Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Oct. 22

Halloween parties, the Indigo Girls, Janis Ian and more

Published

15 years ago

October 21, 2010

Ricardo Alvarez and Kelly Southall in a publicity photo for the gay-themed 'Charlie Chan and the Mystery of Love' a new work being performed this weekend by Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Company at Dance Place. (Photo by Zain Shah; courtesy of Dana Tai Soon Burgess)

Friday, Oct. 22

Reel Affirmations presents a night of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on screen with two movies at the U.S. Navy Memorial Theatre (701 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.). “A Marine Story,” a film about a Marine officer who unexpectedly returns home from the war and is recruited to help a troubled teen prepare for boot camp until the real reasons for her return become known, will begin at 7 p.m. “Out of Annapolis,” a documentary about LGBT alumni of the U.S. Naval Academy, will being at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 each or $25 for both and a reception in between and can be purchased at reelaffirmations.org.

Apex presents an employee drag show tonight at 10 p.m. to benefit Metro Teen AIDS. The entire Apex (1415 22nd St., N.W.) staff will be performing with music by DJ45Z. The show will be hosted by Kristina Kelly and Rachel Savage. Cover for the evening is $10. Attendees must be 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

The 2011 Queen of Queen City Pageant will be tonight at 9 p.m. at the New Embassy Theatre (49 Baltimore St.) in Cumberland. The theme of this year’s pageant is jungle attire. Tickets are $9 and include one free drink. Attendees must be 21 or older. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit newembassy.org.

Ski Bums will be having a happy hour tonight from 8 to 11 p.m. at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) during which the D.C. day trip season will be announced. For more information, visit ski-bums.org.

Choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess’s newest work “Charlie Chan and the Mystery of Love” opens tonight at the Dance Place (3225 8th St., N.E.) at 8 p.m. The multi-media, autobiographical piece is inspired by the popular film detective Charlie Chan and uses video projection, spoken word text and a soundtrack of 1930s and ‘40s music to tell a gay coming-of-age and coming-out story. Tickets range from $22 for general admission to $8 for children 2-17 and can be purchased at danceplace.org.

The International Drag King Extravaganza continues today in Baltimore with workshops, an art and film festival, spaghetti dinner at 5 p.m. and more. (2640 Saint Paul St.) The workshops are $45 for a three-day pass and the dinner is $10. Also part of the event is “Glitterbox” at 8 p.m. and “Lesque” at 11 p.m. at Ottobar (2549 N. Howard St.). $12 gets you into both events. Visit idkexii.com for more information and to purchase tickets and passes.

Saturday, Oct. 23

Connections 2010, a one day business and professional development conference, is today at the Washington Post (1150 15th St., N.W.) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has assembled a line up of speakers, business leaders and vendors for this event.

Defend Yourself will hold a self-defense class for the LGBT community today on the second floor of the Emergence Community Arts Collective (733 Euclid St., N.W.) from 1 to 4 p.m. The class costs $52. For more information and to learn how to register, visit defendyourself.org.

Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” opens tonight at Theater J (1529 16th St., N.W.) presented by the D.C. Jewish Community Center at 8 p.m.

The International Drag King Extravaganza continues with the last day of workshops and art and film and the keynote and lunch at 1 p.m. with keynote speaker Tristan Taormino, both at 2640 Saint Paul St. Later tonight is the showcase at Sonar (407 E. Saratoga St.) at 9 p.m. This is the first time in the history of the event that is will be held on the east coast. The lunch is $20 and the showcase is $15. Visit idkexii.com for more information and to purchase tickets and passes.

Sunday, Oct. 24

GayParazzi, a new LGBT photo group, will explore the Georgetown area and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal path near the Potomac River today at 10 a.m. The group will meet in front of AMC Loews Georgetown Theater (3111 K St., N.W.) and head to the waterfront.

Equality Maryland’s 2010 Signature Gala with special guest Governor Martin O‘Malley, is tonight at the Samuel Riggs Alumni Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. There is a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner and program beings at 6:30. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit equalitymaryland.org.

The Imperial Court of Washington presents “Dragging Out the Gospel” hosted by Co Co L. Blackwell at Green lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) at 7 p.m. One performer will be chosen by audience participation as the best performer and will qualify for “drag gospel performer of the year.” Doors open at 6 p.m. There is a $3 cover.

Lesbian band the Indigo Girls will be at the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.) in Alexandia tonight at 7:30 p.m. with Mount Moriah. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

Monday, Oct. 25

SAGE Metro D.C. will be having its monthly meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).

