Arts & Entertainment

Capital Pride events

Friday, June 4, to Thursday, June 10

Published

16 years ago

June 3, 2010

Juliette Ebner

D.C. Cowboys Dance Company (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Friday, June 4

Taste of Pride at Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse, 1609 17th St., N.W., from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 5-8 go to benefit Capital Pride.

Mr. & Miss Capital Pride at Town Dance Boutique, 2009 8th St., N.W. from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $10 cover.

B.O.I. & The Ladies of LURe present Fuse – Capital Pride’s Official Women’s Kick-Off Party at Apex, 1415 22nd St., from 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. $12 cover. 18+ to enter.

Men’s Party at Mova, 1435 P St., N.W., from 9 p.m. with music by DJ Keith Hoffman. $10 suggested donation to Pride (includes free drink).

DC Leather Pride – Dungeon 101 at The Crucible, 1812 Half St., S.W., from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m., hosted by the Black Rose. 19+ to enter. Directly following will be an “Exploratorium” event from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. Entry to the “Dungeon 101” hour is $10 if you’ve attended the previous Gateway (you will be given a card). Visit www.DCLeatherPride.com for more information.

Mr. & Ms. Capital Pride Leather Step-Down Party at Motley Bar of the EFN Lounge, 1318 9th St., N.W., from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. Matt Bamford and Jackie Thompson step down.

Saturday, June 5

Taste of Pride at Comet Ping Pong, 5037 Connecticut Ave., N.W., from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 11 – 5 go to benefit Capital Pride.

Divas at GWU’s Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St., N.W., at 8 p.m. produced by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington. Tickets go from $20-50, go to www.gmcw.org.

Pride Forum on Intimate Partner Violence focusing on LGBTQ Youth and Transgender Communities at DC Center, 1810 14th St., N.W., from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. produced by the Rainbow Response Coalition and the DC Center.

DC Leather Pride 2010 Education Colloquy, a hands-on concurrent classes for beginners and experts to ensure safe, sane, and consensual encounters, at DC Center, 1810 14th St., N.W., from 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. produced by MTTA, Black Rose, and DC Leather Pride Committee. 18+ to enter. Visit www.DCLeatherPride.com for more information.

DC Leather Pride Code Party, a hands-on fetish and gear party with a strict dress code, guest appearances, and live entertainment, at Motley Bar of the EFN Lounge, 1318 9th St., N.W., from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 18+ to enter. Visit www.DCLeatherPride.com for more information.

CAB presents DC Leather Pride All Colors Night, a celebratory gathering of all Metro DC leather clubs, at DC Eagle, 639 New York Ave., N.W., from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Visit www.DCLeatherPride.com for more information.

Sunday, June 6

Pride in the Park at Six Flags America with special guest DC Cowboys! Tickets $26 at www.sixflags.com/america and use the promo code “CAPPRIDE” for discount.

Divas at GWU’s Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St., N.W., at 3:00 PM present with ASL, produced by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington. Tickets $20-50, go to www.gmcw.org.

Kick-Off with Freddie’s at Freddie’s Beach Bar, 555 23rd St. St., Crystal City, at 9 p.m.
Taste of Pride – Nellie’s “Tea Dance” and/or BBQ (Post Six Flags) at Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 U St., N.W., from 5pm – 9pm.

I Do! GLBT Wedding Expo at Hotel Palomar, 2121 P St., N.W., from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. $10 at www.sayidoexpo.com.

Stonewall Regatta XVII at Potomac River at Thompson’s Boat Center in Georgetown from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Only rowers pay to participate. Visit www.dcstrokes.org for more information.

Taste of Pride at Comet Ping Pong, 5037 Connecticut Ave., N.W., from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 11 – 5 go to benefit Capital Pride.

Taste of Pride at Bucks Fishing & Camping, 5031 Connecticut Ave., N.W. from 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 5 – 9:30 to benefit Capital Pride.

