Arts & Entertainment

Arts news in brief: Oct. 7

Stein exhibit opens at Portrait Gallery, Center hosts two weekend events and more

Published

14 years ago

October 6, 2011

Gertrude Stein posing for Jo Davidson in 1922. A tribute to the iconoclastic lesbian poet and art collector opens next weekend at the Portrait Gallery in Washington. (Image courtesy of the Smithsonian)

Stein exhibit opens at Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery has a new exhibit, “Seeing Gertrude Stein: Five Stories” opening Oct. 14.

The exhibit features more than 50 artifacts and 100 works by artists detailing the groundbreaking lesbian writer’s life and work.

Wanda Corn, who is serving as guest curator, and Tirza True Latimar, serving as associate guest curator, have written a book of the same name which analyzes the portraits Stein posed for and more.

The gallery is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and admission is free.

Mackey: the ‘Knife’

Lesbian singer/songwriter Jeanne Mackey will be performing “Drop the Knife: A Memoir-in-Song” on Oct. 14 at the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium (7500 Maple Ave.) at 7:30 p.m.

As a young musician, Mackey advocated feminist values and social justice and in this musical she chronicles her search for personal and ancestral healing, exploring the meaning of magic, homeland, curses and death.

There is a suggested donation of $10 to $15.

Center hosts two artists this weekend

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) has two events this weekend.

First up is the Center’s monthly open mic night tonight at 8 p.m. featuring Liz Prescott, a semi-finalist in Capturing Fire, the first national, queer poetry slam. Prescott has also been featured at Busboys & Poets and Bloombars.

The night will be hosted by Mike Brazell and those who wish to participate should sign up by 7:30 p.m.

Then on Saturday, Kimberly Dark, a writer, mother, performer and professor, will be performing “Good Fortune” tonight at 8 p.m. Dark has compiled her own “tarot deck” of 49 large-size art images that correspond to stories. At each performance, an audience member chooses cards from the deck to form the show’s “reading.” The cards’ selection, arrangement, and impromptu interpretation ensure that no two shows will ever be alike. Tickets are $10 and can only be purchased at the door.

Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

Published

17 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Michael Key

Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Published

18 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

19 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, May 3

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.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, May 5

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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 details, email [email protected].

Tuesday, May 6

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 details, email [email protected].

Wednesday, May 7

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. 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 with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].