The D.C. Gay Flag Football League presents speed dating at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. There is a $15 cover and check in is at 6 p.m.

Hope Operas, whose founder is openly gay, has its third week of five new shows tonight to raise money for charity. The shows are at 8 p.m. at the Comedy Spot, in Ballston Mall (4238 Wilson, Blvd.), in Arlington. Each show benefits a different charity. Tickets are $12 per show. For more information call 323-788-8970 or e-mail [email protected].

Adele Stan will be at Busboys & Poets’s 5th and K streets location tonight signing and discussing “Dangerous Brew: Exposing the Tea Party’s Agenda to Take Over America,” an anthology she co-edited with Don Hazen.

The Indigo Girls will be at the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.) in Alexandia, tonight at 7:30 p.m. with Mount Moriah. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

Tuesday, Oct. 26

The Mautner Project will be having a workshop entitled “Getting Unstuck” tonight at its headquarters (1875 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Ste., 710) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with Gail Waldman. To RSVP call 202-332-5536 or e-mail [email protected].

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) will be holding a “Glee” watch party tonight on the deck in the pub room at 8 p.m. featuring a $3 beer special all night.

Wednesday, Oct. 27

Secrets (1824 Half St., S.W.) is holdings it monthly amateur dance contest tonight beginning at 11 p.m. Contests must sign up at the main bar between 10 and 10:45 p.m. This month’s contest is masquerade themed and contestants are encouraged to wear masks.

The Pink Party is hosing a candlelight vigil in Dupont Circle today from 6 to 9 p.m. in connection with the national Facebook effort to wear purple on Oct. 20 to “show support for LGBT people and protest/mourn the youth suicides.” Attendees are asked to bring their own candles and cups.

Thursday, Oct. 28

Gays & Lesbians Opposing Violence will have its monthly meeting tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) from 7 to 9 p.m.

Ganymede Arts presents Gerald Duval’s “Edie Beale Live at Reno Sweeney” starring Jeffrey Johnson, tonight at Noi’s Nook at go mama go! (1809 14th St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ganymedearts.org.

LAMBDA SCI-FI book discussion group meets today at 7 p.m at 1425 S Street NW. This month’s book is “Soulless,” by Gail Carriger. For more information or to RSVP, call Peter and Rob at 202-483-6369 or James at 202-232-3141 or e-mail [email protected] or visit lambdasf.org.

Friday, Oct. 29

Margaret Cho will be at the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. with her show, “Cho Dependent.” Tickets are $40.50 or $57.60 and can be purchased at livenation.com.

Zoom Urban Lesbian Excursions hosts “Night at the Museum” tonight at 8:30 p.m. at the Museum of Crime and Punishment (575 7th St., N.W.) as it turns into a haunted torture chamber. Attendees are welcome to wear costumes but masks are prohibited. Tickets are $23 and can be purchased at zoomexcursions.com.

The D.C. Kings will be at Apex tonight at 11 p.m. as part a special ladies night featuring a few Halloween-themed performances.

Saturday, Oct. 30

Douche Bag City, an exhibition of video animation, painting and sculpture by Federico Solmi, opens today with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at Conner Contemporary Art (1358 Florida Ave., N.E.).

Jimmy Valentine’s Lonely Hearts Club (1103 Bladensburg Rd., N.E.) is hosting its Halloween Homecoming tonight from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. featuring DJs Junebullet of She.Rex, Natty Boom of Anthology of Booty, and vANNIEty Kills of Anniething Goes. Costumes are required for entry. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased online. Visit jimmyvalentineslhc.com for more information and tickets.

Tom Paxton and Janis Ian, “Together at Last,” will be at the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.) in Alexandia, tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. Ian is a lesbian.

Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) is having its annual Halloween costume contest tonight. Best costume will win $100 and there will be other prizes for sexiest and mot hilarious. Doors open at 7 p.m. and attendees must be 21 or older to enter.

Sunday, Oct. 31

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) is having a Halloween costume party tonight from 8 p.m. to midnight. First place wins $250 cash, second place wins a $100 Nellie’s tab and third place wins a $50 Cubano’s dinner. There’s no cover for this event.

Photos

PHOTOS: The Bonnet Ball

Annual celebration held at JR.’s

Published

21 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Michael Key

Sirene Noir Sidora Jackson dances at The Bonnet Ball at JR.'s Bar on Sunday, April 5. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Terri Schlichenmeyer

(Book cover image courtesy Viking)

‘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

Published

2 days ago

April 4, 2026

Patrick Folliard

Eddie Izzard in ‘The Tragedy of Hamlet.’ (Photo by Carol Rosegg)

‘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.