Eric Althoff

Michael Shannon discusses ‘99 Homes’ financial crisis, Superman, ‘Freeheld’

That the actor Michael Shannon has time for an interview is, in and of itself, staggering. The theater, television and film veteran and Oscar-nominee (for 2008's "Revolutionary Road") has five films to his 2015 resume, with nine -- yes, nine -- pending next year, according to the IMDB. "I don't get much free time," Mr. Shannon, 41, told The Washington Times at the weekend.

October 4, 2015

Nick Jonas keeping mum on Kate Hudson rumors

In spite of photos first shown on TMZ of himself with Kate Hudson, musician Nick Jonas will not say definitively if the two are in fact dating. "I try to keep my personal life as quiet as possible. Just so that there are things to be kept to yourself," Mr. Jonas said in a Tuesday interview with The Washington Times.

September 29, 2015

CD REVIEW: Brooke Annibale unveils near-perfection on ‘The Simple Fear’

In the same vein as Dido and Lenka is the talented, soulful Brooke Annibale of Pittsburgh, whose "The Simple Fear" is a dirgeful travelogue of loss and meditative angst wrapped in beautiful harmonies and contemplative lyrics.

September 28, 2015

Emily Kinney of ‘Walking Dead’ has new album ‘This Is War’

"Walking Dead" alumna Emily Kenney (RIP, Beth) has a new album on tap that is far less zombie and far more experimental pop.

September 28, 2015

Women’s Voices Theater Festival playwrights hope to change gender disparity

As in far too many artforms, gender parity remains a hoped-for goal of theater. However, the District's Women's Voices Theater Festival, happening through mid-November at venues throughout the capital, aims to bring a feminine perspective center-stage.

September 28, 2015

Elijah Cummings calls Obamacare ‘first step,’ vows universal health care coverage

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings says he believes affordable health care for all Americans is an achievable goal, and cites President Obama's signature law as a good start.

September 27, 2015

CD REVIEW: Tim O’Brien channels bluegrass sounds on ‘Pompadour’

Bluegrass/folk singer Tim O'Brien releases a new disc of folksy tracks on "Pompadour." Mr. O'Brien will be performing at The Hamilton Friday October 30 alongside Old Man Luedecke.

September 24, 2015

Kiran Gandhi to perform at D.C.’s ‘V to Shining V’ party

Lady Parts Justice, an organization dedicated to reproductive rights, will host its "V to Shining V" party Friday at the District's Tropicalia in Northwest. The evening will feature dancing and music as a way to raise awareness for reproductive rights and to celebrate womanhood. It is part of a day of simultaneous shindigs nationwide. MIA drummer Kiran Gandhi will make a special appearance at the event.

September 24, 2015

Brewers Association exec says craft beer is also for women

Julie Herz, craft beer program director for the Brewers Association, will not hear that craft brewing is an old boys' club. Ms. Herz has risen through the ranks of professional beer aficionados to her current position. She will be one of the judges at Denver's annual Great American Beer Festival, happening through Saturday.

September 24, 2015

Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill chef unveils a la carte menu option

Alex Benes, Wood Ranch's "Sultan of Smoke," wants his customers to have as authentic a BBQ experience as possible. Accordingly, the executive of the California-based restaurant chain is overseeing an initiative at three of his locations -- including one in Springfield, Virginia -- to offer customers a more a la carte, personalized dining experiment.

September 22, 2015

Meat Loaf set to tour, unveil new album ‘Braver Than We Are’

He's performed at rock venues around the world, sold millions of records and acted in dozens of films, but the one thing Marvin Lee Aday -- aka Meat Loaf -- will still not do is "that." "Go read the lyrics," he said of his song "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)." "I'm serious, go right now, go on the web and read the lyrics, and read the line before every chorus," he recently told The Washington Times.

September 21, 2015

Soft Surroundings opens new Fairfax, Virginia, store

Soft Surroundings, the St. Louis-based upscale boutique for women's apparel and accessories, has opened a new location in Fairfax, Virginia. Friday the new store, located at the Fairfax Corner, officially opened to customers.

September 20, 2015

CD REVIEW: Clockwork delves deep into styles for ‘Not Meant for the Dark’

A unique pastiche of styles and influences, trio Clockwork out of St. Louis shakes the tree of music to see what falls through their own interpretations on "Not Meant for the Dark."

September 20, 2015

Drink the District’s Das Bier Bash open Saturday

As summer transitions into fall, the beer recipes switch to Oktoberfest and pumpkin brews, all of which will be on hand at Saturday's Drink the District: Das Bier Bash, taking place at The Block, located at 500 New York Ave. NW.

September 19, 2015

Laura Bell Bundy to perform at “Hearoes” tour at Andrews Air Base

Singer Laura Bell Bundy will be among those performing at a concert Saturday at JB Andrews Air Show. Miss Bundy and others will be there in support of the Songs for Sound "Hearoes" Tour, an initiative that brings free hearing screenings, awareness and other health services to veterans and their families.

September 18, 2015

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Black Mass’ a tour de force for Johnny Depp

In the late 1970s notorious Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger was put on Uncle Sam's payroll as a criminal informant, ostensibly to help the feds break the Italian mob's hold over Beantown, in exchange for the FBI more or less leaving him alone. This is the setup for "Black Mass," the new film starring Johnny Depp, and detailing Bulger's rise from small-time hood to running Boston's entire underworld, all of it bankrolled by the taxpayers' dime.

September 17, 2015

Russell Peters avoids religion in his comedy act

"It's a comedy show, so expect a lot of pain and anger and sorrow. Laughter is the last thing on my mind." So says Russell Peters, the acerbic Indian-Canadian comedian who will be appearing Friday at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore.

September 17, 2015

‘Captive’ star David Oyelowo, who played Martin Luther King, on power of faith in new film

Some say books can save the world -- and for one Georgia woman, a spiritual tome did in fact rescue her from almost certain death. Ashley Smith, a drug-addicted homebody, was assaulted in her own home by Brian Nichols, who had earlier that day killed four people. The new film "Captive," out this week, tells the story of Ms. Smith's harrowing night with Nichols -- and of the unique bond that developed between them.

September 16, 2015

Pittsburgh tourism offers baseball, history, craft beer and local cuisine

Pittsburgh was once the whisky capital of America. As fantastic as that notion seems today, this is but one of the amazing treasures to be unearthed on a trip to Western Pennsylvania. In the land where many rivers converge can be found culture, food aplenty, craft beer, architectural amazements, seasonal sports and, yes, the aforementioned spirit industry.

September 15, 2015

Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Pennsylvania offers relaxation, kingly meals

Tucked away in central Pennsylvania's Cumberland Valley is the Omni Bedford Springs Resort, a hotel so fabled and historic that it hosted 10 presidents and marks a spot in early American history where local American Indians imparted to European settlers the secrets of the valley's natural spring waters.

September 14, 2015