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Calendar through May 16

Miss Black National Plus Pageant, GI Film Festival, Camelot Requiem, and so much more this week!

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Chris Mann, The Voice, gay news, Washington Blade
Chris Mann, The Voice, music, gay news, Washington Blade

Chris Mann, a finalist on ‘The Voice,’ makes two Washington-area appearances this week (Courtesy of chrismannmusic.com)

Friday, May 10

Black National Pageantry System presents “The Miss Black National Plus Pageant: A Night of Fantasy” honoring Tanisha Cassadine tonight at 9 p.m. at Remingtons (639 Pennsylvania Ave., SE). Tickets are $20. For more information, visit remingtonsdc.com.

The GI Film Festival continues tonight with a screening of the short documentary “Do Tell” at 10 p.m. The film follows gay American military members stationed in an outpost in Japan pre- and post-“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Tickets to this event are $30. Attendees can buy passes for $50-$350. The festival is the only one to celebrate and commemorate the military through the medium of film. Visit gifilmfestival.com.

GI Film Festival:

The Figaro Project presents “Camelot Requiem” tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the First & Franklin Street Presbyterian Church (210 West Madison St., Baltimore). The opera takes place in two hospital waiting rooms by members of John F. Kennedy’s family and staff for 14 hours after his death. Admission is $15. For more information, visit thefigaroproject.com.

Camelot Requiem:

Unity of Fairfax (2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, Va.) holds its fourth annual “Who is My Neighbor” benefit concert called “Breaking the Silence: Finding Your Voice” tonight at 7:30 p.m. The show’s goal is to raise awareness around issues of abuse, bullying and mental illness with music, video, poetry and prose. Proceeds will benefit two non-profit organizations: the Women’s Center’s “Let’s Talk,” which aims to improve the psychological and financial well being of men, women and families in Northern Virginia, and KIVA, which helps alleviate poverty around the world through microfinance lending. Unity of Fairfax is a positive progressive Christian church. Admission is $15. For details, visit unityoffairfax.org.

Special Agent Galactica returns with her happy hour show this evening at 6 p.m. at the Black Fox Lounge (1732 Connecticut Ave., NW). This week she welcomes Shakespearean and classical actor Jefferson Farber. The show includes live jazz, blue cabaret, standards and comedy. There is no cover charge. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.

Saturday, May 11

Mayor Vincent Gray hosts his first LGBT Youth Hall Meeting today at noon at the Eastern Market’s North Hall (225 7th St., SE). Visit dc.gov for more information.

The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival returns to downtown Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle along Norfolk, Auburn, Del Ray and Cordell Avenues starting today at 10 a.m. and ends Sunday at 5 p.m. Artists from around the country and Canada will showcase their original works, including painting, drawing, photography, furniture, jewelry, mixed media, wood and ceramics. For more information, visit Bethesda.org.

Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 South 23rd St., Crystal City, Va.) hosts the 2013 Mr. Freddie’s contest tonight at 8 p.m. The night includes over $400 in cash and prizes. Categories in which contestants participate are presentation, Q&A, beach attire and talent. Visit freddiesbeachbar.com for more information.

Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for the Casey Trees as part of its Community Tree Planting Program at Oxon Run Park (3787 Wheeler Rd., SE) starting at 9 a.m. Volunteers will be planting 63 shade trees. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Sunday, May 12

Brian Stokes Mitchell joins the Choral Arts Chorus in the show “Broadway’s Show-Stoppers,” at the Kennedy Center (2700 F Street, NW) today, Mother’s Day, at 5 p.m. Mitchell is an award-winning Broadway, television and film star baritone who is known to “Frasier” fans as the upstairs neighbor Cam Winston and as Rachel Berry’s gay dad on “Glee.” The show will include his signature “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha,” as well as other Gershwin tunes and songs from “South Pacific,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “Camelot” and “Porgy and Bess.” Tickets are $29-$85. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.

Brian Stokes Mitchell:

Lambda Sci-Fi has its monthly LGBT science fiction, fantasy and horror meeting at 1425 S St., NW. Attendees are asked to bring a non-alcoholic drink or snack to share. Visit lambdascifi.org for more information.

