Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Aug. 12

Parties, events, meetings and more through the 18th

Published

15 years ago

August 11, 2011

The cast of ‘Grease’ in Olney Theatre Center's production, which runs through Aug. 28. (Photo courtesy of Olney)

Don’t forget to check into each of these events through our Foursquare Tips page! Find all sorts of great things to do in DC at https://foursquare.com/washingtonblade.

Friday

The Lodge (21614 National Pike) in Boonsboro presents the first Black and White AIDS Response Effort Music Benefit hosted by Jennifer Warner, Stephanie Michaels and Ashley Bannks with musical numbers by musicians of the Mercy Rock String Quartet, Chad D, Michael Ehlers and DJ Philly Cheze, tonight from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and $25 after 11 p.m. VIP tickets are $50 and include table seating and open bar until 10 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit areblackwhiteparty.eventbrite.com.

Black Cat presents Right Round, an ‘80s alt-pop dance night with DJ lil’e, backstage tonight at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 and available tonight.

Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) presents “Pop!” a musical murder mystery by Maggie-Kate Coleman and Anna K. Jacobs which peeks inside the artistic revelry of Andy Warhol’s infamous Factory, today at 8:30 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $50 and can be purchased online. The show has been extended through Aug. 21. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit studiotheatre.org.

The fifth annual Take Five! Baltimore Improv Festival continues tonight with three sessions of improv performances at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson (3134 Eastern Ave.). Training 4 Prom, Mr. Licorice and Michael Loves Greg go on at 7 p.m. Pop 6, Plan B and Gus go on at 8:30 p.m. Hot and Modest, Student Driver and D.C. Comedy Sportz Blue Show go on at 10 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $15. The festival run through Sunday. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit baltimoreimprovfestival.org.

The GLBT Arts Consortium and the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (545 7th St., S.E.) present Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pinafore” at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling 202-547-6839 or e-mailing [email protected].

Busboys & Poets presents “The 11th Hour” poetry slam hosted by “2Deep” the Poetess, tonight at 11 p.m. in the Langston room at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.). There is a $5 admission at the door starting at 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 13

Just Circuit will be at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight featuring Twisted Dee with DJ Kuhmeleon at 10 p.m.

Girls Rock! D.C., a rock ‘n’ roll camp for girls ages 8 to 18, is having a Camper Band Showcase today at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) at 11 a.m. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.

The D.C. Slutwalk is today starting with a rally at 11 a.m. in Lafayette Square. The walk will begin at noon, ending at the National Sylvan Theater where the event continues with several speakers including Dr. Ruth Neustifter, Maryland District 16 Delegate Ariana Kelly and more. There will also be booths set up after the speakers. Slutwalk is a protest, rally and demonstration of “frustration and anger” protesting the blaming of victims of sexual violence based on what they wear, who they associate with and who they are.

There will be free HIV testing at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) today from 4 to 7 p.m.

Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) presents “Madonnarama” featuring Madonna music and videos by Ed Bailey and a special live performance by the Ladies of Town and the Town Dancers tonight. Doors open at 10 p.m. There is a $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. Attendees must be 21 or older.

There will be two performances of the Olney Theatre Center’s (3001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd.) production of “Grease” directed by Bobby Smith today at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets range from $26 to $49 and can be purchased online at olneytheatre.org. The show has been extended to run through Aug. 28.

Sunday, Aug. 14

Chicago will be performing at Pier Six Pavilion (731 Eastern Ave.) in Baltimore, tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $75 and can be purchased online at tickets.piersixpavilion.com. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for this all ages show.

Lambda Sci-Fi, an LGBT science fiction, fantasy and horror group, is having its monthly meeting and social today starting at 1:30 p.m. at 1414 17th St., N.W. Participants are asked to bring a snack or a non-alcoholic drink to share. For more information, call James at 202-232-3141, e-mail to [email protected], or visit the group’s website lambdascifi.org.

Zoom Urban Lesbian Excursions is hosting ladies’ kickball on the Mall today at 3 p.m. The group will be meeting between the National Museum of History and the Smithsonian Castle and will be identifiable by the purple balloons. This is a free event. For more information, visit phatgirlchic.com/zoom.

Monday, Aug 15

Celebrating their 30th anniversary, 10,000 Maniacs will be performing at the Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave.) in Alexandria, tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at birchmere.com.

D.C. Lambda Squares is hosting an open house tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Scott Hall of the National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.). Partners are not needed and no experience is necessary.

Tuesday, Aug. 16

The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) is having a special theater look-in for Sydney Theatre Company’s production of “Uncle Vanya” today at 5 p.m. featuring company members Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Richard Roxburgh, Hayley McElhinney and John Bell. There will be a performance at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the look-in are $12 and performance tickets range from $59 to $135. For more information and to purchase tickets to either event, visit kennedy-center.org.

Remington’s (639 Pennslyvania Ave., S.E.) is hosting D.C. Drag Idol tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. hosted by Raquel Savage Black. Admission is $5.

