LOVE SONGS
In his song "Lover," Tom Goss covers a subject both completely familiar and brand new. Goss, a top openly gay singer-songwriter, writes about a loved one lost at war, but in this case, it's someone he can't admit he loves.
"Tragedy it seems to strike,
At the peak of any life,
Know no matter what it tries,
You are still my lover."
The song made a splash when it was released in 2011, the same year Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed. Along with fellow openly gay singer-songwriter Matt Alber, Goss will perform at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St. NE). Alber, a two-time Grammy Award-winning performer, will sing songs from his new solo album, "Constant Crows."
Tickets are available at atlasarts.org for $20. Doors open at 8 p.m.
PORC OUT
Go whole hog at Bourbon Steak's third annual pig roast this Sunday. From noon to 3 p.m., guests can enjoy a whole roasted hog from Leaping Waters Farm in southwest Virginia.
Come hungry for pork in many forms, including slow-roasted pork shoulder tacos, pork sausages from Red Apron and Thai pork ribs. Other summer favorites will also be on the menu, including grilled corn on the cob with lime butter, baked beans and jalapeno-cheddar cornbread. The Virginia-based War Shore Oyster Company will serve an oyster bar, and a dessert table will feature cookies, soft serve sundaes and spiked watermelon. Port City Brewing Co. will provide its local brews.
The feast costs $50 for food, $60 for food and drink, or $40 for kids 12 and under. Bourbon Steak is in the Four Seasons Hotel at 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.
GAME TALK
Local artist Kenny George will give his perspective on artwork on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (Eighth and F streets NW) as part of the Luce Local Artist Series. George, a professor at George Washington University, "explores notions of adolescent behavior, performing stunts for recreation, and asserting masculinity through the overcoming of ridiculous obstacles, often through photography, lenticular flip animation, interactive video, and video games," according to his official biography.
George will be speaking alongside the exhibit "The Art of Video Games," which explores the 40-year development of video games and focuses on the games' groundbreaking visual effects and technologies. Following the talk, guests can play one of George's own video games.
The talk starts at 1:30 p.m. and lasts one hour. Free coffee and tea will be available.