Arts & Society

Gary Tischler • January 17, 2014

From South Africa—“Mies Julie,”
an adaptation by Yael Farber for
the South African State Theatre of
Strindberg’s “Miss Julie” 14 years
after Apartheid makes its Washington
debut at the Shakespeare
Theatre Company’s Lansburgh
Theatre Nov. 9 to 24.

Lynn Redgrave by way of Kathleen
Chalfant—“Shakespeare For My Father,”
a one-woman play written by the
late actress Lynn Redgrave about her
Shakespearean actor father Michael, will
receive a staged reading at the Folger
Theatre Nov. 11, in conjunction with
the Davis Performing Arts Center at
Georgetown University.

A new and restless “Sleeping Beauty”—
Cutting edge and powerhouse British choreographer
Matthew Bourne returns to the
Kennedy Center with his company New
Adventures to the Opera House for his distinctive
and haunting version of “Sleeping
Beauty,” a gothic, supernatural love story
fitting for the times. Nov. 12 to 17.

A True Family Saga at Studio, “The Apple Family Plays”
by Richard Nelson consist of two plays, “That Hopey
Changing Thing” and “Sweet and Sad,” which will play
in repertory at the Studio Theater Nov. 13 to Dec.
29, directed by Serge Seiden and with a cast of stellar
Washington players, including Jeremy Webb, Kimberly
Schraf, Sarah Marshall, Ted van Grithuysen, Elizabeth
Pierotti and Rick Foucheux.

One of Our Favorite Things: Rodgers
and Hammerstein’s classic musical about
Anna and the King of Siam, “The King
and I” gets a staging fit for the holidays
at the Olney Theatre Center Nov. 14
to Dec. 29. Starring Paolo Montalban
as the King and Eileen Ward as Anna,
directed by Mark Waldrop.

Tappin’ Through Life—Legendary Broadway and
stage performer, jazz singer, dancer and actor
Maurice Hines will star in the jazzy, high-stepping
journey of his own life, featuring the Manzari
Brothers, running Nov. 15 to Dec. 29.

Christmas in Twelve Days—“The Twelve Days
of Christmas,” directed by Michael Dove, and
based on the traditional holiday song by Renee
Calarco will be the Christmas production
at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo Park Nov. 15 to Dec. 30. [gallery ids="101535,150046,150054,150052" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Mr. and Mrs. Neil Bush and the Ambassador of Italy and Mrs. Bisogniero hosted this year’s Point of Lights Tribute Awards at the Embassy of Italy on Oct. 11 recognizing individuals and organizations whose contributions have bettered their communities. In honoring New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Neil Bush said “Governor Christie showed that when the chips are down, we are all family.” The Governor said that he accepted the award on behalf of the volunteers, “those people who helped rebuild my state.” American Idol star Pia Toscano sang “I’ll Stand by You” and legendary broadcaster Paul Berry auctioned off an American flag flown on 9/11, signed by and donated from the personal collection of Pres. George H. W. Bush, for a breathtaking $57,500. [gallery ids="101517,150854,150839,150844,150847,150852" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Last night, Washington VIPs and style-setters were treated to an exclusive glimpse of the United Colors of Benetton Autumn/Winter 2013 collection at the Georgetown flagship store. A recognizable cast of Washington’s most fashionable and their families – attired head-to-toe in fresh Benetton looks – mingled with Benetton USA President & CEO Ari Hoffman, who flew in from New York for the occasion. Benetton-clad honorees included Washington Redskin Reed Doughty, Top Chef’s Spike Mendelsohn, BET Network EVP & CFO Michael Pickrum, Washingtonian’s Kate Bennett, Washington personality Susanna Quinn, author Helena Andrews, and Gilt City’s Marissa Schneider were among those honored at the event. [gallery ids="101527,150222,150220" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

The OSS Society honored Adm. William H. McRaven, commander of U.S. Special Operations, the mastermind behind the raid to get Osama bin Laden, at its annual William J. Donovan Award Dinner Oct. 26 at the Ritz-Carlton in the West End.

The OSS gala is a unique Washington event, where old spies and young silent warriors gather to tell stories and recognize today’s achievers — and where national intelligence and covert actions are seen as high service to the nation.

The OSS Society is dedicated to those who served during World War II in the Office of Strategic Services, predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. Special Operations, and honors the memory of legendary Gen. “Wild Bill” Donovan, OSS founder.

Where else do you have nine toasts at the beginning of dinner? To the commander-in-chief, our allies — and the last, being “to the ladies.” How about applause for Ernest Hemingway who drove into Paris with OSS forces in 1944 and his love of martinis? Or for Marlene Dietrich, whose recordings were broadcast by the OSS during World War II? Even closer to home, why not have a menu inspired by Julia Child who worked for the OSS and lived briefly in Georgetown?

