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Calendar for Aug. 27

Friday, Aug. 27, to Thursday, Sept. 3

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Friday, Aug. 27

Official 2011 Ripped Genes Calendar Release Party tonight at the Engineer’s Club at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion, 11 W. Mount Vernon Pl., Baltimore, tonight at 8 p.m. View the work of renowned photographer, Robert Mercer Jr. and the swimwear fashion show.

AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md., will be showing the D.C.-area premiere of “All About Evil” at 9:30 p.m. The directorial debut of Joshua Grannell (better known as Peaches Christ), “All About Evil” is a twisted black comedy with performances by Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Dekker, Noah Segan, cult icon Mink Stole, and Cassandra Peterson (better known as Elvira).

Michael Jackson Birthday Celebration tonight at 9:30 club, 815 V St., N.W., with a marathon DJ set by DJ Dredd and a video tribute. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at 930.com.

Gay District, a weekly, non-church affiliated discussion and social group for GBTQ men between 18 and 35, meets tonight from 8:30-10:30 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

The DC Gurly Show is gonna give this summer ending thing one more go
with a GooGoo for GaGa show tonight at Phase 1, 525 8th St., S.E. There will be a $5 cover and doors open at 9 p.m.

Apex Drag Search tonight at Apex, 1415 22nd St., N.W., hosted by Big Daddy and Arione DeCardeza with the winner being picked by audience participation. Grand prize includes $50 cash and a booking with Kristina Kelly and her Girls of Glamour. Showtime is 11 p.m. There will be a $10 cover charge and you must be 18 or older to enter and 21 and older to drink.

Saturday, Aug. 28

Join Burgundy Crescent Volunteers help prep for Books Plus, the nonprofit library store at MLK Jr. Memorial D.C. Public Library, 901 G St., N.W., 8th Annual DCPL fall book sale. Volunteers will be unpacking boxes, selecting interesting titles and sorting them by category on book carts. Volunteers will get special pricing and dibs on books they would like to purchase.

NOVA GL Professionals, the Straight Eights Car Club, DCthirtysomething, DC Lambda Squares, and DC Ice Breakers co-host the 3rd Annual Lazy River Tubing with optional picnic and dinner on the Shenandoah near Harper’s Ferry. Bring-your-own picnic is at noon, tubing is at 2 p.m. and dinner at Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse in Gaithersburg is at approximately 5:30 p.m. Visit dcicebreakers.com for more information.

The Official Birthday Party for the Godfather of Go Go Chuck Brown featuring D Floyd, Ms. Kim, Lissen, and Be’la Dona, an all female Go-Go Band, will be at the 9:30 club, 815 V St., N.W., at 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at 930.com

Electrik at Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct., N.W., hosted by Timur Tugberk at 10 p.m. This new dance party features the best in dance, electro, deep and dirty house, trance, and circuit music provided by DJ Tom from Prague. Arrive early and enjoy an open rail vodka bar and no cover from 10 to 11:30 p.m. The party continues with a $5 cover. Enjoy a $17 all-you-can-drink Bacardi buffet from 10 p.m. to closing.

Sunday, Aug. 29

CAMP Rehoboth and the Seashore Striders will host the inaugural Sundance 5k: Run, Walk, or Sashay! in Rehoboth Beach, Del., to kick off Sundance Week. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. with pre-registration starting at 6 a.m.

Rock the Bells with Snoop Dogg, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim, KRS-One, Lauryn Hill, Slick Rick, and more will be at Meriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, Md. Doors open at 11 a.m. Tickets range from $66 to $150.50 and can be purchased at merriweathermusic.com.

Inspired by the queer tea dances of the San Francisco area, OverEasy: A Tea Dance for Ladies and Their Friends will be at Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar, 1104 H St., N.E., from 3 to 9 p.m. On the back patio, Chef Kywon’ll be grilling up perfect summer afternoon fare and Leslie will be serving oversized Bloody Mary’s and mimosas to chase the Sunday blues away at the bar. There is no cover for this event but remember that Miss Whiskey’s is cash only.

Monday, Aug. 30

The Distant Relatives Tour featuring NAS and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley with Gyptian will be at the 9:30 club, 815 V St., N.W. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $44 and can be purchased at 930.com.

