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Articles by Jason Fraley
From Roberto Clemente to Rooney Mara, AFI Latin American Film Fest returns to AFI Silver Theatre
WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region. Hispanic Heritage Month has officially started and movie fans have a big reason to celebrate. The 35th annual AFI Latin American Film Festival returns to the historic AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland, from Sept. 19 through Oct. 10.
‘All About That Bass’: Meghan Trainor joins WTOP with Md. native Chris Olsen before Jiffy Lube Live
She’s all about that bass, no treble — and he’s all about returning to his home base, no trouble. Meghan Trainor brings her “Timeless” tour to Jiffy Lube Live in Virginia on Tuesday alongside singer, actor and TikTok guru Chris Olsen, who grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland. “I feel like I’ve listened to this [radio station] so many times in my life,” Olsen told WTOP. “This would be the radio that I’m pretty sure would be on every morning driving to school. This is D.C. This is it.
Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry returns to country music roots with solo tour at Rams Head in Annapolis
The Band Perry burst onto the scene 14 years ago with some of the best country songs of all time. Now, the talented Kimberly Perry brings her first solo tour to Rams Head in Annapolis, Maryland, on Sunday night. “I was super excited to be invited up to Rams Head,” Perry told WTOP. “We’re kind of weaving this tour and this stop in Maryland as part of the CMT Next Women of Country tour for me, so I’m gonna be playing that set list. It’s a little bit of everything.
Do you miss Screen on the Green? Paramount+ Movie Nights screens ‘Forrest Gump’ on the National Mall
D.C. movie fans were devastated when HBO discontinued its popular “Screen on the Green” series in 2016. Now you can rejoice with a revival of sorts as the National Mall hosts the inaugural Paramount+ Movie Nights. “If you miss Screen on the Green, come by this Saturday evening and watch our Paramount+ Movie Night in its first-ever inauguration on the National Mall,” Executive Vice President of Marketing Puja Vohra told WTOP. “We have been doing our Movie Nights series in New York.
‘Way Down We Go’ from Iceland to DC as Kaleo brings blues-rock gold to The Anthem
They’ve racked up four billion streams worldwide with a deliciously throwback blues-rock sound. Now, the pride of Iceland comes to the heart of America as Kaleo rocks The Anthem in D.C. on Monday, Sept. 16. “I’m pretty sure this is our second time,” Frontman Jökull Júlíusson told WTOP.
Annapolis Songwriters Fest welcomes best pens in the biz with Marc Cohn, Lee Brice, Natalie Hemby
Share Are you a lyrical wordsmith who wants to pick the brains of the best songwriters in the biz? Or are you simply a music fan who wants to enjoy some cool concerts in Maryland’s capital? The third annual Annapolis Songwriters Festival returns this Thursday through Sunday, modeled after the 28-year-old Key West Songwriters Festival.
Annapolis Songwriters Fest welcomes best pens in the biz with Marc Cohn, Lee Brice, Natalie Hemby
Are you a lyrical wordsmith who wants to pick the brains of the best songwriters in the biz? Or are you simply a music fan who wants to enjoy some cool concerts in Maryland’s capital? The third annual Annapolis Songwriters Festival returns this Thursday through Sunday, modeled after the 28-year-old Key West Songwriters Festival.
Round House Theatre’s ‘Sojourners’ argues immigration is vital to the American Dream
Immigration is front and center in the heartfelt new dramatic play “Sojourners,” which opens Wednesday night at the prolific Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland, running now through Oct. 6. “It’s a timely topic,” director Valerie Curtis-Newton told WTOP. “There’s a lot of conversation about immigration that doesn’t take into account how many folks really love where they came from.
America’s largest Black and Latinx orchestra visits Washington Convention Center, Kennedy Center
America’s largest full-time Black and Latinx orchestra is paying a special visit to the nation’s capital. The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA) kicks off its fall season with a pair of concerts for the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Weekend in D.C. “When we talk about being the largest orchestra of color in the United States, we’re talking about an orchestra that has a regular season that operates year-round,” founder Charles “Chuck” Dickerson told WTOP.
Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels featured in new Prime docuseries ‘The Money Game’ about NIL
Jayden Daniels may have lost his rookie season opener with the Washington Commanders on Sunday, but he’s starring in a brand-new documentary on a revolution in college sports. The six-episode docuseries “The Money Game” premieres Tuesday on Amazon Prime Video, chronicling the aftermath of a 2021 Supreme Court decision that allowed college athletes to make money off their “Name, Image and Likeness” (NIL), a financial barrier long held by the NCAA for its student athletes.