Burgundy Crescent volunteers at the D.C. Central Kitchen (425 2nd St., NW) this morning from 9 a.m.-noon. Volunteers will prepare food along the D.C. Central Kitchen checks to help find hunger. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Monday, May 13

“The Voice” finalist Chris Mann comes to Rams Head On Stage (33 West St., Annapolis) tonight at 8 p.m. and on Tuesday will play the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) at 7:30 p.m. Mann’s music is a blend of classically trained material with contemporary. For more information, visit chrismannmusic.com.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) holds coffee drop-in for the senior LGBT community today from 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.

Tuesday, May 14

The D.C. chapter of the National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association (NLGJA) with the National Press Club presents a panel discussion tonight from 6-8 p.m. called “The Endangered Ombudsman” at the Press Club (529 14th Street, NW). It’s billed as a “lively discussion on why the press is changing how they monitor themselves and why the public may no longer have direct access to someone who is able to register complaints and bring up issues without restraint about what and how news is reported.” Several distinguished local journalists will be on the panel including Patrick Pexton, the last Washington Post ombudsman.

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 15

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.

Maryland Corporate Council presents “Keeping the Balance: Methods of Creating Balance at Home and in Business” tonight from 6-8 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Residences (801 Key Highway) at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served as Kimberly Eastburn, creator of the Interior Design Shrink blog, will share tips on transforming your life by recalibrating your home. She advises clients to “awaken” by first clearing out the unnecessary possessions that keep them tied to the past and reduce their energy blocking new opportunities from coming their way.

Thursday, May 16

Team D.C. hosts “Holy Spirits” LGBT Catholic and Christian Happy Hour at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., NW) tonight at 6 p.m. For more information, visit teamdcsports.com.

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Theater

Talented pair of local queer actors tackles ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Ford’s production features terrific score

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Chani Wereley (Audrey) and Derrick D. Truby Jr. (Seymour) in the 2024 Ford’s Theatre production of Little Shop of Horrors. (Photo by Scott Suchman)

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ 
Through May 18
Ford’s Theatre
511 10th St., N.W.
$33-$95
Fords.org 

Ever since premiering off-Broadway in 1982, “Little Shop of Horrors” has drawn a devoted following of avid audiences as well as performers eager to act in the show. Now playing at Ford’s Theatre, the doo-wop, dark comedy features a terrific cast including a wildly talented pair of local queer actors who’ve longed to appear in the show since they were kids. 

Set in the urban 1960s, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s hit show with a terrific score follows the wacky rise of Seymour, a nebbishy florist in a Skid Row shop who changes his fortunes by unintentionally marketing an exotic, human eating plant.  

Chani Wereley, 28, who plays Seymour’s love interest Audrey, a hyper femme downtowner with an edge, has had her on eye the role for years. Wereley says, “Audrey’s been around the block more than once, but I approach her as a person who moves through the world with love and hope.”

The queer D.C. native adds, “On long trips to visit family in Canada or Florida, the first thing we’d do is pop a ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ video [film version] into the car’s VHS player. I’ve watched is so many times, I could quote the whole movie to you.”

After auditioning to play Audrey in director Kevin S. McAllister’s production at Ford’s, Wereley never thought she’d book the part, and when they said she got it, she cried.  

Similarly, Tobias A. Young, 34, the pansexual actor who voices the part of the bloodthirsty plant affectionately dubbed Audrey II, explains his intense interest in the work: “I started watching the film in ’86. Growing up as a little gay boy in Calvert County, Md., I wanted to be blonde Audrey [played by Ellen Green in the movie]. I didn’t know much about musicals at the time, but I was absorbed.” 

When asked by Ford’s to play the voracious plant Audrey II without auditioning, his reply was an unhesitant “yes.” 

Voicing a role requires Young to sing from backstage in a black box rigged with monitors and a mixing board. He says, “people ask if I’m singing from inside of the ever-growing, scary plant. No, I’m not, and that’s fine. But let’s face it, actors love to be seen on stage, but I don’t feel entirely unseen as Audrey II.”

He’s worked hard and successfully with formidable puppeteers Ryan Sellers and Jay Frisby to bring parts of himself to the carnivorous plant — his sassiness, own movements, and even a tilt of his head; their efforts have drawn the actual Young into the show. 