DC Leather Pride 2010 Committee presents DC Leather Pride Street Festival and Fair at DC Eagle Parking Lot, 639 New York Ave., N.W., from 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. Visit www.DCLeatherPride.com for more information.

Defenders LLC presents Dignity Catholic Mass at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W. at 6 p.m.

Monday, June 7

Town Hall – Aging Proudly at DC Center, 1810 14th St., N.W. at 7:00 p.m. Growing older has its own challenges, especially for the LGBT community. Bills? Wills? Night chills? All of that, and more, will be discussed in this town hall meeting on the issues we face as we grow older. \Featuring panelists Joseph Kapp from SAGE DC, Imani Woody from AARP, Courtney Williams from the DC Office on Aging, and Dr. Ray Martins from the Whitman-Walker Clinic. Moderated by Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff.

Rouge at Omega, 2122 P St., N.W. (REAR). Show at 10:30 p.m. $5 cover.

Taste of Pride at Floriana, 1602 17th St., N.W., from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds between 5 – 7:30 p.m. go to benefit Capital Pride.

Seth Rudetsky’s Deconstructing Broadway [DC Premiere] at Jewish Community Center, 16th St. and Q St., N.W. at 8:00 p.m. $15; $12 for Members/Seniors/ Under 25; purchase tickets at www.washingtondcjcc.org/gloe.

Tuesday, June 8

Capital Trans Pride Happy Hour at Mova, 1435 P St., N.W., from 6 – 8 p.m. Suggested donation to Capital Trans Pride.

Capital Pride Interfaith Service at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I St., S.W., at 7:30 p.m.

Capital Pride Underwear Fashion Show and Auction at JR.’s, 1519 17th St., N.W., at 10 p.m. Brought to you by JR’s and Universal Gear.

Twilight Tuesday at Donovan House, 1155 14th St., N.W., from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Taste of Pride at Floriana, 1602 17th St., N.W., from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds between 5 – 7:30 p.m. go to benefit Capital Pride.

Queers in the Arts: A Panel Discussion Across Artistic Disciplines at The Fridge, Rear Alley, 516 8th St., S.E., from 7 – 9 p.m. Produced by Alt.DC.Pride

Wednesday, June 9

35th Anniversary Party at Donovan House, 1155 14th St., N.W., from 6:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. $10-20 Suggested Donation. Brought to you by Donovan House, Zentan Restaurant, Amtrak and Booz | Allen | Hamilton

Women’s Jello Wrestling at Phase I, 525 8th St., S.E., from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. $10 Cover, 21+

Taste of Pride at Cabana’s Restaurant, 3050 K St., N.W., from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. go to benefit Capital Pride.

Capital Pride Champions of Equality Reception at 6:30 p.m. RSVP online at http://www.steindemocrats.org/events/2010capitalpride. $25 requested donation to The Gertrude Stein Club. Produced by the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club.

Thursday, June 10

Women’s Spoken Word at HRC Equality Forum, 1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., from 7 -9 p.m. Visit the calendar of activities at http://www.capitalpride.org/ to send in a submission.

Viva Equality Featuring Pop Icon Fangoria! at Town Dance Boutique, 2009 8th St., N.W., at 9:00 p.m. Produced by HRC. $10 at the door.

Taste of Pride – Burgers at Nellie’s at Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 U St., N.W., from 5 – 9 p.m.

Homo Hotel Happy Hour from 6 – 9 p.m. Location to be determined.

Women’s Happy Hour at Black Squirrel, 2427 18th St., N.W., from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Taste of Pride at Level One, 1639 R St., N.W., from 5 – 11 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from 5 – 11 p.m. go to benefit Capital Pride.

Panel Discussion with Obama’s LGBT Appointees at the National Press Club, 14th and F St., N.W., from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Hosted by the DC Chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association; sponsored by the Washington Blade.

June Networking Thursday at I. Gorman Jewelers Showroom, 1133 20th St., N.W., at 6:30 p.m. Produced by CAGLCC.

