Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: events through Dec. 9
Friday, Dec. 10
The International Gay and Lesbian Leadership Conference continues today at the Mayflower Hotel (1127 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). To register for the conference, visit glli.org. The conference runs through Sunday.
RAW will be at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. with guest DJ Zack Rosen. Free entry before 11 p.m. with a $3 cover after. There will be an open bar from 10 to 11 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older.
Gloss presents Ladies Night Holiday Party tonight at Apex (1415 22nd St., N.W.) with music by DJ Rosie in the main room and shows by D.C. Kings and the D.C. Gurly Show starting at midnight. There’s a $10 cover and attendees must be 18 or older.
The D.C. chapter of Ski Bums will be holding a happy hour at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. For more information visit ski-bums.org.
NOVA GL Professionals and D.C. Ice Breakers are co-hosting their annual holiday social tonight at Pinzimi Lounge in the Westin Arlington Gateway (801 N. Glebe Road) at 6 p.m. Business casual attire is suggested.
BrightestYoungThings presents “NEWSEUM: All Access, A Holiday Party” tonight from 8 to 11 p.m. The party will feature exclusive after-hours access to the Newseum, cash bar with cocktails and holiday treats provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering and the unveiling of a photo installation by BYT photographers. Tickets are $15 presale or $20 at the door. The Newseum is located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. For more information, visit brightestyoungthings.com.
Four Bitchin’ Babes will be at Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.) in Alexandria, tonight at 7:30 p.m. The group has revolved through many members, but this showing will feature founding member Sally Fingerett as well as Debi Smith, Deirdre Flint and Nancy Moran.
Saturday, Dec. 4
Crack presents BudhaKwanzaRamFestivusXmaHanaSolstice tonight at 9 p.m. at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. There will be a repeat performance Sunday at 5 p.m. and tickets for that show are $8.
Gallery plan b (1530 14th St., N.W.) will be having an opening reception with the artists featured in it Year End Group Show tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. The show will run through Dec. 24. For more information, visit galleryplanb.com.
Zoom Urban Lesbian Excursions will be at All Fired Up (3413 Connecticut Ave.) today at 6 p.m. for its “Pick n’ Paint.” Cost of pottery ranges from $16 to $55 and it takes seven to 10 days to fire an item. A $5 donation to Martha’s Table is expected. Visit zoomexcursions.com for more information.
AGLA will be at Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd.) in Arlingtong today shooting for Holiday Hugs and Kisses at 11 a.m. There will be video shoots at 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 and 1 p.m. There will be a safe observing space for those who do not want to appear in the video. For more information, visit agla.org.
City Gallery (804 H St., N.E.) will be having an opening reception for its new exhibit “Wally Szyndler: a retrospective” tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit citygallerydc.com.
Sunday, Dec. 5
Philip Clark, co-editor of “Persistent Voices: Poetry by Writers Lost to AIDS,” and local authors will be at an open door reading in celebration of the book today at 2 p.m. at the Writer’s Center (4508 Walsh St.) in Bethesda. This is a free event.
The D.C. Arts Center presents Cherry Red Productions’ “Wifeswappers,” written by Justin Tanner tonight at 3 p.m. The play follows a couple as they throw a sex party for the holidays. Tickets are $25 for general admission or $20 for groups of six or more and can be purchased online at cherryredproductions.com/tickets. The show continues through Dec. 18.
Monday, Dec. 6
Watch the New York Jets (9-2) take on the New England Patriots (9-2) for the second time this season in Foxboro, Mass., tonight at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.). The game starts at 8:30 p.m. Also tonight is Beat the Block Happy Hour and Poker Face.
The National Portrait Gallery is showing an exhibit that focuses on sexual differences in the making of modern American portraiture. “Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture” is the first major museum exhibit of its kind. The museum is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and admission is free.
Tuesday, Dec. 7
Holiday ornaments come to life in Cirque Dreams “Holidaze,” which opens tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) at 7:30 p.m. Directed by Neil Goldberg, the show features about 30 artists performing.
Join Burgundy Crescent Volunteers to help pack safer sex kits from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at FUK!T’s new packing location Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct., N.W.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Blvd.” makes its Washington premiere tonight at Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave.) in Arlington at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are either $66.30 or $71.45 and can be purchased on ticketmaster.com. The show continues through Feb. 13.
Wednesday, Dec. 8
Rainbow Response will be holding its monthly meeting tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).
Better than Ezra brings its “Road to Mardi Gras” tour to the 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at 930.com.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company presents “A Girl’s Guide to Washington Politics” written and performed by the Second City, a comedy theater group from Chicago, which opens tonight with a pay-what-you-can performance at 8 p.m. Lines begin forming around 5 p.m. The show will run through Jan. 9. For more information, visit woollymammoth.net.
Thursday, Dec. 9
DCBiWomen will be having its monthly dinner at Café Luna (1633 P St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 8 p.m For more information, visit dcbiwomen.org.
NSO Pops present Happy Holidays with Marvin Hamlisch conducting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). The program includes songs like “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid,” “O Holy Night” and more classic holiday music. Immediately following this performance is “More with Marvin!”
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington is hosting a piano bar open mic night at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 10 p.m.

