Arts & Entertainment

Social Agenda for Feb. 19

Published

16 years ago

February 18, 2010

Friday, Feb. 19

Get down to Bell Biv Devoe, TLC and C&C at the “No Scrubs: 90’s Dance Party with DJs Will Eastman and Brian Billion” at 10 p.m. at the 9:30 club, 815 V St., N.W. There’s a $10 cover and this quarterly event is nearly sold out.

From ice dancing to men’s hockey, watch the Olympics at Nellie’s Sports Bar all day, 900 U St., N.W.

Gay organist Stephen Harouff of Baltimore plays a free recital today at 12:15 p.m. at National City Christian Church as part of its “Magical, Mystical, Musical Machine” organ recital series. NCCC’s Charles Miller, who’s also gay, play on the 26th. The recitals are a half hour each. The church is at 5 Thomas Circle, N.W.

Gay District meets tonight. The group was formerly known as the Twenties Group but has expanded its age range for gay, bi, trans and questioning men from 18 to 35. The group meets for weekly discussion from 8:30 to 9:30 every Friday at St. Margaret’s Church located at 1830 Connecticut Ave. Members dine afterwards then go dancing. The group is changing its contact information but for now, those interested can visit the group on Facebook under the name “GD: Gay District.”

Saturday, Feb. 20

Relive the glory days at 80s alt-pop dance night with DJ lil’e backstage at the Black Cat, 1811 14th St., NW. There’s a $7 cover, starts at 9:30 p.m.

Love him or hate him, there’s no denying his stage presence. John Mayer plays Verizon Center tonight, 8 p.m. with special guest Michael Franti and Spearhead, tickets $42.50-78.00. Visit ticketmaster.com.

A concert by members of D.C.’s “Different Drummers,” a gay ensemble, called “Intimate Winds” is today at 2 p.m. in the Adirondack Room at Hillwood Museum Estate. Fischer Tull’s “Liturgical Symphony,” Richard Strauss’ “Serenade,” and more will be performed. Tickets are $20 ($10 for seniors and students) and are available at the door. Visit dcdd.org for more information.

D.C. Icebreakers, an LGBT ice skating social group, has a game night tonight from 7:30 to 11:30 in Ballston with co-hosts NOVA GL Professionals and Gay District. The event is at a party room within walking distance from the Ballston Metro station. For directions, RSVP to [email protected]. Visit dcicebreakers.com for more information about the group.

Photographer Jason Horowitz, who’s straight, opens a new show called DRAG tonight at the Curator’s Office from 6 to 8 p.m. Featuring up-close and large-scale photos of local drag queens including Shi-Queeta Lee and others, the show, the artist says, seeks to reveal and challenge hidden biases about femininity and masculinity, beauty and ugliness, gay culture, race, sexuality and aging. The Curator’s Office is located at 1515 14th St., N.W., Suite 201.

Town has a Mardi Gras party with DJ Dan Deleon tonight. Doors open at 10. Town is located at 2009 8th St., N.W. Visit towndc.com for more information.

Sunday, Feb. 21

The Bolshoi Ballet wraps up its engagement at the Kennedy Center today at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $47-135.00. Visit kennedy-center.org for information.

A discussion called “Bagels, Brunch and Islam” is being held today at the D.C. Center from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Iman Daayiee Abdullah, who’s gay, will discuss the relation between Islam and Judaism and the lives of gay and lesbian Muslims. This study brunch is hosted by Bet Mishpachah, a local gay synagogue. The event is free and open to the public. The Center is located at 1810 14th St., N.W.

Adodi D.C., a gay group for men of color who celebrate their African heritage, meets today at the D.C. Center today from 3 to 6 p.m. The Center is at 1810 14th Street N.W. Visit thedccenter.org for more information.

Local drag queen Shi-Queeta Lee hosts drag brunch every Sunday at Nellie’s Sports Bar, located at 900 U Street, N.W. Brunch buffet is $20. Miss Lee performs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visit nelliessportsbar.com for more information.