Wednesday, Aug. 17

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets at 7:30 p.m, at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) across from Marine Barracks, for social bridge. No partner is needed. For more informaiton, visit lambdabridge.com and click on “Social Bridge in Washington.”

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is tonight at Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar (1101 H St., N.E.) with The Machine and special guest DJs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Attendees must be 21 or older for this cover-free event.

Thursday, Aug. 18

The musical “Wicked” will be performed at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. “Wicked” tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch, before Dorothy landed in Oz. Tickets range from $37 to $250 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) has two exhibits on display, MiniSolos@Touchstone, which features the work of 37 area artists and a small companion show, Summer Sampler, which features works by the gallery’s members, which will run through Aug. 27. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Theater

Don’t miss summer productions at Clear Space in Rehoboth Beach

‘Cher Show,’ ‘Pretty Woman’ among season’s standouts

Published

9 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Peter Rosenstein

Abby Lynne and Caetano de Sá (Photo by Deny Howeth)

“The Cher Show” at Clear Space Theatre is wonderful. I am always amazed at the talent they attract for their summer series. Kudos to Wes Drummond, the artistic director of the theater. “The Cher Show” is written by Rick Elice. Compliments to the talented director, James FitzSimmons, who brought to life this production. His immensely talented cast includes Shannen Hofheimer as Star, Breanna Lemerise as Lady, Abby Lynne as Babe, and Anya Kay, as young Cher. Each is a pleasure to both watch and listen to. They command the stage. Then more kudos to the entire cast and ensemble. Also, the creative team, which includes among so many who make this show a hit, choreographer Shondelle Graulich; scenic designer, David Chappell; lighting designer Brendan Smith; costume designer Valerie Beardsley; and the entire orchestra led by conductor, Jerry Birl.

But the actor who I was looking forward to seeing in the production, was a young actor I had written about, and reviewed, when I saw him at Clear Space two years ago. In this production he is Sonny Bono, and he definitely didn’t disappoint.

Let me introduce Caetano de Sá. I have written about him before, but his resume is worth repeating. It says; Height: 5’7 ½, Eyes: Brown, Voice part: Tenor G2 – C5, Build: Athletic. All true. Then you add to this he speaks Brazilian Portuguese, is certified in stage combat by the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a 2^nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Then as his resume of roles confirms, he can act, sing, and dance with the best. He does a great job as Sonny and is fun to watch on stage. Here he displays his talents as a singer and actor, and they are as good as I remembered them when I first met Caetano while he was still in school in 2024, and was starring as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” at Clear Space. At the time he was a rising senior at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee BFA Musical Theater program. I interviewed him, and Harry Sperduto, who played Tommy Devotee, after seeing them in the show, and being amazed by their talent. Since that time, I have followed their careers. When I heard Caetano was coming back to Clear Space for the summer, I reached out, and he agreed to sit down and chat, which we did. I knew Clear Space Theatre was planning a busy summer season. Their lineup of shows included “The Cher Show,” “Mean Girls,” and “Pretty Woman.” They always have talented casts, including the many college students who are getting their first chance to shine, which was the case for Caetano in 2024. Now he is back as a graduate, with more experience under his belt, a little more established. This season he was going to play Sonny in their production of “The Cher Show,” Martin/Coach Carr, in “Mean Girls,” and Mr. Hollister in “Pretty Woman,” and being a part of the ensemble. He told me he really enjoys being at Clear Space, and that his castmates are all talented. He is a lot more experienced than when he was here before, having performed in productions at the Prairie Repertory Theatre, the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Firehouse Center for the Arts, and the Sullivan Rep, among others. In productions as diverse as “Oklahoma!,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Hairspray,” and “Rock of Ages.” He now lives in New York City and clearly New York is the perfect place for an aspiring actor. He has an agent at Bramante Artists, who is getting him gigs, like the one he had at 54 Below and even a TV commercial for AFLAC.

“The Cher Show” is the second show I have seen at Clear Space this summer. After our chat I got one of the last tickets available that evening for “Pretty Woman.” In that production he has a smaller role, and is part of the incredibly talented ensemble. It is also an entertaining show and its very talented stars, Abby McDonough as Vivian, and Jaiden Leo Riley as Edward, are a pleasure to watch. Kudos to the talented director, Ashley Williams, and the entire creative team.

For anyone living at the beach, or coming for a visit, I urge you to plan a night at Clear Space. You won’t regret it. But know tickets for all the shows, and Sunday evening cabaret nights, sell out fast. So, I suggest you see what’s available online and buy yours today.

Photos

PHOTOS: World Pride March

LGBTQ rights demonstration held in Amsterdam

Published

2 days ago

August 9, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from the 2026 World Pride March in Amsterdam. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2026 World Pride March was held on Saturday, Aug. 8 in Amsterdam. Tens of thousands of participants marched from Martin Luther Kingpark to the grounds of the Pride Village at Museumplein.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)