Arts & Entertainment
Arts news in brief: Feb. 10
Scarlet’s Bake Sale, D.C. Front Runners featured in mini doc, Rainbow Families dance and more
Jose Guttierez at last year's Scarlet's Bake Sale (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Scarlet’s Bake Sale benefit returns
The 41st annual Scarlet’s Foundation Bake Sale is Sunday at the Eagle (639 New York Ave., N.W.) with cake drop-offs from noon to 3 p.m., judging at 3:30 p.m. and the auction beginning at 4 p.m.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit Moveable Feast, an organization based in Baltimore that provides food and other services in order to preserve quality of life for people with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening conditions, and Pets D.C., which provides public health education, exercise, pet food, veterinary care, grooming, foster care and adoptions services at no cost to individuals living with HIV/AIDS or other disabling conditions and their pets.
There are five categories being judged including Best Individual Entry, Best Commercial Entry, Best Club Entry, Most Creative Entry and the Directors Award.
For more information, call 202-347-6025 or visit dceagle.com.
Morabito at Cobalt; return of Flashback
DJ Susan Morabito is spinning at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) as part of Just Circuit, an event that happens every second Saturday of the month at 10 p.m.
Cobalt is also bringing back its popular Tuesday Flashback retro event next week (Valentine’s Day) with DJs Jason Royce and Erik Lars Evans in the 30 Degrees Lounge area. Rail drinks are two for one and there’s no cover.
Morabito has been playing for audiences for more than 25 years and has released seven CD collections. She has played at events such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institutes Benefit Gala, Stonewall Honors, Atlantis Gay Cruise and more.
She has recently been nominated for three Just Circuit Awards including Best DJ/Producer, Best DJ Podcast and Best DJ — Hall of Fame.
There is a $10 cover for this event. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com or Morabito’s official website, susanmorabito.com.
Gay running group featured in local doc
The Our City Film Festival, started by Yachad, a D.C. non-profit committed to affordable housing and community development, is Saturday and Sunday.
The festival begins with an opening night party featuring Christylez Bacon, a Grammy-nominated artists, Party Girl, a Costello cover band and Edge Theory, a progressive jazz band at the Sixth and I Synagogue (600 I St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. Entry is free with a film ticket or $8 without.
Starting Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Goethe Institute (812 7th St., N.W.) the various films will be screened in groupings based on topic. At 12:45 p.m., the grouping, “Our Body” will feature a 13-minute documentary by Brian Beary and Marcel Acosta called “Fast Forward,” which provides a glimpse into the struggles and successes of founding D.C.’s now thriving gay and lesbian running club, The Front Runners.
Tickets are $10 for each film grouping and can be purchased online.
For more information on the festival, including a full schedule of films, visitourcityfilmfestival.com.
Gay art collective hosts monthly performance show
Hillyer Art Space (9 Hillyer Court, N.W.) is teaming up with local gay arts collective Boys Be Good for this month’s Soapbox, a monthly performance art showcase increasing exposure to this art form, on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The show will include performances by Armando Lopez Bircann, whose performance uses shadows and light; Andrew Fogle, whose poetic work stumbles into themes of lack, trauma, dislocation and more; Devon Hopkins, a Wesleyan grad, who works in social psychology, group dynamics and the intersection of social networking with post-modern choreography; and Jason Edward Tucker, who focuses on challenging the gaze through a concealment and confounding of gender and constructed identity.
There is a $5 suggested donation at the door.
For more information and a sample of past performances, visitartsandartists.org/hillier/
Rainbow Families hosting kid-friendly dance
Rainbow Families is having its Mid-Winter Family Dance on Saturday at the Washington Ethical Society (7750 16th St., N.W.) from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
The event will feature a family friendly DJ, dance games and activities. There will also be pizza, beverages and dessert.
This event is ideal for children ages 4 and over. A quiet room will be provided for younger children and their parents.
Registration is $10 for adult members and $13 for non-members. Registration for all children 5 and older is $5 and children 4 and younger can be registered for free.
For more information and to register for the dance or join Rainbow Families, visit rainbowfamiliesdc.org.
Friday, May 1
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
“Illusions The Drag Queen Show Washington, D.C.” will be at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St., N.W. Come see this amazing D.C. drag show and laugh all night long while being amazed by the stellar performances in tribute to some of your old-time favorite classics as well as the latest pop favorites. Come see the likes of Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Beyoncé, Pink, and many more. Tickets are $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 2
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11:00a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Drag Queen Sip and Paint Washington DC will be at 4 p.m. at Town Tavern DC. This event combines the joy of painting with the lively energy of a drag queen, offering an hour and a half of fun, creativity, and entertainment. Participants paint a canvas while enjoying cocktails, all under the guidance of a glamorous drag queen host. Tickets are $47.19 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 4
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, May 5
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 6
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more information, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 7
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
The new monthly 90’s Flashback Drag Brunch premiered at Red Bear Brewing Co. on Sunday, April 26. Performers included Logan Stone, Tiffany D. Carter and Charlemagne Chateau.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Celebrity News
Madonna makes rare club appearance in West Hollywood
Gay icon brought ‘Confessions II’ to The Abbey
A line of celebrities, “Drag Race” queens, influencers, media, and West Hollywood socialites lined the block around West Hollywood’s The Abbey, all clamoring to get into the invite-only celebration of owner Tristan Schukraft’s birthday. The rumor, which became verified gossip, was that Madonna, the Queen of Pop herself, would be taking the stage. Of course, the Blade had to be there.
With disco balls and Abbey statues covered in pink chiffon, it was clear. This party was a direct tie-in to Madonna’s much-anticipated “Confessions on A Dance Floor” album sequel, “Confessions II.” That night, the Abbey also unveiled its remodeled dance floor, a fitting collaboration.
The club was filled to capacity with a completely open bar, keeping the crowd liquored up. Go-go dancers in black leather collars and thongs lined the room, and celebrities that included Lilly Allen, Bebe Rexha, Tori Spelling, Julia Fox, Sam Asghari, Daniel Frenzese, Cynthia Bailey, Meredith Marks, Tom Daley, and more filled the VIP booths alongside World of Wonder personalities. It was a veritable who’s who of queer folk and allies.
The lights began to dim, the dance floor began to rumble, and Madonna graphics hit the screens. At around 1 am, it was time. Introduced by Addison Rae, Madonna grabbed the mic and started chanting, welcoming her “gays.” The venue resounded in thunderous chants of “freedom,” “mother,” and “bitch.”
Madonna was not there to perform. She was there to dance. She took the stage for about 15 minutes, keeping the crowd going with her naughty and fun commentary. There is no list that needs to be provided on how Madonna’s career has become part of queer culture. Going back to her dance music roots and going back to her gay fans is smart.
Released in 2005 (yes, it has been that long), “Confessions on a Dance Floor” was an instant hit, with four singles from the album being released. The album’s lead single, “Hung Up,” topped the charts in 41 countries with Billboard calling it the most successful dance song of the decade. The album had hints of 60s and 70s flair, mixed in with dance music prevalent at that time. The music still dominates at queer clubs across the globe.
Madonna knows we need a little queer joy; she also knows that fans miss the Madonna we all knew and loved. With the nation in such turbulence, we all need some comfort, and going back to a time when we felt safer and had more to celebrate just feels good. For the new album release, she has even partnered with Grindr for a limited edition vinyl release and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Her night at The Abbey presented snippets of her new music mixed in with some of her classics. The new material sounded good, sounded familiar in an exciting way, and shows that this diva has still got it.
“Confessions II” releases on July 3.
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