Flo Rida, Sara Evans, Tracy Lawrence headline Great Frederick Fair, the ‘G.O.A.T.’ of county fairs
Maryland has many county fairs, but the Great Frederick Fair proudly calls itself the “G.O.A.T.” That’s the double-meaning slogan for this year’s event, running Sept. 13 through Sept. 21. “This year is the G.O.A.T.: The Greatest Fair of All Time,” General Manager Karen Crum told WTOP. “Ironically, we have more goats than we’ve ever had. We had to build another barn for them. We had ‘great’ in our name ‘The Great Frederick Fair,’ so it seems fitting.
Anthony Anderson hosts Kennedy Center salute to ‘DC Originality’ with Ginuwine, Kenny Lattimore
Did you ever grind to Ginuwine’s “Pony?” Did you crack up watching Anthony Anderson’s “Black-ish?” The Kennedy Center welcomes both stars for a special two-night event called “DC ORIGINALITY: Showcasing the Cultural Beat of Capital City” on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. “I’m from D.C., I was born here and I know the rich culture of the city,” curator Carlos Simon told WTOP.
Lake Street Dive celebrates 20th anniversary with ‘Good Together’ tour at Merriweather Post
Lake Street Dive is bringing its 20th anniversary tour to Maryland this weekend. The band rocks Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, on Friday night. “We’ve been in the region many times over the years, but this is our first time at this specific venue,” Drummer Mike Calabrese told WTOP. “It’s always been great for us down there for sure.
Movie Review: ‘Strange Darling’ is one of the most electric and unpredictable thrillers in years
Stephen King called it a “clever masterpiece.” Mike Flanagan added, “Sublimely brilliant. You must go in blind.” Allow me to throw my own stunned support behind the must-see new thriller “Strange Darling,” written and directed by JT Mollner, who is now officially a filmmaking force to be reckoned with in the horror genre.
Tony-winning hair and wig designer brings ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ from Broadway to Arena Stage
“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” recently competed for Best Play at the Tony Awards in June. This Friday, the acclaimed Broadway comedy hits Arena Stage in D.C. now through Oct. 13. WTOP caught up with the Nikiya Mathis, who won a Special Tony for her hair and wig design. “I was blessed this year to win a historic Tony because there actually is no category for hair and wig makers, so I am actually the first person ever to win a Tony for my wig design,” Mathis told WTOP.
Review: ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ returns for Season 2 with potential Gandalf clues
NOTE: The following contains spoilers from Season 1, but I shall do my best not to spoil plot points of Season 2. “The Lord of the Rings” prequel series “The Rings of Power” was an absolute blast when it hit Amazon Prime Video back in 2022.
Still ‘Highway Stars’: Deep Purple rocks Jiffy Lube Live to celebrate 50 years of ‘Smoke on the Water’
Forget the political red and blue of our heated campaign season, this weekend, Virginia will be Deep Purple. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band rocks Jiffy Lube Live on Saturday as the “Highway Stars” round the Capitol Beltway for their “Smoke on the Water” 50th anniversary tour with fire in the sky over the nation’s capital. “The last 50 years (has been) one big, great, amorphous blob of concerts with beautiful people and beautiful places,” frontman Ian Gillan told WTOP.
Bethesda Row Arts Festival welcomes nearly 200 artists for art lovers and buyers to enjoy
Would you like to pick up some new artwork for your home? Do you want to spend a fun weekend outdoors? The 26th annual Bethesda Row Arts Festival returns to Bethesda, Maryland, this Saturday and Sunday — only this year it’s not in October, it arrives a month earlier in September. “The weekend after Labor Day actually works out best because we are the first weekend of the fall and it’s a great way to usher in a new season,” Festival Director Jon Gann told WTOP.
Rob Thomas joins WTOP before epic NSO concert at Kennedy Center
This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker. He’s one of the biggest singer-songwriters of our time, from his band Matchbox Twenty to his stellar solo career. This week, Rob Thomas joined WTOP en route to a special concert at the Kennedy Center on Friday, Sept. 6. “It’s my second time playing there,” Thomas told WTOP. “Years and years ago, I actually played at the Kennedy Center Honors and we honored The Who.