Retired Maj. Gen. Victor J. Hugo, Jr., master of ceremonies for the dinner, told attendees at one point to sit down or they’d be shot — the program was long but full of gratitude and history. Among the awards, the 99-year-old Fisher Howe toasted Julia Child and her “genuineness.”

Marlene Dietrich was honored for our work during World War II, recording melancholic songs to demoralize German troops. It was fine for her international fame, she said, to be used “as a weapon against evil.” Her only child Maria Riva was on hand to salute her as did the entire ballroom and a swing band. In a heartfelt speech, Riva recalled preparing to leave France before the growing Nazi threat: “America’s freedom is never more apparent than when you flee and need her to house you.”

CIA Director John Brennan said that he was “humbled” to give the keynote speech. He noted that he and McRaven were both longhorns from the University of Texas. It is a time of “greater need for intelligence,” Brennan said, as he looked out at “the excellence and professionalism in this room.” Intelligence and special operations are back together “like the OSS.”

Brennan spoke of McRaven, whose dissertation was on special ops and who earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism, leaving pre-med and accounting behind — and then chose the “comfort and ease” of being a Navy SEAL. McRaven, Brennan said, called the Osama mission “sporty.” It was the integrity of McRaven — “We can get the job done.” — that convinced President Obama to proceed with the raid, he said. McRaven is a decent as he seems, Brennan said, “not just a hero but a good guy.”

After video tributes by Leon Panetta, Robert Gates and Obama, the presentation of the Donovan Award by retired Major Gen. John Singlaub, McRaven launched into a well-prepared speech. “The OSS is back,” he said. Not since World War II have intelligence and special operations meshed so well, he said, especially since the attacks of September 11 and the aftermath. He gave a long list of the different talents required for special ops, the different devices and different languages involved. Harking back to previous threats, such as fascism and communism, McRaven said, “Today, we are fighting extremism of another type, a medieval mindset that doesn’t recognize any civility. It is international, and it is a threat to our global humanity.”
[gallery ids="101525,150311,150304,150314,150300,150308" nav="thumbs"]

Gary Tischler •

They’ll be celebrating a 40th anniversary for Magpie—aka Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino—at the Barns at Wolf Trap tomorrow night, October 16, with a release party and concert with some good friends and possible surprises at 7:30 p.m.

They’ll also be celebrating one of the unique, original, compassionate, musically diverse and gifted duos that exists in the country. Magpie embodies the idea of music which is about commitment to the great issues of the day and of history— in the grand tradition of Pete Seeger, who plays harmonica on one of the songs on their new album— along with the ideals of Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan. It’s an eclectic musical record that’s embedded in causes in which they believe, but also in a great talent and collaboration of huge gifts.

Now living in the Catskills, the couple met at Kent State all these years ago and have been making memorable music and merged their music into their roles as story tellers, educators and advocates for peace and change. They’ve worked with Seeger, Phil Ochs, Kim and Reggie Harris and somehow found time to write West Virginia’s state anthem, “Take Me Back to Harper’s Ferry.”

Wolf Trap and the Barns is a fitting setting for this concert and celebration—which will also feature Ralph Gordon on string bass, Rolly Brown on guitar and percussionist Matt Daynard. They’ve played there many times and are also Master Teaching Artists for the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. They won the Wammie Aard for Teraditonal Folk Duo of the Year from the Washington Area Music Association in 1998.

The duo features Leonino’s stirring, searing voice which has been compared to Billie Holiday. Her gift for playing instruments includes the harmonica, mandolin, fretted dulcimer and rhythm guitar. Artzner plays the guitar in the classic, fingerstyle manner of guitar legends like Big Bill Broonzy, Nick Lucas, Rolly Brown and the Reverend Blind Gary Davis. You get the drift—protest, passion, jazz, folk, blues, roots music, rooted in the sufferings of the working poor made visible and aural.

Magpie has a new album out, called “Of Changes and Dreams,” which is billed as a compendium of everything Magpie: you get hard-hitting anti war songs like the one that leads things off, “Follow the Money” as in “Follow the money from the oil can/from Iraq, Nigeria and Kazakhstan…” to the rustic local “Ev’ning in Carolina,” “Sailing Up my Dirty Stream,” written by Pete Seeger. Be sure to listen to Leonino, so clear-voiced, clear-hearted, and very bluesy on “Detour Ahead”—…”Smooth road, clear day/but why am I the only lone travelin’ this way.”

