Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Jan. 27

Published

12 years ago

January 26, 2012

Singer/songwriter, ellen cherry, is Strathmore's Artist in Residence and will be the first of two performances on Wednesday (Photo courtesy Strathmore)

TODAY (Friday)

LezGetTogether presents “Lez Invade” at Local 16 (1602 U St., N.W.) tonight at 6 p.m. LezGetTogether is an online community for LGBT women in the D.C. metro area.

Busboys & Poets will be hosting ASL 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.

Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) presents “Get There,” an evening of mashups with Bad Domes tonight at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and available the night of the show. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.

The D.C. Gurly Show presents “snOMG!!” with special musical guest Frankie and Betty at Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) tonight at 9 p.m. There is a $10 cover for this 21-and-older event.

Photoworks Gallery at Glen Echo Park (7300 MacArthur Blvd.) presents “Mirror to the World: Documentary Photography 2012,” opening today with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 27. For more information, visit glenechophotoworks.org.

Strathmore’s Friday Night Eclectic, a mash-up of music and art, presents “The 9,” featuring nine singer/songwriters spearheaded by Justin Trawick at the Mansion at Strathmore (10701 Rockville Pike, North Besthesda) at 8 p.m. The other performers are Becky Warren, Gideon Grove, Adrian Krygowski, Amanda Lee, Victoria Vox, Max Kuzmyak, Mary Alouette and Nita Chawla. Tickets are $10 in advance and can be purchased online at strathmore.org. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Comet Ping Pong (5037 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) is hosting a night of queer punk with performances by Brooklyn’s Little Victory, Philly’s Death Rattle and D.C.’s own Troll Tax tonight from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. There is a $10 cover for this all ages show.

The D.C. Roller Girls are have a double header today at the D.C. Armory (2001 E Capitol St., S.E.) starting at 4 p.m. The first bout is between the Cherry Blossom Bombshells and the Majority Whips. The second bout is between the D.C. DemonCats and the Scare Force One. Tickets are $12 at the door, $6 for kids ages 6 to 11 and kids under 6 get in free. For more information, visit dcrollergirls.com.

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 “Gingerbread.” 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.

Star of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Drag U” Pandora Boxx performs at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight with music by DJ Chord Bezarra. There’s an $8 cover before 11 p.m. and $12 after for this 21-and-older event. Doors open at 10 p.m.

Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) presents an underwear night tonight. Get happy hour prices, normally available from 4 to 8 p.m., for wearing just underwear upstairs from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.

The Supreme Wig Council presents this year’s “Wig Night Out” tonight at Level One (1639 R St., N.W.) starting at 10 p.m. There is a $10 suggested donation and all the proceeds will go to the Point Foundation, a group that provides financial support, mentoring and more to students who are marginalized due to sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. For more information on Point, visit pointfoundation.org.

Sunday, Jan. 29

D.C. Ice Breakers and Burgundy Crescent Volunteers are hosting a buffet brunch and social at Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 South 23rd St., Arlington) today at 11 a.m. The brunch is $19.99 plus tax and tip. Reservations are required. For more information and to make reservations, visit dcicebreakers.com.

“Food for the Soul” brunch is back at Tabaq Bistro (1336 U St., N.W.) today from 1 to 4 p.m. with DJ Mim providing music and performances by Sampson, Lady Redz and Layla Khepri. There is a $5 suggested donation and all proceeds will be donated to Slut Walk D.C.

Today is the last day to see Touchstone Gallery’s (901 New York Ave., N.W.) exhibit, “Into the Wild,” featuring paintings by Paula Lantz. The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit touchstonegallery.com.

Monday, Jan. 30

Busboys & Poets presents Monday Night Open Mic Poetry in the Robeson Room of its Shirlington location (4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington) at 8 p.m. Wristbands are $4 and will be sold in the Global Exchange store beginning at 10 a.m.

Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) hosts Bears Do Yoga from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. upstairs followed by Queer Pong hosted by Andy from 8 p.m. to midnight and karaoke hosted by Mike at 9:30.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

Samantha Crain plays Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) tonight at 8:30 p.m. with Ben Weaver. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased online at redpalacedc.com. Doors open at 8 p.m.

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.

The Chesapeake Squares, a gay square dancing group, are having a mainstream-through-advanced club night tonight at the Waxter Center (1000 Cathedral St.) in Baltimore from 8 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit chesapeakesquares.org.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Strathmore presents its artist in residence ellen cherry tonight at the Mansion (10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda) at 7:30 p.m. in the first of two performances. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online at strathmore.org. Cherry’s second performance is Feb. 22.

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 Wendy Ho and co-founders Chris Doucette and Zach Toczynski. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at riotactcomedy.com.

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club for gay bridge players meets tonight for social bridge at the Dignity Center (721 8th Street, S.E.). No partner is needed. Visit lambdabridge.com for details and click on “social bridge in Washington.”

Thursday, Feb. 2

D.C. Lambda Squares, a local gay square dancing group, 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.). For more information, visit dclambdasquares.org.

The D.C. Center, with the Deaf Abused Women’s Network, Deaf Queer Kaleidoscope and Gallaudet University with sponsorship from Access Interpreting is facilitating a deaf/hard of hearing/deaf-blind LGBT community needs assessment for the area today from 6 to 9 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at Gallaudet (800 Florida Ave., N.E.). For more information, e-mail Alex Nelson at [email protected]. There will be a second meeting on Feb. 16.