DC Shorts celebrates 21st birthday by expanding from DC to Virginia
How did you celebrate your 21st birthday? A beloved local film festival blows out 21 candles this week! The 21st annual D.C. Shorts International Film Festival returns Thursday through Sunday. “Let’s be honest, when you turn 21, your life gets wild and I think that’s D.C. Shorts Year 21, we’re about to get wild,” Program Director Joe Carabeo told WTOP.
Chappell Roan turns Merriweather into a ‘Pink Pony Club,’ while Shaboozey gets ‘Tipsy’ at 9:30 Club this September
The D.C. area is still the hottest place to be, even as the cool fall weather rolls into town. Hometown heroes like Shaboozey and growing global icons such as Chappell Roan will rock the region this month. They’re all featured in our September entertainment guide of fun events in the D.C. area: September Entertainment Guide: Sept. 3: Crowded House at Wolf Trap Sept. 3-8: “MJ: The Musical” at National Theatre Sept. 3-8: “Noises Off” at Keegan Theatre Sept. 3-15: “Soft Power” at Signature Theatre Sept.
Review: No. 1 movie on Netflix is new raunchy teen comedy ‘Incoming’ about freshman looking to party
Review: No. 1 movie on Netflix is new raunchy teen comedy ‘Incoming’ about freshman looking to party
August means back to school, so are you looking for a wild teen party flick for Labor Day weekend? You might try the raunchy teen comedy “Incoming,” which is currently the No. 1 movie on Netflix. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before in “Mean Girls” (2004) or “Superbad” (2007), but it’s not a total waste of time, either, with some refreshing Gen Z social updates between the potty humor.
AEW star Mercedes Moné, formerly WWE’s Sasha Banks, defends NJPW title at Capital Collision in DC
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AEW star Mercedes Moné, formerly WWE’s Sasha Banks, defends NJPW title at Capital Collision in DC
She’s one of the biggest names in professional wrestling over the past 10 years and arguably the GOAT in the women’s ranks, first making history as Sasha Banks in WWE and now holding the AEW TBS Championship. This Friday night, Mercedes Moné defends her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship at the third annual Capital Collision at the Entertainment & Sports Arena, home of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics in Congress Heights, Southeast D.C. “I am facing Momo Watanabe,” Moné told WTOP.
Rare Essence headlines Summer Soul Music Festival in La Plata on Labor Day weekend
Dancing on the eve of Labor Day means you can party without having to worry about work the next day! The beloved D.C. go-go band Rare Essence headlines the third annual Summer Soul Music Festival at the Charles County Fairgrounds in La Plata, Maryland, on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. WTOP caught up with founding member Andre “Whiteboy” Johnson as Rare Essence leads a lineup that includes Northeast Groovers, DCVybe, The Kim Michelle Experience and All-Star Experience, as well as DJ Frisco and DJ...
Bluegrass, Americana fans flock to Front Royal for 9th annual Appaloosa Music Festival
Front Royal, Virginia is the place to be this weekend if you dig bluegrass or Americana music. The ninth annual Appaloosa Music Festival returns to Skyline Ranch this Saturday and Sunday. WTOP caught up with Dan Fedoryka, who cofounded the festival with his brother Alexander. “My band Scythian started as a D.C. band, we used to play every Thursday at Fado Irish Pub in Chinatown,” Fedoryka told WTOP.
DC Jazz Festival celebrates 20th anniversary with over 100 concerts in 12 neighborhoods
Share Would you like some cool live music to send you soaring into Labor Day weekend? The D.C. Jazz Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary from Wednesday through Sunday. “It’s become quite a cultural destination in D.C., right up there with cherry blossoms and the Folklife Festival,” President and CEO Sunny Sumter told WTOP.
DC Jazz Festival celebrates 20th anniversary with over 100 concerts in 12 neighborhoods
Would you like some cool live music to send you soaring into Labor Day weekend? The D.C. Jazz Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary from Wednesday through Sunday. “It’s become quite a cultural destination in D.C., right up there with cherry blossoms and the Folklife Festival,” President and CEO Sunny Sumter told WTOP.
Grammy winner Samara Joy joins WTOP just days before rocking DC’s Anthem
What do Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion and Olivia Rodrigo all have in common? They won the Grammy for Best New Artist directly before Samara Joy took the crown in 2023. This Wednesday, the modern jazz icon releases “You Stepped Out of a Dream,” the first single off her new album “Portrait,” just days before performing with her new octet at The Anthem on Friday night at the D.C. Jazz Festival. “I’ve never been to The Anthem before, so I’m looking forward to my debut,” Joy told WTOP.
