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.
Friday, April 17
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” 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.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, April 18
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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, April 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Lunch” at 11 a.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. 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.
Monday, April 20
“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 ([email protected]).
Tuesday, April 21
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Senior Self Defense Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, April 22
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, April 23
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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, breath work 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.
Out & About
Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend
LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’
Team DC will host “Night of Champions Gala” on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Marriott.
This will be an evening of celebration and inspiration as Team DC honors remarkable individuals and supports the next generation of LGBTQ student-athletes.
There will be opportunities to support Team DC through auctions. The Silent Auction items will offer an array of unique goods and experiences. Additionally, Team DC will feature an exclusive selection of live auction items for those looking to make a significant impact.
This year, Team DC will recognize six outstanding awardees who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community and sports:
- Trailblazer Award – Adam Peck, District Wrestling
- Most Valuable Person Award – Sean Bartel (posthumously)
- Champion Award – Dan Martin
- Clark Ray Horizon Award – Manuel Montelongo, aka Mari Con Carne
- Bernard Jude Delia Award – Dr. Sara Varghai
- Platinum All Star Award – Centaur Motorcycle Club
To purchase tickets, visit Team DC’s website.
Television
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA
As season two of “The Pitt” comes to a close this Thursday, stars Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden are looking back on what this season got right about queer representation.
“There is some intentionality behind it, but it’s not necessarily for the representation to be anything other than human or ubiquitous to anyone that would come into an emergency room,” Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, told the Los Angeles Blade at PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on April 12. “I know that we’ve done some storylines with some gay couples, and we did a storyline in season 1 where a woman comes in who’s cut her arm, who’s trans. But in both of those storylines, that wasn’t the point.”
Wyle continues, “In doing it that way, and not making a point of orientation being part of the problem that brings you to the emergency room, we have been told in feedback that that has been extremely revolutionary, almost, and extremely appreciated. But that’s true whether we do storylines with any kind of minority or a person with a disability. We try to have a cosmology of cast and representation on the show that’s indicative of what you find in Pittsburgh.”
Dearden, who plays Dr. Mel King, echoed Wyle’s sentiment: “I think constantly battling tropes is always important. It’s not a show about romance; it’s a show about real life and a shift in the ER. The more we represent everyday people going through everyday life, they just happen to be queer, they just happen to be trans, and making it not the plot, is putting everyone on equal playing [field]. You don’t have to have a big coming out scene.”
Queer representation on “The Pitt” is also notable through the actual actors themselves, including openly queer actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan (who didn’t attend PaleyFest after the news that she is not returning for season three), and Amielynn Abellera, who plays Perlah Alawi.
“Doctors don’t put value judgments on who they treat,” Wyle concludes. “That’s not a luxury extended to them, and so that’s not part of our storytelling.”
The season two finale will air Thursday, April 16, on HBO Max, while season three has already been confirmed and is currently being written.
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