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Arts news in brief: Nov. 4

Chely Wright doc screening, Sig. ‘Hairspray’ party and more

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Chely Wright at Capital Pride in 2010. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Wright doc gets local screening tonight

The fifth annual Alexandria Film Festival has already kicked off with “Ed Hardy Tattoo the World,” but it will continue through the weekend with many more films, including a few with LGBT angles.

First up tonight at 9:15 p.m. is “Wish Me Away,” the documentary that tells the story of  Chely Wright and the process she went through to become the first country music star to come out on national television.

Then on Saturday, at 5 p.m. is the East Coast premiere of “Cancerpants,” a documentary that shows Ro Poulson’s battle to survive after being diagnosed with stage III breast cancer with the help of her partner and their friends, family and community.

Both movies will be screened in the north lodge of George Washington Masonic Memorial (101 Callahan Drive). Tickets are $10 for individual screenings or $75 for a Fest Pass. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit alexandriafilm.org.

Signature teases ‘Hairspray’ opening

In celebration of Signature Theatre’s (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington) upcoming production of “Hairspray,” the theater will be transformed for “The Big Hair Ball” on Saturday at 8 p.m.

The party will feature Baltimore favorites like crab cakes, sliders and Natty Boh and attendees can mingle with cast members of the musical as well as take dance classes or get their hair teased at “Big Hair Salon.”

“Hairspray” will play from Nov. 21 to Jan. 29 with Robert Aubry Davis of WETA’s “Around Town” and Sirius/XM Radio making his musical theater stage debut as Edna Turnblad.

Tickets for the ball range from $75 to $250 and can be purchased online at signature-theatre.org.

Several gay films planned for Rehoboth fest

The 14th annual Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival starts Wednesday and runs through next weekend at the Movies at Midway in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Several gay-themed films are planned including “The Green” with gay actor Cheyenne Jackson which tells the story of a gay couple who face crisis when one of them, a teacher at a private school, is accused of acting inappropriately with a student.

Sundance hit “Circumstances” tells of two teen girls who experiment with their sexuality in a repressive society in Tehran. And “Loose Cannons” is an Italian film about a gay man who comes out to his conservative family in hopes of getting out of joining the family business.

The Chely Wright documentary (see above) will also be shown as well as a documentary on Broadway legend Carl Channing.

Tickets can be purchased in person, by mail or e-mail. E-mail to [email protected] or visit rehobothfilm.com for details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This queer comedy show will warm you up

Catfish Comedy to feature LGBTQ lineup

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(Promotional image via Eventbrite)

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

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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’

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(Photo courtesy of Pop TV)

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.

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Calendar

Calendar: January 30-February 5

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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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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