Tuesday, Aug. 31

Join Burgundy Crescent Volunteers to help pack safer sex kits from 7-9 p.m. at FUK!T’s new packing location, The Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct., N.W.

Wednesday, Sept. 1

The Art Gallery at the University of Maryland presents the exhibition, “The Very Queer Portraits of Heyd Fontenot” by Austin, Texas-based artist Heyd Fontenot. There will be an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be a discussion with the artist at a later date.

“Gray Pride” fundraiser to support Vincent Gray for Mayor from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the rooftop pool at the Donovan house.

The Tom Davaron Social Bridge Club will meet at 7:30 p.m., at the Dignity Center, 721 8th St., S.E., (across from Marine Barracks) for Social Bridge. No partner is needed. Visit lambdabridge.com and click on “Social Bridge in Washington, D.C.”

DC Ice Breakers Skating and Social at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, on the top of the Ballston Common Mall parking garage, 627 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va. Skating is $8 plus $3 for skate rental and goes from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m with a social at a local bar from 9 p.m. to whenever.

Thursday, Sept. 2

Kele of Bloc Party with Does It Offend You Yeah? and Innerpartysystem will be at the 9:30 club, 815 V St., N.W., at 6:30 p.m. This is a new date and all Aug. 7 tickets will be honored. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at 930.com.

The DC Center Fall Reception will be held at the Artists Inn Residence, 1824 R St., N.W., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

The Atlas Performing Arts Center presents Summer Film Series: Gay 101 showing “Steel Magnolias” starring Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton and Sally Field at the Paul Sprenger Theatre, 1333 H St., N.E., at 8 p.m. Buy tickets at atlasarts.org or at the box office one hour prior to the movie.

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Theater

Talented pair of local queer actors tackles ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Ford’s production features terrific score

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Chani Wereley (Audrey) and Derrick D. Truby Jr. (Seymour) in the 2024 Ford’s Theatre production of Little Shop of Horrors. (Photo by Scott Suchman)

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ 
Through May 18
Ford’s Theatre
511 10th St., N.W.
$33-$95
Fords.org 

Ever since premiering off-Broadway in 1982, “Little Shop of Horrors” has drawn a devoted following of avid audiences as well as performers eager to act in the show. Now playing at Ford’s Theatre, the doo-wop, dark comedy features a terrific cast including a wildly talented pair of local queer actors who’ve longed to appear in the show since they were kids. 

Set in the urban 1960s, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s hit show with a terrific score follows the wacky rise of Seymour, a nebbishy florist in a Skid Row shop who changes his fortunes by unintentionally marketing an exotic, human eating plant.  

Chani Wereley, 28, who plays Seymour’s love interest Audrey, a hyper femme downtowner with an edge, has had her on eye the role for years. Wereley says, “Audrey’s been around the block more than once, but I approach her as a person who moves through the world with love and hope.”

The queer D.C. native adds, “On long trips to visit family in Canada or Florida, the first thing we’d do is pop a ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ video [film version] into the car’s VHS player. I’ve watched is so many times, I could quote the whole movie to you.”

After auditioning to play Audrey in director Kevin S. McAllister’s production at Ford’s, Wereley never thought she’d book the part, and when they said she got it, she cried.  

Similarly, Tobias A. Young, 34, the pansexual actor who voices the part of the bloodthirsty plant affectionately dubbed Audrey II, explains his intense interest in the work: “I started watching the film in ’86. Growing up as a little gay boy in Calvert County, Md., I wanted to be blonde Audrey [played by Ellen Green in the movie]. I didn’t know much about musicals at the time, but I was absorbed.” 

When asked by Ford’s to play the voracious plant Audrey II without auditioning, his reply was an unhesitant “yes.” 

Voicing a role requires Young to sing from backstage in a black box rigged with monitors and a mixing board. He says, “people ask if I’m singing from inside of the ever-growing, scary plant. No, I’m not, and that’s fine. But let’s face it, actors love to be seen on stage, but I don’t feel entirely unseen as Audrey II.”