You’ve done your share of marching.
You’re determined to wring every rainbow-hued thing out of this month. The last of the parties hasn’t arrived yet, neither have the biggest celebrations and you’re primed but – OK, you need a minute. So pull up a chair, take a deep breath, and read these great books on gay history, movies, and more.
You probably don’t need to be told that harassment and discrimination was a daily occurrence for gay people in the past (as now!), but “American Scare: Florida’s Hidden Cold War on Black and Queer Lives” by Robert W. Fieseler (Dutton, $34) tells a story that runs deeper than you may know. Here, you’ll read a historical expose with documented, newly released evidence of a systemic effort to ruin the lives of two groups of people that were perceived as a threat to a legislature full of white men.
Prepared to be shocked, that’s all you need to know.
You’ll also want to read the story inside “The Many Passions of Michael Hardwick: Sex and the Supreme Court in the Age of AIDS” by Martin Padgett (W.W. Norton & Company, $31.99), which sounds like a novel, but it’s not. It’s the story of one man’s fight for a basic right as the AIDS crisis swirls in and out of American gay life and law. Hint: this book isn’t just old history, and it’s not just for gay men.
Maybe you’re ready for some fun and who doesn’t like a movie? You know you do, so you’ll want “Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness” by Michael Koresky (Bloomsbury, $29.99). It’s a great look at the Hays Code and what it allowed audiences to see, but it’s also about the classics that sneaked beneath the code. There are actors, of course, in here, but also directors, writers, and other Hollywood characters you may recognize. Grab the popcorn and settle in.
If you have kids in your life, they’ll want to know more about Pride and you’ll want to look for “Pride: Celebrations & Festivals” by Eric Huang, illustrated by Amy Phelps (Quarto, $14.99), a story of inclusion that ends in a nice fat section of history and explanation, great for kids ages seven-to-fourteen. Also find “Are You a Friend of Dorothy? The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped Shape” by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Levi Hastings (Simon & Schuster, $19.99), a lively book about a not-often-told secret for kids ages six-to-ten; and “Papa’s Coming Home” by Chasten Buttigieg, illustrated by Dan Taylor (Philomel, $19.99), a sweet family tale for kids ages three-to-five.
Finally, here’s a tween book that you can enjoy, too: “Queer Heroes” by Arabelle Sicardi, illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones (Wide Eyed, $14.99), a series of quick-to-read biographies of people you should know about.
Want more Pride books? Then ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for more, because there are so many more things to read. Really, the possibilities are almost endless, so march on in.
Music & Concerts
Indigo Girls coming to Capital One Hall
Stars take center stage alongside Fairfax Symphony

Capital One Center will host “The Indigo Girls with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra” on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m. at Capital One Hall.
The Grammy Award-winning folk and pop stars will take center stage alongside the Fairfax Symphony, conducted by Jason Seber. The concerts feature orchestrations of iconic hits such as “Power of Two,” “Get Out The Map,” “Least Complicated,” “Ghost,” “Kid Fears,” “Galileo,” “Closer to Fine,” and many more.
Tickets are available on Ticketmaster or in person at Capital One Hall the nights of the concerts.

Friday, June 13
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. at Wundergarten. An update will be posted the night of the event on where to find WiTT’s table. There’ll be a Pride flag to help people find the group. For more details, join WiTT’s closed Facebook group.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach bar and Restaurant. 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, June 14
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month 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.
Rainbow History Project will host “Behind the Scenes With the Senior Curator of ‘Pickets, Protests and Parades’” at 7:30p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This behind-the-scenes experience offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind this groundbreaking showcase of DC’s LGBTQ+ history. Learn about the bold design decisions that shaped the Quote Wall and Hero Cubes and the powerful stories that almost made the cut. Tickets cost $82 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 16
“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 details, email [email protected].
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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% cis. For more information, visit their website at www.genderqueerdc.org or check us out on Facebook.
Tuesday, June 17
Bi+ Roundtable and Discussion 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. Check out Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, June 18
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.
“Legends Live Loud: A Queer Karaoke Experience” will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a dynamic, Center-wide karaoke event celebrating the brilliance and cultural impact of some of our most colorful queer icons. The Center will honor legends through music, pop culture, dance, and inextinguishable liberation. For more details and to sign up, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, June 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Book Club” at 7:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. This book club is co-hosted by EQUALITY NoVa and is another opportunity to engage in a fun and rewarding activity. The group doesn’t discriminate when it comes to genres it reads – from classic literature to best selling novels to biographies to histories to gay fiction. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Cultivating Change Foundation will host “Cultivating Pride Happy Hour” at 5:30 p.m. at Dacha Beer Garden. This Pride month, the organization is inviting LGBTQ+ people and allies in food and agriculture to come together in communities nationwide. These informal gatherings are a chance to connect, celebrate, and build community, whether it’s over coffee, a cocktail, or a conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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