Dignity Washington, a local gay Catholic group, celebrates Mass for the LGBT community every Sunday at 6 p.m. at St. Margaret’s, located at 1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Call 202-546-2245 for more information or visit dignitywashington.org.

Monday, Feb. 22

D.C. Center’s Elder Think Tank meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. and typically on the fourth Monday of each month. The group is an intergenerational group working on education, advocacy and services to the local aging LGBT population. The Center is at 1810 14th Street, N.W. Visit thedccenter.org for more information.

A youth support group for gay, lesbian and bi teens meets today from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the GW Center Clinic located at 1922 F Street N.W., suite 103. Fees for therapy and the group are on a sliding scale.

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, the District’s largest mostly gay church, has an HIV-positive support group for people of faith every Monday at the church. For more information, contact Matt Senger at 202-546-2159 or e-mail him at [email protected]. MCC-DC is located at 474 Ridge Street, N.W. Visit mccdc.com for more information about the church.

Tuesday, Feb. 23

“In the Heights,” winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including best musical, opens at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore, 410-837-7400. For tickets, visit broadwayacrossamerica.com.

“When Someone You Love Loves Meth” meets tonight at 7 at DC Center, located at 1810 14th Street, N.W. Visit thedccenter.org for more information. Also at the Center tonight is a meeting for those planning Gay Men’s Health Summit 2012 and AIDS 2012.

Washington Renegades, a gay-welcoming local rugby team, resumes practice for its spring season today at 6:45 p.m. at Cardozo High School at 1300 Clifton Street, N.W. Newcomers curious about the group can attend with out having to join. Visit dcrugby.com for more information.

The United ENDA Coalition meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. at the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force headquarters to encourage LGBT supporters to help pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Training and pizza are provided. The Task Force is at 1325 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., sixth floor. For more information, contact Aaditi Dubale at [email protected].

Cobalt has “Flashback,” a retro night, every Tuesday at 10 p.m. Rail vodka drinks are free from 10 to 11 p.m. Cobalt, a gay bar and dance club, is at the corner of 17th and R streets, N.W.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

Ziegfeld’s/Secrets hosts its monthly amateur dancer contest at 11 p.m., signup begins at 10 p.m., 1824 Half St., S.W., 202-863-0670. Hosted by Destiny B. Childs.

The Hollaback Transgender Support Group meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. at DC Center, located at 1810 14th St., N.W. Hollaback is a social and support group for the trans community and is a program of the D.C. Community AIDS Network. The group meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

Ladies First night is tonight and every Wednesday at Fab Lounge, located at 1805 Connecticut Ave., N.W. For more information, visit myspace.com/ladiesfirst.

Thursday, Feb. 25

Phase 1, the country’s oldest lesbian bar, begins its 40th anniversary festivities tonight at 9 p.m. at the Phase, located at 525 8th Street, S.E. The anniversary celebration continues through Sunday at 3 a.m. Staff members are seeking Phase-related photos from long-time patrons. They can be e-mailed to [email protected] or scanned at the bar. Patrons with Phase stories to share are also encouraged to come forward. A kick-off rock show is tonight with performers Hunter Valentine, the Pushovers and Kaylan Rexer. Visit phase1dc.com for more information.

D.C. Lambda Squares, a local gay square dancing group, meets every Thursday for square dancing. For more information about the group or to find out when beginner classes are available, visit dclambdasquares.org.

Friday, Feb. 26

Phase One 40th anniversary festivities continue tonight with a Miss Phase One Pageant at the bar from 7 to 10:30 p.m., which features a $200 cash prize. Hopefuls will compete in several categories. Send a photo, short bio and description of your talent to [email protected] to compete. Lesbian history through the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and ’00s will be honored with photos, videos and music from each era tonight and Saturday. Visit phase1dc.com for more information.

Saturday, Feb. 27

Gay & Lesbian Outreach & Engagement has its third annual Masquerade & Mischief Purim Party tonight at the Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center at 16th and Q streets, N.W. at 9 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes. Those who do have open bar access all night. D.C. Cowboys and trans comedian Riki Wilchins will perform. Tickets are $18 in advance; $20 at the door. A costume prize will be awarded. Contact [email protected] or 202-777-3253 for more information.

