Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Feb. 18
Events, parties, concerts and more through Feb. 24
‘Green Bridesmaid Chair’ by John D'Orazio is part of a series of works featuring found or donated chairs wrapped with colored industrial wire. It is part of the exhibit, ‘Listen to Me’ exhibit on display now at Zenith Gallery.
Friday, Feb. 18
Apex (1415 22nd St., N.W.) presents Caliente Grande with DJ Michael Brandon in the main hall. Jamaica and Friends will perform 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.
The D.C. Queer Writers Collective is holding its monthly writing circle tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).
Trade and Ivan’s Holiday Weekend Party is tonight from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Layla Lounge (501 Mores St., N.E.). There is a $5 cover before midnight at $10 after. All attendees must be 21 or older. For more information, visit trade202.com.
DJ Wesley D will be providing music and videos tonight in Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) new dining room bar starting at 7 p.m.
Enigma, a monthly substance-free, no-alcohol party, is tonight at 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.
D.C. Women in Their Thirties will meet tonight at 8 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).
Saturday, Feb. 19
DJ Chris Cox will be providing the music tonight at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) for its annual Mardi Gras Party. Doors open at 10 p.m. with music and video downstairs by Wess. Drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. Attendees must be 21 or older.
Ultrabar (911 F St., N.W.) hosts Ladies Night: Glow in the Dark Edition tonight from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Ladies 21 and over can get a free shot at the bar at midnight when the song “Shots” by LMFAO is played. There will also be an open bar on the main floor from 9 to 10 p.m.
Mixtape D.C. is tonight Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) from 9:30 p.m. to 2 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. There is a $7 cover for this all ages event.
Team D.C. is hosting its first casino night tonight from 9 p.m. to midnight at Buffalo Billards (1330 19th St., N.W.). Games will include blackjack, poker, billiards and more. The event will also be co-hosted by D.C. Ice Breakers, Federal Triangles Soccer Club, the D.C. Gay Flag Football League, the Wetskins, the D.C. Strokes, the CARA bowling league and the D.C. Aquatics Club. Prizes, including a two-night stay at Intercontinental Barclay NYC during Pride weekend with theater tickets to “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” will be awarded.
Sunday, Feb. 20
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) introduces its new “Make Out Room” tonight as part of WTF with music by Ryan Duncan from Pink Sock and Bill Todd from Raw. Doors open at 10 p.m. Cover is $5 and all attendees must be 18 or older.
The D.C. Jazz Jam, a weekly jam free for both musicians and jazz lovers, is tonight from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Dahlak (1771 U St., N.W.).
Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) brings “The Brother/Sister” trilogy to a close with “Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet” by Tarell Alvin McCraney in two final performances today at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets range from $46 to $57 for the 2 p.m. performance and $57 to $65 for the 7 p.m. performance. For more information and to purchase tickets, studiotheatre.org.
Monday, Feb. 21
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents National Presidents Day Choral Festival today in the Concert Hall at 2 p.m. The program will feature Barber’s “Adagio for Strings,” a series of Aaron Copland’s work and “Memorial,” written by Rene Clausen in remembrance of the 9-11 attacks. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
Zenith Gallery presents “Listen to Me,” sculpture and paintings by Joel D’Orazio, a former architect. D’Orazio uses found objects and industrial materials to create his art. The show is at The Gallery (1111 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.), which is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through May 13.
Tuesday, Feb. 22
Women over Forty will meet tonight from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).
The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance is having its membership meeting tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archive (1201 17th St., N.W.).
Wednesday, Feb. 23
Secrets (1824 Half St., S.W.) is holdings its monthly amateur dance contest tonight beginning at 11 p.m. Contests must sign up at the main bar between 10 and 10:45 p.m.
Higher Achievement D.C. Metro presents its sixth annual Literary Love Poetry Performance tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center’s Family Theater (2700 F St., N.W.). This is a free event. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
The Cultural Competency Action Team will be holding a conference call today with youth speakers Carlos and Antonio sharing their experiences about coming out as youth of color from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. To participate, call 1-800-503-2899 and use I.D. 1599272#.
The D.C. Log Cabin Republicans will hosting its first February general meeting tonight from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Camden Roosevelt (2101 16th St., N.W.) with a viewing of a film on the Log Cabin v. U.S. lawsuit on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” featuring a representative from the law firm representing Log Cabin in the suit. For more information, visit dclogcabin.org.
Thursday, Feb. 24
“The Monster Ball Tour” starring Lady Gaga returns to the Verizon Center (601 F St., N.W.) tonight featuring Semi Precious Weapons. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $52.50 to $178 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com.
The Duke Ellington School of the Arts presents Earth, Wind & Fire in a gala benefit concert celebrating the school’s 40th anniversary at 7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall (2700 F St., N.W.). Tickets range from $50 to $175 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.
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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