Arts & Entertainment
Social Agenda for Feb. 19
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].
Photos
PHOTOS: Capital Stonewall Democrats 50th anniversary
D.C. LGBTQ political group celebrates milestone at Pepco Edison Place Gallery
The Capital Stonewall Democrats held a 50th anniversary celebration at Pepco Edison Place Gallery on Friday. Rayceen Pendarvis served as the emcee.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Theater
‘Inherit the Wind’ isn’t about science vs. religion, but the right to think
Holly Twyford on new role and importance of listening to different opinions
‘Inherit the Wind’
Through April 5
Arena Stage
1101 Sixth St., S.W.
Tickets start at $73
Arenastage.org
When “Inherit the Wind” premiered on Broadway in 1955 with a cast of 50, its fictional setting of Hillsboro, an obscure country town described as the buckle on the Bible Belt, was filled with townspeople. And now at Arena Stage, director Ryan Guzzo Purcell has somehow crowded Arena’s large Fichandler space with just 10 actors, five principals and a delightful ensemble of five playing multiple roles.
Inspired by the real-life Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s fictionalized work pits intellectual freedom against McCarthyism via the imagined trial of Bertram Cates (Noah Plomgren), a Tennessee educator charged with teaching evolution. Drawn into the fracas are big shot lawyers, defense attorney Henry Drummond (Billy Eugene Jones), and conservative prosecutor, Matthew Harrison Brady (Dakin Matthew). On hand to cover the closely watched story is wisecracking city slicker and Baltimore reporter E.K. Horneck (played by nonbinary actor Alyssa Keegan).
Out actor Holly Twyford, a four-time Helen Hayes Award winner who has appeared in more than 80 Washington area plays, is part of the ensemble. In jeans and boots, she memorably plays Meeker, the bailiff at the Hillsboro courthouse and the jailer responsible for holding Cates in the days leading to his trial.
Twyford also plays Sillers, a slack jawed earnest employee at the local feed store who’s called to serve on the jury. And more importantly she plays Brady’s quietly strong wife Sarah whom he affectionately calls “Mother.”
When Twyford makes her memorable first entrance as Meeker, she’s wiping shaving cream from her face with a hand towel. With shades of Mayberry R.F.D., the jail is run casually. Meeker says Cates isn’t the criminal type, and he’s not.
“There’s a joke among actors,” says Twyford. “When an actor gets his shoes, they know who their character is. And it’s sort of true. When you put on boots, heels, or flip flops, there’s a different feeling, and you walk differently.”
Similarly, shares Twyford, it goes for clothes too: “When Mother slips a pink coat dress over her cowboy boots, dons a little hat and ties her scarf, or Meeker puts on his work shirt, I know where I am. And all of that is thanks to a remarkable wardrobe crew.
“Additionally, some of the ensemble characters are played broadly which is helpful to the actors and super identifying for the audience too.”
During intermission, an audience member loudly described the production as “a proper play” filled with beautifully written passages. And it’s true. Twyford agrees, adding “That’s all true, and it’s also been was fun for us to be a part of the Arena legacy as well. Arena took ‘Inherit the Wind’ to the Soviet Union in the early ‘70s when the respective governments did a cultural exchange. At the time, the iron curtain was very much in place, and they traveled with a play about a man with his own thoughts.”
When the ensemble was cast, actors didn’t know which tracts exactly they were going to play. “What came together was a cast, diverse in different ways. Some directors, including myself when I direct, are interested in assembling a cast that’s a good group. No time for egos. It’s more about who will make the best group to help me tell this story.”
At one point during rehearsal, ensemble members began to help one another with minor onstage costume changes, like jackets and hats: “We just started doing it and Ryan [Guzzo Purcell] picked up on it, saying things really began to come alive when we helped each other, so we went with that.”
“For me, it was reminiscent of ‘The Laramie Project’ [Ford’s Theatre in 2013] when we played five different parts and we’d help each other with a vest or jacket in a similar way. It worked so well then too,” says Twyford.
“Inherit the Wind” isn’t about science versus religion. It’s about the right to think, playwright Jerome Lawrrence has been quoted as saying. And it’s a quote that makes the play that much more relevant today.
Twford remembers a chat in a hair salon: “I was getting my hair cut and the woman next to me shared that she was tired of message plays. Understandably there are theater makers who believe that message plays are the point, while others think it’s all about entertainment. I feel like ‘Inherit the Wind’ sits in a nice place in the middle.”
She adds “the work is a creative way of showing different opinions and that, I think, is what we should be paying attention to right now. Clearly, it’s not right or wrong to express what you think.”
Out & About
‘How We Survived’ panel set for March 25
‘Living History’ discussion to be held at Spark Social
Friends of Dorothy Cafe will host “Part One, Living History: How We Survived,” will take place on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Spark Social House.
This event will be moderated by Abby Stuckrath, host of the “Queering the District” podcast. Panelists include: Earline Budd, activist, trans rights advocate; TJ Flavell of Go Gay DC; DC LGBTQ+ Center Board Member David Bissette; and Alexa Rodriguez, founder and executive director, Trans-Latinx DMV.
This event is part of a four-part storytelling series called “Living History,” which centers LGBTQ elders, activists, artists, and icons sharing their lived experiences and reflections with younger generations. The conversations explore themes like resilience, community organizing, chosen family, and the lessons earlier generations hope today’s LGBTQ+ and ally communities will carry forward.
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