Arts & Entertainment

Arts briefs: March 18

Jackie Beat at Cobalt, queer prom, drag pageant and more

Published

15 years ago

March 17, 2011

Juliette Ebner

Jackie Beat

Jackie Beat at Cobalt tonight with two shows

Drag queen and celebrity entertainer Jackie Beat will have two performances at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight.

First, at 9 p.m., Beat will be performing a dinner show downstairs at Level One. She’ll move upstairs at midnight for another show with DJ DeMarko.

Beat is the drag persona of Kent Fuher. She has appeared in many movies such as “Bam Bam and Celeste” and on television, including an episode of “Sex and the City.”

Beat also writes a weekly column, “Little Miss Know-It-All,” for FrontiersWeb.com, covering topics like Facebook, movie fashions and many others.   The event will feature free vodka drinks will be available from 11 p.m. to midnight upstairs. DJ Keenan Orr will spin.   Reservations for Beat’s dinner show can be made at opentable.com.   For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.

Capital Queer Prom to benefit Youth Pride Alliance

The fifth annual Capital Queer Prom is Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight abroad the Spirit of Mount Vernon (600 Water St., S.W., Pier 4).

Queer Prom is a formal gala that gives LGBT men and women a second chance at their dream prom.

This year the celebration spans three days. There’s a pre-Prom maritime meet and greet tonight from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at The Reef (2446 18th St., N.W.) that will include complimentary wine, happy hour specials and music.

The celebration ends with a post-Prom drag brunch at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.). The brunch includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, complimentary mimosas, drag queen performances and a special treat exclusively for prom guests.   Every year, the prom benefits a local non-profit organization. This year it’ll benefit the Youth Pride Alliance, an organization in its 15^th year dedicated to creating safe events and support for LGBT youth, including its annual Youth Pride Day, which is Apr. 30.

The Queer Prom is for ages 21 and older. Tickets to the prom and brunch are $95 each. Tickets are also available for the prom only and are $75 each.   For more information on Queer Prom and to purchase tickets, visit capitalqueerprom.com.

Coti Collins (David Lowman) being crowned Miss Gay D.C. America last year. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Miss Gay Regional Pageant this weekend

The Miss Gay D.C. America 2011 regional pageant is Saturday at Town (2009 8^th St., N.W.).

This is the 40^th anniversary of the Miss Gay America pageant, the first female impersonator pageant.

Miss Gay honors regional pageants that stand out and the D.C. one has been honored as such. Since 2004, more than 50 local contestants have competed for the crown.

Pre-judging and evening gown starts at 5:45 p.m. and the pageant will begin at 6:45.

The winner will be crowned Miss Gay D.C. America 2011 and receive a prize package worth $4,025. The first alternate will received a prize package worth $2,000.

Last year, Coti Collins not only won Miss Gay D.C. America 2010, but went on to be crowned Miss Gay America 2011. Victoria DePaula, who won Miss Gay D.C. America in 2008, also went on to be crowned Miss Gay America 2009.

Special guests at this year’s pageant will include Collins and DePaula, as well as Jessica Jade, Miss Gay D.C. America 2009 and first runner-up for Miss Gay American 2010, Victoria Parker, Miss Gay D.C. America 2007, Ashley Bannks, Miss Gay D.C. America 2006, Catia Lee Love, Miss Gay America 2000, Miss Peaches, Miss Gay D.C. America 2005, Maxine Blue, Miss Gay D.C. America 1998 and Champagne Douglas, Miss Gay D.C. America 1990 and Miss Gay D.C. America 1991.

There will be a $10 cover. For more information, visit missgaydcamerica.com.

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Calendar: March 18

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Calendar

Calendar: April 17-23

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

23 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

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’

Published

23 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2026

Matt Minton

From left: Executive Producer R. Scott Gimmell, Noah Wyle, and Katherine LaNasa at PaleyFest LA 2026 honoring "The Pitt," presented by the Paley Center for Media, at the DOLBY THEATRE on April 12, 2026, in Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Brian To)

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.”

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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.