Arts & Entertainment
D.C. arts briefs: April 6
‘Alice in Wonderland’ ballet, Rehoboth Women’s FEST and more
The Washington Ballet’s world premiere of Septime Webre’s ‘Alice (in Wonderland)’ starring Jonathan Jordan as the White Rabbit and Maki Onuki as Alice opens Thursday, with a preview on Wednesday. (Photo by Steve Vaccariello; courtesy Washington Ballet)
‘Alice’ ballet debuts at Kennedy Center
The Washington Ballet presents the world premiere of openly gay director Septime Webre’s “Alice (in Wonderland)” at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with a preview on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
“Alice” starts with the real Alice (Alice Liddell) at home with her family and friend, Lewis Carroll. Webre brings in real people from Liddell’s life, masked as the characters in Carroll’s story. Her mother becomes the Queen of Hearts and her sisters become Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.
The show runs through April 15.
Tickets range from $50 to $155 and can be purchased online at washingtonballet.org orkennedy-center.org.
LGBT content among Filmfest D.C. offerings
Filmfest D.C., the Washington International Film Festival, opens Thursday and runs through April 22. The festival will include two films with LGBT themes, “Leave It On the Dance Floor” and “Facing Mirrors.”
“Leave It On the Dance Floor” takes place in Los Angeles and tells the story of Brad, kicked out by his homophobic mother, as he enters of the world of “houses” like those from “Paris is Burning.” It will be shown on April 13 at 6:30 p.m. and April 14 at 9 p.m.
“Facing Mirrors” takes place in contemporary Tehran and tells the story of Rana, a woman driving her jailed husband’s taxi. She picks up a rich, pre-op transgender man on the run from an arranged marriage. It will be shown on April 14 at 6:30 p.m. and April 15 at 2:15 p.m.
Both films will be screened at the Naval Heritage Center (701 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.).
Individual tickets are $11 for general admission. The Director’s Package, which includes 10 tickets, is $80 and the Weekday Package, which includes four tickets, is $33.
For more information, including a complete list of films and ticket information, visitfilmfestdc.org.
Team D.C. to hold sports mingling event
Team D.C. is having its annual Sportsfest at Room and Board Furniture (1840 14th St., NW.) on Thursday at 7 p.m.
This open house event will give attendees the opportunity to meet and talk to players representing nearly every LGBT sports group in the D.C. area, including D.C. Gay Flag Football League, Capital Area Rainbowlers Association, Washington Renegades, Washington Wetskins and more.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but $10 gets three drink tickets for the beer and vodka bar sponsored by Nellie’s.
Rehoboth Women’s FEST next weekend
CAMP Rehoboth has its Women’s FEST kicks off Thursday and runs through April 15.
The festival started as a one-day event for lesbians. Organizer and Rehoboth Beach lesbian Fay Jacobs says it’s the largest mid-Atlantic lesbian event drawing about 2,000 women each year. This year’s focus is entertainment.
Events will be held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center and other nearby sites. There will be a golf tournament, photo exhibit, workshops on sexuality and women’s health and receptions for several of the resort town’s restaurants and bars.
Among those featured this year are Col. Grethe Cammermeyer, whose coming out story in the military inspired a book and movie, comedians Suzanne Westenhoefer and Poppy Champlin, as well as singer Tret Fure.
Several authors, among them Sally Bellerose, one of this year’s Lambda Literary Award nominees, will be signing books at Proud Books on April 13 and doing additional readings from their books at the Convention Center on April 14.
Ticket prices vary, depending on level of participation but a Women’s FEST pass is available from CAMP Rehoboth for $60. This pass will allow access to most of the events. To purchase tickets or to obtain more information, visit camprehoboth.com.
Friday, April 17
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. 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.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, April 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, April 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Lunch” at 11 a.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. 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.
Monday, April 20
“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, April 21
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Senior Self Defense Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, April 22
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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, April 23
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 5:00 pm 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.
Out & About
Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend
LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’
Team DC will host “Night of Champions Gala” on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Marriott.
This will be an evening of celebration and inspiration as Team DC honors remarkable individuals and supports the next generation of LGBTQ student-athletes.
There will be opportunities to support Team DC through auctions. The Silent Auction items will offer an array of unique goods and experiences. Additionally, Team DC will feature an exclusive selection of live auction items for those looking to make a significant impact.
This year, Team DC will recognize six outstanding awardees who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community and sports:
- Trailblazer Award – Adam Peck, District Wrestling
- Most Valuable Person Award – Sean Bartel (posthumously)
- Champion Award – Dan Martin
- Clark Ray Horizon Award – Manuel Montelongo, aka Mari Con Carne
- Bernard Jude Delia Award – Dr. Sara Varghai
- Platinum All Star Award – Centaur Motorcycle Club
To purchase tickets, visit Team DC’s website.
Television
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA
As season two of “The Pitt” comes to a close this Thursday, stars Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden are looking back on what this season got right about queer representation.
“There is some intentionality behind it, but it’s not necessarily for the representation to be anything other than human or ubiquitous to anyone that would come into an emergency room,” Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, told the Los Angeles Blade at PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on April 12. “I know that we’ve done some storylines with some gay couples, and we did a storyline in season 1 where a woman comes in who’s cut her arm, who’s trans. But in both of those storylines, that wasn’t the point.”
Wyle continues, “In doing it that way, and not making a point of orientation being part of the problem that brings you to the emergency room, we have been told in feedback that that has been extremely revolutionary, almost, and extremely appreciated. But that’s true whether we do storylines with any kind of minority or a person with a disability. We try to have a cosmology of cast and representation on the show that’s indicative of what you find in Pittsburgh.”
Dearden, who plays Dr. Mel King, echoed Wyle’s sentiment: “I think constantly battling tropes is always important. It’s not a show about romance; it’s a show about real life and a shift in the ER. The more we represent everyday people going through everyday life, they just happen to be queer, they just happen to be trans, and making it not the plot, is putting everyone on equal playing [field]. You don’t have to have a big coming out scene.”
Queer representation on “The Pitt” is also notable through the actual actors themselves, including openly queer actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan (who didn’t attend PaleyFest after the news that she is not returning for season three), and Amielynn Abellera, who plays Perlah Alawi.
“Doctors don’t put value judgments on who they treat,” Wyle concludes. “That’s not a luxury extended to them, and so that’s not part of our storytelling.”
The season two finale will air Thursday, April 16, on HBO Max, while season three has already been confirmed and is currently being written.
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