Latin@s En Accion Open House at DC Center, 1810 14th St., N.W., from 4 – 9 p.m.
Northern Virginia LGBT Pride Interfaith Service at MCC of Northern VA, 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax, VA, at 7:00 p.m.

Basics of Buddhism at SGI-USA Culture Center, 3417 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., 7 – 8:30 p.m. Produced by Rainbow Buddhas

Queers in the Media: A Panel Discussion at DC Center, 1810 14th St., N.W., from 7 – 9 p.m. Produced by Alt.DC.Pride

Out at Arena – R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE! at Arena Stage in Crystal City, 1800 S Bell St. Show Starts at 8 p.m. $31 Front Orchestra Seats! 50% off tickets! Visit http://www.arenastage.org to buy tickets. Use discount code BUCKYBALLS! After Party immediately following at Freddie’s Beach Bar, 555 S. 23rd St.

Meet Sahara Davenport at Macy’s Metro Center, Men’s Department on 2nd Floor, 1201 G St., N.W. from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Books

Bros + romance + fantasy = ‘Bromantasy.’

New book a romp full of humor, dragons, kings, and adventure

Published

1 day ago

August 15, 2026

Terri Schlichenmeyer

(Book cover image courtesy of G.P. Putnam's Sons)

‘Bromantasy’
By Maire Roche
c.2026, G.P. Putnam’s Sons
$20/339 pages

“Danger” just happens to be your middle name.

Any fray, any tussle, anytime anybody needs help, they count on you to step in and save the day. You’re brave, smart and strategic, kind to old people, children, and small animals and, as in the new book “Bromantasy” by Maire Roche, dragons.

Of all the things there were to do – preserving food, keeping house for himself and his best friend Morningthall “Mo” Elmthorn, advanced skincare, and drinking at the local tavern down the road – the one thing Juniper O’Reilly couldn’t resist was a good brawl. It happened so often that Juniper honestly looked forward to it, though Mo wasn’t a fan.

Mo was more grown-up, calm, thoughtful, able, and Juniper loved him for it. He loved Mo, in fact, since they were little boys. He loved Mo in ways that they didn’t talk about, so they kept a wall between their bedrooms in their cottage.

Except for that one time.

They didn’t talk about that, either.

Instead, as they did often, on a warm fall night, Juniper and Mo went to the tavern, where mead was served and they could learn about the king’s weekly quests. There, Juniper could also find a good brawl, which is how he and Mo accidentally got into trouble: Juniper trounced one of the king’s men and was forced into a quest.

He didn’t want to fight dragons and he felt bad that Mo had been dragged along. He felt even worse leaving their farm, sleeping on the ground, wearing the same clothes every day, and not having enough skincare product along. A campfire added to the problem. A roving, lying prince, also in search of dragons, didn’t help. And though a quest was no place for a child, Juniper and Mo found a frightened little girl they had no choice but to protect.

A child with strange eyes, sharp teeth, and fire on her breath.

“And just like that, Juniper and Mo had a dragon.”

Bros + romance + fantasy = “Bromantasy.” It also could equal one of two other things: a romp full of humor, dragons, kings, princes, and adventure.

Or it could equal a whole lot of eye-rolling.

It’s a fact that this book is funny, in the way that a 1980s high school comedy movie is funny – meaning that it’s dippy, giddy, and very caricaturish but you’ll laugh quite often. The story contains everything you want in a fantasy romance (a “romantasy”), including human-like alternate species, a life-changing journey, and plenty of nudge-nudge-wink skirting around the attraction the two main characters have for one another. It’s a decent story, convoluted in just the right way. Purely, it’s an escape.

So why wouldn’t you want to read it? See above, and depending on your favorite reading genre. High-brow literature, this ain’t.

For the right reader, “Bromantasy” is a decent-enough vacation read, something not too taxing or hard on the brain. It’s for novel lovers, dragon hunters, king’s questers, princes, and romantics. For everyone else, this tale is just middling.