Variety show Crack is back tonight with a new show called “Once Upon a Time” at Town from 9 p.m. to midnight tonight. The production is billed as an “outrageous cabaret that spoofs the fantastic world of fairy tales and nursery rhymes.” Crack hosts Shea Van Horn, Chris Farris and Karl Jones will perform. Cover is $10. Show starts at 10. Attendees are encouraged to dress in fairy tale- or nursery rhyme-inspired costumes to receive a $2 discount. Town is at 2009 8th Street N.W.

Send calendar listings two weeks prior to your event to Joey DiGuglielmo at [email protected].

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Photos

PHOTOS: The Bonnet Ball

Published

2 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Michael Key

Sirene Noir Sidora Jackson dances at The Bonnet Ball at JR.'s Bar on Sunday, April 5. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Bonnet Ball was held at JR.’s Bar (1519 17th St., N.W.) on Sunday.

(Washington Blade photos and video by Michael Key)

Books

Risking it all for love during World War II

New book follows story of Black, gay expat in Paris

Published

5 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Terri Schlichenmeyer

(Book cover image courtesy Viking)

‘The Remarkable Life of Reed Peggram’
By Ethelene Whitmire
c.2026, Viking
$30/308 pages

You couldn’t escape it.

When you fell in love, that was it: you were there for good. Leaving your amour’s side was unthinkable, turning away was impossible. You’d do anything for that person you loved – even, as in the new biography, “The Remarkable Life of Reed Peggram” by Ethelene Whitmire, you’d escape toward danger.

On Aug. 28, 1938, Reed Peggram boarded a ship from Hoboken, N.J., hoping to “become a proper gentleman” and fulfill his dreams. A prolific writer and Harvard scholar of comparative literature, he’d recently been awarded the Rosenwald Fellowship, which put him in the company of literary stars like Du Bois, Hurston, and Hughes.

Both Peggram’s mother and grandmother were then domestic workers, and they had big expectations for him. Reed himself was eager to study abroad, for professional and personal reasons; he was “determined to become a French professor and an accomplished linguist” and “He also hoped to find love.”

What better place to do it than in Paris?

Outgoing and confident, Peggram made friends easily and had no trouble moving “through the world of his white male peers.” Where he faltered was in his lack of funds. He relied on the kindness of his many friends – one of whom introduced Peggram to a “man who would become so pivotal in his life,” a Danish man named Arne.

Peggram and Arne had a lot in common, and they began to enmesh their lives and dreams of living in the United States. But there were complications: homosexuality was largely forbidden, World War II was in its early stages, and it quickly became apparent that it was dangerous to stay in Europe.

And yet, Peggram loved Arne. He refused to leave without him and so, while most visiting Black Americans fled the war in Europe, “Reed was trying to stay.”

There’s so much more to the story inside “The Remarkable Life of Reed Peggram,” so much to know about Reed himself. Problem is, it’s a long haul to get to the good stuff.

In her introduction, author Ethelene Whitmire explains how she came to this tale and yes, it needs telling but probably not with the staggering number of inconsequential details here. Peggram moved homes a lot, and many people were involved in keeping him in Europe. That alone can be overwhelming; add the fact that costs and other monetary issues are mentioned in what seems like nearly every page, and you may wonder if you’ll ever find the reason for the book’s subtitle.

It’s there, nearly halfway through the book, which is when the tale takes a tender, urgent turn — albeit one with determination, rashness, and a dash of faux nonchalance. Also, if you’re expecting an unhappily-ever-after because, after all, it’s a World War II tale, don’t assume anything.

Reading this book will take a certain amount of patience, so skip it if you don’t have that fortitude. If you’re OK with minuscule details and want a heart-pounder, though, “The Remarkable Life of Reed Peggram” might be a good escape.

The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.

Theater

Iconic Eddie Izzard takes on 23 characters in ‘Hamlet’

Energized take on role offers accessible way to enjoy Shakespeare

Published

1 day ago

April 4, 2026

Patrick Folliard

Eddie Izzard in ‘The Tragedy of Hamlet.’ (Photo by Carol Rosegg)

‘The Tragedy of Hamlet’
Through April 11
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre
450 7th St., N.W.
Tickets start at $90
Shakespearetheatre.org

Eddie Izzard is an icon.

