Arts & Entertainment
Calendar for June 18
Friday, June 18, to Thursday, June 24
Friday, June 18
“Close to the Edge,” vintage hip-hop and dance music with DJ Dredd at the Black Cat, 1811 14th St., N.W. at 9:30 p.m. Tickets $7, visit blackcatdc.com for more information.
Robin Thicke brings his R&B/urban soul sound to Baltimore’s M and T Bank Stadium at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 at ticketmaster.com.
Mautner Project is hosting a yoga wellness workshop for volunteers, caregivers, cancer patients, and cancer survivors. All LGBT and allies are also welcome to join us. The workshop takes place from 6-7 p.m. at the Mautner Project, 1875 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 710. The workshop is free, but RSVP is required as space is limited. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail Jessica at [email protected] or call 202-332-5536.
Gay District, a weekly, non-church affiliated discussion and social group for GBTQ men between 18 and 35, meets tonight from 8:30-10:30 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
Celebrate Shabbat services, 8:30-10 p.m. at the Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. Services are followed by an Oneg social.
Saturday, June 19
Baltimore Pride begins today with the annual High Heel Race at 3:45 p.m. at Charles and Eager streets. That’s followed by the parade at 4 p.m. along Charles Street between Center and Chase streets. After the parade is the city’s famous block party from 6-10 p.m. at Charles and Eager streets. These events are free. For more information, visit baltimorepride.org.
The ladies of LURe present BARE, a packed monthly ladies party at Cobalt, 1639 R St., N.W. Cover is $6 until 11 p.m. and $8 after, 21+. Visit myspace.com/lurewdc for more information.
Moving day for the DC Center, which is relocating to 1318 U St., N.W. The Center needs your help to move today; free T-shirt to the first 25 volunteers. They are looking for volunteers for two-hour shifts beginning at 11 a.m. E-mail [email protected] if you can help.
Sunday, June 20
The 35th annual Baltimore Pride Festival is held today from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. in Druid Hill Park near the Maryland Zoo (visit baltimorepride.org for directions). Festival performers include Pandora Boxx, Tom Goss, the Pushovers, Reina Williams and more.
Bid farewell to the Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Washington at a special farewell concert today from 4-5 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 201 4th St., S.E.
Monday, June 21
Goldfrapp performs at the 9:30 club, 815 V St., N.W. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets $35 at 930.com.
World Cup action continues on the TV screens at Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 U St., N.W. If you’re a die-hard fan — or just like drinking in the early morning on a Monday — the Portugal vs. Korea game kicks off at 7:30 a.m. today. Nellie’s is the only gay bar in the city to get special city approval to open early for World Cup viewing. Visit nelliessportsbar.com for complete schedule.
Tuesday, June 22
Sixth annual Night Out at the Nationals, 7:05 p.m. at Nationals Stadium versus the Kansas City Royals. Full story on page 40.
Join Burgundy Crescent Volunteers to help pack safer sex kits, 7-9 p.m. at EFN Lounge, on 9th Street between O and N streets.
Wednesday, June 23
[Title of Show] continues at Signature Theater in Arlington, Va., at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $64-69; call 703-820-9771 for information.
Thursday, June 24
Catch Pamela Stanley tonight at Blue Moon in Rehoboth, 35 Baltimore Ave., 6-8 p.m. Stanley performs Sunday-Thursday nights this summer.
Books
A boy-meets-boy, family-mess story with heat
New book offers a stunning, satisfying love story

‘When the Harvest Comes’
By Denne Michele Norris
c.2025, Random House
$28/304 pages
Happy is the bride the sun shines on.
Of all the clichés that exist about weddings, that’s the one that seems to make you smile the most. Just invoking good weather and bright sunshine feels like a cosmic blessing on the newlyweds and their future. It’s a happy omen for bride and groom or, as in the new book “When the Harvest Comes” by Denne Michele Norris, for groom and groom.

Davis Freeman never thought he could love or be loved like this.
He was wildly, wholeheartedly, mind-and-soul smitten with Everett Caldwell, and life was everything that Davis ever wanted. He was a successful symphony musician in New York. They had an apartment they enjoyed and friends they cherished. Now it was their wedding day, a day Davis had planned with the man he adored, the details almost down to the stitches in their attire. He’d even purchased a gorgeous wedding gown that he’d never risk wearing.
He knew that Everett’s family loved him a lot, but Davis didn’t dare tickle the fates with a white dress on their big day. Everett’s dad, just like Davis’s own father, had considerable reservations about his son marrying another man – although Everett’s father seemed to have come to terms with his son’s bisexuality. Davis’s father, whom Davis called the Reverend, never would. Years ago, father and son had a falling-out that destroyed any chance of peace between Davis and his dad; in fact, the door slammed shut to any reconciliation.
But Davis tried not to think about that. Not on his wedding day. Not, unbeknownst to him, as the Reverend was rushing toward the wedding venue, uninvited but not unrepentant. Not when there was an accident and the Reverend was killed, miles away and during the nuptials.
Davis didn’t know that, of course, as he was marrying the love of his life. Neither did Everett, who had familial problems of his own, including homophobic family members who tried (but failed) to pretend otherwise.
Happy is the groom the sun shines on. But when the storm comes, it can be impossible to remain sunny.
What can be said about “When the Harvest Comes?” It’s a romance with a bit of ghost-pepper-like heat that’s not there for the mere sake of titillation. It’s filled with drama, intrigue, hate, characters you want to just slap, and some in bad need of a hug.
In short, this book is quite stunning.
Author Denne Michele Norris offers a love story that’s everything you want in this genre, including partners you genuinely want to get to know, in situations that are real. This is done by putting readers inside the characters’ minds, letting Davis and Everett themselves explain why they acted as they did, mistakes and all. Don’t be surprised if you have to read the last few pages twice to best enjoy how things end. You won’t be sorry.
If you want a complicated, boy-meets-boy, family-mess kind of book with occasional heat, “When the Harvest Comes” is your book. Truly, this novel shines.
The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

















Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
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