Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Jan. 21
Parties, movies and events through Jan. 27
Friday, Jan. 21
Chely Wright will be at the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.) in Alexandria, Va., tonight at 7:30 p.m. with special guest, Deep River. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at birchmere.com.
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.
Apex (1415 22nd St., N.W.) presents Caliente Grande with DJ Michael Brandon in the main hall. Jamaica and Friends will perform in a drag show at midnight. Drink specials include $4 margaritas. Attendees must be 18 to enter and there is a $10 cover. For more information, visit apex-dc.com or calientedc.com.
Enigma, a monthly substance-free, no-alcohol party, is tonight at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on the second floor with a separate entrance and a security guard working the door to make sure no one with drinks from downstairs comes up. Cover is $5 and all are welcomed.
Lace Lounge (2214 Rhode Island Ave., N.E.) presents Social Climax from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. with free drinks before 11:30 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older and there is a $10 cover. For more information, visit lacedc.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. 22
Merrifield Garden Center is returning with its free gardening, landscaping and now cooking seminars today at 10 a.m. Next to the Merrifield location, in the Merrifield Community Hall (8104 Lee Highway), Vivian Mitchell, a tropical plant specialist, will be teaching about easy-to-grow houseplants. Jonathan Kavalier, a horticulturist with the Smithsonian Institution, will be at the Fair Oaks location (12101 Lee Highway) in Fairfax teaching how to grow orchids. Lilienne Conklin, a chef, will be teaching about cooking with line at the Gainesville location (6895 Wellington Rd.). Registration is not required for any of the seminars, but Merrifield asks attendees of the wine seminar to register online at merrifieldgardencenter.com.
Mixtape D.C. is tonight at DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.) from 10 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Mixtape is a dance party for queer music lovers and their pals that features DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer playing an eclectic mix of electro, alt-pop, indie rock, house, disco, new wave and anything else danceable. $5 cover for 21 and over.
Chantry, a classical vocal group, presents “Three Kings: Masterpieces for the Magi” tonight at 8 p.m. at St. Mary Mother of God (727 5th St., N.W.).
DJ Brett Henrichsen will be at Town (2009) tonight at 10 p.m. with music and video downstairs by Wess. The drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. Attendees must be 21 or older.
Starting tonight, every fourth Saturday of the month, Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) is hosting Jocks vs. Jocks from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cover is $5 if wearing sports attire, $7 if not. There’s a trophy and cash prizes for the winning team.
Sunday, Jan. 23
The Shakespeare Theatre Company presents “Cymbeline,” directed by Rebecca Bayla Taichman, tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th St., N.W.). Tickets range from $37 to $70 and can be purchased online at shakespearetheatre.org. Before the performance, there will be a “Windows Discussion,” which offers an introduction and a talk about the show moderated by literary manager, Akiva Fox. The discussion is at 5 p.m. in the Sidney Harman Hall (610 F. St., N.W.) and is free to the public.
Camp Rehoboth Chorus presents “Strike Up the Band” today with two performances, one at 3 p.m. and another at 7. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling 302-227-5620.
Burgundy Crescent Volunteers is holding a karaoke social tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Banana Café (500 8th St., S.E.) in the upstairs piano bar.
Monday, Jan. 24
SAGE Metro D.C. will be holding its monthly meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).
Tuesday, Jan. 25
Synetic opens its limited engagement presentation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at 8 p.m. at Crystal City (1800 South Bell St.) in Arlington.
Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) will be have a watch party for President Obama’s State of the Union address tonight at 7 p.m. with the usual drag bingo and “Glee” watch party at 8 p.m.
Busboys and Poets (2021 14th St., N.W.) hosts an open mic poetry night tonight from 9 to 11 p.m. featuring SMYTE-IX and hosed by Jenny Lares. This event is $4 and wristbands will be sold in the bookstore beginning at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 26
Whitman-Walker will have HIV testing today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center (1701 14th St., N.W.) and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Max Robinson center (2301 Martin luther King Jr., Ave., S.E.).
Thursday, Jan. 27
Lambda Sci-Fi will have its book discussion group meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at 1425 S St., N.W. This month’s book is “The Steel Remains” by Richard K. Morgan. Call James at 202-232-3141 or e-mail to [email protected] to RSVP. For more information, visit the group’s website, lambdascifi.org.
Put On the Gloves, an organization to help fight against bullying, is hosting a fashion show at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The show will be hosted by celebrity stylist and author Phillip Block and Will Thomas of Fox 5 with a special performance by Mya. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at putonthegloves.com. Proceeds will benefit the Trevor Project.
Mautner Project presents a yoga wellness workshop tonight from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 1875 Connecticut Ave., N.W. on the seventh floor with Danielle Polen from Tranquil Space. The workshop is free.
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’
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.
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@thedccenter.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.
a&e features
D.C. LGBTQ sports bar Pitchers listed for sale
Move follows months of challenges for local businesses in wake of Trump actions
A Santa Monica, Calif.-based commercial real estate company called Zacuto Group has released a 20-page online brochure announcing the sale of the D.C. LGBTQ sports bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own.
The brochure does not disclose the sale price, and Pitchers owner David Perruzza told the Washington Blade he prefers to hold off on talking about his plans to sell the business at this time.
He said the sale price will be disclosed to “those who are interested.”
“Matthew Luchs and Matt Ambrose of the Zacuto Group have been selected to exclusively market for sale Pitchers D.C., located at 2317 18th Street, NW in Washington, D.C located in the vibrant and nightlife Adams Morgan neighborhood,” the sales brochure states.
“Since opening its doors in 2018, Pitchers has quickly become the largest and most prominent LGBTQ+ bar in Washington, D.C., serving as a cornerstone of D.C.’s modern queer nightlife scene,” it says, adding, “The 10,000+ SF building designed as a large-scale inclusive LGBTQ+ sports bar and social hub, offering a welcoming environment for the entire community.”
It points out that the Pitchers building, which has two years remaining on its lease and has a five-year renewal option, is a multi-level venue that features five bar areas, “indoor and outdoor seating, and multiple patios, creating a dynamic and flexible layout that supports a wide range of events and high customer volume.”
“Pitchers D.C. is also home to A League of Her Own, the only dedicated lesbian bar in Washington, D.C., further strengthening its role as a vital and inclusive community space at a time when such venues are increasingly rare nationwide,” the brochure says.
Zacuto Group sales agent Luchs, who serves as the company’s senior vice president, did not immediately respond to a phone message left by the Blade seeking further information, including the sale price.
News of Perruzza’s decision to sell Pitchers and A League of Her Own follows his Facebook postings last fall saying Pitchers, like other bars in D.C., was adversely impacted by the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard soldiers on D.C. streets
In an Oct. 10 Facebook post, Perruzza said he was facing, “probably the worst economy I have seen in a while and everyone in D.C. is dealing with the Trump drama.” He told the Blade in a Nov. 10 interview that Pitchers continued to draw a large customer base, but patrons were not spending as much on drinks.
The Zacuto Group sales brochure says Pitchers currently provides a “rare combination of scale, multiple bars, inclusivity, and established reputation that provides a unique investment opportunity for any buyer seeking a long-term asset with a loyal and consistent customer base,” suggesting that, similar to other D.C. LGBTQ bars, business has returned to normal with less impact from the Trump related issues.
The sales brochure can be accessed here.
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