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Calendar: Oct. 28

Parties, meetings, exhibits and more through Nov. 3

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Alexis Mateo, from the third season of ‘RuPaul's Drag Race,’ will be performing at the Lodge tonight as part of the final night of Araya Sparxx's All American Drag Off. (Photo courtesy of Mateo.)

TODAY

NADS 7.0 presents “Emerald Elegance,” the annual Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) employees annual drag show, tonight at 10 p.m. This year the show will benefit the D.C. Center.

Synetic Theater (1800 South Bell St.) in Arlington, is continuing its Speak No More: The Silent Shakespeare Festival with Othello starring Roger Payano and Salma Shaw, tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $55 and can be purchased online atsynetictheater.org.

Busboys & Poets will be hosting American Sign Language open mic poetry tonight at 11 p.m. in the Langston Room at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). Anyone with sign language knowledge may sign up to recite a poem or sign a song by e-mailing[email protected]. There is a $5 cover.

This week is the final night of Araya Sparxx’s All American Drag Off at the Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro. The finalists, Alondra Sancheez, Russia DaCock and Chasity Vain will be judged by Sparxx and Sasha Renee. Alexis Mateo from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will be performing alongside Sparxx, Renee, Ashley Bannks, Nicole James and Jessica Jade. Cover is $5 before 11:30 p.m. and $3 afterward. Doors open at 9 p.m.

The Department of Communication and Performing Arts at Montgomery College (7995 George Ave.) in Silver Spring, presents “Sex and Education,” a comedy which features a duel of wits between a graduating high school basketball star and his retiring English teacher tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $10 for seniors, $5 for MC students, faculty and staff. For more information and to purchase tickets, visitcms.montgomerycollege.edu/cac/

Saturday, Oct. 29

Lady Lenore and Maxine Blue present “Grown and Sexy,” tonight at Lace Lounge (2214 Rhode Island Ave., N.E.) at 9 p.m. There’s a $5 cover before 11:30 p.m. and all attendees must be 25 or older.

Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) presents “The Habit of Art” by Alan Bennett, today at 2 and 8 p.m. “Habit” takes place in Rehearsal Room Two of London’s National Theatre as rehearsals fall apart after the director gets called out of town and the stage manager tries keep things together. Tickets range from $35 to $53 and can be purchased online atstudiotheatre.org.

The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) has two events going on backstage today. First up is the free event, Hellmouth Happy Hour, featuring an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and drinks specials at 7 p.m. This week’s episode is “Anne,” the third season premiere. Then DJ lil’e takes over the space for her ‘80s Alt-Pop Dance night, Right Round. Tickets are $7 and doors open at 9:30 p.m.

Stephen Sondheim’s first musical “Saturday Night” will be presented as a concert event at Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave.) in Arlington, for four performances today at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. The cast is led by Broadway’s Geoff Packard and many of D.C.’s leading talent.

Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint (916 G St., N.W.) presents Junesong Arts’ “We Fight We Die” by Timothy J. Guillot tonight at 8 p.m. “We Fight,” guided by a modern day chorus, tells the story of Q, a homeless graffiti artist who gets caught and must license his talents to the local government. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. The show will run through Nov. 12.

Sunday, Oct. 30

The 53rd annual Washington International Horse Show is at the Verizon Center (601 F St., N.W.) today at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets to the 7 a.m. program are $15 and the 7 p.m. program range from $40 to $60. All tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com.

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) will be showing the Baltimore Ravens at home as they take on the Arizona Cardinals today at 1 p.m. and the Washington Redskins take on the Buffalo Bills at 4:05 p.m.

Omega (2122 P St., N.W.) presents Church Lady Bingo hosted by Kristina Kelly tonight at 8:30 p.m. featuring $4 rail vodka. For more information, visit omedadc.com.

Monday, Oct. 31

WEAVE, a support group for LGBT survivors of intimate partner violence/abuse will be meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lighthouse Center for Healing (5321 First Place, N.E.). For more information and to register, call 202-280-6391.

Busboys & Poets is having an open mic poetry night with professional spoken word performers, open mic rookies and musicians at its Shirlington location (4251 S Campbell Ave.) in Arlington, tonight at 8 p.m. Wristbands for this event are $4 and will be on sale in the Global Exchange store today starting at 10 a.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 1

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) presents Drag Bingo and Beauty Queens tonight to help raise money for Echoe Malone for Novembers Miss D.C. USA 2012 pageant, the official preliminary to Miss USA. For every Nellie beer sold, $1 goes toward her campaign. All guests must arrive at 6 p.m. Also tonight at Nellie’s is the “Glee” watch party at 8 p.m. on the deck in the pub room.

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

Wednesday, Nov. 2

Riot Act Comedy Theater’s (801 E St., N.W.) monthly gay and gay-friendly comedy show “Gay-larious” returns tonight at 8:30 p.m. with Adrienne Iapalucci, Brad Loekle and co-founders Chris Doucette and Zach Toczynski. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online atriotactcomedy.com. This month, $5 from every ticket will benefit Capital Queer Prom.

The Washington Ballet’s “The Great Gatsby” opens tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $125 and can be purchased online atkennedy-center.org.

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club is meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.), across from the Marine barracks, for Social Bridge.  No partner is needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com and  click on “Social Bridge in Washington, D.C.”

An exhibit called “Shower of Stoles” is on display at Little River United Church of Christ (8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Va.) today from 6 to 9 p.m. and through Nov. 6. The exhibit, organized by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, includes 50 stoles representing the lives of LGBT people of faith. The exhibit can be viewed on Sundays and during office hours on weekdays as well as tonight and Thursday evening (same hours). Visit lrucc.org for more information.

Thursday, Nov. 3

Girlyman plays tonight at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd.) in Vienna with special guest Coyote Grace at 8 p.m. at the Barns. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online atwolftrap.org.

Chely Wright and Lucy Wainwright Roche play the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.) in Alexandria tonight at 7:30 p.m. This show is rescheduled from Oct. 20 and all tickets for that date will be honored. Tickets are $27.50 and can be purchased online atticketmaster.com.

D.C. Lambda Squares is having its plus with as-needed mainstream club night tonight from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) with Dayle as the caller. For more information, visit dclambdasquares.org.

 

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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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