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Calendar: March 18

Concerts, parties, galleries, meetings and more through March 24

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Feeling nasty? JR.'s and the Blade are sponsoring a post-concert party in honor of Janet Jackson. Join us Tuesday beginning at 9:30 p.m. at JR.'s for Janet music and videos and drink specials for those with ticket stubs from her concert that night. JR.'s is at 1519 17th St., N.W. (Photo courtesy of Live Nation)

Today

The Committee on the Judiciary will have its annual oversight hearing on the Metropolitan Police Department today at 10 a.m. Persons wishing to testify should contract Brian Moore at 202.724.7808 or [email protected].

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) is hosting its first open interest meeting for the 2012 Gay Men’s Heath Summit at 6 p.m. today. Different issues will be discussed from locational logistics to what the event will look like.

Ziegfeld’s (1824 Half St., S.W.) presents Miss Gay D.C. American review tonight with Coti Collins, Coco Montrese, Victoria DePaula, Catia Lee Love, Jessica Jade, Victoria Parker, Ashley Bannks, Gigi Couture and Monet Dupree. Doors open at 9 p.m.  There is a $5 cover until 10:30 and a $10 afterward.

Gay District presents St. Patty’s Gay Happy Hour tonight from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Larry’s Lounge (1836 18th St., N.W.) Stay for an extended happy hour with a $4 donation to Gay District.

D.C. Women in Their Thirties will meet tonight at 8 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).

The New Gay presents Homo/Sonic at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. with DJs Zack and Michael. This is an all ages party and there is a $10 cover.

Caliente Grande is tonight at Apex (1415 22nd St., N.W.) starting at 9 p.m. DJ Michael Brandon will be spinning the Latin dance party in the main hall. There is a $10 cover charge. Attendees must be 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

Saturday, March 19

The 12th annual Youth Law Fair, a joint effort of the D.C. Superior Court and the D.C. Bar, will focus on cyberbullying with a mock trial, youth speak out sessions and raffle giveways at the Moultrie Courthouse (500 Indiana Ave., N.W.) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit dcbar.org/youthlawfair. This is a free event.

La Clinica Del Pueble/Mpoderate! Youth Center will be working in partnership with HAHSTA to makeover the S.E. STD Clinic waiting room (1900 Massachusetts Ave., S.E., Bldg. 8) and will be holding a planning meeting today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Capital Queer Prom is tonight from 7 to 11:30 p.m. aboard the Spirit of Mount Vernon.

Mixtape D.C. is tonight the Rock & Roll Hotel (1353 H St., N.E.) from 10 p.m. to 2:30 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 $5 cover for this 21 and older event.

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network’s 19th annual national dinner “Making History, Moving Forward” is tonight at the National Building Museum (401 F St., N.W.) The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7:30. MSNBC’s Chris Matthews is the master of ceremonies and Democratic Minority Whip, Rep. Steny Hoyer is the keynote speaker. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit sldn.org.

The Ladies of Lure present “Bare: Military Style” at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m. with DJs Rosie and Keenan to benefit SLDN. Cover is $5 before midnight. Attendees with a SLDN national dinner ticket will get in free.

Sunday, March 20

The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) will be showing the film “Fire,” the first Indian film to portray homosexual relations, today at 1:30 p.m. There will be an introduction and a post-screening question and answer with actresses Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das. This screening is part of maximum India. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Victory Fund is celebrating 20 years of success in growing the number of openly LGBT leaders in elected offices across the country with its National Champagne Brunch today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave.). Congressman David Cicilline, Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown and University of Michigan Student Assembly President Chris Armstrong will be present. This event will feature a silent auction. Individual tickets are $150. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit victoryfund.org.

Burgundy Crescent Volunteers are celebrating their 10th anniversary with a happy hour at Pinzimini Lounge at the Westin Arlington Gateway (801 N. Glebe Rd.) from 5 to 7 p.m.

Pocket Gays present “Shamerock Sunday School” tonight at Local 16 (1602 U St., N.W.) from 3 to 9 p.m. There is no cover.

More Light Presbyterians will host a special screening and discussion of the film “Bullied” today from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Church of the Pilgrims (2201 P St., N.W.) with special guests Diane Bruce, director of Health and Wellness and Andrew Barnett, the executive director of Sexual Minority Youth Action League (SMYAL).

