Arts & Entertainment
High camp fun
No, we mean real camp — as in summer fun for kids. Here are a few of the region’s offerings
(Image courtesy of Rollins)
Imagination Stage, part of Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd.) in Arlington, has many summer camps for children of all ages, starting at 4 and going all the way through high school. There is the Arts Explorer camp for children ages 4 and 5. Children ages 6 and 7 can go to the Arts Adventure camp. The other camps are either four weeks long or a week-long flex camp. There’s also a Filmmaking Camp for children grades five to 12 that last either one or three weeks and dance camps. For more information, visit imaginationstage.org.
Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School, (3500 Woodley Rd., N.W.) has multiple summer programs for different age groups from ages 3 to 11 that run throughout the summer. Costs of the camps vary program to program. Brown bag lunches and snacks will be provided for all-day campers and half-day campers will receive snacks. Children are encouraged to dress comfortably and sock and tennis shoes are required. For more information, visit summer.beauvoirschool.org.
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (545 7th St., S.E.) puts on a summer program called “Island Arts Adventure,” which is two week sessions that run from June 20 to Aug. 12 for children ages 5 to 13. Each session is divided into morning and afternoon camps. In the morning, the campers will focus on an island such as Indonesia or Hawaii and then the afternoon camps are more recreation based. Campers must have turned 5 by June 1 and completed a year of kindergarten or equivalent education. For more information, visit chaw.org.
The Corcoran Gallery of Art has a camp for children ages 5 to 16 called “Camp Creativity.” The camp is divided into four age groups. The groups for children 5 to 10 meet at the Georgetown campus (1801 35th St., N.W.) and the other groups meet at the gallery’s downtown campus (500 17th St., N.W.). Studio A has campers experimenting with a variety of materials as they investigate themes in art. Studio B allows campers to explore a variety of artists and themes while developing their artistic skills. Studio C has campers concentrating on skill development and they get to try out things like fashion illustration and cartooning. Studio D has campers building their skills in figure drawing, digital photography and fashion illustration. Campers can be signed up for one to eight weeks. Prices vary based on age and session. For more information, visit Corcoran.org.
TIC Summer Camp (4620 Dittmar Rd.) in Arlington is a technology- and sports-based camp for children 7 to 16 at three locations. The technology choices are programming, robotics, web design, animation, filmmaking, digital arts and digital music. All campers get a sports period each day and their choices are soccer, basketball, gymnastics, dance, team handball, street hockey, ultimate frisbee, flag football, softball, capture the flag, volleyball and crazy games. Campers can also choose drama or tennis for an additional cost. Campers are expected to provide their own lunch. There are four sessions throughout the summer starting June 20. The base tuition is $820 per session. For more information, visit ticcamp.com.
Woodland Horse Center (16301 New Hampshire Ave.) in Silver Spring has two summer camps available this year. There’s the Pony Pals Summer Camp for children ages 5 to 7 and the Horsemanship Summer Camp for children ages 8 to 15. Horsemanship campers get two riding lessons, horsemanship lessons, interactive lectures and do arts and crafts. A two-week sessions costs $760 and the first session starts June 13. Pony Pals are given a daily riding lesson, horsemanship lessons, interactive lectures and do arts and crafts. A single week costs $380 and the first session starts June 20. Both camps will have special activities such as pizza day and water games day. For more information, visit woodlandhorse.com.
Jonah’s Treehouse (2121 Wisconsin Ave., C-1 Level) has a summer camp for children ages 3 to 6 that runs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration is done by week with a different theme each week. For more information, visit jonahstreehouse.com.
The Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory (1501 14th St., N.W.) has summer workshops for young actors ages 12 to 17. The Young Actors Ensemble will run from June 27 to July 21. The curriculum includes theater games, pantomimes, improvisations, ensemble work, monologues and scene study. Actors acquire better skills in concentration, observation, response and interplay. Placement auditions are June 18 so instructors can better develop individual students to their fullest potential. The program costs $550. Scholarships are available. For more information, visit studiotheatre.org.
Cleveland Park Club (3433 33rd Place, N.W.) has a summer camp that runs from June 13 to Aug. 12 for children ages 5 to 9 and counselors-in-training ages 11 to 16. Campers participate in a variety of activities including stilt-walking, tumbling, kickball and chalk drawing. Camp prices vary based on session and membership in the club. For more information, visit clevelandparkclub.org.
