Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: April 15

Concerts, parties, support groups and more through April 21

Published

15 years ago

April 14, 2011

Friday, April 15

D.C. Gurly Show presents Gurlies Gone Wild with special guests Duncan Deeply of D.C. Kings and Vixen Noir from San Francisco tonight at Phase 1 (636 8th St., S.E.) at 10:30 p.m. There is a $10 cover. All attendees must be 21 or older.

Hope Operas founder Chris Griffin and local “sideshow girl” Mab, just Mab are hosting a benefit performance and auction at Red Palace (1210 H St., N.E.) tonight at 9 p.m. They created Pastie-Aid, an emergency fund for burlesque, vaudeville and variety communities that are uninsured. For more information, visit redpalace.com.

The Center Arts Working Group will be meeting for the first time at the D.C. Center from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss ideas and plans for programs to be implemented at D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.). The group is dedicated to the enrichment of the LGBT community through art and all that it encompasses.

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

D.C. Cowboys will be hosting performing as part of Brodeo at Remingtons (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) tonight. Brodeo starts at 10 p.m. and the Cowboys will go on at midnight.

Siren returned to Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) with the Robyn Riot tonight at 10 with DJs Majr and Lemz and VJ Donna.

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, April 16

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) is hosting “4square Swarm” today from 2 to 4 p.m. Everyone who checks in on Foursquare will get a free corn dog.

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) is having its first Friendly Visitor Training today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friendly Visitor is a volunteer-based program to provide elder members of the LGBT community with weekly visits from trained volunteers.

Metro D.C. PFLAG is holding its 14th annual gala and silent auction tonight at the Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle, N.W.). The auction opens at 6 p.m. and the dinner is at 7. Alison Arngri (Nellie from TV’s “Little House”) and Scott Nevins are the guests of honor.

Bare is hosting a Japan tsunami relief fundraiser tonight at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. with DJs Rosie and Keenan. Proceeds from the event and a raffle will go to American Red Cross. Prizes being raffled are two tickets to Uh Huh Her at 9:30 Club on May 2, a $25 Starbucks gift card and a $25 Best Buy gift card.

Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) presents Hellmouth Happy Hour where every week an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” will be screened and drink specials will be offered. This week the episode is “I, Robot … You, Jane.”

Apex (1415 22nd St., N.W.) presents The Showdown: House vs. Hip Hop with DJs Melissa and Gigi battling it out. Kristina Kelly and Her Girls of Glamour will perform at 11 p.m. Doors open at 9. There is a $10 cover and all attendees must be 18 or older.

Mixtape D.C. is tonight the Rock & Roll Hotel (1353 H St., N.E.) from 9 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.

Sunday, April 17

Pocket Gays is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its monthly Sunday School event with Baby Baby Blowout today from 3 to 9 p.m. on the roof deck of Local 16 (1602 U St., N.W.) with DJ Madscience.

“Shear Madness,” a comedy whodunit, will be performed twice tonight at the Kennedy Center Theater Lab (2700 F St., N.W.) at 3 and 7 p.m. “Madness” takes place in present-day Georgetown, in the Shear Madness Hair Styling Salon. Tickets are $42. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Michael Feinstein will be performing at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) in the concert hall tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $40 to $75 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Monday, April 18

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.

BYT presents All City Happy Hour at Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd.) in Arlington, tonight at 6 p.m. with drink specials, music and prizes including tickets to upcoming shows like Warped Tour and more. There is no cover for this event and all attendees must be 21 or older.

World Projects Corporation presents the 2011 Washington, D.C. International Music Festival in the concert hall at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) featuring the Granite Bay High School Wind Ensemble, the Calle Mayor Middle School Wind Ensemble and the Virginia Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Tuesday, April 19

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Glee” watch party tonight at 8 p.m. on the deck in the pub room.

Irvine Contemporary (1412 14th St., N.W.) presents “Image/Fame/Memory” an exhibit featuring photographs of well known muscians, artists, writers and actors by Curtis Knapp, Gerard Malanga, Billy Name, Kate Simon and Shepard Fairey’s collaborations with Name and Simon. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the exhibit will be on display through Saturday. For more information, visit irvinecontemporary.com.