He’s worked hard and successfully with formidable puppeteers Ryan Sellers and Jay Frisby to bring parts of himself to the carnivorous plant — his sassiness, own movements, and even a tilt of his head; their efforts have drawn the actual Young into the show. 

Both Wereley and Young possess gorgeous, emotive voices as evidenced by Wereley’s striking rendition of Audrey’s “Suddenly Seymour,” and Young’s soulful “Feed Me (Git It).” Additionally, both actors are also big on queer representation in theater. 

When her young pals were listening to Britney Spears, Wereley was dancing to retro tunes like “Mashed Potato Time,” and her favorite song to this day, the Shirelle’s girl group anthem “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” As Audrey, Wereley eschews the character’s usual platinum hair for a bouncy brunette, cherry-streaked wig, tight pencil skirts, swing coats, and her very own half-sleeve tattoo. 

“It’s important for people to see themselves on stage,” she says. “Seeing me or someone like me is inherently interesting. Being that person on Instagram or with the institution, cast, or audiences is meaningful. It’s important.”

In 2011, a couple years after finishing high school, Young landed a part in “Dream Girls” at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, and he’s been working professionally ever since. Growing up, he didn’t see a lot of himself – Black and queer – on social media. He now wants to be open and honest for those out there who might not feel seen, he says

An introvert who lets everything loose on the stage, Young says, “theater is a safe space for queer people. That’s the first place we feel safe, particularly in school. And this is why we need theaters in schools, now more than ever.”

He adds, “What’s great about Ford’s is its surprises, especially when they switch up casting. It’s meaningful to see the shows you love, but why not see them with a twist? Using unexpected actors and incorporating queer people just makes it that much better.”

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Nightlife

D.C.’s gay DJ collective CTRL returns

Electropop group resurfaces at Trade on March 30

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CTRL is back after a six-year absence.

Finger lasers, confetti cannons, drag shows, photo booths, throwback tunes, and a touch nerdy: after a long break, D.C.’s gay DJ collective CTRL is throwing its first party in six years.

Born in an Eritrean restaurant more than a decade ago, this longstanding gay nightlife electropop group is resurfacing with a comeback event at Trade on March 30.

Gay DJs Adam Koussari-Amin, Jeff Prior, Devon Trotter, and Brett Andreisen hosted the first CTRL party at now-closed restaurant Dahlak, on the corner of 18th and U Streets. After a year of hosting pop-ups in that restaurant’s dining room, they upgraded down 18th Street to now-closed gay club Cobalt. There, the parties grew: drag shows, a pop-up photo booth from David Claypool, and quirky activations like throwing hot dogs into print-outs of Putin’s mouth. Their productions grew as well, like producing the now-defunct Brightest Young Gays (BYG) Pride events at Wonderbread Factory and Union Market and the ‘Get Wet’ pool party with David Brown’s Otter Crossing at the Capitol Skyline Hotel.

CTRL wasn’t done. The group received its biggest stage yet after a call from Ed Bailey, the owner of now-closed gay club Town, as well as current gay bars Number 9 and Trade. At Town, the opportunity “allowed our creativity to flourish with even bigger performances, bigger photo experiences, crazier hand-outs, and the same electropop dance vibes our fans had come to know us for,” says Koussari-Amin.

CTRL pressed pause when Town shut down, which “was a huge loss to the LGBTQIA+ community and D.C. nightlife in general,” says Koussari-Amin. After that, it hosted an occasional spinoff called QWERTY. Post-pandemic, Koussari-Amin has spent a few nights solo as DJ at Trade and other venues.

After connecting with Jesse Jackson, the Trade general manager, as well as with Bailey, who agreed to host the inaugural event, Koussari-Amin was determined to shift CTRL back to life.

However, getting the old band back together proved to be a challenge. While the rest of the group have either left Washington, D.C., or are pursuing other projects, Koussari-Amin received their blessing to stay on and find new members. 

“When it came to finding new partners, both DJ Dez [Desmond Jordan] and DJ Lemz [Steve Lemmerman] were obvious choices,” he says, noting that “they also have distinct styles and interests.” Dez has a residency at Pitchers and Kiki as well as pop-ups, and Lemz throws events like Sleaze and BENT.

