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.

Photos

Center for Black Equity honors leaders, activists at BE. Gala

Miyake-Mugler, Oakes co-host annual awards ceremony

Published

8 hours ago

October 11, 2026

Michael Key

Center for Black Equity President and CEO Kenya Hutton speaks at the 2026 BE. Gala on Saturday. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Center for Black Equity held its annual BE. Gala at Conrad Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Lolita Leopard Miyake-Mugler and Anthony Oakes co-hosted the awards ceremony.

Honorees included journalist and producer Justin Stewart; nonprofit leader Nikki Alexander; HIV advocate Marlene McNeese; the nonprofit organization FreeLux Project; actress Monroe Alise; public health advocate Tori Cooper; Manassas Park Vice Mayor Darryl G. Moore; Rev. Dr. Carmarion D. Anderson; Bishop Steven Sawyer; government relations professional Courtney Snowden; Senior Deputy Director of HAHSTA at D.C. Health, Clover Barnes; and Texas state Rep. Venton C. Jones.

The event was sponsored by Gilead.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Books

In ‘The Lost Brontë,’ a complicated lie can lead to danger

New book features sweetly romantic girl-meets-girl twist

Published

13 hours ago

October 11, 2026

Terri Schlichenmeyer

(Book cover image courtesy of Bywater Books)

‘The Lost Brontë’
By Catherine Friend
c.2026, Bywater Books
$22.95/335 pages

Mom always said to tell the truth.

One lie leads to another and another and you have to remember them all until pretty soon, you’re caught. Fibs are hard, mistruths are messy, even little white social lies can destroy trust. Worst of all, as in the new novel, “The Lost Brontë” by Catherine Friend, a complicated lie can lead to danger.

Though Lilianne Loxley was very young when she lost her parents, she understood that her uncle didn’t really want her. As time passed, though, Lily made herself useful to Uncle, writing and signing letters for him and she became a good companion, helping him with his collection of Brontë memorabilia. Uncle was a keen enthusiast.

She had no idea that his obsession was out of control and he was deeply in arrears. The day Lily learned of his debt was the day she learned that he’d agreed to send her to his debtor’s home to work off the money owed.

It was so sudden. One minute, Lily was at Loxley House, happy and loved by Uncle’s staff … and five hours later, she was at Crag Thorn Manor, home of Lord Bexton, who informed her that she’d be working on his ledgers – work that seemed routine, but Lily tackled it.

Uncle always did say she was headstrong.

But would headstrong be enough to survive, when she was restricted from most of the Manor, when she was forced to dine with Brexton and his slimy friend, or – the worst! – when Brexton told Lily that her next task was to forge a letter from Emily Brontë? And then an entire manuscript?

Lily struggled to do what was right. She had to get Uncle out of debt but this last order horrified her. Did she dare refuse Brexton’s orders and commit a crime? It was unthinkable!

The only brightness in the whole situation was Wren, the ladies’ maid assigned to Lily’s room. Wren was adorable with freckles and the sweetest smile. But with everything else happening at Crag Thorn Manner, could Lily act upon her feelings?

This time of year, you may come to crave dark, spooky stories, and “The Last Brontë” fits those needs perfectly with its Gothic deliciousness. Think: Daphne du Maurier-type, stormy-night squirms with a dangerously chaste, sweetly romantic girl-meets-girl twist for fun.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve read a Gothic novel, you’re in for a nice reminder of why you love them here. You can almost tick off the must-haves: a novel like this is nothing without a foreboding stone manor with damp walls; stone steps to a dank basement; a mysterious portrait; and a nearby bog, and author Catherine Friend gives readers every one of them. You’d be disappointed if there was no ghost, wouldn’t you? Ha. You can practically feel the cold blow through the attic, right? Yeah, it’s that kind of book.

If you’re a fan of the Brontës, you’ll like this novel. If you love Gothic mysteries or Victorian romances, ditto. “The Lost Brontë” is good, no lie.

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Out & About

CAMP Rehoboth Block Party returns Oct. 18

Expect performances, vendors and more at annual celebration

Published

13 hours ago

October 11, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

CAMP Rehoboth’s annual Block Party returns next weekend. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

CAMP Rehoboth will host its annual Block Party celebration on Sunday, Oct.18 at 11 a.m. on the second block of Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach.

CAMP Rehoboth invites all community members to join in the festivities and to expect magnificent performances and dozens of vendors, including artists, craftspeople, non-profits, businesses, and more.

The event started in 2015 in celebration of CAMP Rehoboth’s 25th anniversary. This year, attendees can expect to shop sea glass art, pottery, jewelry, Pride merch, body care, clothing, and learn more about local non-profit causes and businesses.

Attendance is free. For more details, visit CAMP Rehoboth’s website.