FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Joni Mitchell never lies. And neither does multidisciplinary drag artiste John Kelly. Even if you’ve never seen Mitchell perform live, you’ll feel like you have after witnessing Kelly’s highly nuanced, full-concert performance. Think of John as the yin to Joni’s yang. Unlike most drag performers, Kelly actually sings all the songs and plays instruments live. (How many people—let alone drag queens—have you met who actually play the dulcimer?) His portrayal of Mitchell—complete with a straw-blond wig that seems to become a separate character onstage—is respectfully irreverent. He takes her music quite seriously, but gently pokes fun at her hippie ideals and casual, non sequitur-filled stage banter. In the first half of the performance, representing Mitchell’s early work, Kelly wears a long, shapeless hippie dress. In the second half, filled with songs from the ’70s, Kelly gives us glamour in a black glitter gown. Joined onstage by guest musicians— “Vincent van Gogh” and “Georgia O’Keefe”—Kelly dishes up a full course of Mitchell classics, including “Chelsea Morning,” “Blue,” and “Shadows and Light.” And a version of “Woodstock” is sometimes modified as a homage to the New York City drag festival “Wigstock.” You can tease the many wigs in Kelly’s musical museum at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, and Saturday, Jan. 22, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at Dance Place, 3225 8th St. NE. $15. (202) 269-1600. (Holly Bass)