Review: ‘Only Murders in the Building’ off to a killer start to Season 4 as the trio travels to Hollywood
Fourth seasons of sitcoms are often their funniest from “Seinfeld” (The Contest) to “The Office” (The Fun Run), from “The Simpsons” (Mr. Plow) to “Cheers” (the arrival of Woody Harrelson). Maybe we need a little time to get to know the characters. Maybe we need a few seasons to embrace the unique tone. Or maybe the writers have finally gelled in the writers room and are finally swinging for the fences with their wildest, most creative ideas.
Grammy-nominated ‘American Idol’ alum Jordin Sparks joins WTOP en route to DC’s Atlantis
She’s sold over 10 million digital tracks in the U.S. since winning “American Idol” back in 2007. On Thursday, Jordin Sparks brings her “No Restrictions: Live & Intimate” Tour to The Atlantis in D.C. The tour is named after her new “No Restrictions” album that drops next month. “There’s something for everybody on this album,” Sparks told WTOP. “We’ve got my southern gospel roots, my choir roots. We’ve got country, acoustic, piano ballads, a power ballad, we have pop, we have R&B.
Maryland woman competes on reality TV series ‘The Anonymous’ on USA Network Original
A Charles County, Maryland, woman is competing on the cutthroat TV series “The Anonymous” on USA Network. Episode 4 airs Monday at 11 p.m. — fittingly right after WWE’s “Monday Night Raw.” “I’m gonna lay the smack down right on ’em,” Tyrenna Tolbert told WTOP. “I’m so excited to see what goes down tonight. I’m telling you, if you’re not watching tonight, you are missing out on some big stuff.
Montgomery County native competes in finals of NBC’s ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Original
Growing up in North Potomac, Maryland, Karen Potts loved watching NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” on TV. On Monday night, she’ll compete in Stage 1 of the finals. “I’m definitely excited to watch,” Potts, 19, told WTOP. “I know what happens, but I love to see the way they put it all together and then a bunch of my friends are competing too, the way you meet people through there.
Review: John Cena, Awkwafina team up for Prime action comedy ‘Jackpot!’ about fatal future lottery
It’s currently the No. 1 movie on Prime Video after its straight to streaming release this past week. John Cena and Awkwafina team up in the new action comedy “Jackpot!” by Amazon MGM Studios. Originally titled “Grand Theft Lotto” (a better title actually), the film is set in the near future of 2030 Los Angeles where California has created a Grand Lottery where the losing ticket holders have until sundown to kill the winner and claim the prize. There’s just one catch: no guns allowed.
National Landing hosts ‘Fridays at the Fountain’ for final time of the summer in Crystal City
Are you looking for a fun and relaxing way to unwind in the evening after a hard week at work? National Landing hosts this summer’s final “Fridays at the Fountain” from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Water Park at 1601 Crystal Drive in Crystal City, Virginia.
Review: Apple TV drops finale of ‘Lady in the Lake,’ finishing with a strong splash after treading water
Exactly a month after “Presumed Innocent” rendered its verdict, Apple TV+ solves another murder mystery. “Lady in the Lake” drops its seventh and final episode on Thursday, finishing with a strong splash after treading water early on to the point of nearly drowning. Glad I kept paddling. Despite the title, this series has nothing to do with M.
Kennedy Center hosts Women’s Equality Day concert honoring TV’s original Wonder Woman
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Kennedy Center hosts Women’s Equality Day concert honoring TV’s original Wonder Woman
The Democratic National Convention is set to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the first Black and Asian American woman for president on Thursday, just days before Women’s Equality Day on Monday.
Kennedy Center hosts free Local Theatre Festival of up-and-coming playwrights
Before the lights, sets, props and costumes, every great theatrical show starts somewhere. This weekend, D.C. theatergoers can witness awesome new work before it even hits the stage. The Kennedy Center hosts the free Local Theatre Festival at the REACH this Friday and Saturday. “This is our second year presenting the Local Theatre Festival,” Victoria Murray Baatin, senior director of Social Impact told WTOP.
Sublime with Rome brings ‘Farewell Tour’ to Live! Casino in Maryland
We don’t practice Santeria, we ain’t got no crystal ball, but we do know that this is a last-chance opportunity. Music fans in the D.C. area have exactly one week until Sublime with Rome brings its “Farewell Tour” to The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel in Arundel Mills, Maryland on Wednesday, Aug. 28. WTOP caught up with longtime frontman Rome Ramirez, who took over as the new lead singer of Sublime in 2009 after the tragic death of the band’s founder Bradley Nowell in 1996.