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

Theater

National tour of ‘The Notebook’ retains its tearjerking power

Talented queer actor Grace Rundberg joins cast fresh out of college

Published

1 day ago

August 15, 2026

Patrick Folliard

Grace Ohwensadeyo Rundberg (Photo courtesy of National Theatre)

‘The Notebook’
Aug. 18-30
National Theatre
1321 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
$89-$197
Broadwayatthenational.com

When Grace Ohwensadeyo Rundberg first imagined a career in musical theater, she wasn’t sure exactly how she’d fit in. As a gay actor would she play queer characters? Outside of “Rent” and a few other shows, would there be lesbian parts coming her way?

Rundberg, 23, remembers an acting class in college. “I was doing a romantic scene opposite a male actor when the professor interrupted to say it was ‘unconvincing.’ Well, I’d never had the experience of what it’s like to be with a man, so I’m not surprised it looked a little awkward.”

But for Rundberg, being in the national tour of “The Notebook” has quelled those misgivings. Of course, booking the show straight out of college bolstered her confidence, and playing a woman whose love interests are men has put Rundberg in a place where she’s fine playing straight or gay.

Opening this week in D.C.’s National Theatre (Aug. 18-30), “The Notebook” is a genuine tearjerker (the book, the film, and the musical). It’s the decades long love story of Noah and Allie who despite vast differences, fall in love as teenagers. Over the years, their romance faces separation, societal pressures, the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, yet somehow prevails.

Shortly after graduating from ⁠Pace University’s musical theater program in 2025, the upfront and buoyant Rundberg was signed to play ensemble member Georgie and understudy for Middle Allie (a young woman caught between youthful passion and reflective memory).

A mezze soprano mixed belter experienced with folk, pop, contemporary styles, she proves an ideal performer to sing Ingrid Michaelson score and act Bekah Brunstetter’s romantic libretto.

And when she understudies the role of Middle Allie, whether by scheduled design or insanely short notice, she sings the familiar tune “My Days,” a standout track from the musical that serves as the show-stopping “11 o’clock number.” Here, she captures the emotional climax when Middle Allie chooses the life and loves she desires.

During a musical childhood spent in Pittsford, N.Y, just seven miles outside of Rochester, Rundberg began music classes at four; she learned piano and belonged to choirs. And though, she says, the family was not really into theater, her mom was a Cher impersonator for a while.

Significantly, Rundberg (whose middle name Ohwensadeyo translates from Cayuga as “Beautiful Earth”) is a citizen of the ⁠Cayuga Nation, an Indigenous nation native to New York state.

Recently, she began learning the Cayuga language, a very important part of the culture, particularly since it’s almost exclusively a spoken language. Rundberg’s cousin, a professor at Cornell University where he teaches Cayuga language and culture, has been a great help. She feels fortunate: “Not everyone has access to their ancestry I’m blessed in this way.”

The Brooklyn-based actor’s ambitions are bold and varied. While landing a national tour was high on her bucket list, she longs to work on Broadway and auditions for TV and film. Being the first to create a character in a new work, especially a lesbian character, is a big goal. “That would tie a lot of things together,” she says. “That’s the ultimate dream.”

In the meantime, Rundberg is working professionally and seeing the country. But touring isn’t without its drawbacks. “I miss New York a lot,” she says. “My girlfriend is there; long distance is a challenge for sure. I’m always in a different place often with different time zones. Still, she has come to see me in San Francisco, Miami, Cleveland, and a few other stops. And I fly to New York when I can. We make it work.”

As a kid, Rundberg watched and rewatched the movie version of ‘The Notebook.’ She says, “It’s one of my favorites. It’s kind of a cliché, I know, but I’m a hopeless romantic.”

The show touches a lot of people; it’s evident at every performance. From the stage, the cast sees audience members crying. In fact, “The Notebook” sells branded souvenir tissue boxes at its merchandise stands for five dollars a pop.

“Beyond elements of sadness there’s also joy,” she adds. “There’s the never-ending devotion and getting through hard times together too. We do our best to send the audience home with hope and love.”