializing afterward. Route Join LGBTQ people from
edatransculturalhealth.org.
distance is 3-6 miles. Meet at DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds across the Washington area
7 p.m. at 23rd & P Streets NW. practice. The team is always for a SOCIAL IN THE CITY at
T
WO DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION I START- them to poke away at their perceived enemies. And mosques are
ed having nightmares, says Urooj Arshad. easy and open targets.
Literal nightmares. Ive never had that before For her part, Arshad is worried for the safety of her family,
and Ive gone through some pretty stressful times including her 72-year-old mother and her two brothers, one of
in my life. Her nightmares were often violent in whom lives in Canada, where a shooter recently opened fire in a
nature and very specific. One entailed Arshad Quebec City mosque, leaving six dead.
being struck for admitting she was Muslim and queer. Ive told my mom to not go to the mosque, she says, a
I know how messed up this world is, says the 41-year-old, slight yet perceptible tremor in her voice. Ive reiterated to
who immigrated from Pakistan with her family in the early 90s. my brother to not go to the mosque after the recent Quebec
But Ive never internalized it subconsciously to the level where shooting. And while Arshad herself no longer goes to mosques
I have no control over my dreams. I have a hard time sleeping at for religious reasons she abandoned the tenets of Islam years
night, and Ive had nightmares that I never had before. I think ago she notes they also serve as a communal gathering place.
Ive really internalized it in a very very somatic level. Like my For [Muslims] living in this country, mosques are cultural
body has internalized it. centers, she says. If theres an event, you go to the mosque. Its
I am afraid. a safe space. To think that doesnt exist anymore....
Since President Donald Trump took office, Arshads night- Arshad works as Associate Director for International Youth
mares became reality, as a flood of Executive Orders poured Health and Rights at Advocates for Youth, a global policy
down on the public. The most alarming of these, arguably, is institute for sexual reproductive health. While its not LGBTQ-
one instituting a travel ban for seven Muslim countries con- specific, part of her job is to work with LGBTQ organizations
veniently omitting those where Trump has business interests. around the globe, requiring her to travel to countries such as her
Enacted on Friday, Jan. 27, the ban was immediate, and the native Pakistan.
chaos it caused the fear, the resentment, the outrage is When asked if she would venture beyond American borders,
unparalleled in recent history. Those who have argued against the naturalized U.S. citizen says, Not anytime soon.... I have
it have done so from a Constitutional standpoint. But from a no doubt that if I leave the country and come back there will be
cultural standpoint, it serves to only drive deeper the increased additional questions and additional targeting.
loathing many (not all) of Trumps supporters harbor toward Warm, vibrant and thoughtful, with an admitted penchant
Muslims in general. The travel ban which the administra- for bling, Arshad also volunteers with the Muslim Alliance for
tion insists is not a ban on Muslims, despite Trumps repeated, Sexual and Gender Diversity, an organization that sprang out
emphatic calling for just that throughout the campaign has of The Task Forces 2013 Creating Change Conference, which
further darkened a constant shroud of dread Muslims living in works to foster support for the LGBTQ Muslim community.
America huddle under. Their mission is to support, empower and connect LGBTQ
Islamophobia is on the rise and the current president, unlike Muslims. We seek to challenge root causes of oppression,
his predecessor, has done nothing to temper the minds of those including misogyny and xenophobia. We aim to increase the
prone to hatred. With the travel ban, Trump has handed his most acceptance of gender and sexual diversity within Muslim com-
bigoted followers a huge stick and not-so-tacitly encouraged munities, and to promote a progressive understanding of Islam
Essa Neima
Mixed Media on Canvas, Victory - 48x 36
Essa Neima is a Syrian artist. He is an art instructor at University of the District of Columbia and has worked in the art
field for more than ten years between Syria, Dubai. Essa studiedfine arts at DUS, Damascus - Syria.
essaneima@gmail.com essaneima.com
Forward Movement
Caroline, Or Change is bittersweet and beautiful, while I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart
is acerbically funny By Andr Hereford
O
F BLACK AMERICANS, FREDERICK DOUGLASS obstinate meanness that perplexes the lady of the house, Rose
once wrote, [N]o people seem more imperfectly under- (Dorea Schmidt). Rose has her own problems trying to connect
stood. Those who see us every day seem not to know us. to her stepson Noah, whose mother died of cancer just months
The frustration and melancholy expressed by Douglass are poi- before his dad, Stuart (Will Gartshore), married New Yorker Rose
gnantly voiced in Caroline, Or Change (HHHHH), the brilliant and brought her to live in their voluminous old house. And what
operatic musical with book and lyrics by Tony Kushner (Angels a house it is: set designer Jason Sherwoods work dominates the
in America), and music by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home). Set in stage. A marvelously large and somewhat unsightly contraption,
Louisiana in 1963, the story of a black maid who feels unseen the house, a busy array of floors and staircases, calls to mind M.C.
