Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: events through Jan. 20
Events through Thursday include exhibits, concerts, plays and more
'Where Now' is part of the exhibit 'Off-Kilter' by artist Leslie Nolan on display through Jan. 30 at the newly reopened Touchstone Gallery. (Image courtesy of Touchstone)
Friday, Jan. 14
DJ Joshua and TheNewGay present “Balls!” tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Velvet Lounge (915 U St., N.W.) featuring the debut DJ set of Steve Scarlata. There is no cover for this event. Drink specials include $3 Natty Boh and $4 kamikazes.
Gross National Product returns with “The Sound of Palin” at Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., N.E.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $20 and can be purchased at atlas arts.org.
Exposed Tattoo and Baller Inc., present the D.C. Tattoo Arts Expo starting today at the Crystal City Doubletree Hotel (300 Army Navy Drive) in Arlington with a VIP welcome party in the Sky Dome from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The expo will continue through the weekend.
The Mid Atlantic Leather Weekend starts today at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.). Registration will be in the ballroom level foyer from 4 to 10:30 p.m. There will be an exhibit hall from 5 to 11 p.m. The opening reception will be in the Yorktown Ballroom from 9 to 11 p.m. with a cash bar and the MAL Bar Crawl will be from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Events will continue through Sunday.
Women in their Twenties will be meeting tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
DJ Matheus, 5ive, Keep It Terror and Forever the Win will be at Jammin’ Java tonight at 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at jamminjava.com.
Metropolitan Community Church of Washington’s fundraising team is hosting a bingo night tonight at 7 p.m. at the church (474 Ridge St., N.W.). The evening begins with four early bird games which costs $2 for four cards or $3 for eight cards. This is followed by 17 regular and special games which are packaged for as low as $25. There will be homemade refreshments available.
Saturday, Jan. 15
Jonathan Katz, co-curator of the “Hide/Seek” exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery, will be giving a lecture today at the Foundry Gallery (1314 18th St., N.W.) titled “Artistic Representation of Gay Life.” This event is free and admittance is on a first-come, first-serve basis. One of Foundry’s current exhibits is a juried show titled “Celebrate Gay Marriage.”
Blowoff, a dance party featuring gay DJs Bob Mould and Richard Morel, will be at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight. Doors opens at 11:30 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at 930.com.
Bellflur, Mobius Strip, Archivists and Southern Problems will be performing at St. Stephen’s Church (1525 Newton St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. as part of “100 Shows for Haiti.” Tickets are $8 and the money raised will be split between two organizations, One Hundred for Haiti and Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees.
The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro, Md., hosts Rewind with DJ Jerrbear and special host, the Mirror Ball Lady tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Best decade costume will win a cash prize. There will be a $5 cover before 11 p.m. and an $8 cover after.
Bare celebrates its second anniversary tonight at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Admission is $25 for VIP and $10 for general.
Ziegfeld’s celebrates Ella Fitzgerald’s birthday with Leather and Lace tonight with the Ladies of Illusion performing at 11:15 p.m. There’s a $5 cover before 10:30 p.m. and $10 after.
Today starts the Phillips Collection (1600 21st St., N.W.) “90 Years of New” free weekend today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The kick-off event will feature special art installations, art-inspired cake designs by some of D.C.’s top pastry chefs and complimentary champagne by FoodArts. The weekend continues Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Bach Sinfonia presents its annual chamber concert featuring Cut, Wind and Wire tonight at 8 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center (7995 Georgia Ave.) in Silver Spring. The program will include works by Francis Cuttinge, William McGibbon and others. Tickets range from $15 to $30 and can be purchased online at bachsinfonia.org or by calling 301.362.6525. There will be a free pre-concert discussion at 7:15 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 16
Family band In Layman Terms and singer Holly Montgomery will be performing at Jammin’ Java today at 1:30 p.m. as Montgomery releases her new CD. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 same day and can be purchased at jamminjava.com.
Lace Lounge (2214 Rhode Island Ave., N.E.) presents “The Dream,” a MLK Pride celebration tonight from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cover is $5 before 10 p.m. and $10 after.
Today is the last day to see the exhibit “Side by Side: Oberlin’s Masterworks” at the Phillips collection (1600 21st St., N.W.)
This month for its Sunday School event, Pocket Gays is teaming up with WTF for the “Straightest.Sunday.Ever” at Local 16 (1602 U St., N.W.) today from 3 to 9 p.m. Aaron Riggins will be DJing from 7 to 9 p.m. There will be prizes including entrance to WTF at Town later tonight.
Monday, Jan. 17
The Starry Mountain Trio (Suzannah Park, Gideon Crevoshay and Avery Book) presents an eclectic mix of sacred and secular folk songs from the U.S., British Isles, Corsica, Republic of Georgia and honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. in song tonight at Church of the Holy City (1611 16th St., N.W.).
Tuesday, Jan. 18
Partners in Recovery will be having a facilitated discussion about addiction, recovery and relationships at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The GLBT Arts Consortium will be hosting a remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr., tonight at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church. This is a free event.
Wednesday, Jan. 19
Bookmen D.C., an informal group of men interested in gay literature, meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Charles Sumner School and Archives (1201 17th St., N.W.) to discuss “Persistent Voices: Poetry by Writers Lost to AIDS,” edited by David Groff and Philip Clark.” All are welcome.