Photos

PHOTOS: Night of Champions

Team DC holds annual awards gala

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2024

Michael Key

Team DC President Miguel Ayala speaks at the 2024 Night of Champions Awards on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Team DC, the umbrella organization for LGBTQ-friendly sports teams and leagues in the D.C. area, held its annual Night of Champions Awards Gala on Saturday, April 20 at the Hilton National Mall. The organization gave out scholarships to area LGBTQ student athletes as well as awards to the Different Drummers, Kelly Laczko of Duplex Diner, Stacy Smith of the Edmund Burke School, Bryan Frank of Triout, JC Adams of DCG Basketball and the DC Gay Flag Football League.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Photos

PHOTOS: National Cannabis Festival

Annual event draws thousands to RFK

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2024

Michael Key

Growers show their strains at The National Cannabis Festival on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2024 National Cannabis Festival was held at the Fields at RFK Stadium on April 19-20.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Covering the @NatlCannaFest at RFK Stadium for @WashBlade . Stop by the LGBTQ+ booth and pick up a paper if you are here. pic.twitter.com/is7hnsaPns
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) April 20, 2024

Theater

‘Amm(i)gone’ explores family, queerness, and faith

A ‘fully autobiographical’ work from out artist Adil Mansoor

Published

3 days ago

April 20, 2024

Patrick Folliard

Adil Mansoor in ‘Amm(i)gone’ at Woolly Mammoth Theatre. (Photo by Kitoko Chargois)

‘Amm(i)gone’
Thorough May 12
Woolly Mammoth Theatre
641 D St., N.W.
$60-$70
Woollymammoth.net

“Fully and utterly autobiographical.” That’s how Adil Mansoor describes “Amm(i)gone,” his one-man work currently playing at Woolly Mammoth Theatre.

Both created and performed by out artist Mansoor, it’s his story about inviting his Pakistani mother to translate Sophocles’s Greek tragedy “Antigone” into Urdu. Throughout the journey, there’s an exploration of family, queerness, and faith,as well as references to teachings from the Quran, and audio conversations with his Muslim mother.

Mansoor, 38, grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and is now based in Pittsburgh where he’s a busy theater maker. He’s also the founding member of Pittsburgh’s Hatch Arts Collective and the former artistic director of Dreams of Hope, an LGBTQ youth arts organization.

WASHINGTON BLADE: What spurred you to create “Amm(i)gone”?

ADIL MANSOOR: I was reading a translation of “Antigone” a few years back and found myself emotionally overwhelmed. A Theban princess buries her brother knowing it will cost her, her own life. It’s about a person for whom all aspirations are in the afterlife. And what does that do to the living when all of your hopes and dreams have to be reserved for the afterlife?

I found grant funding to pay my mom to do the translation. I wanted to engage in learning. I wanted to share theater but especially this ancient tragedy. My mother appreciated the characters were struggling between loving one another and their beliefs.

BLADE: Are you more director than actor?

MANSOOR: I’m primarily a director with an MFA in directing from Carnegie Mellon. I wrote, directed, and performed in this show, and had been working on it for four years. I’ve done different versions including Zoom. Woolly’s is a new production with the same team who’ve been involved since the beginning.

I love solo performance. I’ve produced and now teach solo performance and believe in its power. And I definitely lean toward “performance” and I haven’t “acted” since I was in college. I feel good on stage. I was a tour guide and do a lot of public speaking. I enjoy the attention.

BLADE: Describe your mom.

MANSOOR: My mom is a wonderfully devout Muslim, single mother, social worker who discovered my queerness on Google. And she prays for me.

She and I are similar, the way we look at things, the way we laugh. But different too. And those are among the questions I ask in this show. Our relationship is both beautiful and complicated.

BLADE: So, you weren’t exactly hiding your sexuality?

MANSOOR: In my mid-20s, I took time to talk with friends about our being queer with relation to our careers. My sexuality is essential to the work. As the artistic director at Dreams of Hope, part of the work was to model what it means to be public. If I’m in a room with queer and trans teenagers, part of what I’m doing is modeling queer adulthood. The way they see me in the world is part of what I’m putting out there. And I want that to be expansive and full.

So much of my work involves fundraising and being a face in schools. Being out is about making safe space for queer young folks.

BLADE: Have you encountered much Islamophobia?

MANSOOR: When 9/11 happened, I was a sophomore in high school, so yes. I faced a lot then and now. I’ve been egged on the street in the last four months. I see it in the classroom. It shows up in all sorts of ways.

BLADE: What prompted you to lead your creative life in Pittsburgh?

MANSOOR: I’ve been here for 14 years. I breathe with ease in Pittsburgh. The hills and the valleys and the rust of the city do something to me. It’s beautiful, it’ affordable, and there is support for local artists. There’s a lot of opportunity.

Still, the plan was to move to New York in September of 2020 but that was cancelled. Then the pandemic showed me that I could live in Pittsburgh and still have a nationally viable career.

BLADE: What are you trying to achieve with “Amm(i)gone”?

MANSOOR: What I’m sharing in the show is so very specific but I hear people from other backgrounds say I totally see my mom in that. My partner is Catholic and we share so much in relation to this.

I hope the work is embracing the fullness of queerness and how means so many things. And I hope the show makes audiences want to call their parents or squeeze their partners.