Monday, March 21

WEAVE is holding a support group for survivors of intimate partner violence from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the WEAVE Lighthouse Center for Healing (5321 First Place, N.E.).

Bears do Yoga at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court N.W.) tonight at 6:30 p.m. Class lasts for an hour and serves as an introduction to yoga for people of all different body types and physical abilities. It’s taught by Michael Brazell. For more information, visit dccenter.org.

Tuesday, March 22

The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance will be holding a membership meeting tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archive (1201 17th St., N.W.).

Janet Jackson’s Number Ones, Up Close and Personal World Tour comes to DAR Constitution Hall (1776 D St., N.W.) for the first of two concerts tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $98 to $149 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. The second concert is Thursday, also at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) will be holding volunteer training today at 6:30 p.m. Training is require for all new front desk volunteers and encourage for all current front desk volunteers. Other volunteers are also welcome to attend.

Rock & Roll Hotel’s (1353 H St., N.E.) WTF Wednesdays presents “Freaks and Geeks” tonight. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30. Three 50-minute episodes will be shown on the big screen. There’s limited seating and attendees are welcome to bring their own seats. This is a free, 21-and-older event.

Thursday, March 24

Dance Gavin Dance will be performing at Rams Head Live (20 Market Place) in Baltimore with Iwrestledabearonce, In Fear and Faith, Close to Home, Just like Vinyl and DJ Big Chocolate tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at ramsheadlive.com. This is an all-ages show.

E-mail calendar items to [email protected] two weeks prior to your event. Space is limited so priority is given to LGBT-specific events or general events with LGBT participants. D.C.-area only.

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Theater

Trans performer, juggler premiering one-woman show

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Lucy Eden stars in ‘Circus of the Self’ at Spooky Action Theater.  (Photo courtesy of Spooky Action Theater)  

Circus of the Self
May 29-June 6
Spooky Action Theater
1810 16th St., N.W.
Pay-What-You-Can: May 2
All other performances: $35
Spookyaction.org

For Lucy Eden, tricks have proved a way into theater.

The Oakland, Calif.-based trans performer and juggler is premiering her one-woman show “Circus of the Self” at Spooky Action Theater in conjunction with WorldPride. 

Directed by Spooky Action’s artistic director Elizabeth Dinkova, the autobiographical busking show is a unique blend of circus and serious storytelling.   

Juggler first met director several years ago in Atlanta. Eden explains, “She was working at a theater down the street from the juggling club where I spent a lot of time. She needed people for a street fair. I agreed. Another collaboration soon followed.” 

Previously, Eden had worked mostly as a roaming performer at Atlanta corporate events and street style pre-game shows for the Braves: “Those environments were a good way to work on material, to learn what tricks make people stop their talking and turn their attention to me,” she says.

Now based in Oakland, Calif., Eden, 40, has created a 77-minute-long one-woman show infused with burlesque, expert juggling, and a personal, sometimes difficult, story.  

While she hesitates to say it’s the obligation of all trans people to tell their stories, she says, “In these times, if you get the opportunity, I believe you ought to take it.” 

Recently, she took a break from preparations, to talk life and showbiz.

BLADE: How exactly did you learn circus tricks? 

EDEN: I’m autodidactic. I taught myself to juggle in the last semester of college. Things had gone wrong and I was looking for distraction. So, when I found a “three ball learn to juggle” kit, I never looked back. That lead to advanced juggling, unicycling, and balancing objects on my face. 

Things began to look up. Today, I try to resist everything in my life going back to circus tricks, it almost always does. 

BLADE: It sounds almost preordained. 

EDEN: For sure. It changed everything. Circus skills force you to face your own failure. When you drop a ball, you can’t convince yourself or the audience that it didn’t happen. Performing, like life, forces you to develop capacities to deal with internal and external failures. 

It teaches us not take ourselves, societal rules, or the idea of what’s success too seriously. 

BLADE: Juggling at a cocktail party to baring your past before a rapt audience must be quite a stretch.

EDEN: It is, but rather than making a dramatic leap, I leveraged the fun and draw of circus to engage people in a more difficult conversation. 

BLADE: Spooky Action’s website warns about “frank discussions of transphobia and mental health.” 