Out & About
Plan your wedding the LGBTQ way
Washington D.C. LGBTQ+ Wedding Expo scheduled for Sunday
Rainbow Wedding Network will host “Washington D.C. LGBTQ+ Wedding Expo” on Sunday, March 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Guests can meet and mingle with a curated selection of LGBTQ-welcoming wedding professionals from across the region, each ready to help bring your vision to life, and spend a beautiful afternoon exploring everything they need to create a celebration that reflects them.
There will be a relaxed, self-guided look at the Watergate’s spaces and amenities, savor signature cocktails and delicious tasting samples, and connect with other couples who are on the same journey.
Visit Eventbrite to reserve a spot.
Friday, February 27
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga and Drag Bingo 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+ Community Happy Hour Meetup” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. 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 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/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Saturday, February 28
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.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity.Send an email to [email protected] to receive the zoom link.
Sunday, March 1
LGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversation will be at 12 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for people looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, March 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 ([email protected]).
Tuesday, March 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 details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, March 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 www.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, March 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 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, breathwork 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
Transmission DC breathes new life into a storied sound space
A fresh home for boundary-pushing culture on H Street
Late last year, phoenix-style, a fresh home for boundary-pushing culture arose on the H Street corridor. Transmission DC – a queer, trans, and POC-owned, operated, and centered community-focused venue – powered on in the former home to the Rock & Roll Hotel (famously, not a hotel, but very much rock & roll). Transmission (1353 H St., N.E.) arrives secure in its mandate – or even birthright – to provide a place to celebrate creativity and music through a lens of inclusivity and respect.
Transmission’s team brings experience, but also representation. Owners/partners Kabir Khanna (who is also programming director), Katii B, Ellie McDyre, and Kelli Kerrigan together previously managed 618 productions, a venue in Chinatown, crafting “some of D.C.’s freakiest parties, raves, and mosh pits” they note.
They packed up operations last fall to a space curated specifically for D.C.’s underground music and culture scene, building their efforts in Chinatown to bring in more fans in queer and POC circles.
Transmission, Khanna points out, is built on DIY values. In the music scene, DIY means that promoters and organizers – often disconnected from the mainstream and part of marginalized communities – build shows and programs collaboratively, but independently from institutions, supporting each other as smaller, independent venues close. Here, Transmission aims to ensure that those putting together these underground inclusive shows have a more permanent and stable home, can have access to resources, and can provide more sustainable income to artists. “We’re trying to get more people to support and enjoy the music, and also give artists and organizers within the DIY community more structure and a larger cut,” says Khanna.
Khanna also notes that Transmission operates “under the principles of safety, inclusivity, and respect.” McDyre added that even at venues that claim inclusivity, that statement might not take place in practice. We’re “not just pitting up a rainbow flag,” says McDyre, but as some of the owners are trans and POC, audiences can see themselves reflected at the top.
Much like the DIY nature of the music community, the Transmission owners brought a DIY ethos to turning around their space.
In March 2020 – the height of COVID lockdowns – Rock & Roll Hotel suddenly shuttered, though not due to the pandemic; instead, the venue claimed that decreasing sales and increasing competition led to the closure. For 14 years, it was the central spot for cheap beer and lesser-known and celebrated acts. The space stood vacant for more than five years, until Transmission turned the power back on.
“When we got into the space, it was effectively abandoned for years,” says Khanna. “There was a ton of mold, and paint primer covering all surfaces. It was nearly falling apart.” Khanna noted that many music venues like this one, regardless of how well it was maintained, “get the shit kicked out of it,” given the nature of shows. The team called in mold removal contractors, ripped up most of the floorboards, and started fresh.
Transmission’s first floor is styled as a stripped-down black box: the better to take in the music. “It’s minimal on purpose to act as a canvas for set design and music,” without a specific aesthetic, says Khanna. Moving upstairs, the second floor has been opened up, removing some walls, and now has a larger dance area than the first floor. Beyond the first two performance levels, and a holdover from Rock & Roll Hotel, is the rooftop. Though without a stage, the rooftop space is filled with murals splashed across the walls, with a full bar. Transmission’s current capacity is 496, but the team is looking to grow that number. Transmission will also leverage the full kitchen that Rock & Roll Hotel operated, bringing in Third Hand Kitchen to offer a variety of food, including vegan and vegetarian options.
Khanna pointed out an upcoming show reflective of Transmission’s inclusive ethos: Black Techo Matters on Feb. 27. The event is set to be “a dynamic, collaborative night of underground electronic music celebrating Black History Month.” Khanna says that techno came from Black music origins, and this event will celebrate this genesis with a host of artists, including DJ Stingray 313, Carlos Souffront, and Femanyst.
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