Arts & Entertainment

Get the ball rolling

Gay bowlers in town next week for int’l tourney

Published

15 years ago

November 3, 2010

Kevin Majoros

(Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The International Gay Bowling Organization 2010 Mid-Year Tournament will be held November 10-15 in Washington attracting more than 400 bowlers from across North America.

The Mid-Year Tournament is an annual event held each Veterans Day weekend in a different host city in the United States and Canada. Participants bowl nine games during the tournament — three games each for the singles, doubles and team competition. Optional events such as Scratch Masters and Optional Scratch (both based on average division) and brackets are also available should the bowler wish to enter them. Besides bowling, IGBO holds Board, committee and general membership meetings during the tournament weekend. Two years ago, a committee of D.C.-area gay and lesbian bowlers bid to host the tournament in Washington.

This year is the organization’s 30th anniversary and special events will celebrate the organizations three decades in existence. Festivities will include great raffles, evening hospitality suites, a Women’s Interests Social Event, a Human Rights Campaign Headquarters open house, a side tour to Mount Vernon, viewing of the organization’s AIDS Memorial Quilt, an annual drag competition and a stellar awards banquet with the cake being created by Charm City Cakes, the subject of the Food Network series “Ace of Cakes.”

The tournament’s host hotel is the Westin Alexandria. Host bowling centers are AMF Alexandria Lanes, Bowl America Shirley and Bowl America Falls Church.

The organization is composed of 170 leagues, 60 tournaments and 10,000 members worldwide. Washington has one of the largest LGBT bowling populations in the country. The Capital Area Rainbowlers Association, the D.C. region’s gay bowling association of choice, has 13 member leagues that represent 750 bowlers.

The D.C. gay bowling community has a reputation for hosting first-rate tournaments. Washington hosted International Gay Bowling Orgnization annual tournaments in 1988 and 1999, and holds an annual regional tournament, the Capital Halloween Invitational Tournament, each year. That event will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2011.

The tournament will also be donating to the local charitable organizations SMYAL (Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League), Food & Friends and the Daniel Fissell Music Foundation, as much as possible so that the tournament multiplies its positive impact in the host city.

The International Gay Bowling Organization is the sports membership organization of choice for the gay community worldwide. The organization provides educational services, communication avenues and social opportunities to promote the sport of bowling and to enrich lives of individuals through leagues and tournaments worldwide. More information may be found here.

Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

Published

23 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Michael Key

Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

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.

Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, May 3

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, May 5

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Tuesday, May 6

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].

Wednesday, May 7

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].