Both Wereley and Young possess gorgeous, emotive voices as evidenced by Wereley’s striking rendition of Audrey’s “Suddenly Seymour,” and Young’s soulful “Feed Me (Git It).” Additionally, both actors are also big on queer representation in theater. 

When her young pals were listening to Britney Spears, Wereley was dancing to retro tunes like “Mashed Potato Time,” and her favorite song to this day, the Shirelle’s girl group anthem “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” As Audrey, Wereley eschews the character’s usual platinum hair for a bouncy brunette, cherry-streaked wig, tight pencil skirts, swing coats, and her very own half-sleeve tattoo. 

“It’s important for people to see themselves on stage,” she says. “Seeing me or someone like me is inherently interesting. Being that person on Instagram or with the institution, cast, or audiences is meaningful. It’s important.”

In 2011, a couple years after finishing high school, Young landed a part in “Dream Girls” at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, and he’s been working professionally ever since. Growing up, he didn’t see a lot of himself – Black and queer – on social media. He now wants to be open and honest for those out there who might not feel seen, he says

An introvert who lets everything loose on the stage, Young says, “theater is a safe space for queer people. That’s the first place we feel safe, particularly in school. And this is why we need theaters in schools, now more than ever.”

He adds, “What’s great about Ford’s is its surprises, especially when they switch up casting. It’s meaningful to see the shows you love, but why not see them with a twist? Using unexpected actors and incorporating queer people just makes it that much better.”

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Nightlife

D.C.’s gay DJ collective CTRL returns

Electropop group resurfaces at Trade on March 30

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CTRL is back after a six-year absence.

Finger lasers, confetti cannons, drag shows, photo booths, throwback tunes, and a touch nerdy: after a long break, D.C.’s gay DJ collective CTRL is throwing its first party in six years.

Born in an Eritrean restaurant more than a decade ago, this longstanding gay nightlife electropop group is resurfacing with a comeback event at Trade on March 30.

Gay DJs Adam Koussari-Amin, Jeff Prior, Devon Trotter, and Brett Andreisen hosted the first CTRL party at now-closed restaurant Dahlak, on the corner of 18th and U Streets. After a year of hosting pop-ups in that restaurant’s dining room, they upgraded down 18th Street to now-closed gay club Cobalt. There, the parties grew: drag shows, a pop-up photo booth from David Claypool, and quirky activations like throwing hot dogs into print-outs of Putin’s mouth. Their productions grew as well, like producing the now-defunct Brightest Young Gays (BYG) Pride events at Wonderbread Factory and Union Market and the ‘Get Wet’ pool party with David Brown’s Otter Crossing at the Capitol Skyline Hotel.

CTRL wasn’t done. The group received its biggest stage yet after a call from Ed Bailey, the owner of now-closed gay club Town, as well as current gay bars Number 9 and Trade. At Town, the opportunity “allowed our creativity to flourish with even bigger performances, bigger photo experiences, crazier hand-outs, and the same electropop dance vibes our fans had come to know us for,” says Koussari-Amin.

CTRL pressed pause when Town shut down, which “was a huge loss to the LGBTQIA+ community and D.C. nightlife in general,” says Koussari-Amin. After that, it hosted an occasional spinoff called QWERTY. Post-pandemic, Koussari-Amin has spent a few nights solo as DJ at Trade and other venues.

After connecting with Jesse Jackson, the Trade general manager, as well as with Bailey, who agreed to host the inaugural event, Koussari-Amin was determined to shift CTRL back to life.

However, getting the old band back together proved to be a challenge. While the rest of the group have either left Washington, D.C., or are pursuing other projects, Koussari-Amin received their blessing to stay on and find new members. 

“When it came to finding new partners, both DJ Dez [Desmond Jordan] and DJ Lemz [Steve Lemmerman] were obvious choices,” he says, noting that “they also have distinct styles and interests.” Dez has a residency at Pitchers and Kiki as well as pop-ups, and Lemz throws events like Sleaze and BENT.