and unknown even to herself is brought vividly to life in direc- Eschers impossible stairs, emphasizing the characters struggle
tor Matthew Gardiners production at Round House Theatre. to find common ground or direction. Watching the set spin can
Leading a terrific cast, the riveting Nova Y. Payton embodies distract from the emotional moment, but the huge structure
stoic Caroline Thibodeaux, a divorced mother of four, whose serves a dramatic purpose, and what it lacks in eye appeal is more
oldest was just sent off to fight in Vietnam. Toiling daily in than compensated for by expressive lighting and costume design.
the home of a white Jewish family and tending with motherly The beautiful singing, supported by a live nine-piece orches-
concern for their 8-year old, Noah (Griffin McCahill), Caroline tra, lacks for nothing. From her powerful vocals down to her
struggles to support her own kids on her $30-a-week salary. tightly constrained posture in her prim, white uniform, Payton
Nearing forty, she feels ever more burdened by her failures and owns Caroline, finding shades of warmth and humor within the
only mildly comforted by her family and friends, especially real- womans shifts from surly to heartbroken. Schmidt is every bit
izing that her children are her life and her pride but not all her her dramatic equal as Rose, sincere in her concern for Caroline
joy. Joy has gone missing, swallowed up by more pain than she but daunted by her maids chilly insistence on treating her as
can fathom during a time of war, oppression and protest. merely the new Mrs. Gellman. They forge a believably uneasy
That pain pours out in Tesoris soaring theatrical score, tinged relationship that propels the drama forward as tensions mount.
with gospel and 60s soul, and through Carolines manner, an Also daunted trying to decipher Carolines foggy moods is her
friend Dotty, played endearingly by Awa Sal Secka, who adds Sam, a big girl who owns her size and expresses her mind
uplift to the show and is powerfully emotive in both song and and sexuality freely, registers as the character more in con-
silence. As Carolines willful daughter Emmie, Korinn Walfall trol here. In a difficult role, Spiezio navigates Sams confusing
doesnt quite convey the precociousness or period Southern- emotional turns in a year that sees her find some success as a
ness that befits the character or her trajectory in the story, but writer at exactly the moment she feels her friendship with Leo
she sings wonderfully. is most threatened. Heleringers Leo carries much of the com-
Fin McCahill does a fantastic job as Noah, perhaps the most edy, getting off quite a few zingers with a well-honed delivery
well-drawn character here, inspired by Kushners own expe- that would be right at home on a sitcom. And, whether shuffling
riences as a Jewish kid growing up with an African-American around their apartment in his pa-joggers, or pretend dry-hump-
maid. The story works largely as Noahs lesson in gaining ing his roommate on the couch, Heleringer brings a physical
empathy for those whose troubles are not his own, and this abandon to the part thats infectiously fun.
production persuasively reinforces the sentiment that every In fact, he and Spiezio both command set designer Luciana
person, regardless of their status or station, deserves some Stecconis appropriately sitcom apartment with such author-
degree of empathy from the world that surrounds them. For ity that the presence of any interloper is powerfully felt. As is
every Frederick Douglass, or J.F.K., or Oprah out there, surely the case when Leo brings home his work-wife Chloe (Anna
a thousand Carolines scrub away at their wash basins, longing ODonoghue), a perfectly skinny blonde writer, whom Sam
to be seen and heard. Caroline, Or Change artfully and earnestly cant help but regard with suspicion. The fact that Chloe who
calls on us to keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to anyone who perhaps is well-meaning, or maybe viciously undermining
might be struggling quietly for change. cant help condescending to a fat girl is the stake that stirs
the pot. Much to Goulds credit, when it all boils over, there
MORGAN GOULDS ACERBICALLY FUNNY I Wanna Fucking are more than a few surprises to be had, thanks in large part to
Tear You Apart ( ) lays down its lessons in empathy ODonoghues on-target performance as the unwitting third in
with a decidedly more emo effect. Gould wrote and also directs this friendship triangle.
the Studio Theatre world-premiere production, which packs a Though witty and insightful, the text doesnt feel as
potent message of compassion into a story about a year in the life of-the-moment as the production, despite a few preciously
of two best friends. current references (OMG, Beys pregnant with twins!). Sams
Sam (Nicole Spiezio) and Leo (Tommy Heleringer) a.k.a. insistence that Team FatGay began as the necessary and fruitful
Team FatGay are two writers, just turning thirty and sharing union of two freaks is meant to feel less than progressive; indeed
a two-bedroom apartment way, way uptown in Manhattan. it does feel distinctly pre-Gaga. Theres also a whiff of stale retro
Friends since their freshman year in college, theyve supported in the strange case of Sams boyfriend, Mike, whose supposedly
each other through break-ups and poverty, surviving a tough crooked cock comes up a lot, although the African-American
city, stagnant careers and layer upon layer of self-doubt by lean- actor who appears briefly in the role oddly isnt listed in the
ing on their shared sense of struggle and sharp-edged humor. It playbill or on the plays website.
