Arts & Entertainment
ARTS NEWS IN BRIEF: ‘Homo’ performance at Dance Place
Thomas to perform, pro-gay African Bishop in town and Richmond Pride slated

Gay dancer Vince E. Thomas performs a gay-themed work in D.C. this weekend. (Photo courtesy of Thomas)
Vince E. Thomas brings his VTDance to the D.C. area to present his newest solo work, “iWitness,” a three-part performance, at Dance Place (3225 8th Street, N.W.) on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.
“I Pledge” explores the simple truths in human behaviors and the implied truths found in human documents. Another part, “Render & Proceed” investigates the convolution of media and its impact on the human spirit. The last part, “Come Change,” considers the past and present for a hopeful tomorrow.
The evening will also include a work called “Homo Will Not Inherit,” a collaboration with Iron Crow Theatre based on the poetry of Mark Doty dealing with the transformation of space physically and culturally.
Tickets are $22 for general admission, $17 for Dance Place members, seniors, teachers and artists, $10 for college students and $8 for children and teens 17 and younger.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit danceplace.org or call 202-269-1600.
Pro-gay Uganda bishop makes Lutheran, Episcopal weekend appearances
The Lutherans Concerned, Metro-Washington, D.C. is having its chapter banquet tonight at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation (212 E. Capitol St., N.E.) starting at 6:30 p.m. with a social hour followed by the banquet at 7:30.
Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, the retired Anglican bishop in Uganda and leader of St. Paul’s Reconciliation and Equality Centre in Kampala, is the guest speaker. He’ll also be speaking at All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) on Sunday morning at its 11 a.m. Mass. A discussion time will be held in the church hall after the service.
There will also be a silent auction to benefit SYMAL, the Trinity Place Shelter for LGBT youth in Manhattan, and the St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation, the U.S.-based organization that supports the Bishop’s work in Uganda.
Tickets are $25 and $40. Contact Philip Moeller at 202-543-1282 or by e-mail at [email protected] to RSVP.
Richmond, Va., has Pride event Saturday

Local gay singer/songwriter Tom Goss plays PrideFest in Richmond this weekend. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Virginia Pride PrideFest 2011 is Saturday starting at noon at Kanawha Plaza in Richmond with performances by local and national performers including Martha Wash, Amy Henderson and Tom Goss.
The festival will also include the athletic wear and swimwear rounds of the Mr. VA Pride competition. The four finalists are Mr. Richmond Julius Smith, Mr. Fairfax Brian Reach, Mr. Arlington Chip Clapp and Mr. Virginia Beach Matt Belcher.
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit vapride.org.
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Arts & Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71
Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’
Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.
O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.
In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.
In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”
Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.
Friday, January 30
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 31
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.
Sunday, February 1
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 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 (adamheller@thedccenter.org).
Tuesday, February 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 information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 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 thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 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 details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, February 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 5:00 pm 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, breath work 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.
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