Bars & Parties
Pulling out the gay stops
Charles Miller knows music, but it’s mostly in the classical vein. He’s been called one of D.C.’s most brilliant organists and his office at National City Christian Church is well stocked, as one might imagine, with CDs, hymnals, file cabinets full of scores and scholarly books on music. It’s easy to throw him, though, when it comes to pop.
When asked if the title of his new organ recital series, “Magical, Mystical, Musical Machine,” which resumes today at 12:15 p.m., is a play on words of the similarly monikered Beatles album (“Magical Mystery Tour”), Miller says the thought never occurred to him.
“No, actually,” he says. “It’s just something I created myself. What I wanted to do was get something with some sort of title that was going to grab people … something other than the National City Christian Church organ series, which is as boring as Wonder Bread. And it’s worked.”
The series had existed for about 25 years at the large D.C. church, an architectural wonder that anchors Thomas Circle, but was struggling. Thursday was its normal day and it featured a wide array of performers on various instruments, not just organ. Miller and others at the church retooled it after a hiatus. “Machine” debuted in September on Fridays and was an instant hit.
Miller says attendance has tripled. And all the recitals, which are free, are performed on the church’s mammoth 7000-pipe Moller organ, the third largest organ in Washington (only organs at National Cathedral and National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception have more ranks, though National City’s is the only D.C. organ with five manuals, or keyboards, a distinction Miller says is necessary to play the church’s gallery organ in the back).
That makes it distinctive enough that organists from around the country are itching to play it. Miller says he gets unsolicited requests weekly from players willing to donate their recital time to the church. Miller has taken many of them up on the offer. Several are scheduled for “Machine” recitals, which run every Friday through May.
Stephen Harouff, a Peabody graduate who lives in Baltimore and plays at Faith Presbyterian Church there, plays at National City on Feb. 19. This will be his second recital there.
“It’s interesting,” he says of the National City organ. “It’s not often that you can go and sit at an instrument and have everything you need for any style of organ music … it’s pretty stellar.”
Miller kicks off the series return with today’s recital. He plans a toccata by J.S. Bach, a trumpet tune by David N. Johnson, an adaptation of on operatic intermezzo by Pietro Mascagni and a movement of an organ symphony by Louis Vierne.
And though Miller didn’t plan it, all the players booked for the series in February are gay (openly gay David Christopher of Wilmington, Del., plays Feb. 12. The month ends with another recital by Miller on Feb. 26). Miller guesses about 75 percent of U.S. organists are gay men.
Miller says why that’s the case is “the million dollar question.”
“I don’t know if it’s because as young musicians the pipe organ is such an odd, well, odd is kind of a weird word, but people don’t readily seek out to play the pipe organ. You’re more likely to say, ‘I’m gonna play the trumpet, or the flute, or the piano.’ So I can see in many instances if you’re a young child struggling with your sexual identity, you’re kind of off the beaten path anyway, you feel unique or isolated or weird. I guess maybe that could be it, but it’s very difficult to know and it’s a phenomenon unique to the U.S. It would be a great sociological study.”
Bars & Parties
Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13
‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday
Mixtape Sapphics will host “Sapphic Sugar & Spice: A Naughty-Nice Mixtape Holiday Party” on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. at Amsterdam Lounge.
This is a festive, grown holiday party for queer women and sapphics 35 and older at Revolt’s Christmas pop-up. There will be music, joy, and an optional White Elephant.
This is Mixtape Sapphics’ first-ever holiday party — a cozy, flirty, intentionally grounded night created just for queer women and sapphics 35+ who want real connection, festive joy, and a warm place to land at the end of the year.
Tickets start at $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Bars & Parties
Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser
Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge
Impulse Group DC, a local advocacy organization, will host “Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Thurst Lounge.
This event is a special happy hour fundraiser filled with good vibes, great food, and community connection. DJ Obie will be on deck keeping the energy high while you enjoy tacos, cocktails, and the kind of atmosphere only Thurst can deliver.
A portion of every signature cocktail sold goes directly toward supporting Impulse Group D.C.’s work in sexual health, mental health, harm reduction, and social justice for the D.C. community.
Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Halloween weekend is here, and here’s a list of just some of the local events if you’re looking to have a spooky good time.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is an opportunity to mingle with LGBTQ folk and allies. Halloween costumes are encouraged or casual beach attire is fine. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Mixtape Sapphics will host “Bad Witch, Good Butch: A Sapphic Halloween Dream” on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Revolt DC. This is a halloween party for sapphics from the ages of 35 and above. There will be costumes, connection and dancing. Tickets are $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Taste Takeover will host “Abuela Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at 639 Florida Ave., N.W. DJ Yani will play music and there will be a costume contest with prizes to be won. Tickets cost $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Metro Cabaret Club will host “Spookshow Spectacular: Dance Place After Dark Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. at Dance Place. This is D.C.’s Halloween nightlife and draglesque showcase, featuring live performances, creative marketplace, and costumed revelry. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Punch Bowl Social will host “Halloween Bash” on Friday. Oct 31 at 9 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social Arlington. This will be a night of hauntingly good times with a killer DJ, vendors, and a costume contest. Tickets cost $12.09 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Thrust Lounge will host “Nightmare on 14th St.” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. DJ Tryfe will play music, and there’ll also be a costume contest with prizes. For more details, visit Thurst’s Instagram.
Nellie’s Sports Bar will host “Halloween Scariest Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their scariest, creepiest, most haunting look for a Halloween night they won’t forget — fueled by Casamigos and Nellie’s signature spooky fun. For more details, visit Nellie’s website.
Kiki DC will host “Kiki’s Halloween Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. This event will be hosted by Pirouette and there’ll be prizes for the top three costumes. For more details, visit Kiki’s Instagram.
Sinners and Saints will host “Heaven’s On Fire (Queer Pop Dance Party)” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. There will be two floors and music by Sonali Dawar, DJ Noons and Aria McIntosh. There will also be drink specials all night.
Crush Dance Bar will host a Halloween costume contest on Friday, Oct. 31 at 11 p.m. Drag queens Empress Lena and Sasha Adams will host the event. For more details, visit Crush’s Instagram.
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