 “It seemed important to come back to the nightlife table with an experience that could complement all the amazing experiences that have even built up since CTRL threw its last event at Town. Bringing back both the DJ collective and the CTRL event with Dez and Lemz means new voices, perspectives, sounds, and excitement.”

“CTRL is an opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy music, drinks, and good vibes,” adds Jordan, noting that for him, it’s an event that celebrates queer identity.

And after months of planning, CTRL will kick off its monthly party series at Trade on March 30 for the first gig after its glow-up.

The trio says that its core inspiration “is driven by the indie and electropop favorites of new and old, like Goldfrapp, Ava Max, Charli XCX, … We’re also all huge fans of slut and trash pop music like Kim Petras, Slayyyter, Cupcakke,” as well as pop diva remixes, new bops, and songs that reside inside and far beyond the expanse of Top 40.

CTRL is also bringing back its activations that complement the tunes. Summer Camp is set for drag performances, David Claypool is back with his photo booth, and Koussari-Amin promises “to have all sorts of weird and wacky handouts like we used to.”

After the March premiere, April’s party is “CTRLella”, a Coachella send-up. Future events will feature various different themes, and they plan to throw a party during Capital Pride; they’re also looking to be a central part of Trade’s expansion into the adjacent space.

 Koussari-Amin says that “the event’s signature experience [is] a lynchpin in connecting D.C.’s expanding generations of queer folks, giving everyone a safe space to let loose and feel a rush no matter who they are.” 

For his part, Bailey continues to support CTRL and its collective intention, expressing its essential nature as a party for partiers by partiers. “CTRL is the kind of party that represents what people want. It’s just a real party by real people that just want to hear good music and dance with their friends.”

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Celebrity News

HRC releases ‘Queer Renaissance Syllabus’

Beyoncé’s hit album inspired curriculum

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Beyoncé performs at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., on Aug. 6, 2023. The Human Rights Campaign has released a curriculum that her "Renaissance" album inspired. (Washington Blade photo by Isabelle Kravis)

In a move aimed at celebrating the beauty, brilliance and resilience of the LGBTQ community, the Human Rights Campaign unveiled the “Queer Renaissance Syllabus” that Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” album inspired. 

Curated by Justin Calhoun, Leslie Hall and Chauna Lawson of the HRC’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program, the syllabus includes a variety of academic articles, essays, films and other media rooted in Black queer and feminist studies. Each piece is directly inspired by the tracks on Beyoncé’s Billboard 200-topping dance album, “Renaissance.”

Beyoncé’s album “Renaissance” stands as a cultural milestone, celebrating the Black queer roots of dance music while shedding light on overlooked Black queer artists. Inspired by her late-Uncle Johnny, the album not only garnered critical acclaim but also shed light on the often marginalized contributions of Black queer artists. Winning four Grammys and yielding chart-topping hits like “Break My Soul” and “Cuff It,” the album sparked discussions about economic impact and cultural representation.

Amid its success, legislative challenges arose, with Florida and Texas enacting bans on DEI initiatives in public colleges. Recognizing the album’s transformative potential, HRC developed the “Queer Renaissance Syllabus” to leverage its impact for education and activism.

Tailored for educators, youth-serving professionals, DEI practitioners, higher education leaders and admirers of Beyoncé’s artistry, the syllabus aims to encourage meaningful discussions, enrich lesson plans, and explore innovative ways to honor the vibrancy and significance of LGBTQ individuals and their culture.

With six themes anchoring the syllabus, ranging from “intersectionality and inclusivity” to “social justice and activism,” it provides a comprehensive exploration of various facets of LGBTQ experiences and expressions. Fan-favorite tracks from the album are paired with scholarly readings, offering insights into empowerment, self-acceptance and the transformative power of artistic expression. The syllabus also reinforces HRC’s efforts to highlight, amplify and re-center Black and queer voices.

By providing links to articles, books, podcasts and interviews, each associated with a song from the album, it celebrates the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Black queer community.

The concluding section of the syllabus includes Beyoncé’s tribute to O’Shea Sibley, a young Black queer person who was murdered in Brooklyn, N.Y., last July while voguing to “Renaissance” songs at a gas station. HRC also includes a statement that condemns hate crimes.

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