Arts & Entertainment
Arts news in brief
Queer poetry workshops
Three sessions of “Brother Tongue,” a spoken word and poetry workshop for “queer men” led by noted poet and spoken word artist Regie Cabico begins Saturday at the D.C. Center at 1318 U St., N.W.
The workshops continue the next two Saturdays Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 and meet each time from 1 to 4 p.m. To register, contact [email protected]. Participants are also encouraged to bring their work on Jan. 7 to the DC Center Open Mic Night, for which signups begin that evening at 7:30 p.m. and performances start at 8 p.m.
Grimm meets ‘Glee’ at Kennedy Center
Matt Gardiner, the Helen Hayes Award-winning gay resident director at Signature Theater in Arlington, directs and choreographs “Snow White, Rose Red and Fred,” a new musical for young audiences running through Dec. 19 at the Kennedy Center Family Theater.
The Kennedy Center-commissioned show is the work of composer Zina Goldrich, with book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler; they’ve been a writing team for 17 years. It re-imagines the Brothers Grimm fairy tale as the story of two contemporary ill-behaved teens — Melinda and Melissa, popular cheerleader BFFs — who use warp-speed texting and Tweeting and song to navigate the challenge of their rivalry over who will invite them to the high school prom. An hour-long, for ages 9 and above, it runs daytimes Saturday and Sunday through Dec 19. For tickets at $18 and times, go here.
Drag queens, feminists at Jewish film fest
Among the 53 films at this year’s Washington Jewish Film Festival running Dec. 2-12 are several with LGBT and feminist interest. See them at the DC Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St., N.W.
“Mary Lou” (2010), 9:15 p.m., Saturday: A drag queen searches for love and self in this Israeli TV mini-series totaling 150 minutes. An Israeli Emmy Award winner for 2010 by filmmaker Eytan Fox, it brings to life a modern fable with a catchy musical message.
“Mary Lou” is co-sponsored by the DC JCC program for Gay and Lesbian Outreach and Engagement (GLOE).
“Grace Paley: Short Stories” (2010), 11a.m., Sunday: A 74-minute documentary by director Lilly Rivlin, presented in cooperation with Lilith Magazine, the film contains interviews with the noted feminist author of short stories and poems exploring racial, gender and class issues, and interviews with her friends, and footage of her political activities. Paley, who died in 2007 at age 84, was a “combative pacifist” whose lifetime of struggle against social and political injustice often landed her in jail.
Director Lilly Rivlin will speak after the film. Tickets are $11 ($10 for seniors and students) here.
‘Candide’ cast member performs ‘F You’
Young Joey Stone plays several roles, including Senor and the “bad sailor” in the Leonard Bernstein musical “Candide,” now at the Shakespeare Theatre Company through Jan. 9. And he is also its dance captain. Stone has been out since high school.
He recently joined with Lauren Molina, who stars in the show as Cunegunde, to produce a music video cover of “Fuck You,” the 2010 hit pop song by hip-hop singer Cee-Lo Green, sometimes edited for radio as “F.U.” or “Forget You” and performed that way on “Glee.” Their unvarnished version — with Lauren on cello and performed with Dominic Johnson from the Chicago cast of “Candide” on violin — has become a hit on You Tube.
Cupid’s Undie Run, an annual fundraiser for neurofibromatosis (NF) research, was held at Union Stage and at The Wharf DC on Saturday, Feb. 21.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.
To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.
For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
Friday, Feb. 20
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga will be at noon at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome! We’ll have card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, Feb. 21
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 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 judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Queer Talk DC will host “The Black Gay Flea Market” at 1 p.m. at Doubles in Petworth. There will be more than 15 Black queer vendors from all over the DMV in one spot. The event’s organizers have reserved the large back patio for all vendors, and the speak easy for bar service, which will be serving curated cocktails made just for the event (cash bar.) DJ Fay and DJ Jam 2x will be spinning the entire event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, Feb. 23
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam at [email protected].
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, Feb. 26
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center. To be more 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
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