Arts & Entertainment
Calendar through May 2
Events, concerts, parties and more for the end of April
Openly gay conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin makes his Washington debut conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kennedy Center Wednesday night with performances of works by Korngold and Bruckner. (Photo courtesy Washington Performing Arts Society)
Friday, April 26
NoVA Gay and Lesbian Professionals host a spring social at the Kora Lounge (2250 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Va.) this evening at 6 p.m. Visit gogaydc.com for more information.
Special Agent Galactica returns with her happy hour show this evening at 6 p.m. at the Black Fox Lounge (1732 Connecticut Ave., NW). The show includes live jazz, blues, cabaret, standards and comedy all while Galactica is backed by a three-piece jazz combo. There is no cover charge. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.
Saturday, April 27
FLEX, a group of artists and curators who come together to produce temporary exhibitions, has a free event tonight from 7-10 p.m. at Flats at Atlas (1600 Maryland Ave., NE) that features several artists. Among the exhibits will be a “hard hat only” pop-up gallery, a live exhibition from D.C. Cheer and indoor/outdoor 3D and projected works. More details are at capitolflex.com.
Youth Pride Alliance hosts Youth Pride Day today at noon in Dupont Circle featuring free games and performances. The keynote speaker is Wade Davis, a former NFL player and assistant director of job readiness and academic enrichment at Hetrick-Martin Institute. LGBT families and allies are welcome. Visit youthpridealliance.org for more details.
Taste of 8th featuring 22 restaurants on Barracks Row near the Eastern Market Metro stop is today from 1-4 p.m. A ticket booth will be located at the corner of 8th and G streets, S.E. in front of Spring Mill Bakery or they can be purchased online at barracksrow.org. Tickets are available for $5 for one stop or $20 for five tickets in which guests can plan their own progressive dinner at the various participating restaurants.
Burgundy Crescent volunteers this morning at Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., NE) at 8 a.m. and again at 9:45 a.m. Volunteers will help with food preparation and packing groceries. The shifts are limited to 10 per shift. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
The AFI Silver Silent Cinema Showcase (8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md.) continues today at 1:30 p.m. and features silent film actors Mary Pickford, Harold Lloyd, Janet Gaynor, Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy. Tonight’s particular showcase is “Street Angel,” with Gaynor starring as a girl who walks the streets of Naples to help support her family. When she is arrested for stealing medicine for her mother, she eludes the police and joins a circus. She falls in love with a painter, but her past threatens to destroy their young love. Tickets for this particular screening are $7-$11.50. For more screenings and their tickets, visit afi.com.
Sunday, April 28
Metropolitan Community Church (474 Ridge St., NW) holds its weekly 9 and 11 a.m. worship services. The church has one of the most diverse communities and communion is open to everyone. For more information, visit mccdc.com.
Monday, April 29
Kaki King comes to the Howard Theatre (620 T St., NW) on her Retrospective Tour tonight at 8 p.m. King, a lesbian, has performed with several iconic bands including the Foo Fighters and she contributed to soundtracks such as “Into the Wild.” Tickets are $17-$23. Visit thehowardtheatre.com for more information.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) holds coffee drop-in for the senior LGBT community today at 10 a.m.-noon. The Center will provide complimentary coffee and a community to chat with. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Bears do Yoga takes place this evening 6:30 p.m. as part of a series at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, NW). This is part of a basic yoga series that takes place every Monday and is open to people of varying body types and experience. There is no charge. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It is a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Pop singer Rihanna performs at the Verizon Center (601 F St., NW) tonight. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35-$169. For more information, visit verizoncenter.com.
Tuesday, April 30
The Friendship Place presents a panel discussion on homeless LGBT youths at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St., NW) this evening at 6 p.m. Expert panelists from the LGBT community discuss their personal experiences. Attendees are asked to RSVP to [email protected]. Visit cchfp.org for more details.
Whitman-Walker (1701 14th St., NW) holds its group Starting Over for Women tonight at 7. The group is for women whose long-term relationship with another woman. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) hosts its Safer Sex Kit-packing program tonight from 7-10:30. The packing program is looking for more volunteers to help produce the kits because they say they are barely keeping up with demand. Admission is free and volunteers can just show up. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Wednesday, May 1
The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., NW) under the guidance of conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin tonight at 8 p.m. Nezet-Seguin, who’s openly gay, has been the musical director of the orchestra since the start of the 2012/2013 season. The night includes a performance by two-time Grammy Award-winning violin soloist Hilary Hahn. Tickets are $35-$105. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Busboys and Poets (2021 14th St., NW) launches its gender and sexuality series “Zami: A Circle of LGBTQ Cultural Performances & Discussions” with Jamaican-born writer Staceyann Chin. The series’ goal is to energize community discussion about the intersection of sexuality, gender, race and human rights. A $5 donation is suggested. Visit busboysandpoets.com for more details.
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It is a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) at 7:30 p.m. for social bridge. Newcomers are welcome and no reservations are needed. For more information or if you need a partner, visit lambdabridge.com.
