Bars & Parties

Review: Poundstone’s tour stops in Maryland

Published

13 years ago

December 18, 2009

Paula Poundstone’s latest tour included a double performance Dec. 12, at the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, Md. Her career has spanned several decades boasting awards including the American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand-Up Comic in 1989 and a CableAce Award for her HBO special “Cats, Cops and Stuff” in 1990. Poundstone worked as a political correspondent for “The Tonight Show” during the 1992 presidential campaign and in 1996 served as a political correspondent for “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.” Most recently, she has appeared on National Public Radio as a panelist on the radio news quiz show “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!”

She performed before a sold out audience at the Rams Head Tavern and received a warm welcome when she took the stage. The odd part was there was no announcement that her set was going to begin, she simply took the stage, mic in hand, and dove right in. In true Poundstone style she was dressed in a suit and tie combination, which, for those that remember her earlier performances, has become a trademark ensemble.

Many performers like to incorporate remarks about the city where they’re performing into their act to connect with the audience, but not Paula. Poundstone asked an audience member closest to the stage, “Do you live here? Wherever we are,” which seemed to endear her to the audience even more. Attending a Paula Poundstone performance will leave you impressed at her ability to interact spontaneously with audience members creating conversations bound to garner riotous laughter. Armed with nothing but a stool, a microphone and a can of Diet Pepsi, Paula’s ability to find humor on the spot has become the stuff of legend.

Poundstone was born in Huntsville, Ala., and her family moved to Sudbury, Mass., when she was young but now she calls California home. When discussing her current state of residence, she said it’s “Embarrassing to live in a state that had Prop 8,” which was met with applause from the audience. Her performance was fairly divided: the first half had more of a political slant while the last half was more related to family life. Poundstone has adopted several children, so her comedy will oftentimes reveal her personal struggles with raising kids in today’s society.

Poundstone labels herself as asexual, doesn’t date, and she has never been romantically linked with anyone of any gender. “I don’t have sex because I don’t like it,” she once joked. “I’d have to marry a Mormon so someone could cover my shift.” This was not a subject she greatly expounded upon; she merely stated that she is “not much of a sexual creature.”

Poundstone also considers herself an atheist, which brought one member of the audience to his feet with applause. Her description of not seeing atheists traveling door to door NOT preaching the word and not trying to give away “The Good Book with blank pages” was met with thunderous applause from the audience. It was this unassuming, matter-of-fact humor that kept the audience thoroughly entertained for the entire set.

With a house full of children and cats, 13 felines to be exact, it’s no wonder that it took Poundstone nine years to write her book. She mentioned that she wrote “There Is Nothing in this Book That I Meant to Say” entirely by hand due to the fact she has only recently purchased a computer. Writing is a topic Poundstone obviously has strong feelings about. She refers to children who don’t try their hand at writing as “iPod kids” because those are the ones who essentially sit in class with their iPods on rather than paying attention and learning. This was the point in the show where you could see the mother coming out as she described several situations of her involvement with her children’s education and the importance of being involved in the process.

Paula Poundstone is obviously smart, her fidgety style with locked-jaw delivery proved to be more than a pleasant surprise live. She is relaxed and charming — her jokes seem more like offhand remarks than forced quips. Combined with the spontaneously amusing give-and-take with the audience you could not have asked for a more enjoyable evening.

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Bars & Parties

Here’s your guide to the merriest gay holiday season!

Cocktails, music and dancing at upcoming parties

Published

3 months ago

December 21, 2022

Tinashe Chingarande

The holidays are here and it’s time to party.

“LGBTQ Social Mixer – Pride On The Patio at Showroom” will be on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom.

There will be happy hour cocktails and dinner on the heated patio at the venue. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic selves to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy.

Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

The Iconic International House of Balenciaga will host “Naughty or Nice: A Holiday Extravaganza” on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 10 p.m. at Privilege.