Wednesday, April 20

The Tom Davaron Social Bridge Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for social bridge. No partner is needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com and click “Social Bridge in Washington, D.C.”

D.C. Ice Breakers hosts its monthly open skate tonight from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, on top of the Ballston Common Mall parking garage (627 N Glebe Rd.) in Arlington. After skating the group will hit a local bar for a social hour. Skating is $8 plus $3 for skate rental. For more information, visit dcicebreakers.com.

GLAA is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a reception tonight from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle, N.W.). The group’s 2011 Distinguished Service Award will also be presented. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit glaa.org.

The 26th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards will be in the concert hall at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 6 p.m. hosted by Mayor Vincent C. Gray. This is a free event.

Thursday, April 21

Students, educators, community members, leaders and about 20 organizations will be coming together at the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) from noon to 2 p.m. for Bully Free D.C. to support inclusive safe schools in D.C.

The D.C. Preservation League is celebrating its 40th anniversary of historic preservation at the historic Wonder Bread Factory (641 S St., N.W.) at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $75 to $150 and can be purchased online at dcpreservation.org.

Wish Come Happen presents a Faggles to Faggles tournament at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) tonight from 8 to 11 p.m. Faggles to Faggles is a “queered-up” parody of the game Apples to Apples where players judge which cards are the most grotesque. Wish Come Happen is a fundraising collective committed to raising money for serious caused through engaging, absurd and interactive events and experiences. For more information, visit wishcomehappen.com.

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 those with LGBT participants. Recurring events must be re-submitted each time.

Photos

PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party

Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2026

Daniel Truitt

Ashley Biden accepts an award on behalf of her brother, Beau Biden, at the Washington Blade's Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.

(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

Photos

PHOTOS: Taste of Point

Annual fundraiser supporting LGBTQ youth scholarships and mentorships held at Room & Board

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2026

Michael Key

Taste of Point was held at Room & Board on Wednesday, May 13. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Point Foundation held the annual Taste of Point fundraiser at Room & Board on Wednesday, May 13.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Theater

‘The Inheritance’ is most-nominated at this year’s Helen Hayes Awards

42nd annual celebration of excellence in local theater set for May 18

Published

3 days ago

May 15, 2026

Patrick Folliard

Jamar Jones (bottom left), David Gow, Hunter Ringsmith, Jonathan Atkinson, and John Floyd in ‘The Inheritance, Parts One and Two.’ (Photo by Margot Schulman)

Helen Hayes Awards 2026
May 18, 2026
For tickets go to theatrewashington.org

Last year, when out director Tom Story took on the daunting task of directing Round House Theatre’s production of “The Inheritance, Parts One and Two,” he knew that casting would be important, maybe even paramount, to the endeavor’s success. So, Story didn’t mess around.

Penned by queer playwright Matthew López, “The Inheritance” (inspired by E.M. Forster’s 1910 novel “Howards End”) is based on gay culture in the wake of the AIDS crisis.

Story looked at actors he knew, and some he didn’t. He wanted low drama and maybe players who could relate to the LGBTQ experience. In the end, the production’s 13-person cast was entirely queer except for brilliant local favorite Nancy Robinette as Margaret, the wise housekeeper.

Clearly, Story’s vision resonated with audiences. Round House’s production of “The Inheritance” is the most-nominated work of this year’s Helen Hayes Awards, earning 14 nominations. It’s also one of Round House’s highest grossing popular successes ever.

The queer cast members whose ages ranged from about 22 to 60, worked hard and enjoyed the process, and along the way garnered an Outstanding Ensemble in a Play (Hayes) nomination for their efforts.

The ensemble included Jamar Jones as Tristan, a brilliant doctor who leaves New York for Canada after deciding there’s no place for a gay, HIV-positive Black man in America. For the experienced actor, being part of “The Inheritance” was profound: “I think it was a divinely orchestrated production.”

He adds “I really feel that it’s so rare that you get to work on a show of that magnitude…size, time, where virtual strangers genuinely fell into rhythm. We became a cohort. I never felt a sense of unease, or reluctance to try things. I could be as big or bold as I wanted to be; or I could be small. Fail, mess up, try again. I didn’t feel judged.”

