Arts & Entertainment
Capital Pride events
Friday, June 4, to Thursday, June 10
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.
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
‘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.
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Theater
Iconic Eddie Izzard takes on 23 characters in ‘Hamlet’
Energized take on role offers accessible way to enjoy Shakespeare
‘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.
Vance speaks at Orbán rally in Hungary
White House ends protections for trans students in multiple school districts
Amendments to India’s transgender rights law criticized
Cuba under pressure and without answers
Police mental health struggles gain growing attention
Belarusian lawmakers approve bill to crackdown on LGBTQ rights
How new barriers to health care coverage are hitting D.C.
Kenyan advocacy groups launch LGBTQ voter mobilization campaign
Calendar: April 3-9
