Summer rocks … and rolls

On Memorial Day, the energetic folks at Artistic Differences performed a concert version of the Who’s rock opera Tommy to an almost-full house at the Crest. It was a rockin’ good time.

The community alt-musical crew is set for two more concert-style performances this summer: Hair on July 16 and Bare on August 13, both at Harlow’s (2708 J Street). Hair, the ’60s “tribal-rock musical,” is currently in revival on Broadway; Artistic Differences’ summer 2007 production rated sublime (also known as a “wet Willie”) from yours truly.

The other show, Bare, is also a reprise of a full Artistic Differences production from summer 2008. It’s not any less frenetic than the other two, but unfortunately, all too timely in its pop-rock examination of the cost of homophobia. For more info about the shows, visit www.artisticdifferences.net.