Jones considers Richmond his home, but says “I’m based where the work is.” Currently, he’s back at Round House rehearsing “Sally & Tom” (May 27-June28), a play within a play/meta exploration of the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings by Suzan-Lori Parks.

Jones plays both a contemporary violinist and an enslaved fiddler, parts that have required him to learn to “air fiddle.” He’s all over it: “I want to represent the art and to be as precise as possible. Taught by an instructor, I’ve made strides with movement of the bow; next up is finger placement.”

Will he leave the play a violinist? “I’ll report back on closing night. Maybe I will have added something to the special skills list on my resume.”

For about a decade, Jones worked in living history, interpreting, performing, and writing pieces about the enslaved people of Colonial Virginia. Among the many historical characters he portrayed was Jupiter (Thomas Jefferson’s longtime enslaved manservant), an experience that’s proved a connection and preparation for his current role.

The 42nd Helen Hayes Awards celebration recognizing excellence in professional theater in the DMV will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026 at The Anthem on the District Wharf in Washington, D.C. Named for Helen Hayes, the legendary first lady of Broadway, the program consists of the awards presentation hosted by Felicia Curry, Awa Sal Secka, and Derrick Truby, followed by an after-party at nearby Whitlow’s.

With works selected from 149 eligible productions presented in the 2025 calendar year, nominations were made in 41 categories and grouped as either “Helen” (non-Equity/small Equity presence) or “Hayes” (Equity-heavy).

The many nominations are the result of 49 vetted judges considering 1,997 pieces of work, such as design, direction, choreography, performances, and more. The productions under consideration included 42 musicals, 107 plays, and 33 world premieres.

The following are more of this year’s queer nominees.

A past Helen Hayes Award recipient and nominee, Fran Tapia is competing against herself this year in the Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical (Helen) category. Nominated for her memorable turn as the diva barkeep in GALA Theatre’s “Columbia Heights Bolero Bar,” an immersive musical centered on songs of longing and immigration set in a diverse neighborhood on the eve of a divisive presidential election

“It was a challenging time, because a lot of what was happening in the show was happening in the neighborhood,” says Tapia who lives in Columbia Heights just eight minutes from GALA.

Based in D.C. since 2019, Tapia says “Being recognized in a country that is not my homeland but where I’m building my artistic home, is deeply meaningful. And the variety of roles I have been able to play speaks to the richness of DC theater and the collaborators who trusted me with these roles.”

Her other individual nomination is for the title role in Spooky Action Theater’s “Professor Woland’s Black Magic Rock Show,” a passionately comedic political satire. She approached the mysterious central character as nonbinary.

Tapia (“Chilean, Latina, queer and proud immigrant”) says while very different, both performances involved particularly strong characters. She’s grateful audiences responded positively to her work.

Stanley Bahorek, who moved to D.C. with his husband four years ago, is best known as an accomplished actor with a long list of Broadway and regional credits (including playing Carl, the gay son in Studio Theatre’s recent production of “The Mother Play”). Now, he is nominated for Outstanding Music Direction (Helen) for his work on “A Strange Loop,” a production of D.C.’s Visionaries of the Creative Arts (VOCA) in collaboration with Deaf Austin Theatre. He shares this nomination with Walter “Bobby” McCoy.

Michael R. Jackson’s Tony and Pulitzer wining play “A Strange Loop,” is the story of Usher, a Black, queer theater usher trying to write a musical. VOCA’s take on the work is seen through a deaf BIPOC lens with a deaf Usher played by a deaf actor (out actor Gabriel Silva). Invited by director and longtime friend Alexandria Wailes (who is deaf), Bahorek (who is hearing) joined the creative team as a sort of hybrid associate director/ music supervisor.

“I’m fluent in conversational American Sign Language (ASL),” he says. “I sort of functioned as a sherpa between the hearing and deaf and hard-of-hearing creatives. It’s been a great thrill to be a part of VOCA’s biggest production to date.”

If he and McCoy take home the prize, who makes the acceptance speech? Bahorek takes a beat before replying “That’s something we still need to talk about. And soon.”

A full list of award recipients will be available at theatrewashington.org on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.