Best known for her innovative standup and film roles, the famed British performer is also a queer activist who over the years has good-naturedly shared details from her decades long trans journey. What’s more, Izzard has remarkably run 43 marathons in 51 days for charity.

And now, Izzard finds a towering new challenge with the worldwide tour of “The Tragedy of Hamlet” (at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre through April 11), in which she plays 23 characters (Hamlet, King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, the ghost, etc.) in a solo performance running just over two hours.

At a recent performance, Izzard, before slipping into character, appeared on the unadorned stage to say that though infused with comedy, “Hamlet” is definitely a tragedy, a story of a family and country both tearing themselves apart. She also warns that there’ll be a lot of breaking the fourth wall. After all, it didn’t exist in 1600 around the time when “Hamlet” was written.

The play unfolds in flurry of movement and scandal as the Danish prince begins to plot revenge after learning that his father, the old king was conspired against and murdered.

While some of Izzard’s character shifts are shown only by a subtle change in stance or modulation of voice, others are more obviously displayed like court sycophant Polonius walking with a stiff leg and mimed cane, or his ill-fated daughter Ophelia trotting girlishly across the upstage platform.

Delivered downstage at the intimate Klein venue, Izzard’s Hamlet soliloquies are performed with striking clarity. The one actor play is adapted and edited by Mark Izzard (the star’s older brother) and directed by Selina Cadell who successfully fosters the visceral connection between the actor and the house. Directly addressing an audience is something Izzard does exceedingly well. You feel as if she’s looking at/speaking to only you.

Cuts and choices are made that might not please traditionalists. The stabbing of eavesdropping Polonius might prove disappointingly underplayed to some. Whereas, the subsequent satisfying dual/death scene is long and precisely choreographed. Fear not, Izzard doesn’t flag a bit, not even when battling a cough (as was the case on the night of No Kings Day).

Not surprisingly, Izzard leans into the comedy. Her deliciously placed pauses, lines read ironically, and double takes, all gifts of comedy sharpened to perfection over a long career that kicked off as a street performer in the early eighties in London’s Covent Garden.

The play within a play scene finds Hamlet slyly rattling the conscience of King Claudius. As played by Izzard, it’s wickedly delightful and especially good. And the back and forth between the grave diggers done as a clever Cockney and his green assistant is a master class in how to play a Shakespearean clown.

Kitted out in a black peplum jacket over leather leggings and boots, Izzard gives gender fluid shades of contemporary diehard scenester and a Renaissance courtier. (Design and styling by Tom Piper and Libby DaCosta)

Attention has been paid to the blonde high ponytail, crimson lips and matching lacquered nails. The hands are important. Whether balled into fists or fingers fluttering, they’re in use, especially when playing Hamlet’s ex-friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (a clever surprise that can’t be spoiled).

Tom Piper’s set is wonderfully minimal. It’s an empty white walled space with three narrow windows that appear cut deeply into stone like those of a castle. These white flats serve as the ideal canvas for lighting designer Tyler Elich’s looming shadows, ghostly green light, and other unexpected flourishes of drama.

Izzard fills the stage. Her presence is huge, and her acting first-rate. At times, you forget it’s a one-person show.

I’d like to say, prior knowledge of the Bard’s best tragedy isn’t necessary to enjoy this fast-paced production. Despite a halved runtime and obscure words replaced with modern equivalents (“tedious old git” Hamlet says of Polonius), familiarity with the play is helpful.

With “The Tragedy of Hamlet,” Izzard secures a place among fellow queer Brits like Miriam Margolyes (“Dickens’ Women”), Sir Ian Mckellan (“Ian McKellen on Stage”), and more recently Andrew Scott (“Vanya”) in the solo players’ pantheon.

Izzard’s energized take on Hamlet is terrific. The way her powerful public persona bleeds into the work without taking over is exciting, and a uniquely accessible way to enjoy Shakespeare.