Arts & Entertainment
Arts news in brief: Nov. 18
‘Hairspray’ at Signature, Thanksgiving volunteer opps and more
Robert Aubry Davis and Carolyn Cole star in Signature Theatre's production of ‘Hairspray’ opening Monday. (Photo by Christopher Mueller; courtesy Signature)
‘Hairspray’ at Signature
Signature Theatre’s production of ‘Hairspray’ opens Monday. The musical will star radio host Robert Aubry Davis as Edna Turnblad, Carolyn Cole as Tracy Turnblad and Patrick Thomas Cragin as Link Larkin.
Performances will run Tuesday through Sunday evenings, expect Thanksgiving, after the Monday night opening, with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets range from $62 to $86 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com.
The show runs through Jan. 29.
Capital Queer Prom hosts meet and greet
The Capital Queer Prom Committee is having its official “Meet and Greet” happy hour on Tuesday at Hank’s Oyster Bar (1624 Q St., N.W.) from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
At the event, attendees will be able to mix and mingle with members from the committee as well as learn about Transgender Health Empowerment, this year’s prom beneficiary. They will also be the first to know about announcements, early bird tickets and how to sign-up to be Prom King or Queen.
There will also be spiked bunch and free appetizer platters and drink specials running until 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 and the funds will benefit Capital Queer Prom and T.H.E. The sixth annual Capital Queer Prom will be held March 24. For more information, visit capitalqueerprom.com.
Thanksgiving brings volunteer opps
With Thanksgiving coming up next week, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and help the community.
Food & Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.), an organization that provides meals for people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses, has a couple different opportunities for people to help this Thanksgiving.
From Monday to Wednesday, volunteers will be needed to help with turkey box deliveries. These are boxes put together for clients who live further away and need the delivery sooner to make their Thanksgiving dinner. Volunteers will also be needed to assist with food preparation and packing groceries in two hour shifts at 8 and 10 a.m., and 1 and 5 p.m.
On Tuesday, volunteers are needed to help with “Slice of Life,” a program where people can buy pies for themselves or clients and each pie bought equals one day of meals. People will be needed to set up pie distribution and assist customers as they arrive with shifts from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On Thanksgiving, volunteers will be needed to deliver holiday meals to two or three clients in the D.C. area during one of four delivery shifts at 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m. and noon. The organization also needs volunteers to assemble the meals and to help with the logistics of the day.
For more information about volunteering for Good & Friends, visit foodandfriends.org.
The Washington Renegades gay rugby team will be helping out Food & Friends on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. as an annual event.
The team will be prepping turkeys, chopping vegetables and packing bags of prepared food. After volunteering the group will be having a gathering.
Burgundy Crescent Volunteers has some opportunities to volunteer as well. Besides helping with Food & Friends, the organization will be holding its ninth annual “Clear OUT Your Closets” clothing drive for the homeless at Rosemary’s Thyme (1801 18th St., N.W.) with donation drop-off running from 10 a.m. to noon.
The group also needs volunteers to help with providing Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless and needy at Rosemary’s Thyme from noon to 2 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help set up starting at 10:30 a.m., clean up after and bring a dish of some kind to serve.
For more information about volunteering with Burgundy Crescent, visitburgundycrescent.org.
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.
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.
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].
PDAB: A mysterious acronym that could affect your health
I make more money than my partner and getting resentful
D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride
PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch
Executive director of LGBTQ Catholic group to travel to Rome for conclave
TRAITOR: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has blood on his hands
Potential Pope Francis successor views homosexuality as an ‘abomination’
Jacob Elordi rides high in ‘On Swift Horses’
Liberal Party wins Canadian election