sounds a lot like Will and Grace, yet it plays a bit more like Jack What does feel timely here is Goulds bracing honesty in por-
and Grace: an adorably self-involved gay man and a talented but traying the shadowy corners of friendship, while encouraging
self-destructively insecure straight woman who love and care for empathy for the sort of person who might be an ally, yet delib-
and undermine each other with almost pathological fierceness. erately encourages or unintentionally reinforces all their best
The scene is established with lounge-y lighting and thumping friends most destructive traits and habits. l
music lending a warm, festive gay bar atmosphere. The party
kicks off with a Little Monster red carpet fantasy set to the fore- I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart runs until Feb. 19 at Studio
boding groove of Tear You Apart by She Wants Revenge. Its Theatre, Stage 4, 1501 14th St. NW. Tickets are $20 to $50. Call
a darkly sexy intro for Sam and Leo, and a strong suggestion of 202-332-3300, or visit studiotheatre.org.
the sensibility and complicity they share as friends. Throughout,
Spiezio and Heleringer joke, spar, lament and dance with a Caroline, Or Change runs until Feb. 26 at The Round House
natural rapport that sells Sam and Leos lived-in friendship, and Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda. Tickets are $40 to
stakes all our emotional investment in their mutual well-being. $85. Call 240-644-1100, or visit roundhousetheatre.org.
M
of the play will-they, wont-they lovers
AINTAINING ITS OLD WORLD THEATRICAL TROUPE VIBE, THE Rosalind and Orlando the picture grows
Folger Theatres As You Like It (HHHHH) is a charmingly energetic more complicated. Rosalind is another of
soul-pleaser. With its ensemble of gorgeous Millennials anchored by a smat- Shakespeares mind-bendingly indepen-
tering of seasoned actors who, like ageless, hip uncles, fit right in there is a cohe- dent women, this one disguising herself as
sion that is genuinely joyous. a man in order to test her potential mate.
And the sparkle is no accident. Director Gaye Taylor Upchurch makes the most of Grabbing the role by the short and curlies
her casts innately youthful energy, keeping the pace super-lively and the mood high, (much as Rosalind does her men, met-
allowing them to own the play. Complementing everything wonderfully are Heather aphorically), Lindsay Alexandra Carter
Christians inspired, multi-genre musical arrangements and the attractive choreog- is quite believable if one sees her as
raphy of Alexandra Beller. Beautiful singers, pretty movers, talented musicians the a young woman raised in a sycophantic
ever-so-game cast captures it all with ease. Upchurch has it right: If you are going to bower of privilege. Played at fever pitch,
explore the excitable world of young and convoluted love among all manner of courting she is the Boston Brahmin teen (com-
couples, you do well to let them show their wares. plete with affected English accent) caught
Antoinette Robinson is a luminous, knowing Celia, giving her young woman a quiet between a massive crush and an intellect
charisma, some wry humor and a real sense of protectiveness over her dear friend, spinning like a top. She is compelling and
the highly-strung Rosalind. As Touchstone, a version of the court jester, Aaron Krohn memorable, but not altogether sympathet-
delivers some excellent comic timing and inventiveness, while nicely understating his ic. A question also begged is how she ever
personal agenda. could have been raised in the same house-
In smaller roles, Dani Stoller is a hilarious shepherdess Phoebe, while Brian hold as the far more down-to-earth Celia.
Reisman is notable as a gently comical Silvius, who will take Phoebe any way shell have The frenzy that is Rosalind is also
him. Making the most of his hipster look, Will Hayes is a wonderfully comic wrestler somewhat out of calibration with this
and Daven Ralston is visually captivating with her pixie hair and uncompromising Orlando. And he is already something of
stare, both bringing some edgier fun to the goings-on. a challenge, being not the most highly-de-
As for the uncles, Tom Story is a superb Jacques, the world-weary traveler min- veloped of characters. To claim his place
gling with the locals. Bringing an ideal mix of cynicism and existential wonder, Story and be worthy of Rosalind he must
is the rare actor who can make Shakespeare sound like a twenty-first century conver- be imbued with far more than is written.
Though he has a smiley charisma and certainly looks the part, Rosalind is so high-octane, perhaps Orlandos energy levels are
Lorenzo Roberts plays him temperately and without irony. If beside the point. The Rosalinds of this world do so much of their
this makes for a certain yin and yang with Rosalind, it doesnt living inside their own heads.
generate anywhere near enough frisson to warrant her adora- Still, a touch of unevenness hardly matters when so many
tion. Roberts is also not as comfortable with his Shakespeare as plates are spinning wonderfully in the air. This is Shakespeare in
he might be, and without the poetry of the language it is even the springtime of love delivered with joy, energy and the Folgers
harder to get a sense of his love for her. On the other hand, special brand of intimacy. l
As You Like It runs to March 5 at Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Tickets are $35 to $75. Call 202-544-7077 or visit folger.edu.
As LGBT people, we know how important coming out is, but I would argue that our
coming out has never been more important
than it is right now.
CYNTHIA NIXON, speaking at a rally at Stonewall Inn in New York City, in a speech slamming the Trump
administration. We need to come out not just as queer, but as people who know all too well what it feels like to be put
in a box that says other, less than, easy target if youre looking for someone to bully, harass, discriminate against,
demonise, beat up, even kill, she continued.