Arts & Entertainment

Calendar for Aug. 6

Friday, Aug. 6, to Thursday, Aug. 12

Published

16 years ago

August 4, 2010

Friday, Aug. 6

Open Mic Night tonight at the DC Center, 1318 U St., N.W., at 8 p.m. hosted by Mike Brazell. Everyone is welcome to a night of queer poetry and spoken word and is encouraged to come prepared to share.

Gloss presents First Fridays Ladies Night tonight at Apex, 1415 22nd St., N.W., featuring the DC Kings and the DC Gurly Show. DJ Rosie will be in the main hall. There is a $10 cover charge. Must be 18 to enter and 21 to drink.

Annie Oakley Wild West Festival starts tonight with an opening dance at the Governor’s Hall at Sailwinds Park, 200 Byrn St., Cambridge, Md., from 7 to 11 p.m. There is a $20 cover charge. The festival is a new event to celebrate famous sharpshooter Annie Oakley. The festival continues through the weekend. There will be music, pony rides, arts and crafts, re-enactments, food and beverages.

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, created and conducted by George Daugherty, will be at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, Va., tonight at 8:30 p.m. The NSO provides live accompaniment as everyone’s favorite bunny brings new cartoons and music to life on large screens in-house and on the lawn, including classics “The Rabbit of Seville,” “What’s Opera, Doc?” and more.

The GLBT Arts Consortium and Capitol Hill Arts Workshop will offer Gilbert & Sullivan’s most popular opera “The Mikado” at CHAW, 545 7th St., S.E., at 7 p.m. Return to a time when merely flirting was punishable by death, and a poor tailor must compete with a second trombone for the favors of a beauty named Yum-Yum, and a formidable lady can be won with a pack of flattering lies and a sad, lovelorn song. And that’s only the beginning.

Saturday, Aug. 7

Ever wanted to dance like the crews on ABDC such as Poreotixs or Soreal Cru? Join the Joy of Motion Dance Center, 5207 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., at 11 a.m. for an Autobots vs. Decepticons workshop that will show all the latest street moves fused with illusions, tutting, popping and turfing and video choreography based on today’s hottest dance moves and concepts. Visit Joyofmotion.org for more information.

The DC Center and Tongues Afire DC invite queer women of color to a poetry workshop taking place at the DC Center, 1318 U St., N.W., at 1:30 p.m. Come explore your creative spirit in a workshop facilitated by local poet Jade Foster. For more information, contact Jade at: [email protected]

No Scrubs ‘90s Dance Party with DJs Will Eastman and Brian Billion at 9:30 club at 9 p.m. No Scrubs began in 2004 as a one-off concept party by Eastman and Billion. The idea was simple: play both guilty pleasures and underground classics you listened to growing up in the 90s. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at 930.com.

Drag Days of Summer by Scena at the H Street Playhouse, 1365 H. St., N.E., is a party following a performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde. There will be complimentary wine, beer and German food by Biergarten Haus. Drag attire is welcomed. Tickets can be purchased at scenatheater.org.

Sunday, Aug. 8

Hippiefest at Wolftrap’s Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, Va., at 8 p.m. This “groovy” tradition continues with the best of the ‘70s featuring Jack Bruce of Cream, War, Mitch Ryder and Rare Earth.

Monday, Aug. 9

“Women to Watch 2010 Body of Work: New Perspectives on Figure Painting” at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave., N.W. NMWA’s newest installment in the Women to Watch exhibition series centers on contemporary figurative painting. The 16 works in the exhibition reflect myriad styles and approaches, but all highlight figure painters’ embrace of the slow, subtle and singular processes involved in painting people.

Tuesday, Aug. 10

Join the Dance Institute of Washington for an innovative, family-friendly adaptation of a celebrated classic, West Side Story, at the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Va., at 10 a.m. When the Hip Hops challenge the Techni-Ques to a lively dance-off, it seems like everyone’s choosing sides. This fun, age-appropriate competition is the backdrop for a love story that makes two rivals reevaluate their differences and honor the importance of acceptance through their love of dance. Visit wolftrap.org to purchase tickets.

Wednesday, Aug. 11

Tribute to the British Invasion at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, at 7:30 p.m. Sixty of the D.C. area’s best performers, including Tommy Lepson, Eric Brace & Last Train Home, 4 Out of 5 Doctors, Margot MacDonald, Julia Nixon and more honor singers and bands that forever changed America’s musical landscape. Highlighting the years of 1964-1966, this show features hits originally performed by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Dusty Springfield and more.

Play Loteria, the Mexican version of bingo, but played with icons instead of letters and numbers, at The Palace of Wonders, 1210 H St., N.E., at 6:30 p.m. The icons were done by 54 of DC/MD’s top artists including David Amoroso, Kevin Sherry, Cameron Wolf and former Blade staffer Alan Defibaugh. The evening is hosted by burlesque waitress, Shortstaxx and alt drag performer, Lucrezia Blozia.