There will be a limited buffet and open bar, hookah, VIP packages, bottle specials and music by DJ Dave Thom and DJ Obie. There will also be a sweater contest with a cash prize.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

“Hip Hop Garden DC Day Party” will be on Saturday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. at Lost Society. This exclusive day party experience will feature non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes. Music played will be a crossover of genres and fusion of cultures.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Bars & Parties

Winterfest remains in full force

Yappy Hour will be on Sunday

Published

4 months ago

December 16, 2022

Tinashe Chingarande

Yappy Hour will be on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 12 p.m.

Events for Wunder Garten’s 6th Annual Winterfest are still underway at one of D.C.’s most enthralling beer gardens at 1101 First St., N.E.

A Night of 1,000 Santas will be on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to come dressed as Santa, Mrs. Claus, an elf, a reindeer, anything or anyone, to dance the night away and celebrate the holidays. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Yappy Hour will be on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 12 p.m. This is a special day for the pups and their “hoomans” and perfect opportunity for the pups to get some treats and make new friends. Select beers cost $6 and there will be free pupucinnos with a purchase. This event is free and more details are on Eventbrite.

Trivia Mondays will be on Monday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. This event will be hosted by Mark Lloyd. Guests are encouraged to bring friends and test their knowledge to win prizes and glory. There will also be boozy cocktails, seasonal beers and themed decor. Tickets are free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Bars & Parties

Halloween is back and more queer than ever!

Freddie’s Beach Bar to host Halloween party

Published

5 months ago

October 26, 2022

Tinashe Chingarande

Freddie's Halloween (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant will be hosting a Halloween party on Monday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m.

Guests are encouraged to bring friends and meet new people from all over the world. Guests will gather in the back outside patio if the weather is nice or near the stage if not. Go Gay DC leader TJ Flavell will be there to greet you. Name tags will be provided. There’s no cover charge.

For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Metrobar DC to host ‘Booze and Brews’ Halloween Brunch’

“Booze and Brews Halloween Brunch” will be on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. at metrobar DC.

Guests are encouraged to come enjoy sounds from DJ Lalee and tasting tables from Catoctin and Republic Restoratives from 7-10 p.m. and drink specials featuring Catoctin or Republic Restoratives spirits all evening long.

This event is free to attend with an optional $15 Bash + SMYAL Fundraiser Ticket to help support LGBTQ youth across the district. Ticket holders will be honored with a cocktail.

For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Cake Pop to host ‘HallowQueen Drag Brunch’

“HallowQueen Drag Brunch” will be on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 11 a.m. at The Hall CP. New host Cake Pop will be hosting this ultimate Halloween-themed event.

Flavored mimosas and Bloody Marys will cost $24 and the brunch buffet costs $30 and will include French toast casserole, buttermilk pancakes, tater tots hash, among many other menu items.

Tickets for this event start at $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Baltimore Playhouse to hold ‘Haux-lloween’ party

“Taste.Touch.Feel: Haux-lloween” will be on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Baltimore Playhouse – Private Social Club.

Guests are encouraged to come and enjoy top-tier burlesque and specialty performances, kink edutainment, interactive games, and plenty of surprises to thrill one’s senses.

There will also be a costume ball with three categories. Each category is limited to eight participants. The categories are:

Alien Superstar: Most unique, intergalactic freak
Fetish Faerie: Whimsy, kinky, faerie hauxs
Best Couples Costume: Period.

After the costume ball, there will be an “Adult Play Date After Party” for mingling and a night of no inhibitions where guests can enjoy spontaneous performances, play with their lover(s) or be a voyeur while the music plays.

Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Sirene, X and Nadia to perform at Firefly

Firefly Halloween Special Event will be on Saturday, Oct. 29 at p.m. at Firefly. This event will feature performances by drag queens Sirene, X and Nadia. There will also be two competitions:

• “Holy” a ghoulie drag performance with a cash prize of $100 and a bookings prize of $100.

• A costume contest where the 1st place winner wins a one-night stay at Hotel Madeira, 2nd place wins dinner for two at Firefly, and 3rd place wins brunch for two at Firefly.

This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.