Arts & Entertainment
Arts news in brief: April 1
Michigan-based queer folk duo, Nervous but Excited, plays the Black Squirrel in Adams Morgan on Monday. (Photo courtesy of group)
Nervous but Excited to play the Squirrel
Michigan-based, queer folk duo Nervous but Excited play the Black Squirrel (2427 18th St., N.W.) on Monday at 8 p.m. There is a $5 suggested donation.
The duo, comprised of Kate Peterson and Sarah Cleaver, has performed onstage with Ani Difranco, The Butchies, Melissa Ferrick and Girlyman.
This tour is in support of their latest project, a six song EP “Just the Two of Us (Our Duo Doing Duos),” a collection of covers of other famous duos such as the Indigo Girls and Tegan and Sara.
For more information, visit the duo’s website, nervousbutexcited.com.
Ba’Naka hosts pie contest
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) is having a pie eating contest hosted by Ba’Naka on Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. The top three competitors will receive their choice of Nellie’s gear. First place will also receive $100 and second place will also receive a $50 bar tab. The contest costs $10 to enter plus a $1 beer donation.
Ashraf Sewailam as The Bonze and Sandra Lopez as Cio-Cio San in Virginia Opera's production of "Madama Butterfly" being performed Friday and Sunday at George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall in Fairfax. (Photo by Anne M. Peterson)
‘Butterfly’ gets another local production
The Virginia Opera will have two performances of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” starring Sandra Lopez as Cio-Cio San and Brian Jagde as Lt. Pinkerton, tonight at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall in Fairfax.
The opera is performed in Italian with English supertitles.
There will be a free pre-opera discussion before each performance by Glenn Winter, Virginia Opera’s community musical outreach director.
Christine Thompson as Sarah and John Simmons as Todd in Gross National Product's production, 'The Sound of Palin,' part of its new show, 'State of DisUnion' at Atlas. (Photo courtesy of Atlas)
Palin spoof opens at Atlas
Gross National Product comedy group presents “State of DisUnion” at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., N.E.) on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. starting today through April 22.
Featuring a condensed version of their last show, “The Sound of Palin,” GNP’s new show features sketch comedy and improv mocking the members of Congress and other politicians.
Tickets are $15 for students, $20 for seniors and $25 for general admission and can be purchased online at atlasarts.org (listed as Gross National Product Returns).
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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