Thursday, May 2
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its gay men over 50 support group this evening at 6:30 p.m. The group is for gay men entering a new phase of life. Registration is required to attend. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Celebrity News
John Waters released from hospital after car accident
Crash took place in Baltimore County
BY TAJI BURRIS | Baltimore filmmaker John Waters was released from the hospital Tuesday morning following a car accident.
The 78-year-old released a statement saying that although he was hurt in the Baltimore County crash, he did not sustain major injuries.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier and fireworks show returning June 8
The annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 9 p.m.
The Washington Blade, in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf, is excited to announce the 5th annual Pride on the Pier and fireworks show during D.C. Pride weekend on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 2-10 p.m.
The event will include the annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation at 9 p.m.
Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Southwest waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older. Local DJ’s Heat, Eletrox and Honey will perform throughout the event.
3 p.m. – Capital Pride Parade on the Big Screen
3:30 p.m. – Drag Show hosted by Cake Pop!
9 p.m. – Fireworks Show Presented by Leonard-Litz Foundation
The event is free and open to the public. The Dockmasters Building will be home to a VIP experience. To learn more and to purchase tickets go to www.prideonthepier.com/vip. VIP tickets are limited.
Event sponsors include Absolut, Buying Time, Capital Pride, DC Brau, DC Fray, Burney Wealth Management, Infinate Legacy, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, MISTR, NBC4, The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePier.com
a&e features
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars’ cast visits D.C.
8 queens vie for $200,000 prize for charity in new season, premiering May 17
Donning sparkling and star-studded red, white, and blue attire on a gloomy, humid D.C. Monday, the cast of the latest “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season sashayed on the National Mall to promote the reality show’s ninth season.
This upcoming season is different than those in the past — eight queens are competing for a donation of $200,000 for the charity of their choosing, rather than a personal cash prize.
Several cast members noted how it felt important to visit the nation’s capital, being authentically themselves and wearing drag. Nina West, who competed in season 11, likened drag to armor.
“We’re here during a really specific time in history, that’s, I would say, markedly dark,” she told the Blade at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. “And there’s an opportunity, as drag has always done, which is for our community as specifically LGBTQI+ people, to stand in our truth and be wonderful — like guardians and fighters for our community.”
She’s competing for the Trevor Project, which is focused on suicide prevention and crisis intervention for young LGBTQ people. This season’s pivot to compete for charity made Nina West want to come back on the show for the All Stars season. She’s been offered the spot two times before this, she said, and this twist aligned with what she wanted to do.
Several of the other queens mentioned that it’s an honor to be featured in this season, including season 5’s Roxxxy Andrews. She also competed in two subsequent All-Stars seasons.
She chose the organization Miracle of Love, which provides HIV/AIDS prevention programming and assistance in central Florida. It’s a smaller, more local organization, which is why Roxxxy Andrews chose it. She wants to make its work more nationally known. Also, vying to win during a charity season makes the competition feel more rewarding, she said.
Plastique Tiara of season 11 also noted it’s different competing for charity. She’s competing for the Asian American Foundation, which launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and aims to curb discrimination and violence through education and investments in nonprofits.
“It’s more competitive because then you’re fighting not just only for yourself, but your ideas and the things that you love,” she said.
Vanessa Vanjie of seasons 10 and 11 agreed that competing for charity adds a bit more pressure — she chose the ASPCA. And as onlookers near the Lincoln Memorial took pictures of and with the queens, she said she was relieved.
“I was a little bit worried somebody would yell some slurs at us,” Vanessa Vanjie said. “Nothing happened. Everybody came to take pictures like Santa Claus in the middle of the mall.”
There’s a range of contestants from different seasons for this round of All Stars. Some queens hail from recent seasons, but Shannel competed on the show’s first season. To be a part of this new season is surreal, she said.
She’s competing for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, which she has a close tie to. She’s dealt with anxiety her entire life. The association is focused on increasing awareness and improving diagnosis and treatment.
“I always felt like I just wasn’t normal, sadly,” she said. “And so now being able to be able to do this season and to get back to that organization is like amazing to me.”
Gottmik, from season 13, is competing for Trans Lifeline — a nonprofit providing advocacy, a hotline and grants created by trans people, for trans people. Being able to do drag and give back is the “perfect scenario,” Gottmik said.
Gottmik was the first openly trans man on Drag Race, which was overwhelming when first on the show. Gottmik felt pressure to be the “perfect example,” but later realized that they didn’t have to worry so much.
“I just want to show people that trans people are real people. We can express ourselves however we want to express ourselves, through drag, through whatever it may be,” Gottmik said.
The new season will be available to stream on Paramount+ on May 17.
John Waters released from hospital after car accident
Jane Rigby awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier and fireworks show returning June 8
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars’ cast visits D.C.
Rosenstein: Vote for Angela Alsobrooks and April McClain-Delaney
Judy Shepard to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Pride journey: Las Vegas
Miss Kitty tackles classical mythology in ‘Metamorphoses’
PHOTOS: Taste of Point
