Arts & Entertainment

Arts briefs: Aug. 24

Events slated for D.C. and Baltimore for the coming week

Published

14 years ago

August 23, 2012

Out actor Dixon returns to Signature

Signature Theatre presents a performance and book signing by Broadway veteran Ed Dixon for one night on Monday at 8 p.m.

Ed Dixon in ‘Sunset Blvd.’ (Courtesy Signature)

Dixon, who has had a 42-year Broadway career and is openly gay, is performing original compositions and narrating pieces from his memoir “Secrets of a Life Onstage and Off.” His journey takes the audience through his experiences with the likes of Leonard Bernstein and through his darkest period when he suffered from drug addiction.

Tickets are $20. For more information, visit signature-theatre.org.

Gay law group meets in D.C.

The National LGBT Bar Association holds its annual Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair, which ends Saturday, at the Washington Hilton Hotel (1919 Connecticut Ave., NW) this weekend.

The conference and career fair allows candidates to meet with LGBT-friendly recruiters from law firms, government agencies, LGBT rights groups and corporate legal departments. There will also be panel discussions from people in the career field and individual career counseling.

The point to the conference is to promote equality and diversity in government and legal work places. Candidates are encouraged to discuss their identity and recruiters are encouraged to portray their LGBT-friendly workplaces.

Registration fees vary between $185-$620. For more information, visit lgbtbar.org.

Sampson to give Alston House benefit performance

Comedian Sampson performs his show “No Shade … No Tea” in benefit of the Wanda Alston House tonight at 7 at the D.C. Arts Center (2438 18^th St., NW).

Sampson is an openly gay black comedian and activist. Though he is D.C. based, he has been touring the country since 2003 and has performed in venues such as Broadway in New York, Arena Stage and DAR Constitution Hall.

The Wanda Alston House is a youth homeless shelter for LGBT youths in the Washington area.

Tickets are $10. For more information, visit sampsoncomedy.com.

Lady Bunny at Town tonight

Lady Bunny

Legendary drag performer Lady Bunny performs tonight at Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.) at 10 p.m.

Lady Bunny is known for founding the New York outdoor drag festival Wigstock. She has also been featured in TV shows such as “Sex and the City” and the Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson. She contributes to Star magazine’s Worst of the Week Column and V Magazine named her one of the most notable residents in New York City, along with Marc Jacobs and Lady Gaga.

Cover before 11 is $8 and $12 after. There are also $3 drinks before 11 p.m. For more information, visit towndc.com.

Miss Charm City at the Hippo

Club Hippo (1 West Eager St.) hosts Miss Charm City 2013, an official preliminary to Miss Gay Maryland America, tonight at 10:30.

The event will include a pageant hosted by Miss Gay Maryland 2009 Sue Nami, Miss Gay Maryland 2011 Chi Chi Ray Colby, Miss Gay Maryland 2012 Stephanie Micheals, Miss Gay Virginia 2012 Jazmine Diamond, Miss Gay Atlantic States 2012 Araya Sparxx, Sabrina Sommers and Josie Foster.

Miss Gay America is a pageantry system for female impersonators. In order to qualify for the pageant, contestants must be male and at least 21. No hormones or breast implants are allowed.

General admission is $8 and reserved seating is $10. For more information, visit clubhippo.com or missgayamerica.com.

Grand Central goes Disney

Grand Central (1001/1003 N. Charles St.) presents “Welcom to Disneyland,” a cover performance, with appearances from Former Miss Gay Maryland Su Nami and Sabrina Sommers on Sunday at 9 p.m.

The performance covers the beloved songs and stories from the favorite Disney princesses.

Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10. For more information, visit centralstationpub.com.

Final Center youth events for summer slated

The Den lounge is opened to LGBT youths for its last weekend of the summer in the Gay and Lesbian Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (241 W. Chase St.).

The Den includes art making, discussion group and a social club on Saturdays for attendees at the Center. On Sunday, its staff hosts a bike ride and a session on how to make bikes at Velocipede. This is the last weekend the Center will be holding these sessions this summer.

This is a free service for LGBT adolescents and young adults ages 13-24. For more information, visit glccb.org.

‘Dralion’ finishes run this weekend

Yao, the god of fire, in ‘Dralion.’ (Photo by Francois Barebeau; courtesy Cirque du Soleil)

“Dralion,” Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic show that fuses influences from the East and the West, are running its last performances this weekend at 1st Mariner Arena (201 West Baltimore St.).

The show draws on the 3,000-year-old tradition of Chinese acrobatics combined with the more modern Cirque du Soleil twist.

In the show, the four elements of nature come to life: air is blue, water is green, fire is red and earth is ochre. When they are combined, balance is achieved.

Tickets range from $40-$165. For more information, visit cirquedusoleil.com.

Calendar

Calendar: April 17-23

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

16 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

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’

Published

16 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2026

Matt Minton

From left: Executive Producer R. Scott Gimmell, Noah Wyle, and Katherine LaNasa at PaleyFest LA 2026 honoring "The Pitt," presented by the Paley Center for Media, at the DOLBY THEATRE on April 12, 2026, in Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Brian To)

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.”

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A post shared by The Paley Center for Media (@paleycenter)

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.