The Tom Davaron Social Bridge Club will meet at 7:30 tonight at the Dignity Center, 721 8th St., S.E., (across from Marine Barracks) for social bridge. No partner is needed. Visit lambdabridge.com and click on “Social Bridge in Washington” for more information.
Thursday, Jan. 20
DJ Chris Nitti will be a special guest at this month’s Maison at Napoleon Bistro and Lounge (1847 Columbus Rd., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Cosi Restaurant (1350 Connecticut Ave.) is hosting “Let’s get cozy …” for single women tonight from 5 to 8 p.m.
Washington Project for the Arts 2011 Experimental Media Series will be at the Phillips Collection (1600 21st St., N.W.) tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with an appearance by Paul D. Miller, also known as DJ Spooky.
Friday, May 1
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. 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.
“Illusions The Drag Queen Show Washington, D.C.” will be at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St., N.W. Come see this amazing D.C. drag show and laugh all night long while being amazed by the stellar performances in tribute to some of your old-time favorite classics as well as the latest pop favorites. Come see the likes of Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Beyoncé, Pink, and many more. Tickets are $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 2
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11:00a.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.
Drag Queen Sip and Paint Washington DC will be at 4 p.m. at Town Tavern DC. This event combines the joy of painting with the lively energy of a drag queen, offering an hour and a half of fun, creativity, and entertainment. Participants paint a canvas while enjoying cocktails, all under the guidance of a glamorous drag queen host. Tickets are $47.19 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 4
“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, May 5
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 6
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 6 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 information, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 7
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 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, 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.
The new monthly 90’s Flashback Drag Brunch premiered at Red Bear Brewing Co. on Sunday, April 26. Performers included Logan Stone, Tiffany D. Carter and Charlemagne Chateau.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Celebrity News
Madonna makes rare club appearance in West Hollywood
Gay icon brought ‘Confessions II’ to The Abbey
A line of celebrities, “Drag Race” queens, influencers, media, and West Hollywood socialites lined the block around West Hollywood’s The Abbey, all clamoring to get into the invite-only celebration of owner Tristan Schukraft’s birthday. The rumor, which became verified gossip, was that Madonna, the Queen of Pop herself, would be taking the stage. Of course, the Blade had to be there.
With disco balls and Abbey statues covered in pink chiffon, it was clear. This party was a direct tie-in to Madonna’s much-anticipated “Confessions on A Dance Floor” album sequel, “Confessions II.” That night, the Abbey also unveiled its remodeled dance floor, a fitting collaboration.
The club was filled to capacity with a completely open bar, keeping the crowd liquored up. Go-go dancers in black leather collars and thongs lined the room, and celebrities that included Lilly Allen, Bebe Rexha, Tori Spelling, Julia Fox, Sam Asghari, Daniel Frenzese, Cynthia Bailey, Meredith Marks, Tom Daley, and more filled the VIP booths alongside World of Wonder personalities. It was a veritable who’s who of queer folk and allies.
The lights began to dim, the dance floor began to rumble, and Madonna graphics hit the screens. At around 1 am, it was time. Introduced by Addison Rae, Madonna grabbed the mic and started chanting, welcoming her “gays.” The venue resounded in thunderous chants of “freedom,” “mother,” and “bitch.”
Madonna was not there to perform. She was there to dance. She took the stage for about 15 minutes, keeping the crowd going with her naughty and fun commentary. There is no list that needs to be provided on how Madonna’s career has become part of queer culture. Going back to her dance music roots and going back to her gay fans is smart.
Released in 2005 (yes, it has been that long), “Confessions on a Dance Floor” was an instant hit, with four singles from the album being released. The album’s lead single, “Hung Up,” topped the charts in 41 countries with Billboard calling it the most successful dance song of the decade. The album had hints of 60s and 70s flair, mixed in with dance music prevalent at that time. The music still dominates at queer clubs across the globe.
Madonna knows we need a little queer joy; she also knows that fans miss the Madonna we all knew and loved. With the nation in such turbulence, we all need some comfort, and going back to a time when we felt safer and had more to celebrate just feels good. For the new album release, she has even partnered with Grindr for a limited edition vinyl release and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Her night at The Abbey presented snippets of her new music mixed in with some of her classics. The new material sounded good, sounded familiar in an exciting way, and shows that this diva has still got it.
“Confessions II” releases on July 3.
Republicans attach five anti-LGBTQ riders to State Department funding bill
Calendar: May 1-7
The university that refuses to let go
Judge issues revised order in Capital Pride stalking case
New Zealand blood donation rules shift
House Republicans push nationwide ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
From red carpet to chaos: A first-person narrative of the WHCD shooting
European Parliament backs EU-wide conversion therapy ban
LGBTQ people are leaving Orthodox Judaism behind
Democracy Forward files FOIA request for State Department bathroom policy records
-
Federal Government4 days agoHouse Republicans push nationwide ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
-
The White House5 days ago
From red carpet to chaos: A first-person narrative of the WHCD shooting
-
European Union2 days ago
European Parliament backs EU-wide conversion therapy ban
-
News4 days ago
LGBTQ people are leaving Orthodox Judaism behind
