Arts & Entertainment

Arts news in brief

Published

15 years ago

December 2, 2010

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.

Out & About

This queer comedy show will warm you up

Catfish Comedy to feature LGBTQ lineup

Published

17 hours ago

January 31, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Promotional image via Eventbrite)

Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.

Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Arts & Entertainment

Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71

Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

Matt Minton

(Photo courtesy of Pop TV)

Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.

O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.

In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.

In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”

Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.

Calendar

Calendar: January 30-February 5

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, January 30

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, January 31

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.

Sunday, February 1

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, February 2

“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 (adamheller@t hedccenter.org).

Tuesday, February 3

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 information, email [email protected].

Wednesday, February 4

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.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Thursday, February 5

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.