Arts & Entertainment

Calendar for Aug. 13

Friday, Aug. 13, to Thursday, Aug. 19

Published

12 years ago

August 12, 2010

Friday, Aug. 13

Ladies Night tonight at 7 p.m. at the Verizon Center as the Washington Mystics take on the Minnesota Lynx. There will be music, games, raffle prizes, shopping and more. The party starts at 5 p.m. in Dewars Club. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance. Call 202-527-7517 to reserve your seats.

Siren the 13th featuring DJs Majr and Aaron Riggins tonight at Apex, 1415 22nd St., N.W., with electropop vs 00’s Dance with lasers, fog, snow, performances and A Lanai. Must be 18 or older to enter, 21 or older to drink and there is an $8 cover.

She.Rex returns tonight at Chief Ike’s Mambo Room Upstairs, 1725 Columbia Rd., N.W., from 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. This month’s party features the ladies of rock ‘n’ roll spun by lady DJs and lady bartenders serving up cheap beers until 11 p.m. There is no cover.

Mr. Charlie Rod’s Blue Discotheque tonight at Liv Nightclub, 2001 11th St., N.W., starting at 10 p.m. featuring DJ Rich Morel. Must be 21 or older to enter and there is a $7 cover charge.

The Pocket Gays are teaming up with Velvet Lounge, 915 U St., N.W., for Vacation Bible School Dance Party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., featuring DJ Retrospect Lantern and love sets by AK Slaughter and Menya. There’s no cover and cheap drinks.

Saturday, Aug. 14

A monthly event in downtown Cambridge, Md., Second Saturday, running from 5 to 9 p.m., features gallery openings and receptions, late shopping hours with special promotions and bargains, great dining at top restaurants, musical entertainment, and more. The festivities unfold at roughly 20 different locations along four adjacent blocks in downtown. Abundant free parking on street and in municipal lots off of Gay Street and Academy Street.

Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Funkytown, a night of 70s, 80s and 90s music and video on the main floor by Ed Bailey. Doors open at 10 p.m.; $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after, 21 and over.

Hip-hop legends Public Enemy play the 9:30 club at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35; visit 930.com for information.

Sunday, Aug. 15

The anti-gay group National Organization for Marriage is headed to D.C. with its “One Woman, One Man” summer tour. A coalition of LGBT organizations, activists and allies is organizing a counter demonstration, “The Big Commit,” to be held from 2-4 p.m. in Freedom Plaza. See related story in news section or visit the event’s Facebook page for more information.

“Bang to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer” at Bang Salon, 601 F St., N.W., from 9 a.m. to midnight only at the Verizon Center location. Proceeds go to Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer. Enjoy free mimosas and small bites. Book an appointment at bangsalon.com or call any location.

Adodi DC will meet at The DC Center, 1318 U St., N.W., at 2 p.m. Adodi is a community of men of color who affirm their African lineage and love of men. For more information, visit adodionline.com.

The HFStival is back and the California Tortilla Battle To Break Out has been narrowed down to the top six. The top six bands will perform live for the HFStival judges at the 9:30 club. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the competition starts right away. The top six bands determined by votes are: 16 Large, Cyrenic, Eye of All, Funkmnkyz, Sons of the Radio and Vessel. The winner will open the main stage of the HFStival 2010.

Monday, Aug. 16

The GLB Youth Support Group will meet at the GW Center Clinic, 1922 F St., N.W., Suite 103, at 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 17

Join Burgundy Crescent Volunteers to help pack safer sex kits tonight from 7-9 p.m. at EFN Lounge, on 9th Street between O and N streets.

Wednesday, Aug. 18

The DC IceBreakers’ regular skating night starts at 7:45 p.m. at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, 627 North Glebe Rd., in Ballston/Arlington followed by a social. The co-host for this skating/social is Alexandria Gay & Lesbian Community Association.

Bookmen DC discuss selections from “A Casualty of War: The Arcadia Book of Gay Short Stories” edited by Peter Burton, at 7:30 p.m. at American Foreign Services Association, 2101 E St., N.W. All are welcomed. Bookmen DC is an informal group of men who are interested in gay literature (both fiction and non-fiction).

The Tom Davaron Social Bridge Club will meet at 7:30 p.m., at the Dignity Center, 721 8th St., S.E., (across from Marine Barracks) for Social Bridge. No partner is needed. Visit lambdabridge.com and click on “Social Bridge in Washington, DC”.

Thursday, Aug. 19

The Atlas Performing Arts Center presents Summer Film Series: Gay 101 showing “Cabaret” starring Liza Minnelli and directed by Bob Fosse at the Paul Sprenger Theatre, 1333 H St., N.E., at 8 p.m. Buy tickets at atlasarts.org or at the box office one hour prior to the movie.

Cool Kid Collective at Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place in Baltimore, with Tsunami Rising and Maryland’s Most Wanted. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the show, prices include tax. The event is for all ages.

Sports

New York Rangers forgo Pride jerseys and stick tape for team Pride night

NYC Pride organizers responded to omission

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2023

Brody Levesque

Out Broadway star and actor Michael James Scott prepares to sing the National Anthem at the opening of the NY Rangers Pride Night 2023. (Photo Credit: The New York Rangers/NHL)

New York LGBTQ Rangers fans were disappointed after the National Hockey League team forwent wearing the team’s special warm-up jerseys and using Pride stick tape during the team’s 7th annual Pride Night Friday.

The Rangers had promoted Friday night’s Madison Square Garden home game against Vegas Golden Knights, saying players “will be showing their support by donning pride-themed warm-up jerseys and tape in solidarity with those who continue to advocate for inclusivity.” But ultimately the team wore their “Liberty Head” jerseys in warmups instead.