Thursday, Aug. 12

DCBiWomen, the area’s social group for bisexual and bi-curious women, will meet at Cafe Luna, 1633 P St., N.W., at 7 p.m. The group’s goal is to create an accepting, encouraging environment for bisexual women regardless of the gender of their partner or what they are looking for, meet other cool bi women, and affirm the existence of the bi-identity.

Jason Wu’s fashion collection meets its fine art inspiration at a special Phillips After 5 at The Phillips Collecton, 1600 21st St., N.W., from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wu cites Robert Ryman’s painting as the muse for his fall 2010 TSE cashmere collection. For one evening, models act as living works of art in the Ryman exhibition, bringing Wu’s designs face-to-face with their fine art inspiration. A video of Wu’s fall 2010 ready-to-wear runway show is on view in the café, and a scavenger hunt leads visitors through the museum, collecting fashion and fine art facts for a chance to win prizes. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and visitors 62 and over, and free for members and visitors 18 and under and they can be purchased at phllipscollection.org/calendar.

Theater

Don’t miss summer productions at Clear Space in Rehoboth Beach

‘Cher Show,’ ‘Pretty Woman’ among season’s standouts

Published

15 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Peter Rosenstein

Abby Lynne and Caetano de Sá (Photo by Deny Howeth)

“The Cher Show” at Clear Space Theatre is wonderful. I am always amazed at the talent they attract for their summer series. Kudos to Wes Drummond, the artistic director of the theater. “The Cher Show” is written by Rick Elice. Compliments to the talented director, James FitzSimmons, who brought to life this production. His immensely talented cast includes Shannen Hofheimer as Star, Breanna Lemerise as Lady, Abby Lynne as Babe, and Anya Kay, as young Cher. Each is a pleasure to both watch and listen to. They command the stage. Then more kudos to the entire cast and ensemble. Also, the creative team, which includes among so many who make this show a hit, choreographer Shondelle Graulich; scenic designer, David Chappell; lighting designer Brendan Smith; costume designer Valerie Beardsley; and the entire orchestra led by conductor, Jerry Birl.

But the actor who I was looking forward to seeing in the production, was a young actor I had written about, and reviewed, when I saw him at Clear Space two years ago. In this production he is Sonny Bono, and he definitely didn’t disappoint.

Let me introduce Caetano de Sá. I have written about him before, but his resume is worth repeating. It says; Height: 5’7 ½, Eyes: Brown, Voice part: Tenor G2 – C5, Build: Athletic. All true. Then you add to this he speaks Brazilian Portuguese, is certified in stage combat by the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a 2^nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Then as his resume of roles confirms, he can act, sing, and dance with the best. He does a great job as Sonny and is fun to watch on stage. Here he displays his talents as a singer and actor, and they are as good as I remembered them when I first met Caetano while he was still in school in 2024, and was starring as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” at Clear Space. At the time he was a rising senior at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee BFA Musical Theater program. I interviewed him, and Harry Sperduto, who played Tommy Devotee, after seeing them in the show, and being amazed by their talent. Since that time, I have followed their careers. When I heard Caetano was coming back to Clear Space for the summer, I reached out, and he agreed to sit down and chat, which we did. I knew Clear Space Theatre was planning a busy summer season. Their lineup of shows included “The Cher Show,” “Mean Girls,” and “Pretty Woman.” They always have talented casts, including the many college students who are getting their first chance to shine, which was the case for Caetano in 2024. Now he is back as a graduate, with more experience under his belt, a little more established. This season he was going to play Sonny in their production of “The Cher Show,” Martin/Coach Carr, in “Mean Girls,” and Mr. Hollister in “Pretty Woman,” and being a part of the ensemble. He told me he really enjoys being at Clear Space, and that his castmates are all talented. He is a lot more experienced than when he was here before, having performed in productions at the Prairie Repertory Theatre, the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Firehouse Center for the Arts, and the Sullivan Rep, among others. In productions as diverse as “Oklahoma!,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Hairspray,” and “Rock of Ages.” He now lives in New York City and clearly New York is the perfect place for an aspiring actor. He has an agent at Bramante Artists, who is getting him gigs, like the one he had at 54 Below and even a TV commercial for AFLAC.

“The Cher Show” is the second show I have seen at Clear Space this summer. After our chat I got one of the last tickets available that evening for “Pretty Woman.” In that production he has a smaller role, and is part of the incredibly talented ensemble. It is also an entertaining show and its very talented stars, Abby McDonough as Vivian, and Jaiden Leo Riley as Edward, are a pleasure to watch. Kudos to the talented director, Ashley Williams, and the entire creative team.

For anyone living at the beach, or coming for a visit, I urge you to plan a night at Clear Space. You won’t regret it. But know tickets for all the shows, and Sunday evening cabaret nights, sell out fast. So, I suggest you see what’s available online and buy yours today.

Photos

PHOTOS: World Pride March

LGBTQ rights demonstration held in Amsterdam

Published

2 days ago

August 9, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from the 2026 World Pride March in Amsterdam. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2026 World Pride March was held on Saturday, Aug. 8 in Amsterdam. Tens of thousands of participants marched from Martin Luther Kingpark to the grounds of the Pride Village at Museumplein.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)