EDEN: Well yeah, I grew up in rural Georgia in the 1990s. You can only imagine. Trans is integral to my identity, and a hot button term right now. I think everyone sees and hears a lot of things about trans people that don’t in fact come from actual trans people. 

A big part of why I wrote this show and brought it to D.C. is because I really want audiences to have as intimate and revealing look at me as a trans persona as I can give them. I think it’s only through knowing that we can get beyond all the noise, misinformation, and fear mongering.  

BLADE: Lately I hear a lot of artists bandying about the term “queer joy.” Woolly’s website uses the term in describing aspects of your show. What does it mean to you?

EDEN: It’s an important thingfor us all to be focused on right now, but we’re in a place where joy is hard to access. So, to me, it’s complex; it’s an important yet nuanced pursuit. 

BLADE: As a part of the vast and promising WorldPride (through June 8) entertainment lineup, what makes your show stand out?

EDEN: It’s fun. I wrote “Circus of the Self” with a queer audience in mind. I spend a lot of time and creative energy performing for a general audience. I want this to be different. As far as I know, there’s nothing quite like my show out there. 

There are a lot of shows that are a combination of storytelling and circus parts but they tend to be surface level entertainment. I think of this as more standup with circus layered on; it’s modeled after queer comedians like Hannah Gadsby and Tig Notaro whose work is driven more by personality than jokes. 

I have tried to write a show for a queer audience. It has all the things I need to see for myself but never have.

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Movies

‘Things Like This’ embraces formula and plus-size visibility

Enjoyable queer romcom challenges conventions of the genre

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Max Talisman and Joey Pollari star in 'Things Like That.' (Image courtesy of MPX Releasing/Big Picture Collective)

There’s a strange feeling of irony about a spring movie season stacked with queer romcoms – a genre that has felt conspicuously absent on the big screen since the disappointing reception met by the much-hyped “Bros” in 2022 – at a time when pushback against LGBTQ visibility is stronger than it’s been for 40 years.

Sure, part of the reason is the extended timeline required for filmmaking, which tells us, logically, that the numerous queer love stories hitting theaters this year – including the latest, the Manhattan-set indie “Things Like This,” which opened in limited theaters last weekend – began production long before the rapid cultural shift that has taken place in America since a certain convicted fraudster’s return to the White House. 

That does not, however, make them any less welcome; on the contrary, they’re a refreshing assertion of queer existence that serves to counter-balance the hateful, politicized rhetoric that continues to bombard our community every day. In fact, the word “refreshing” is an apt description of “Things Like This,” which not only celebrates the validity – and joy – of queer love but does so in a story that disregards “Hollywood” convention in favor of a more authentic form of inclusion than we’re ever likely to see in a mainstream film

Written, starring, and directed by Max Talisman and set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, it’s the story of two gay men named Zack – Zack #1 (Talisman) is a plus-sized hopeful fantasy author with a plus-sized personality and a promising-but-unpublished first novel, and Zack #2 (Joey Pollari) an aspiring talent agent dead-ended as an assistant to his exploitative “queen-bee” boss (Cara Buono) – who meet at an event and are immediately attracted to each other. Though Zack #2 is resigned to his unsatisfying relationship with longtime partner Eric (Taylor Trensch), he impulsively agrees to a date the following night, beginning an on-again/off-again entanglement that causes both Zacks to re-examine the trajectories of their respective lives – and a lot of other heavy baggage – even as their tentative and unlikely romance feels more and more like the workings of fate.

Like most romcoms, it relies heavily on familiar tropes – adjusted for queerness, of course – and tends to balance its witty banter and starry-eyed sentiment with heart-tugging setbacks and crossed-wire conflicts, just to raise the stakes. The Zacks’ attempts at getting together are a series of “meet-cutes” that could almost be described as fractal, yet each of them seems to go painfully awry – mostly due to the very insecurities and self-doubts which make them perfect for each other. The main obstacle to their couplehood, however, doesn’t spring from these mishaps; it’s their own struggles with self-worth that stand in the way, somehow making theirs more of a quintessentially queer love story than the fact that both of them are men.

