Eric Althoff

MAGIC!, Yarn, Derek Hultquist among those performing in Washington, D.C., this summer

It's summertime, which means it's time to get outdoors and enjoy some live music. Here are some recent discs released by acts coming through the DMV during the warm months.

June 23, 2016

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘The Neon Demon’ is a depraved exploitation film masquerading as art

It takes a special kind of movie to be this awful, and indeed, a mindset to have such singular firmness in one's abilities to create a film that is so far beyond contempt. While "The Neon Demon" purports to be a thriller and a quasi-horror film, what it really is is a mean-spirited, misogynistic paean to the value of physical looks above all else. And to those who are not -- or believe they are not -- as attractive as someone else in their midst, the film's message is simply and vapid: Beauty is the only thing worth killing for.

June 23, 2016

‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ cast a mix of old and new stars

We always knew the aliens could come back for round 2. And so did "Independence Day" cast members Jeff Goldblum and Vivica A. Fox. "They've been talking about making the film for at least 15 years," Miss Fox told The Washington Times during a swing through the District this spring to promote the sequel, "Independence Day: Resurgence," opening Friday.

June 22, 2016

AFI Docs fest to screen ‘Abortion: Stories Women Tell’

In "Abortion: Stories Women Tell" from director Tracy Droz Tragos, the subject is undeniably abortion, but it also a film specifically about women. To wit, not a single male is captured in sit-down interviews, with Ms. Tragos relying instead for the stories of her subjects -- both pro- and anti-abortion advocates, as well as those who have undergone the procedure -- as told by the members of the sex who actually bear children.

June 21, 2016

‘Superman: Ride of Steel’ opens at Six Flags America

Strapped into a seat for the new attraction "Superman: Ride of Steel Virtual Coaster" at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, I stare ahead at the front of the train as ride attendants dutifully check restraining harnesses of guests -- standing operating procedure. But for this unique roller-coaster, which combines traditional ride thrills with virtual reality, another component is needed for each rider prior to the train's departure for Supes' adopted hometown.

June 20, 2016

Jane Lynch of ‘Glee’ brings musical show to the Kennedy Center

Yes, you know her as Sue Sylvester, the dyspeptic cheerleading coach who tore everyone down to size for six seasons on "Glee," and as Paula, the delightfully stentorian manager of the electronics store where Steve Carell worked with his slacker chums in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." The comedy wizardess will be performing at the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theatre Friday in a show she has dubbed "See Jane Sing."

June 20, 2016

Fox 5 in Washington, D.C., hires Martin Di Caro as transportation contributor

The District's Fox affiliate, WTTG, has hired Martin Di Caro to serve as its transportation contributor, effective June 20.

June 19, 2016

‘Kinky Boots’ at Kennedy Center offers optimistic time at the theater

The Broadway smash "Kinky Boots" has trotted its optimistic footsteps into the Kennedy Center Opera House, where the Cyndi Lauper-composed musical about the rather unorthodox turnaround at a downtrodden English shoe factory will run until July 10.

June 19, 2016

Tequila Avion unveils new ‘Yo/Elevado’ campaign

It has been said that drinking can itself be an art form, which is why Tequila Avion is naming its new campaign "Tequila Elevado a un Arte" (tequila elevated to an art).

June 16, 2016

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘De Palma’ provides retrospective of director’s work, if not baring his soul

The new film "De Palma," opening Friday in District theaters, follows the typical hagiography approach of re-examining a director's career through his output. The poster offers him up as "one of America's greatest storytellers," a rather generous appellation given that Mr. De Palma's output has entailed some truly great works ("Scarface" and the underappreciated "Casualties of War"), many competently made thrillers and genre exercises ("Mission: Impossible," "Carrie") as well as more than a few absolute stinkers ("Snake Eyes," "Femme Fatale").

June 16, 2016

Loving Day celebrates striking down of interracial marriage laws

It's hard for people today to appreciate that there were once laws against interracial marriage, known as miscegenation laws. On Sunday in the District, a gathering at Mulebone Restaurant celebrated Loving Day, named in honor of the 1967 Supreme Court decision, Loving v. Virginia, that forever struck down as unconstitutional state laws against persons marrying someone outside their own race.

June 13, 2016

David Copperfield was magic consultant on ‘Now You See Me 2’

While "Now You See Me 2" stretches the boundaries of credulity with its magic tricks, magician David Copperfield, who served as a consultant on the film now in theaters, says that all of what is seen on screen in the movie can, in fact, be done. "A lot of [the stunts] are things that I suggested," Mr. Copperfield told The Washington Times.

June 13, 2016

‘Godfather’ vodka gets pitchman in star Gianni Russo, who played Carlo Rizzi

It was an offer he could not refuse. Gianni Russo, best known as the ill-fated Carlo Rizzi in the original "Godfather" film, has been tapped by Paramount -- the studio behind the mafioso trilogy -- to be the brand spokesman for the new Don Corleone Organic Italian Vodka. "I'm a true vodka drinker, so to have the opportunity to get involved in the brand" was a true honor, Mr. Russo, also a vintner, told The Washington Times during a swing through the District to promote Don Corleone.

June 12, 2016

Oprah Winfrey donates $1M to N Street Village

Oprah Winfrey made a surprise donation of $1 million Thursday to N Street Village, a D.C. charity that houses homeless women and helps them to get off drugs and back into society.

June 9, 2016

Fox 5 WTTG expands political coverage with show ‘5 @ 6:30’

The District's Fox affiliate, WTTG, will expand its election coverage heading into the summer and fall with a weeknight newscast called "5 @ 6:30," set to bow on July 18.

June 9, 2016

Fort Lauderdale tourism offers Florida beaches, cuisine, craft beer and water sports

Say the words "Fort Lauderdale," and chances are those within earshot will say, "Oh, that smaller city north of Miami, right?" While yes, Fort Lauderdale is in fact 20 miles north of Miami, it does in fact have a South Florida culture all its own. The Washington Times recently spent a pleasurable weekend in "the Venice of America" to soak in sun, sand, surf and many other surprises.

June 8, 2016

Louis Gossett Jr. reflects on career as he turns 80

Only death will slow Louis Gossett Jr. down, he says, but the Oscar-winning actor, who just turned 80, has no plans to spend his remaining years basking in reflection. The New York native has not less than six films scheduled for release in 2016 alone, according to the IMDB, and there's still so much more he would like to do. "There's more stories to tell about our history," he said.

June 6, 2016

Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep among those in United State of Women video for female empowerment

Ahead of The United State of Women Summit taking place June 14 and 15 in the District, the White House has released a video featuring Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington, Connie, Britton, Laverne Cox, Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Tina Fey and Michelle Obama, in which the women tout their strength as individuals and as a collective -- as well as promote the conference, where such issues as economic empowerment, educational opportunity and innovation will be addressed.