Georgetowner •

Enjoying the full moon over the Linden trees in the back terrace on Oct. 18, more than 850 global leaders attended the 45th Annual Meridian Ball, setting a new attendance record for this landmark event in the nation’s capital. The ball got some heavy hitters involved: Congressional co-chairs Sen. Roy Blunt and Abigail Blunt and Rep. John Delaney and April McClain-Delaney; honorary sponsor Ambassador Capricia Penavic Marshall, former Chief of Protocol of the United States; ball chair Dalia Mroue-Fateh, founder & CEO of Salt Productions LLC; corporate chair Christophe Navarre, chairman & CEO of Moët Hennessy; White-Meyer chair Britlan Malek; and Young Professional co-chairs Frances Holuba and Jaclyn Mason. The 2013 Ball was generously supported by presenting sponsor Moët Hennessy. [gallery ids="101508,151139,151138,151134,151125,151130" nav="thumbs"]

Gary Tischler •

It was a love fest at the Kennedy Center Sunday, a magical red carpet ride, a fun and funny night out with the stars, with the biggest star among many—Carol Burnett, 80 and getting younger—receiving the center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy. Old friend Julie Andrews lauded her, Tony Bennett serenaded and younger comediennes showed up to acknowledge a comedic debt to the queen of television, stage and film. [gallery ids="101509,151123,151120" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

When the vice president stops by your party, you know you’re taken it to a new level. Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden were at the historic home of Brooke and Stephane Carnot on Oct. 17 for the 2013 Spirit of Georgetown to honor Page Evans for her years of unyielding support for the GMC and the homeless people it serves. As a close family friend, the vice president acknowledged Page as “doing the Lord’s work” and said the “Evanses think about what they can do for someone else.” GMC board president Jocelyn Dyer thanked Washington Fine Properties and the many other donors who raised $92,000 for services for the homeless in Georgetown. Page spoke modestly of “helping others and having fun.” [gallery ids="101510,151118,151115,151091,151096,151099,151103,151108,151111" nav="thumbs"]

Gary Tischler •

At the D.C. Jazz Festival Annual Trustee Gala Oct. 21 Charles Fishman, founder of the festival, was presented with the 2013 DCJF John Conyers, Jr., Jazz Advocacy Award. The award was presented by and named after Rep. John Conyers, Jr., D-Mich., for advocacy on behalf of jazz. There isn’t a better advocate for jazz in than Fishman, who is also the festival’s executive producer and artistic director.

Gladys Knight made the evening memorable with an emotional concert of her songs [gallery ids="101512,150997" nav="thumbs"]

Rebecca Magnuson McCabe •

I am a singer-songwriter, and I live in Georgetown. I wrote and performed in Nashville, Tenn., for years, and I now spend a few days there each month. I admit that I am spoiled when it comes to live music. You can only imagine my elation when I got the news that a new music venue, Gypsy Sally’s, would be opening down on the Georgetown waterfront. Back in my early twenties, I was a regular groupie at the legendary music club, the Bayou. When it closed in 1998 I feared that, other than Blues Alley, Georgetown had seen the last of its musical glory days.

Just a few blocks from where many Bayou memories reside for me, a new, Americana-themed, 300-seat music and dinner club, Gypsy Sally’s, has recently opened. The party is not only back in town, but it has changed for the better. It’s no longer about enduring a standing-room-only crowd, developing neck cricks from straining to see the band or bringing peanuts to munch on during the show. Gypsy Sally’s features local, regional and national Americana bands and offers a menu consisting of the foodie generation’s F.L.O.S.S. theme: “Fresh, Local, Organic, Seasonal and Sustainable.” My two favorite menu picks are the sunflower hempseed hummus as well as the kale salad.

The few times I have managed to sneak away after putting the kids down, I’ve been blown away…not only by the talent Gypsy Sally’s has booked (Jim Lauderdale graced the stage opening night), but by the comfort, hip factor and tech savvy of the establishment. There is ample tiered, graduated seating so that everyone can see. Booking online can also ensure a specific table or even barstool. Tim Kidwell of the Birchmere in Alexandria, Va., consulted on the state of the art, incredibly balanced sound system (no ear plugs ever needed). Yet another surprise is the dance floor situated in front of the stage. Finally, a place to dance in Georgetown.

If you feel like you just want to chill and chat with friends, Gypsy Sally’s also boasts a space called the Vinyl Lounge with an entrance off 34th Street. Once inside, you can play your old records (yes, bring them with you, or choose from their amazing collection). Eat from the eclectic, ethnically diverse menu, and relax.

I sat up at the bar in the Vinyl Lounge the other night, hanging out with my girlfriend, Karen Ensor, co-owner of the place with her husband, David. The room was packed, the vinyl spinning. I asked her what the one message about Gypsy Sally’s would be if she could put it out there. She said: “Trust us.”

Karen and David Ensor really know music. David is a singer-songwriter, and Karen went to college at Vanderbilt University in the midst of Nashville’s music heyday. Whether you come to Gypsy Sally’s to enjoy a concert or to hang out in the Vinyl Lounge, you will be pleasantly reminded that the music is still alive and well in Georgetown, and our good friends, the Ensors, promise that there is something for everyone any night of the week. The glory days are back.

Visit www.GypsySallys.com for the music calendar and other information.