The Rangers scrapped plans to wear rainbow-themed warmup jerseys for Friday’s “Pride Night” at Madison Square Garden, prompting confusion and disappointment from the LGBTQ community. https://t.co/8vQEkz838f
— 97.1 The Ticket: (@971theticketxyt) January 29, 2023

After the game, a 4-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, the Rangers released a statement: “Our organization respects the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud to bring attention to important local community organizations as part of another great Pride Night. In keeping with our organization’s core values, we support everyone’s individual right to respectfully express their beliefs.”

In an emailed statement to the Washington Blade Sunday Dan Dimant, media director for NYC Pride | Heritage of Pride, Inc. said:

“In recent years, numerous National Hockey League (NHL) franchises including the New York Rangers have introduced a series of ‘Pride Nights’ to engage the LGBTQ+ community. NYC Pride has been honored to take part in these celebrations, including as recently as last night at Madison Square Garden.

NYC Pride was not made aware in advance of our participation in last night’s ceremonial puck drop that Pride jerseys and rainbow tape would not be worn as advertised. We understand and appreciate that this has been a major disappointment to the LGBTQ+ community in New York and beyond. We are communicating these concerns with NY Rangers and NHL leadership as we continue to discuss the ways these organizations can work toward inclusion.

NYC Pride has a duty to both support our partners and hold them accountable. We are committed to continuing our relationships with the NY Rangers and the NHL and maintaining substantive dialogue with them about meaningful allyship with the LGBTQ+ community.”

ESPN reported that the team’s annual Pride Night was celebrated throughout the game in other ways. Fans were given a pride-themed fanny pack as a giveaway. The exterior and interior lights at Madison Square Garden were illuminated in rainbow colors. The Rangers also made a charitable donation to the Ali Forney Center on Pride Night, the largest agency dedicated to LGBTQ homeless youths in the country.

ESPN noted that Andre Thomas, co-chair of NYC Pride and Heritage of Pride, participated in the ceremonial puck drop.
(Photo Credit: The New York Rangers/NHL)

The Rangers’ Pride Night was held 10 days after Ivan Provorov, the alternate captain for the National Hockey League’s Philadelphia Flyers, opted out of participating in the team’s Pride Night charity event before the game Tuesday, claiming a religious exemption based on his Russian Orthodox faith.

Provorov, 26, was the only member of the Flyers to not take part in the pre-game exercise on the ice. A video tweeted by the team’s official account shows the rest of the players wore special Pride Night-themed black jerseys with the traditional Flyers logo on the front and rainbow-colored names and numbers on the back; many of the players practiced using hockey sticks wrapped in rainbow-colored tape known as Pride tape. Both the sticks and the jerseys were auctioned off after the game with the Anaheim Ducks, to raise money for local LGBTQ charities.

The defenseman, who was born in Russia, told reporters after their victory, “I respect everybody and respect everybody’s choices,” adding that he declined to take part in the warmup “to stay true to myself and my religion.”

After Provorov opted out of participating in the Flyer’s Pride Night charity event the NHL put out a statement that said players can decide which team and league initiatives to support.

“Hockey is for Everyone is the umbrella initiative under which the league encourages Clubs to celebrate the diversity that exists in their respective markets, and to work to achieve more welcoming and inclusive environments for all fans,” the league said. “Clubs decide whom to celebrate, when and how — with League counsel and support. Players are free to decide which initiatives to support, and we continue to encourage their voices and perspectives on social and cultural issues.”

Out & About

10 LGBTQ events this week

Howard hosts first Pride Night, GMCW performs ‘Judy’ among highlights

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2023

Michael Key

Events this week include a birthday celebration for Desiree Dik, a Gay Men's Chorus production of 'Judy' and Howard University Basketball's first Pride Night. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in the DMV that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.

Howard University Basketball Pride Night

Monday, January 30
5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Burr Gymnasium
Howard University
$25
Tickets

The Bison hold their first Pride Night game on Monday as they face off against South Carolina State University.

JR.’s Showtunes

Monday, January 30
9 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook

JR.’s holds its weekly Monday Night Showtunes event, so dust off those pipes and sing along.

Meaningful Networking for LGBTQ Professionals

Tuesday, January 31
6 p.m.
Number Nine
1435 P Street, N.W.
$0-$85
Facebook | Eventbrite

Out Professionals holds a networking event at Number Nine on Tuesday. Come by to make business and social connections with fellow LGBTQ professionals.

Sleaze: Poundhog Day

Thursday, February 2
Doors 9 p.m.
DC9 Nightclub
1940 9th Street, N.W.
$10
Facebook | Eventbrite

Whether Phil sees his shadow or not, dance the night away at the monthly LGBTQ+ party. Performances by Sirene Noir Sidora Jackson and Jane Saw with DJs THABLACKGOD, Lemz and Kennan Orr.

Kinky Bears

Friday, February 3
5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
UPROAR Lounge & Nightclub
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
No cover
Facebook

DC Social and UPROAR present Kinky Bears happy hour featuring DJ Popperz.

Desiree’s Dirty 30!

Friday, February 3
9 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Co.
209 M Street, N.E.
Facebook

Award winning drag queen Desiree Dik celebrates her Dirty 30 with a show on Friday at Red Bear Brewing with Baphomette, Millie Meringue, Mari Con Carne and Evry Pleasure.

District 1st Friday: Traffic Light Underwear Party

Friday, February 3
10 p.m.
Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
$10
Facebook

Be naughty with an all-body-types-welcome underwear attire party.

‘JUDY’ Cabaret

Saturday, February 4
5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Crazy Aunt Helen’s
713 8th Street, S.E.
$45
Eventbrite

Members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington perform “JUDY” celebrating the music of Judy Garland at Crazy Aunt Helen’s with two cabaret shows on Saturday.