James Patterson, Tamron Hall, Max Greenfield headline Library of Congress’ National Book Festival
Are you looking for a family-friendly activity in D.C. this weekend that’s equally educational and enjoyable? The Library of Congress presents the 24th annual National Book Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. “We’re excited to be back at the Washington Convention Center and looking forward to having thousands of people celebrate with us for our 24th anniversary,” Festival Director Jarrod MacNeil told WTOP.
‘Opera in the Outfield’ brings Puccini to Nats Park punctuated by Grammy winner, ‘Succession’ scribe
The Washington National Opera’s “Turandot” was sold out at the Kennedy Center in the spring. This Saturday, you can see it free on the Nats Park Jumbotron during the 19th annual “Opera in the Outfield.” “It’s an annual tradition for us,” General Director Timothy O’Leary told WTOP. “It’s one of our favorite days of the year because it’s a gift to our whole beautiful community to invite everyone for free to come see the opera on the Nats Park Jumbotron. It’s so much fun.
After 25 years in copyright limbo, ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ finally makes streaming premiere
NBC's "Homicide: Life on the Street" makes its streaming premiere on Peacock on Monday. The show is a realistic account of the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide Unit. WTOP's Jason Fraley celebrates streaming premiere of 'Homicide: Life on the Street' (Part 1) It’s been stuck in copyright limbo for 25 years, but one of the greatest TV shows in history is finally streaming.
They met in Laurel, now Grammy-nominated husband-and-wife duo The War & Treaty return home to DC
They began singing in D.C., met in Maryland and got married before becoming Grammy nominees for Best New Artist. Now, the acclaimed husband-and-wife duo The War & Treaty come home to perform live at The Hamilton on Thursday night. WTOP caught up with Michael and Tanya Trotter ahead of their big homecoming concert in Downtown D.C. “We’ve done the Grammys on the Hill there and we really love that event, so we’re really excited to come back with our show,” Tanya Trotter told WTOP.
Netflix documentary ‘Daughters’ chronicles inspirational daddy-daughter dance at DC Jail
It won the Audience Award for U.S. Documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. This week, “Daughters” premieres on Netflix chronicling an emotional daddy-daughter dance at the D.C. Jail. WTOP caught up with the film’s co-directors Natalie Rae and Angela Patton, who created the dance at the suggestion of young girls in her non-profit organization Girls For a Change in Richmond, Virginia. “I run a program that advances opportunities for Black girls,” Patton told WTOP.
Comedian Iliza Shlesinger visits Maryland to ‘Get Ready’ for next standup special Original
Marylanders will soon have a chance to see one of the funniest standup comedians working today. Iliza Shlesinger cracks up The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel in Arundel Mills, Maryland, on Friday. “This is the ‘Get Ready Tour,’ you guys are getting ready with me because I’m shooting my brand new special with Amazon, it’ll be my seventh hour in November in Salt Lake City,” Shlesinger told WTOP.
Wynton Marsalis brings jazz greatness to Wolf Trap
The rare chance to witness jazz greatness firsthand is coming to one of Northern Virginia’s most beloved venues this week. Nine-time Grammy winner Wynton Marsalis performs live at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia, on Thursday, performing with The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra from New York City. “We have a lot of original composers and arrangers,” Marsalis told WTOP. “We’re going to be playing some of my music, the music of Duke Ellington and members of our orchestra.
Whoa! Heaven let your light shine down on Va. as Collective Soul brings anniversary tour to Jiffy Lube Live
Some of the best alternative-rock hits of the ’90s are about to echo across Prince William County. This Saturday, Collective Soul rocks Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia, on a triple bill that includes fellow ’90s sensations Edwin McCain and Hootie & The Blowfish. WTOP caught up with Collective Soul’s longtime bass player Will Turpin to preview the concert. “We were all signed to Atlantic Records in 1994, all three of us from the South, so we’ve always been good friends,” Turpin said.
After 40 years at National Philharmonic, founding conductor to launch Capital Classical Concerts
In 1984, he founded what would eventually become the National Philharmonic, which has become a Montgomery County staple of live orchestral performances at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland since 2004. Now, after 40 years, Piotr Gajewski will no longer be conducting concerts for the organization as the National Philharmonic is forging ahead without its founder. “After 40 years with the organization, I am no longer music director,” Gajewski told WTOP.
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