 “It seemed important to come back to the nightlife table with an experience that could complement all the amazing experiences that have even built up since CTRL threw its last event at Town. Bringing back both the DJ collective and the CTRL event with Dez and Lemz means new voices, perspectives, sounds, and excitement.”

“CTRL is an opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy music, drinks, and good vibes,” adds Jordan, noting that for him, it’s an event that celebrates queer identity.

And after months of planning, CTRL will kick off its monthly party series at Trade on March 30 for the first gig after its glow-up.

The trio says that its core inspiration “is driven by the indie and electropop favorites of new and old, like Goldfrapp, Ava Max, Charli XCX, … We’re also all huge fans of slut and trash pop music like Kim Petras, Slayyyter, Cupcakke,” as well as pop diva remixes, new bops, and songs that reside inside and far beyond the expanse of Top 40.

CTRL is also bringing back its activations that complement the tunes. Summer Camp is set for drag performances, David Claypool is back with his photo booth, and Koussari-Amin promises “to have all sorts of weird and wacky handouts like we used to.”

After the March premiere, April’s party is “CTRLella”, a Coachella send-up. Future events will feature various different themes, and they plan to throw a party during Capital Pride; they’re also looking to be a central part of Trade’s expansion into the adjacent space.

 Koussari-Amin says that “the event’s signature experience [is] a lynchpin in connecting D.C.’s expanding generations of queer folks, giving everyone a safe space to let loose and feel a rush no matter who they are.” 

For his part, Bailey continues to support CTRL and its collective intention, expressing its essential nature as a party for partiers by partiers. “CTRL is the kind of party that represents what people want. It’s just a real party by real people that just want to hear good music and dance with their friends.”

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Celebrity News

HRC releases ‘Queer Renaissance Syllabus’

Beyoncé’s hit album inspired curriculum

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Beyoncé performs at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., on Aug. 6, 2023. The Human Rights Campaign has released a curriculum that her "Renaissance" album inspired. (Washington Blade photo by Isabelle Kravis)

In a move aimed at celebrating the beauty, brilliance and resilience of the LGBTQ community, the Human Rights Campaign unveiled the “Queer Renaissance Syllabus” that Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” album inspired. 

Curated by Justin Calhoun, Leslie Hall and Chauna Lawson of the HRC’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program, the syllabus includes a variety of academic articles, essays, films and other media rooted in Black queer and feminist studies. Each piece is directly inspired by the tracks on Beyoncé’s Billboard 200-topping dance album, “Renaissance.”

Beyoncé’s album “Renaissance” stands as a cultural milestone, celebrating the Black queer roots of dance music while shedding light on overlooked Black queer artists. Inspired by her late-Uncle Johnny, the album not only garnered critical acclaim but also shed light on the often marginalized contributions of Black queer artists. Winning four Grammys and yielding chart-topping hits like “Break My Soul” and “Cuff It,” the album sparked discussions about economic impact and cultural representation.

Amid its success, legislative challenges arose, with Florida and Texas enacting bans on DEI initiatives in public colleges. Recognizing the album’s transformative potential, HRC developed the “Queer Renaissance Syllabus” to leverage its impact for education and activism.

Tailored for educators, youth-serving professionals, DEI practitioners, higher education leaders and admirers of Beyoncé’s artistry, the syllabus aims to encourage meaningful discussions, enrich lesson plans, and explore innovative ways to honor the vibrancy and significance of LGBTQ individuals and their culture.

With six themes anchoring the syllabus, ranging from “intersectionality and inclusivity” to “social justice and activism,” it provides a comprehensive exploration of various facets of LGBTQ experiences and expressions. Fan-favorite tracks from the album are paired with scholarly readings, offering insights into empowerment, self-acceptance and the transformative power of artistic expression. The syllabus also reinforces HRC’s efforts to highlight, amplify and re-center Black and queer voices.

By providing links to articles, books, podcasts and interviews, each associated with a song from the album, it celebrates the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Black queer community.

The concluding section of the syllabus includes Beyoncé’s tribute to O’Shea Sibley, a young Black queer person who was murdered in Brooklyn, N.Y., last July while voguing to “Renaissance” songs at a gas station. HRC also includes a statement that condemns hate crimes.

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