All that introspection – relatable as it may be – can be a downer without active energy to stir things up, but fortunately for “Things Like This,” there are the inevitable BFFs and extended circle of friends and family that can help to get the fun back on track. Each Zack has his own support team backing him up, from a feisty “work wife” (Jackie Cruz, “Orange is the New Black”) to a straight best friend (Charlie Tahan, “Ozark”) to a wise and loving grandma (veteran scene-stealer Barbara Barrie, “Breaking Away” and countless vintage TV shows) – that fuels the story throughout, providing the necessary catalysts to prod its two neurotic protagonists into taking action when they can’t quite get there themselves.

To be sure, Talisman’s movie – his feature film debut as a writer and director – doesn’t escape the usual pitfalls of the romcom genre. There’s an overall sense of “wish fulfillment fantasy” that makes some of its biggest moments seem a bit too good to be true, and there are probably two or three complications too many as it approaches its presumed happy ending; in addition, while it helps to drive the inner conflict for Zack #2’s character arc, throwing a homophobic and unsupportive dad (Eric Roberts) into the mix feels a bit tired, though it’s hard to deny that such family relationships continue to create dysfunction for queer people no matter how many times they’re called out in the movies – which means that it’s still necessary, regrettably, to include them in our stories.

And in truth, “calling out” toxic tropes – the ones that reflect society’s negative assumptions and perpetuate them through imitation – is part of Talisman’s agenda in “Things Like This,” which devotes its very first scene to shutting down any objections from “fat shamers” who might decry the movie’s “opposites attract” scenario as unbelievable. Indeed, he has revealed in interviews that he developed the movie for himself because of the scarcity of meaningful roles for plus-sized actors, and his desire to erase such conventional prejudices extends in every direction within his big-hearted final product.

Even so, there’s no chip-on-the-shoulder attitude to sour the movie’s spirit; what helps us get over its sometimes excessive flourishes of idealized positivity is that it’s genuinely funny. The dialogue is loaded with zingers that keep the mood light, and even the tensest scenes are laced with humor, none of which feels forced. For this, kudos go to Talisman’s screenplay, of course, but also to the acting – including his own. He’s eminently likable onscreen, with wisecracks that land every time and an underlying good cheer that makes his appeal even more visible; crucially, his chemistry with Pollari – who also manages to maintain a lightness of being at his core no matter how far his Zack descends into uncertainty – isn’t just convincing; it’s enviable.

Cruz is the movie’s “ace in the hole” MVP as Zack #2’s under-appreciated but fiercely loyal bestie, and Buono’s hilariously icy turn as his “boss from hell” makes for some of the film’s most memorable scenes. Likewise, Tahan, along with Margaret Berkowitz and Danny Chavarriaga, flesh out Zack #1’s friend group with a real sense of camaraderie that should be recognizable to anyone who’s ever been part of an eclectic crew of misfits. Trensch’s comedic “ickiness” as Zack #2’s soon-to-be-ex makes his scenes a standout; and besides bigger-name “ringers” Roberts and Barrie (whose single scene is the emotional climax of the movie), there’s also a spotlight-grabbing turn by Diane Salinger (iconic as Francophile dreamer Simone in “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure”) as the owner of a queer bar where the Zacks go on one of their dates.

With all that enthusiasm and a momentum driven by a sense of DIY empowerment, it’s hard to be anything but appreciative of “Things Like This,” no matter how much some of us might cringe at its more unbelievable romcom devices. After all, it’s as much a “feel-good” movie as it is a love story, and the fact that we actually do feel good when the final credits role is more than enough to earn it our hearty recommendation.

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Calendar

Calendar: May 23-29

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, May 23

“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Yoga” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. For more details, email [email protected]

Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity and/or expression. For more details, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. 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, May 24

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and 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.

Black Lesbian Mixer will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a support group dedicated to the joys of being a Black lesbian. For more details, email [email protected]

Sunday, May 25

“The Queen’s Table: A Women’s Empowerment Brunch” will be at 11 a.m. at Zooz. This event will celebrate queer women’s strength. For more details visit Eventbrite

Monday, May 26

“Center Aging Monday Coffee and Conversation” 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]

Tuesday, May 27

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know you’re not 100 percent cis — this is your group. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook

Wednesday, May 28

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.

Thursday, May 29

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fairer with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. 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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

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